In most cases, no, guinea pigs don’t eat their babies—at least not on purpose. However, while it is extremely rare to have your guinea pig eat her babies, it can happen.

It seems unnatural and almost cruel to humans that some animals eat their young, though eating babies is part of some wildlife’s natural instincts. When it comes to sows (female guinea pigs) and their pups (baby guinea pigs), it’s implausible she will eat her babies. In fact, it is more common for the boar (male guinea pig) to eat the young, although this is still very rare.

So, what do you do if you suspect the pups have been eaten? Are there ways to protect them or prevent this from happening? Yes. Learn what to do and how to care for guinea pups in this article.

Why It’s Unlikely Mama Guinea Pigs Will Eat Their Pups

Guinea pigs are natural-born herbivores. For this reason alone, it’s an improbable chance that guinea pigs (male or female) will eat their babies. In fact, other rodents, such as mice, rats, and hamsters, are more prone to committing infanticide than guinea pigs.

Unlike other rodent pets, sows are primarily maternal. In the wild, guinea pigs huddle together and form hierarchies within a large group. Since guinea pigs are naturally pack animals, they’re known as social and affectionate creatures who choose to protect each other before killing each other. After all, there is strength in numbers.

The last improbable reason guinea pigs won’t eat their pups is that pups mature quickly. All pups will naturally grow at the same pace and are ready for independence by 4 to 6 weeks. When pups grow steadily at the same pace, there are fewer chances of having a runt, which means there is no reason for your guinea pigs to commit infanticide.

Why Some Mama Guinea Pigs Eat Their Babies

Although it’s extremely rare for sows or boars to eat their young, it can happen. However, any cause of eating young is strictly based on survival instinct. If one or more pups are stillborn, the sow may eat her pups instinctually due to their fight-or-flight response. Since guinea pigs are prey animals, they rid their home of anything that may attract predators.

Another case of survival infanticide is if the sow isn’t producing enough milk for all her pups, she will sacrifice the weakest to ensure the rest live. However, in any case, if the sow believes her nest or habitat is unsafe, she may decide to kill all her young to protect herself.

Even though eating pups is a rare occasion, it can happen. The best thing you can do is to create preventative measures, such as maintaining a stress-free environment for your mama piggie.

What to Do if Your Sow Eats Her Babies

On the rare occasion that your sow or boar does eat their pups, what do you do about it?

Firstly, pups can escape their nest and may be hiding somewhere else. If you notice one or more of your sow’s piggies gone, do a quick and gentle sweep of her enclosure to make sure she did, in fact, eat them. However, if there is specific evidence, you can skip this step.

You must remove it immediately if you notice clear evidence that a pup has been eaten or partially eaten. By removing them, you remove disease caused by decomposition and the ability to continue feeding on the dead pup.

However you choose to dispose of the babies, it is your choice, but make sure to wear protective gloves and use a small garbage bag before disposal. Some owners choose to bury animals, while others choose to compost. Make sure your method doesn’t attract other animals.

Is It a Good Idea to Separate the Pups From the Sow?

Guinea pups can live without their mother with your help. If, by chance, your sow dies during delivery, it’s up to you to care for them as orphans. On average, 20% of sows die during delivery or after birth because pregnancy is stressful for mama guinea pigs.

However, if your mama piggie survives, giving her and her pups space for the first few days is best. Pups should only be separated from mama if there is a sign of rejection or harm to the babies.

Pups need their mother for a minimum of 2 weeks. However, it is recommended pups stay with the sow for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, nurturing, playing with, and combining enclosures with the piglets is okay.

Preventing a Sow From Eating Her Pups

Soon after the sow gives birth, you’ll want to give her space, though also keep a close eye from a distance, as placentas can be confused with pups if your sow is an inexperienced mother.

During the mom’s pregnancy, it’s a good idea to separate all males from the enclosure and decrease as much stress as possible. Since sows can become pregnant almost immediately after birth, separating males before she delivers her pups is best. If your enclosure inhabits other sows, watch fighting and territorial behaviors closely. If your mama piggie becomes threatened or attacked, she will become stressed.

In her enclosure, ensure you provide unlimited grass or hay, green leafy vegetables, and a good amount of vitamin C daily. To maintain a stress-free environment, you must ensure no significant changes to her routine or bright lights and loud noises.

Tips for Keeping Mama and Her Pups Healthy and Safe

Your sow doesn’t need much help from you to care for her young. To ensure the safest and healthiest pregnancy and aftercare, you must maintain a caring routine that provides love, enough attention, a variety of food, and fresh water.

Alfalfa hay is best for your pregnant sow because it has loads of vitamin C, and calcium vital to the survival of her pups. Give plenty of space and check-ins to ensure there are no issues and everything is running smoothly.

While holding baby guinea pigs is okay, the sow must trust you first. It’s not a good idea to let strangers with unfamiliar scents handle her pups; otherwise, she may attack or reject her babies.

About a week after delivery, taking mama guinea and her pups to see a vet is a good idea. The vet will check for infection, illness, or any problems. They’ll also give you great advice on what to do next to ensure the best success for survival.

Final Words

So, do guinea pigs eat their babies? It is uncommon for any guinea pig to eat their young if they are well cared for, and you provide a stress-free zone for mama sows. Remember to separate boars from the sow, as he can complicate things for mama piggie.

As long as you provide a nurturing environment with fresh food and water, baby guinea pigs and their mom are safe.

Featured Image Credit: Naomi Marcin, Shutterstock

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