Caring for a Pregnant Guinea Pig: Essential Tips
Care for Guineapig Pregnancy
1. Separate Housing: Upon confirming that the female guineapig is pregnant, it is crucial for the owner to immediately separate her from the male guineapig, or to keep the pregnant female in a single cage. This is to prevent her from being with the male, as the female guineapig will naturally cease estrus during pregnancy. However, the male guineapig will continue to exhibit estrus multiple times a month, and during these periods, he may chase and mate with the female. Since the pregnant female is not in estrus, this can lead to conflicts, and in extreme cases, may cause her to abort. For the safety of both the mother and her offspring, it is essential to keep them apart. Ensure that the new cage provided for the mother is clean, hygienic, and comfortable. Place it in a clean, dry, warm, and windfree location, and provide the necessary food for her inside.
2. Nutritional Supplementation: During pregnancy, it is advisable to provide the female guineapig with additional nutrition, but it is equally important not to overfeed her to prevent obesity. Overnutrition during pregnancy can also lead to excessive fetal growth, which may complicate labor or cause a miscarriage. Generally, feed her highquality feed and supplement her diet with a moderate amount of alfalfa hay daily.
3. Moderate Exercise: The pregnant guineapig should still engage in moderate exercise, but avoid overly vigorous activities. Allow her to move around for about twenty minutes each day, or assist her in exercising within her cage by placing her food bowl, bedding, hay rack, and litter box in the four corners. This arrangement can encourage her to walk more and increase her activity level.
4. Preventing Startle: It is vital to ensure that the pregnant guineapig does not experience any sudden scares, as this can lead to stress and potentially cause a miscarriage.
Dr. Oxygen Pet provides an overview of guineapig pregnancy care. We hope all pet owners will pay close attention to the pre and postnatal care of pregnant guineapigs, and look forward to the arrival of the adorable little piglets with joy.
