What do I need to know about breeding guinea pigs?

What do I need to know about breeding guinea pigs?

A female guinea pig needs to be sexually mature to breed but also not too old to give birth. This allows an extremely small window of opportunity unless you want to have a Cesarean section (C-section) performed on the sow to get the babies out. Guinea pigs are sexually mature as young as one month of age.

How do I find out my guinea pigs breed?

Guinea Pig Fur Length: The length of your guinea pigs’ coat is a major clue for guessing the breed. Longhaired, shorthaired, or almost no hair narrows your search. Breeds with short hair include the American, American Satin, Abyssinian, Abyssinian Satin, Teddy, Teddy Satin, and White-Crested.

Are there any issues with breeding guinea pigs?

Breeding guinea pigs is not without its issues. These can impact both the sow and her babies. Female guinea pigs can struggle to give birth if their first mating is after their first birthday. This is due to their pelvic bones fusing in position, and struggling to allow the fully formed baby to pass through and out into the world.

How old does a guinea pig have to be to breed?

A female guinea pig needs to be sexually mature to breed but also not too old to give birth. This allows an extremely small window of opportunity unless you want to have a Cesarean section (C-section) performed on the sow to get the babies out.

How old does a Guinea Lynx have to be to breed?

GUINEA LYNX. A Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs. Female guinea pigs can be sexually mature as early as 4 weeks old. Gestation is from 59 to 73 days and average litter size is 1-4 but can be as many as 7 or more. Breeding guinea pigs is not recommended.

What’s the best way to prevent guinea pigs from breeding?

Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately.

How old do you have to be to breed a guinea pig?

Breeding guinea pigs is usually straightforward, but the results aren’t quick. The sow (female) and boar (male) need to be together for at least 17 days, and the gestation period is then around nine weeks. There is also quite a small window for safely breeding your female guinea pig. Before 6 months old they will be too young.

Breeding guinea pigs is not without its issues. These can impact both the sow and her babies. Female guinea pigs can struggle to give birth if their first mating is after their first birthday. This is due to their pelvic bones fusing in position, and struggling to allow the fully formed baby to pass through and out into the world.

GUINEA LYNX. A Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs. Female guinea pigs can be sexually mature as early as 4 weeks old. Gestation is from 59 to 73 days and average litter size is 1-4 but can be as many as 7 or more. Breeding guinea pigs is not recommended.

Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately.