My guinea pig had babies! How to care for newborn pups and feed them?

Question

My guinea pig has recently given birth to 3 other baby piggies. What are the essential steps we to take in their first stages and what nutrition should they be needing? Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Female | unspayed

Elva Ma DVM · Accepted Answer

Congratulations on your new guinea pigs! They are adorable! Pups should start nursing during the first 24 hours and will continue to do so for about 3 weeks. During this time they will also start to experiment with solid food, so offer the pups fresh alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets. You can also offer them regular timothy hay and fresh fruits such as oranges and bell peppers, which are high in vitamin C. The water bottle should be positioned so that the babies can easily reach the spout. Ensure the cage is large enough for all the adults and pups, and place it in a quiet area of the house, away from direct sunlight. Don't be afraid to start handling the pups early. This will help to socialize them with humans easier. Don't try to handle them when they are sleeping or nursing, but other than that you can try to handle them for a few minutes each day. I would advise taking them to a vet within the first 3 weeks in order to determine their sex. Boys and girls should be separated at the 3 week mark as accidental pregnancies can occur as early as 3-4 weeks. Similarly, I would separate the father now if you haven't done so already. I hope this helps! Enjoy your new babies!

My guinea pig had babies! How to care for newborn pups and feed them?

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