Do hamsters bite?
Hamster has a higher chance of biting you as compared to guinea pigs. Hamster can bite you hard if they feel threatened or you suddenly startle a sleeping hamster. Guinea pigs like to keep themselves clean, and there is only a slight possibility that you will find them smelling.
What is the difference between guinea pigs and hamsters?
Guinea pigs can live up to seven years while hamsters can live up to three years. If you are looking for a pet with a long lifespan, guinea pigs are better than hamsters.
Do male guinea pigs bite each other when in heat?
It's best to keep intact male guinea pigs separate to avoid wounds from fighting. Females guinea pigs have also shown to be less social when they are in heat and may be less tolerant of other guinea pigs 1 and handling. There are some simple things you can do to discourage your guinea pig from biting.
Why do guinea pigs bite you?
It’s extremely rare for a guinea pig to bite. You have to get him really angry or scared to provoke this defensive mechanism. If your guinea pig bites it means that he is afraid of you and doesn’t trust you.
Are hamsters friendlier than guinea pigs?
Hamsters are more solitary and quieter than guinea pigs. Hamsters can be affectionate to humans, but without proper time to gain their trust hamsters do bite. They require daily handling and interaction to grow accustomed to you (just like guinea pigs!).
Is it better to get a hamster or a guinea pig?
Guinea Pigs Vs Hamsters — the Verdict? Overall experts suggest that guinea pigs make the best pets for children due to their affectionate and active nature. They also live longer which means the there is more time for your child to bond with their pet.
Are guinea pigs or hamsters easier to take care of?
Guinea Pigs and Hamsters: A Comparison ChartGuinea PigLifespan5 to 8 yearsSociabilityCan live with other Guinea pigs and other animalsHandlingEasier to handle and generally gentle.SpaceNeed a larger cage to be happy and can live indoors or outdoors if weather permits.4 more rows
Which is smarter guinea pig or hamster?
Hamsters are harder to train compared to guinea pigs, due to their short attention span. Both Rats and Mice have similar memory spans but have less grey matter than guinea pigs meaning they are indeed smarter!
Can you have just 1 guinea pig?
Guinea Pigs Should Always Be Adopted as a Pair In the same way you can't eat just one potato chip, you can't adopt just one guinea pig. It isn't healthy for them to be alone—they need a companion of their own species they can “talk,” play, and cuddle with.
Do guinea pigs like to be held?
Most guinea pigs like to be held when they trust the person who's doing the holding and the environment that they're being held in. There are guinea pigs that will seek out their owners to be picked up. But, some guinea pigs prefer to not be held, even if they have bonded with you.
Do guinea pigs like to be cuddled?
Guinea Pigs generally like to be held and cuddled. They are very social animals, love human interaction and particularly like it when their necks and backs are stroked and gently scratched. Due to their relatively small size and fragile nature, it is important to handle and cuddle them with utmost care.
Do hamsters like to be held?
They do not like to be held. They are more prone to bite if they are startled or woken from a deep sleep, or if your hands smell like another animal or food. Handle your hamster gently.
Do guinea pigs or hamsters smell worse?
Adult Guinea Pig In my experience hamsters smell much more than guinea pigs. Guinea pigs live longer (much longer usually). Hamsters are nocturnal creatures - guineas are awake day and night (they have several short naps throughout).
Do hamsters like to be held?
They do not like to be held. They are more prone to bite if they are startled or woken from a deep sleep, or if your hands smell like another animal or food. Handle your hamster gently.
Do guinea pigs like to be held?
Most guinea pigs like to be held when they trust the person who's doing the holding and the environment that they're being held in. There are guinea pigs that will seek out their owners to be picked up. But, some guinea pigs prefer to not be held, even if they have bonded with you.
Do hamster bites hurt?
It's rare for a hamster to actually be aggressive, though, and they typically only bite when they get scared. Those tiny teeth may not do as much damage as those of other animals, but a bite will hurt and should be discouraged.
Can a hamster live with a guinea pig?
No, hamsters cant, and definitely shouldn’t be housed together with Guinea pigs. Whilst they seem like a similar animal, and are both rodents, there is quite a difference in their personalities. Hamsters are much more aggressive towards other animals, and even other hamsters.
What are some good pets to have?
If you are looking for little furry pets, hamsters and Guinea pigs are your most obvious options. They don’t take up much space and caring for them is easy.
Why do hamsters and guinea pigs make good pets?
Some of the main reason to have a pet guinea pig include: With proper care and food, they are generally strong and healthy They make great pets for young children because of their size and playful nature. Caring for them is easy.
What is the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig?
The answer depends on your unique needs. One of the main differences between the two is their appearance. Guinea pigs are plump with short legs. They can measure up to 10 inches and two pounds. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures with short tails. They have small eyes, short tails, and can measure up to seven inches long.
How many piglets can a guinea pig have?
Guinea pigs may give birth to a maximum 8 of piglets, although 2-4 is more common. If you have other pets in your home, guinea pigs are a great choice. They interact well with other animals and humans. They aren’t a great choice if you can’t give your pets lots of attention often.
