Hamster and guinea pig difference

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One major thing that differentiates hamsters and guinea pigs is lifespan. Hamsters have shorter lifespans than guinea pigs, generally living for 2 to 4 years. This is because they are small and have metabolisms that work much faster than their guinea pig cousins. Guineas generally live from 5 to 8 years, with some individuals reaching 10 years. Another key difference between the two is their size.

Hamster and guinea pig difference

Have you ever been curious about the differences between guinea pigs and hamsters? Look no further; in this blog we'll be going over the differences in detail! Watch this short video for a short summary:. Guinea Pig vs Hamster. If you are currently debating whether to get a guinea pig or a hamster, read this article to get a better understanding of which one will be more suitable for you! Or, maybe you just want to know the difference between guinea pigs and hamsters and settle the hamsters vs guinea pigs debate once and for all. Either way, this guide will teach you the difference and help you decide if you are debating which is the right pet for you! Keep in mind that whether you should get either pet is less about whether it is easier to take care of a hamster or a guinea pig, and more about which fits your lifestyle better. Guinea pigs and hamsters are distant cousins, deriving from the order Rodentia. Guinea pigs are members of the Caviidae family while hamsters are members of the Cricetidae family. Guinea pigs are bigger and heavier than hamsters—roughly times bigger and can weigh around 1. This means guinea pigs will require a much bigger habitat with more room to play, and more food than hamsters which leads to more cleaning up to do. The Humane Society says one to two guinea pigs require a minimum of 7. The guinea pigs require roomier enclosures, so they can exercise on their schedule and have some private space. Most pet store cages are much smaller than minimum size requirements.

They also tend to be more squirmy when handled. Sometimes these little cuties make a chattering sound with their teeth, which is much different from a guinea pig's oink!

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Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Click to Skip Ahead. While hamsters and guinea pigs are both small rodents with several similarities, these animals are quite distinctive. In this article, we help you get acquainted with hamsters and guinea pigs, along with their similarities and differences, so you can hopefully choose the best pet for you and your family! Hamsters are small rodents commonly kept as pets in homes across the globe.

Hamster and guinea pig difference

Hamster and guinea pig look similar at first sight. They both belong to the order Rodentia. They are both rodents from the same order but different families. So, what is the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? A hamster is small in body size while a guinea pig is large in body size. A hamster is a short-tailed rodent of Europe and Asia. The common one is The Golden Hamster because it looks attractive as a pet.

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With the various beddings out there, we strongly urge you to not choose a bedding solely on the price. Both guinea pigs and hamsters come in a variety of color combinations featuring a caramel hue, white, brown, black, and gray. Are Rabbits Rodents? You can expect your guinea pig to live years if it stays fit and healthy whereas a hamster typically lives years. Bonk said. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian with Hepper , to find out the main differences between guinea pigs and hamsters and what factors a pet parent should consider before adopting one for themselves or their child. Both Guinea Pigs and Hamsters need to be handled from a young age to become familiar and relaxed with physical human contact. All in all, piggies are more robust than hammies, so they can be handled with fewer worries however, be still careful when doing so as their spines are quite fragile! Here are a couple of cage options that are appropriate for the guinea pigs or you can read about different types of cages at Different types of Cages. We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too.

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Their litters are also much smaller, with just 2 to 4 pups per pregnant piggy. Back to login. Their offspring are very different! Cleaning with GuineaDad Liner makes the process far easier and less time consuming! You may have assumed that piggies and hammies like to nibble on the same tasty treats, but there are some key differences to be aware of when it comes to the diets of these sweet furballs. But many hamsters can learn to enjoy being held and petted if you take the time to let your hamster get comfortable. Guineas generally live from 5 to 8 years, with some individuals reaching 10 years. Again, it requires backward arching of the spine, something rats, mice and hamsters have no problem with, but guinea pigs are simply not physically built for. Piggies live for quite a few more years than hammies, so taking care of them over their lifetime is going to require a bigger overall budget. Guinea Pigs not only need another companion guinea pig to interact with but also thrive with human interaction. By Lauren Taylor. Some may warm up to people sooner than others.