Dutch Bunny Estrus Signs: Recognizing Heat Cues

What Are the Signs of Estrus in Guinea Pigs?

1. Estrus in guinea pigs can lead to noticeable changes in their behavior. Female guinea pigs may become more vocal, calling out more frequently than usual, and their appetite may decrease. Some may even exhibit a tendency to bite at their cages. On the other hand, male guinea pigs can become more energetic and irritable during estrus, which might lead to fighting among males in a shared habitat. However, this behavior tends to diminish as the guinea pigs age. Typically, guinea pigs over 1.5 years old have fully matured physically and their personalities become more calm and stable.

2. During estrus, guinea pigs often display a range of behaviors such as tilting their heads forward, emitting low, rumbling sounds, lowering and stretching their bodies, and wiggling their tails. Males may also press their buttocks against the ground to rub and mark their territory, leaving a scent to attract females. In a mixedgender environment, males might lick the female's secretions to determine her suitability for mating. Females, when in heat, may secrete a milky fluid, become restless, and even suddenly scream.

3. Some females may squat low and lift their tails to the side, indicating their readiness to mate. Conversely, if a female is not interested in mating, she will usually emit an unhappy sound and may jump away or even spray urine.

It's generally rare for guinea pigs to exhibit estrus behaviors when kept alone by their owners.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Tips: All guinea pigs will exhibit estrus behaviors once they reach sexual maturity. If a guinea pig is successfully bred and becomes pregnant, it's important for owners to separate them promptly to prevent the male from attempting to mate again, which could cause serious harm to the female.