Caring for newborn and young guinea pigs

1. Precocial pups and nursing — pups are born furred, open-eyed and mobile, yet still need 3–4 weeks of nursing; the mother needs extra water, hay and daily nutritional support.

2. Early access to hay — offer alfalfa and junior pellets within the first days; alfalfa and calcium support healthy bone and teeth development, moving gradually to timothy hay from around six months.

3. Warmth and a calm setting — pups regulate body temperature poorly, so keep the enclosure 22–26°C, dry and draught-free with hideouts, and handle sparingly while nursing.

4. Separate by sex at 3–4 weeks — pups can reach sexual maturity early, so house males and females apart.

5. Weaning onto hay — a small amount of high-fibre grass powder mixed with lukewarm water below 40°C supports healthy digestion and helps maintain balanced gut microflora.

6. If a pup refuses to nurse, keeps losing weight, or the mother rejects the litter, consult an exotic-pet veterinarian without delay.