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Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier.
- Infancy
- Adolescence
- Adulthood
- Sexual Maturity
- Old Age
Guinea pig infants are born with their eyes already open and with a nice fur, unlike rabbit kits and hamster pups.They weigh around 3 to 3.5 ounces at birth. Although they can walk (rather wobble) already, the babies are vulnerable and dependant on their mother. Infant guinea pigs will start to eat solid foods within two to three weeks. Watch these...
Photo byBonnie Kittle Adolescence begins when young guinea pigs are being weaned from their mother. This usually happens at the age of 3-4 weeks. At this time guinea pigs will start to become more independent. They will learn to groom themselves, and their coat will become more distinct. They will also start experimenting with different foods, and ...
Photo byMatthew Halmshaw At the age of 5-6 months guinea pigs will reach adulthood and their full size.They will continue eating a diet of Timothy and oat hay, which should be available constantly, as they need it to curb the growth of their teeth (which constantly grow), along with a serving of fresh vegetables. Adult male guinea pigs may become t...
Guinea pigs become sexually mature around the same time as when they reach adulthood. Age does not matter when it comes to male guinea pigs. As long as they are sexually mature, they can reproduce. However, female guinea pigs have a short period to safely reproduce. They must breed within the first 10 months of their lives before their pubic symphy...
As guinea pigs get older, their coat may start to thin out. They may also develop health problems such as arthritis, cataracts, or heart disease. Various health problems that arise toward the end of a guinea pig's life may be influenced by factors throughout their life, including diet, exercise, and overall quality of life. It's important to provid...
- Losing Weight. It is common for guinea pigs to gradually lose weight as they get older. Despite eating a lot, senior guinea pigs sometimes have difficulty holding weight due to their loss of muscle mass.
- Losing Muscle Mass. In addition to weight loss, guinea pigs generally lose muscle mass as they age. Their hip bones become sharper in appearance and more prominent looking.
- Sleeping Longer and More Deeply. Older guinea pigs often fall into deeper and longer slumbers than their young counterparts. These deep periods of sleep are usually referred to as “death naps.”
- Arthritis or Stiffness in Joints. Sometimes guinea pigs experience arthritis or stiffness as they get older. This is more prevalent in some guinea pigs than others.
Oct 18, 2019 · When to Breed 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.
Sep 20, 2023 · Female guinea pigs, or sows, can start breeding as early as 2-3 months old, but it is recommended to wait until they are around 4-6 months old. Males, or boars, become sexually mature around 3-4 months of age. It is essential to monitor your guinea pig’s age, as fertility declines with age.
Sep 10, 2024 · The Best Age to Breed Guinea Pigs. Guinea pigs become sexually mature at a young age 1. Females are sexually mature by as young as 4 to 8 weeks, whereas males are sexually mature by 8 to 12 weeks of age. Although guinea pigs are ready to mate at 8 weeks, it doesn’t mean they should.
Aug 21, 2021 · Male guinea pigs (boars) are sexually mature and able to mate at around 2-3 months; it’s 2 months (55-70 days) for sows but can be earlier for both. Neutering males is necessary to avoid pregnancies in opposite sex pairs – contact us about neutering.