How big should a hamster cage be?
Your hamster cage should not be about 13 inches wide and 24 inches long. Bigger cages are better than smaller ones. There should be lots of room for toys and playing. Since guinea pigs are bigger, they require larger cages. On average, their cages should measure 36 by 30 inches.
What do guinea pigs need?
All they need is fresh water, vitamin C supplements, vegetables, and hay. Guinea pigs are very social creatures and they have lots of personality. Guinea pigs may look the same but they all have different characters. You can find shy, dominant, playful, or cuddly guinea pigs depending on your preference.
Are Guinea Pigs Friendlier than Hamsters?
Guinea pigs can be active during day and night equally, so they are not exactly nocturnal nor diurnal.
Can Guinea Pigs Live with Hamsters?
Guinea pigs and hamsters can’t coexist with each other in one cage. They are far too different in personality.
What do hamsters eat?
Hamsters are omnivorous and can eat all the things guinea pigs are eating plus animal products. Mealworms and crickets are also a part of their diet. The thing that binds the two species together is their enormous hunger for electric cables. There are 25 breeds of hamsters and only 13 breeds of guinea pigs.
What is the name of the hamster that has never been seen?
People that have never before seen a guinea pig or a hamster (called Cavia porcellus and Cricetus cricetus respecively) have a hard time distinguishing the two species of animals.
How many hamsters are there?
There are 25 breeds of hamsters and only 13 breeds of guinea pigs. If you enjoy picking from a wide variety of specimens, definitely hamsters will suit you better. Baby guinea pigs are born full-grown and immediately start roaming around. Little hamsters come to this world without hair and sight.
Why should hamsters be kept alone?
One huge difference is that there is a positive correlation between group living and life-span in guinea pigs; experts recommend that hamsters should be kept alone because they prefer a solitary life. The main conclusion comes to getting a hamster rather than a guinea pig (or two) if you have limited living space.
Why do hamsters need to be handled?
Because hamsters are more solitary you will need a lot more time to gain their trust. Daily interactions and handling are needed for them to become affectionate towards their owners. They can be easily handled with one hand if accustomed.
How much does a guinea pig weigh?
The weight of an adult guinea pig can be anywhere between 800-1200 grams depending upon the breed and gender. The weight of an adult hamster is anywhere between 25-60 grams depending upon the breed. The average lifespan of a guinea pig can be anywhere between 4-8 years.
How big can a hamster get?
While the European breed can grow up to 13-14 inches, the golden hamster breed grows up to 6 inches, and the dwarf hamster can grow up to 2-4 inches. The weight of an adult guinea pig can be anywhere between 800-1200 grams depending upon the breed and gender.
How big do guinea pigs get?
Hamsters belong to Class Mammalia, Order Rodent and Family Cricetidae. Size. Guinea pig usually grows up to 8-10 inches in length. While some grow a little longer, others remain a little short depending upon the breed.
How many pups can a guinea pig have?
The average litter size is between 2-4. They can give birth up to 5 litter every year. Hamster is matured once they are ten weeks old. They can give birth up to 6-8 pups in a litter. Intelligence.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pig's diet mostly consists of hay, fresh vegetables and fruits, and some pellets and treats. While their staple portion of food is hay, they do need a cup of raw veggies daily to keep up with the nutritional need of their bodies. Hamster is an omnivore and needs both plants and animals to eat.
How long do hamsters live?
The oldest guinea pig has lived for 14 years and 10.5 months as per Guinness Book of World Records. The average lifespan of a hamster is anywhere between 2-3 years. It is dependent upon the breed, and care you give them. The oldest living hamster lived for approximately 4.5 years.
How much does it cost to vet a guinea pig?
Cost to buy. The cost to buy a guinea pig is anywhere between 10-40$ while the average price being around 25$. You can either buy it from a pet store, rescue center, or a breeder.
Guinea Pigs or Hamsters – What Makes Better Pets?
Both guinea pigs and hamsters are excellent choices for pets for various reasons. They require less maintenance, need less care, and are absolutely cute and cuddly.
Differences Between Guinea Pig and Hamsters
To the untrained eye, guinea pigs and hamsters might look the same. This is why it is common to get confused between them.
Keeping Hamsters as Pets
Hamsters are adorable and cuddly animals to keep as pets, which is why they are such a popular option.
Pros and Cons of Keeping Hamsters as Pets
Now that you know the necessary measures when caring for hamsters, here’s a rundown on keeping them as pets.
Keeping Guinea Pigs as Pets
Guinea pigs are also excellent pets to keep for children. These highly social animals are perfect for keeping because they have a long lifespan, living up to eight years.
Pros and Cons of Keeping Guinea Pigs
As you can tell by now, guinea pigs are quite an excellent choice as pets. However, you might still be wondering which of the two would be a better choice for you.
