Are you pondering of getting a brand new pet? Selecting between guinea pigs vs hamsters could be very tough, however we’re right here that will help you resolve which is a greater pet for you.
Hamsters are solitary animals that should be caged alone, whereas guinea pigs are social animals that can’t be housed alone. Hamsters require loads of area, however not as a lot as guinea pigs, and have a tendency to wish much less meals, much less grooming, and fewer cage cleans. Guinea pigs are typically costlier pets.
On this article, we’ll focus on the variations between hamsters and guinea pigs that will help you resolve which, if both, you’d prefer to undertake!
Guinea Pigs Require Extra House
Cages bought in pet shops for each species are almost all the time too small. The minimal cage dimension for hamsters is 5.4 sq. ft (775 sq. inches).
Guinea pigs want almost double the area with the minimum cage size being 7.5 sq. ft, and the perfect dimension being 10.5 sq. ft. In order for you greater than two guinea pigs, they’ll want a good bigger enclosure.
For each hamsters and guinea pigs, greater is best! You can purchase the most important enclosure you’ll be able to afford and have area for. Please by no means preserve your pet in a cage that received’t meet their minimal care wants.
Guinea Pigs Are Messier
Guinea pigs are estimated to poop as much as 100 occasions a day! In addition they pee steadily and have very quick digestive methods, therefore their have to be consuming always.
Which means that their cages should be cleaned usually to maintain up with their mess. They need to be spot cleaned not less than as soon as a day, and deep cleaned not less than as soon as per week.
Hamsters are desert animals, so that they don’t are inclined to pee almost as a lot as guinea pigs. In addition they don’t poop almost as a lot. In consequence, their cages don’t have to be cleaned as usually.
Guinea Pigs Can not Be Safely Saved in Glass Enclosures
Whereas the perfect setup for a hamster is often a big glass enclosure, these setups don’t present sufficient area or air flow for guinea pigs. Piggies are inclined to poop and pee in larger portions, resulting in ammonia build-up.
They’re additionally vulnerable to respiratory infections and might develop lethal diseases when housed in glass enclosures.
The tops of their cages ought to be open or absolutely gridded, and the edges also needs to have loads of air flow akin to what you’d see in a C&C cage.
Hamsters want air flow too, simply much less of it. The quantity of air flow depends upon the scale of your cage however they need to ideally have not less than one vent on all sides.
Hamsters Must Burrow
Hamsters require 10-12 inches of bedding in order that they will burrow, which is a pure and instinctive exercise for them.
Guinea pigs don’t require deep bedding for burrowing, although they do take pleasure in burrowing of their hay piles and typically beneath fleece bedding. Disposable bedding for guinea pigs ought to be simply 2-3 inches deep to correctly soak up their urine, and many individuals home their guinea pigs on fleece liners or tub mats.
Guinea Pigs Don’t Escape Enclosures as Usually
Guinea pigs are bigger animals and don’t climb properly. It’s not as frequent for them to flee their enclosure as it’s for hamsters, although it will probably occur, particularly with improper setups.
The commonest motive for guinea pigs to flee is that if intact males are stored close to females. The sows’ scents could make a boar determined to get out of the cage to mate, and so they’ve been recognized to climb an entire C&C grid to take action!
Hamster cages ought to have safe lids and there ought to be no holes or grids massive sufficient for them to squeeze via. Giving your hamster a big cage of not less than 775 sq. inches (5.4 sq. ft) with loads of enrichment can even reduce their need to flee.
They Require Totally different Diets
Guinea pigs want fixed entry to recent hay, a cup of combined greens a day, and a small quantity of high quality guinea pig pellets. They shouldn’t be fed seeds or nuts.
Hamsters ought to be fed a dry meals combine, dried forage, and a tiny serving of recent greens day by day.
There are unsafe meals bought in pet shops for each animals, so it’s vital to do your personal analysis and take a look at the elements listing earlier than buying. Your veterinarian can provide you good recommendation in case you’re uncertain of what to feed your pet.
Wheels Are Unsafe for Guinea Pigs
Hamsters require massive wheels of their cages. They’ll run as much as 5 miles every night time and wheels assist them to get out this vitality.
Guinea pigs can harm their backs or overheat if allowed to run on wheels. They solely require loads of flooring area to run round in.
Guinea Pigs Are Calmer
Hamsters have a tendency to maneuver in a short time and this, mixed with their small dimension, could make dealing with tough. In order for you a pet who will sit nonetheless in your lap, you’re more likely to seek out this with guinea pigs.
