Pet Store Says Guinea Pigs Are Males-Then Owner Sees Something Shocking

A woman who believed she had purchased two male guinea pigs received an unexpected surprise the very next day-and millions of viewers have now witnessed the moment she discovered it.

Her TikTok video (@tvmadeforyou), which has amassed 6.5 million views at the time of writing, captured the instant she realized her pets were not quite what the pet store had claimed.

The clip opens with two guinea pigs-Sprocket, a ginger‑and‑white pig, and Sheldon, a black, white and ginger one-waiting at the front of their enclosure. The woman asks whether they need food as her toddler offers them a carrot.

But feeding time takes a dramatic turn when several tiny guinea pig pups suddenly emerge from the bedding area.

Startled, the woman gasps, "What the heck," before asking, "Where did y'all come from?"

Text over the video reads: "The pet store told us that they were born male guinea pigs." The caption adds, "Now we have [five] babies on our hands," a revelation that has earned more than 810,000 likes.

How To Determine a Guinea Pig's Gender

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) advises first‑time owners not to rely solely on a breeder or pet shop when determining a guinea pig's sex. To check safely, a guinea pig should be supported securely under the chest and bottom, held upright so the genital area is clearly visible.

Importantly, male guinea pigs should be removed before the birth of any pups. While they do not harm newborns, they can mate with the sow within hours of her giving birth-a situation the RVC warns is dangerous and strongly discouraged.

TikTok Reacts

Viewers were stunned-not just by the unexpected birth, but by how developed the pups appeared.

One user joked: "Most baby rodents come out looking like wrinkly pencil erasers. Guinea pig babies come out already knowing how to do taxes, invest in real estate, and make risotto."

Another added: "All of us learning that guinea pigs are born with shoes and a job."

A third commenter questioned how the birth went unnoticed: "How did you not know they were having babies or even gave birth? Those babies look big."

Someone else replied, "Babies are born full grown. It's kind [of] horrific actually,” stating they “were probably born this morning."

Why Guinea Pig Pups Look So Developed

The Royal Veterinary College explains that guinea pigs are precocial, meaning they are born fully formed. Unlike many rodents, guinea pig pups arrive with fur, open eyes and ears, and the ability to eat solid food from day one.

Healthy pups typically weigh 70–100 grams, though larger litters can produce smaller babies-sometimes as little as 40 grams-who may face higher health risks. New owners are advised to weigh pups daily to ensure they are growing properly.

Newsweek reached out to @tvmadeforyou for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 4:18 AM.