I am frequently asked about the signs that a guinea pig shows when they are pregnant. While guinea pigs sometimes don’t show visible signs until they are at least six weeks pregnant, others will show signs in as little as two weeks into pregnancy. In today’s article, I will focus on how a guinea pig’s nipples are affected when they are pregnant.
How to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant by their nipples
Just about all pregnant guinea pigs will have big nipples when they are pregnant. However, a guinea pig’s nipples can become enlarged anywhere from two weeks into pregnancy or nine to ten weeks into pregnancy. Sometimes, a guinea pig’s nipples won’t become big until after she gives birth.
A pregnant guinea pig’s nipples will likely become larger and more elongated when they are pregnant. This occurs because the hormones in their body cause the nipples to grow in size.
The exact time a pregnant guinea pig’s nipples become larger is dependent on a lot of factors including genes, hormones, and environment. Some guinea pigs also naturally have larger nipples, so it can be hard to spot the difference. Additionally, if a guinea pig develops big nipples, it might be a sign that they have ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts can cause infertility as well as hair loss and erratic behavior. In serious cases it can even lead to cancer.
The key to knowing whether or not the large nipples are caused by pregnancy is to look for other pregnant guinea pig behavior and signs.
How to tell if your guinea pig is pregnant?
For starters, your guinea pig can only be pregnant if they have been in contact with a male guinea pig within the last ten weeks. If your guinea pig lives with a male guinea pig and their nipples become large, there is a good chance she is pregnant.
Additionally, if you got your guinea pig within the last ten weeks, there is a chance your guinea pig became pregnant while it was with the breeder. While most reputable breeders don’t keep male and female guinea pigs together, there is always a chance they got pregnant.
As I mentioned earlier, the key to finding out if your guinea pig’s nipples are a result of pregnancy is to look for other signs.
The main signs that a guinea pig is pregnant are changes in energy, eating habits, drinking habits, and lumps in the belly.
Changes in energy
A pregnant guinea pig will likely start to have changes in their energy levels. This can go both ways. For example, a pregnant guinea pig might become a lot less energetic and not move around as much. Conversely, a pregnant guinea pig may also become overly energetic as their hormones change. They may become more active or even confrontational. Pregnancy can also cause a guinea pig to start twitching. They may also start making strange noises at random times, including squeaking at night.
Eating habits
A pregnant guinea pig will definitely start to eat more. As you might expect, this is because they need to consume enough food for their babies.
Drinking habits
Similarly, a guinea pig might start to drink a lot more water when they become pregnant. As a result, you might notice that they spend a lot more time near their water bottle.
Lumps in the belly
The biggest tell tale sign that a guinea pig is pregnant is when they start to develop small lumps in their stomach. You can confirm these are babies by gently pressing your hand against their stomach. If your guinea pig is at least six weeks pregnant, you will likely feel the babies moving around. You might also be able to hear the babies grinding their teeth.
Interestingly, just because your guinea pig gains a lot of weight all of a sudden does not mean they are pregnant. Guinea pigs naturally gain a lot of weight when they are young, so the weight gain could be natural.
When can guinea pig’s become pregnant?
A female guinea pig can become pregnant at the age of one month. For this reason, it is important to separate female guinea pigs from male guinea pigs once a female guinea pig reaches the age of one month.
A female guinea pig becomes a lot less fertile when they reach the age of ten months. The chances of a stillborn is therefore much higher after a guinea pig is ten months old.
How long are guinea pigs pregnant for?
Most guinea pigs are pregnant for around 60 to 72 days. This means they can be pregnant for around eight to ten weeks.
Can my guinea pig get pregnant even if my male guinea pig is neutered?
While neutering does greatly reduce the chances of a male guinea pig impregnating a female guinea pig, it is not 100% sterile.
Additionally, a guinea pig can still produce sperm for up to 3 weeks after they are neutered. For this reason, you should keep a male guinea pig separated from females for at least 3 weeks after they are neutered.
Do most guinea pig babies survive?
Unfortunately, guinea pigs have a very high mortality rate at birth. The birth mortality rate of guinea pigs is 25%. For this reason, it is always best to avoid pregnancy at all costs.
What to do if your guinea pig is pregnant?
If you suspect your guinea pig is pregnant, you may want to take her to a vet to confirm the diagnosis. If your guinea pig is pregnant, you will want to keep a close eye on her (especially once she hits the 6-week mark).
You should make sure your guinea pig has access to plenty of food and clean water. I would suggest feeding a pregnant guinea pig pellets. Once your guinea pig gives birth, you should separate the newborns after they are two weeks old.