Hi!
I recently adopted 4 female guinea pigs from someone giving them away for free. I've had them a little under a week and 2 look a little bulbous in the belly... I haven't had piggies before and I haven't handled them much (don't want to stress them after a move) but I'm planning to get them out tomorrow and have a look at them while I do a clean up of their house.
The main reason I'm suspicious is that the lady who gave them to me said that one had babies recently who were apparently taken by their cat and she had lost some fur because of it. I figure if they bred one they may have had the others with a male too :s
I'm commited to looking after these lovely ladies, I want to give them a forever home after being given away online after her son got bored of them :c Just want to make sure I give them the best care if they are pregnant.
I'll take some pictures tomorrow after having a look at them but just for background info, they're on oaten hay and I was given a "mix" food but am weaning off that and onto a good mix of veg with occational fruit and I have a high quality guinea pig pellet ordered and on the way. I've had a bit of a google and plan on increasing the fruit in their diet if they do end up being pregnant.
Is it ok to leave all 4 together with 2 being pregnant (if they are)? They all seem to enjoy each others company so they're a nice little herd. I've heard the other females help with the babies but wasn't sure if 2 pregnancies at once would be an issue?
Very aware that they become sexually mature young so if they do have babies I'll seperate the males at about 3-4 weeks and I'll be finding them new homes, my space isn't big enough for more!
Thanks in advance!
I recently adopted 4 female guinea pigs from someone giving them away for free. I've had them a little under a week and 2 look a little bulbous in the belly... I haven't had piggies before and I haven't handled them much (don't want to stress them after a move) but I'm planning to get them out tomorrow and have a look at them while I do a clean up of their house.
The main reason I'm suspicious is that the lady who gave them to me said that one had babies recently who were apparently taken by their cat and she had lost some fur because of it. I figure if they bred one they may have had the others with a male too :s
I'm commited to looking after these lovely ladies, I want to give them a forever home after being given away online after her son got bored of them :c Just want to make sure I give them the best care if they are pregnant.
I'll take some pictures tomorrow after having a look at them but just for background info, they're on oaten hay and I was given a "mix" food but am weaning off that and onto a good mix of veg with occational fruit and I have a high quality guinea pig pellet ordered and on the way. I've had a bit of a google and plan on increasing the fruit in their diet if they do end up being pregnant.
Is it ok to leave all 4 together with 2 being pregnant (if they are)? They all seem to enjoy each others company so they're a nice little herd. I've heard the other females help with the babies but wasn't sure if 2 pregnancies at once would be an issue?
Very aware that they become sexually mature young so if they do have babies I'll seperate the males at about 3-4 weeks and I'll be finding them new homes, my space isn't big enough for more!
Thanks in advance!