Many pet owners have a hard time identifying the sex of their guinea pig - or guinea pig - especially when it is still a baby. Understanding their sex can help you avoid unscheduled pregnancies if you introduce a new baby to the cage, as well as protect babies from struggling with their mothers. Although many vets offer the service to recognize the animal's sex for you, you can actually spot it yourself.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Examine the Guinea Pig
Step 1. Do not observe the animal if it is not yet 3 weeks old
These newborn rodents can be rejected by their mother if they are handled by people, as human odor remains on their fur. They can also feel very distressed when they are removed from their mother and genital inspection can become very difficult.
Many puppies can get cold quickly and also suffer too much cold when observing. If you still need to examine a puppy that is 3 weeks old or younger, you should proceed quickly and gently
Step 2. Put on medical gloves
This is a good idea when handling guinea pigs, as it can spread many potentially contagious diseases to people or other domesticated guinea pigs.
You should wear disposable gloves even if you know that the small rodent suffers from some ailments, such as flaky skin, sores, hair loss, respiratory disease or diarrhea; put them on even if the guinea pig is not yet 3 weeks old, to prevent your smell from remaining on his body
Step 3. Proceed with the observation on a low and stable surface
These animals are rather reluctant to be picked up and kept still for a long time. To prepare for the sex assessment, spread a soft cloth on a secure base, such as a table or on the floor, so that the guinea pig feels protected and comfortable.
Step 4. Grab it gently but firmly
He can get scared easily and often tends to fight when he is afraid; try to keep her calm by grabbing her firmly but gently around her chest and shoulders. Lay it on your back or butt, so that your abdomen and genital area are facing you, and cradle it with one hand; doing so it becomes easier to observe the reproductive organs.
These rodents do not like to be kept in a supine position for a long time, so try to proceed quickly and efficiently. To speed up the process, you can ask someone to hold the animal while you observe
Part 2 of 2: Identify the Gender
Step 1. Check the distance between the anus and the genitals
Start by looking at the anus, which is a vertical opening, often gray or brown in color, located in the area below the genitals.
Once you recognize the anus and the reproductive organs, observe the distance between the two. In the female the space is minimal: often the vulva is almost joined to the anus. The male instead has a greater distance between the penis and the anus, which could be spaced about 5-7 cm
Step 2. Look at the shape of the genital opening
Examine it closely. The female typically has mild swelling over the area; you can use your finger to gently separate the flaps of the opening. If you notice that it has a "Y" shape, it means that the specimen is a female.
- The male's genital opening is shaped like a small circular dot with the penis that stands out above the level of the surrounding skin.
- The male also has a lump between the genitals and the anus, due to the presence of the testicles which are located just under the skin in the central area between the two organs. You should also check if a circular shape appears around the anal cavity, which is equivalent to the area where the testicles are located.
Step 3. Press just above the genital opening to find the penis
It can sometimes be difficult to spot, especially in older and heavy specimens. To make it protrude, use a finger and carefully press just above the genital area; the penis should show itself spontaneously.
You can also use a finger to gently press and rub just above the reproductive organs. If you feel a "crest" there, it is the penis on the inside of the body, which clearly indicates that it is a male
Step 4. Have the sex of your pet confirmed by a licensed veterinarian if you can't figure it out on your own
It is notoriously difficult to recognize the sex in these small rodents, even with a careful and scrupulous examination at home; if you are unsure, you should take the guinea pig to the vet for a careful examination. Talk to a trusted professional or one you have brought your pet to before, as even experienced vets can sometimes make mistakes.
