How many teeth do baby guinea pigs have?

How many teeth do baby guinea pigs have?

20 teeth
Guinea pigs have 20 teeth. They have upper and lower incisors, no canine teeth (there’s a small gap where these would be), upper and lower premolars, and three pairs of upper and lower molars.

Can you handle a baby guinea pig?

It is fine to carefully handle your new guinea pig pups during their first week, but be sure to allow them plenty of time with their mother as well. Handling them too much too soon can disrupt the bond they need with their mother in order to nurse from her, and huddle against her for warmth.

What should a guinea pigs teeth look like?

The four large teeth (two top and two bottom) are the incisor teeth. They should appear long in guinea pigs (longer than is normal in rabbits), and meet in a chisel shape. Check that they are not loose and that the gums are pink and healthy rather than red or purple.

Can you hold a guinea pig when you first get it?

1. Don’t take your guinea pig out of their guinea pig cage when they first arrive at your home. It is often best to avoid handling them for a few days so they can adjust to their new surroundings. Even though you are not physically handling your guinea pig, you can still make efforts to bond with them.

Can guinea pigs respond to names?

Yes! Guinea pigs can certainly recognize and respond to their name with the help of some training, along with consistency, patience, and time. Guinea pigs can learn words through classical conditioning. As such, they can be trained to recognize individual words, meaning they can also learn their name.

Can a guinea pig have a canine tooth?

The truth is canine teeth would not do a guinea pig any good. Their diet is all vegetarian, and the purpose of canine teeth is to tear meat. Instead, guinea pigs need to focus on being able to grind down various plants. Canine teeth would only get in the way. SIDE TIP: Never feed your guinea pig meat!

What can cause a guinea pig to lose its teeth?

Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth, can happen in guinea pigs. In Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs, Virginia C. G. Richardson writes, “Molar malocclusion can be an inherited condition, or it can develop in any guinea pig over 1 year of age.

What happens if you don’t care for your guinea pig?

Without proper tooth care, guinea pigs can develop cuts, sores, abscesses or overlong teeth that interfere with eating. When handling your guinea pig, check on his teeth and see how things are looking.

What can I give my guinea pig to keep his teeth?

Giving your guinea pigs wooden blocks or sticks (untreated wood only) to gnaw on in their cages will help them keep their teeth at the right length.