by Kim Dieter

Created on: July 29, 2010

Newborn guinea pigs are born covered in hair, have open eyes and they can walk. Guinea pig babies or pups soon eat solid food because their teeth have erupted.  This advanced development at birth is largely due to the relatively long gestation period of the females.  In contrast, domestic rabbits have a gestation period half as long but the babies are born without hair or functioning eyes and ears.  It takes ten days for the young rabbits to grow hair, have fully functioning eyes and ears and to begin to eat solid food.

The gestation period for guinea pigs ranges from 59 to 72 days with an average of 63 days.  The females (sows) may exhibit their first heat period at 5 to 6 weeks of age.  But it is recommended the sows and boars (males) not be bred until 3 to 4 months of age to ensure they are fully mature.  Sows should be bred for the first time before 7 months of age.  After 7 months, there is an increased chance of complications at birth.

The estrus or heat cycle of the sow is 15 to 17 days with an average of 16 days. The sow is polyestrous, breeding may occur year round. The sow remains in heat for about 8 hours.  A sow in heat will usually elevate her rear end and arch her back. Mating often occurs at night. One boar will breed up to 10 sows.  During pregnancy a sow may double her body weight.

 Sows normally give birth to 1 to 6 pups.  The average litter size is 3 to 4. The gestation length for small litters is usually longer than the gestation length for larger litters.  One week prior to delivering the litter, the sow usually exhibits a widening pelvis. The birth of a litter takes about 30 minutes with an approximate 5-minute interval between the births of each pup.  Sows do not build nests.  The pups weigh 2 to 4 ounces at birth and will nurse the sow for 2 to 3 weeks.  The pups will begin to eat solid food and drink water when 2 to 3 days old.

 Eighty percent of sows will come into heat within 2 to 15 hours of giving birth.  However, it is not recommended to breed the sow at this time so she can devote her energy to raising her current litter. 

 Sows may produce 5 litters a year.  The breeding life for a sow is usually 18 to 20 months. 

 The advanced development of a newborn guinea pig is in sharp contrast to other animals such as rabbits.  The long gestation period helps to make this possible.

References:

 http://www.lvma.org/gpig.html

Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association

Biology of the Guinea Pig

 http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/small-pets/guinea -pigs/guinea-pig-reproduction.html

AnimalHosptials-USA Guinea Pig Reproduction

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