How can you tell when a guinea pig is ready to have babies?

Question

We got two guinea pigs at a petstore, one a girl and one a boy, but when we got them the owner said the girl was pregant. We got them last month and the owner said she was supposed to have them at the end of June, but she hasn't yet. What can I do to help her?

Answer 1

When my guinea pig was pregnant she became somewhat hormonal around the time of birth, nipping more than usual. She looked unusually bulgy and didn't move around much:she made a bit of a nest in her shavings in the corner and rested most of the day. Make sure you give her fresh fruits and vegetables. Its pretty hard to tell exactly when she'll give birth but be patient and don't worry. We woke up one morning and out guinea pig Gerty had four babies, cleaned and nursing in the cage with her. They  really know what they're doing because of their instincts so just let them do their own thing. ABSOLUTELY MAKE SURE THE MALE IS OUT OF THE CAGE OR HE MIGHT EAT THEM!!!!! that would be awful. Also do not hold them for 2 or 3 days. We had a baby die because it got so freaked out. Good luck!

Answer 2

Make sure she isn't in the same cage as the male guinea pig this might make feel uncomfortable. Put her in a cage away from the male where she can have and raise her young safely and make sure it's large enough so that her and her babies will have lots of space.

Answer 3

The time between pregnancy and birth for a guinea pig is 2 months. So be patient she will have them when she is ready.

Answer 4

She will probably make a 'nest' type thing with the cedar chips. Most likely in a corner.

She will spend most of her time in her nest when she's ready to have the babies.

Just let her go.

Answer 5

Pretty clean cut with guinea pigs. Fell around on their stomach area. You should be able to feel the little lumps that are the babies in there. You can tell with guinea pigs.

Answer 6

How horribly irresponsible of the pet store to house them together :(. Keep the male away from her, she can get pregnant again soon after giving birth. If she has male and female pups, I'd keep a male pup to keep dad company and a female pup to keep mom company. Guinea pigs are highly social so they should be kept in same s*x pairs or groups.

Remember that the boy pups will need to be separated from their sisters and mother by 3 weeks of age since they hit sexual maturity at that age.

More information: http://www.guinealynx.info/breeding.html