What You Should Know Before Buying A Guinea Pig

Guinea Pigs Have Babies Young

The main reason most individuals do decide against keeping a sow and a boar (female and male guinea pigs) together is that guinea pigs can have babies young. Sows can reach sexual maturity at the age of only two months while boars mature around three months old on average. Most veterinarians do not advise attempting to breed guinea pigs in most cases, as it is easy to fall into overbreeding. Like many other animals, there are many guinea pigs who do not have homes and are waiting to be adopted. Another reason is the older the sow gets, the more likely it is that there will be issues with the birth. At eight months old, a female guinea pig's pelvic symphysis begins to stiffen. When the mother begins to give birth, it makes it exceptionally difficult for babies to pass through easily. This usually ends up requiring a c-section, a surgery with very low rates of survival for the babies.