Choosing Guinea Pigs and Hamsters as Pets
As you can tell by now, guinea pigs and hamsters are quite different creatures. They have different behaviors, habits, and dietary needs.
Do guinea pigs smell worse than hamsters?
No, guinea pigs do not tend to smell worse than hamsters. The smell of each pet is going to depend on the level of care and attention you provide.
Do guinea pigs and hamsters get along?
No, guinea pigs and hamsters do not get along. You should never house these two species together or allow them to play together on the same floor space.
Can guinea pigs eat hamster food?
It is not safe for guinea pigs and hamsters to share food. You should never feed your guinea pig hamster food or vice versa. They both have very unique eating habits and dietary needs to stay healthy.
What animal needs a bigger cage?
These animals need different sized cages. Hamsters require less space while guinea pigs need larger crates. In a small cage, your piggy will not have room to run around or get its necessary exercise.
What do hamsters eat?
Unlike guinea pigs, hamsters are omnivores and eat a combination of meat, fruits, and vegetables. The majority of their diet is made up of plants and grains, but they also enjoy small insects or lizards from time to time.
Why should a pig and a pig be kept apart?
The differences in their diet is another reason they should be kept apart. They need different types of hay and pellets to stay healthy, so they should not be eating each other’s food.
Do guinea pigs like humans?
Guinea pigs are social creatures, and this includes time with humans. If you build up trust and love with your cavy over time, they will enjoy being cuddled and held. Biting in these circumstances will be kept to a minimum.
What are the factors that guinea pigs need to live?
To ensure that guinea pigs have the best chance of living their lives to the fullest, factors to take into consideration are a good diet, a big enough living space, daily exercise, social interactions with you and other guinea pigs, and good hygiene. Hamster Behavior.
Why do guinea pigs need fresh veggies?
The fresh veggies are given to supplement their diet with necessary vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, since guinea pigs are unable to produce their own. By providing them with the Vitamin C, it can prevent the contraction of complications such as scurvy. Hamster Nutrition.
How much space do guinea pigs need?
Guinea Pig Cage Size. The Humane Society says one to two guinea pigs require a minimum of 7.5 square feet of living space and a recommended space of 10.5 square feet. The guinea pigs require roomier enclosures, so they can exercise on their schedule and have some private space.
What does it mean when a guinea pig is relaxed?
A deep relaxed one signifies that the guinea pig is satisfied, a higher pitch purr is more likely signifying their annoyance, and a shorter one may signify fear. Chirping – A peculiar noise that you may hear is similar to a bird chirping.
How long do hamsters live?
When hamsters hiss it is usually signaling as a sign of warning. Hamster Lifespan. Hamsters live 2 to 2.5 years, but just like guinea pigs, their age is correlated with various factors such as its species, genetics, diet, exercise, living environment, and quality of care.
How much space do hamsters need?
The Humane Society of the United States says hamsters require a minimum of 2 to 3 square feet of space for one hamster. Unlike guinea pigs, hamsters are recommended to be kept alone and are more solitary. Although hamsters need smaller space than guinea pigs, they do better in a bigger and roomier environment.
What does a guinea pig whistle?
Guinea pigs are very social and expressive resulting in different sounds. “Wheek ” - They can whistle or commonly known as “whe ek” to welcome you home, or signify their happiness, or even essentially demanding you provide them their delightful bellies with veggies .
Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite?
Guinea pigs are extremely social creatures. They make many different noises or vocalizations to communicate with each other and feel a range of emotions. A guinea pig may occasionally bite as a response to their emotions or environments. Here are some reasons your guinea pig might bite.
Feeling Scared
If your guinea pig feels scared, is startled, or is being bullied by other guinea pigs, it may react by biting you or another guinea pig. This reaction is natural and is an attempt to protect itself or stop whatever is scaring it from happening.
Feeling Hungry
Guinea pigs love to eat and even have some favorite foods. If they are especially hungry or are fighting over a favorite food item, they may nip at you or another guinea pig. This behavior isn't unexpected from any hungry animal, but there are ways to help decrease the likelihood of it occurring.
Accidental
If your guinea pig smells food on you or you are holding a chew toy, it may bite your fingers accidentally. Your guinea pig may have gotten confused and thought your fingers were actually its chew stick or snack. It probably didn't mean to bite you and realized your fingers wasn't food as soon as it made contact with them.
Feeling Stressed
A guinea pig may feel stressed for a variety of reasons. In addition to being scared and being bullied by other guinea pigs, cages that are too small, not having a place to sleep, chronic competition for a mate or food, and an uncomfortable cage floor can result in your guinea pig being stressed.
Wearing Down Its Teeth
Your guinea pig may be biting you or its cage because it is trying to wear its teeth down. Guinea pigs have teeth that continuously grow throughout their lifetimes, so they need to chew on things to keep them short.
Feeling Sick
Guinea pigs that aren't feeling well may be more likely to bite. They may not want to be bothered and if you are trying to handle them or force them to eat, biting may be their way of trying to tell you that they want to be left alone.