That stated, piggies can nonetheless be very skittish and a few received’t prefer to cuddle. Most dislike being picked up and it’s vital to discover ways to deal with them correctly.
Hamsters Are Solitary Whereas Guinea Pigs Are Herd Animals
Most hamster species, together with Syrian and Chinese language hamsters, are utterly solitary and shouldn’t be housed collectively. They’re very territorial animals and can usually battle to the dying if allowed.
Guinea pigs, then again, ought to by no means be housed alone. They are often housed in pairs or teams. Males do finest in pairs or with one male housed with a number of females. Females could be stored in any quantity as long as they’ve sufficient area and are correctly bonded.
Guinea Pigs Are Extra Costly
Guinea pigs are typically costlier in comparison with hamsters. Their meals prices are larger as a result of they’re bigger and eat always.
In addition they have bigger cages that have to be cleaned steadily. In case you use disposable bedding, you’ll want to interchange it far more usually than you’d for a hamster. Reusable bedding akin to fleece liners can considerably scale back your funds.
Based mostly on our calculations, month-to-month prices of holding two guinea pigs can vary from $75-$270+, whereas month-to-month prices of a hamster often stretch between $30 and $175.
Guinea pigs additionally stay longer than hamsters, that means their lifetime prices are additionally larger.
Hamsters Are Nocturnal
In order for you a pet which you can bond with through the day, guinea pigs are the higher possibility. Hamsters sleep through the day and are most energetic at night time.
You by no means need to disturb your hamster’s sleep until it’s mandatory, akin to for a vet journey.
Guinea pigs are crepuscular, that means they’re most energetic at daybreak and nightfall. In addition they don’t sleep for lengthy durations, preferring to get their 4-6 hours of day by day sleep briefly naps of half-hour or much less.
Each animals are typically good for individuals who work through the day since they’ll be at their most energetic earlier than you allow or after you get dwelling.
Guinea Pigs Stay Longer
Guinea pigs have common lifespans of 5 to seven years, with some residing as much as ten years previous! Hamsters are inclined to stay for round two years.
Personally, I favor to maintain guinea pigs since they’re long-lived for a pet rodent, and the dying of a pet is all the time heartbreaking.
Others favor hamsters since they require much less dedication, and also you don’t want to fret about the place you’ll be in life 5 or extra years from now.
Hamsters Are Extra More likely to Chunk
Guinea pigs not often chunk individuals, although it’s vital to do not forget that any animal with enamel can chunk if provoked. They’re recognized for being docile.
Hamsters are extra recognized for his or her biting, although most hamsters received’t chunk in the event that they’re cared for correctly! Small enclosures and poor dealing with are two of the highest causes of biting in hamsters.
Guinea Pigs Are Louder
Hamsters make slightly little bit of noise, principally when operating on their wheels. They don’t are inclined to vocalize usually.
Guinea pigs have loud squeaks–mine used to wake me up within the mornings once they heard others opening the fridge or the sound of rustling plastic, which they related to meals.
They are typically fairly vocal towards their cage mates and their people. Some guinea pigs are very quiet whereas others are further chatty!
In addition they make extra noise when operating round their cage since they’re bigger than hamsters.
Hamsters Require Much less Grooming
Guinea pigs require month-to-month nail trims, whereas hamsters have a tendency to keep up their very own nails. You’ll solely must trim them often in the event that they develop into overgrown.
Longhaired guinea pigs and hamsters ought to be brushed routinely and their fur ought to be trimmed to maintain it tidy.
Hamsters use sand baths to maintain themselves clear, whereas guinea pigs groom themselves with their tongues. Neither want common baths, however guinea pigs will typically get soiled bums that require a shower within the sink.
Are Guinea Pigs or Hamsters Higher Pets?
Each guinea pigs and hamsters could make superior pets, however which is best for you depends upon your life-style.
These animals are finest fitted to grownup caretakers who can take care of their well being, clear their cages frequently, and deal with them with care.
Hamsters are nice for individuals who prefer to spend time with their pets late at night time, who don’t need to cope with routine grooming, and who need quieter, cleaner animals.
Guinea pigs are finest for individuals who need a calm, docile pet with an extended lifespan. They do require extra money, area, and time.
In case you solely need one pet, you’ll must get a hamster since guinea pigs ought to by no means be housed alone. In order for you a couple of pet in the identical cage, guinea pigs are the best way to go!
