Hamster and guinea pig difference

One major thing that differentiates hamsters and guinea pigs is lifespan.

Hamsters and guinea pigs are two of the most popular small animal friends coveted by kids, so let's get to know more about their history, what makes each of these critters special and decide which might be best for your family and current lifestyle. These often chatty yes, they can oink! Guinea pigs are actually rodents with tiny tails that originated hundreds of years ago in South America's grasslands, forests, and rocky terrain. They are still present in the world today where you might spot the short-haired English breed, a wiry hair Abyssinian with swirly rosettes in its fur or the long-hair Peruvian. Learn more about guinea pig breeds here. The beloved hamster is much smaller in size than a guinea pig -- but also a rodent.

Hamster and guinea pig difference

The Dodo spoke to Dr. 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. Guinea pigs are part of the Caviidae family, like wild cavies and capybaras, while hamsters are part of the Cricetidae family. There are other differences between them, too. An easy way to tell guinea pigs and hamsters apart is by looking at them. Guinea pigs are much bigger than hamsters — around three times bigger, Dr. Bonk told The Dodo. Guinea pigs typically can live to be between 5 and 7 years old, but they can get up into the double digits in some cases. Hamsters usually only get to be around 2 to 3 years old. Guinea pigs and hamsters have very different personalities. If you want a more social pet, you should go with a guinea pig.

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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.

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. Click to Skip Ahead. Are you looking to add a new furry friend to your family but are caught up in the decision of being unable to choose between a hamster and a guinea pig? Both little rodents can be excellent companions, but before going for one of them, you should consider which aligns better with you, your lifestyle, and your personality.

Hamster and guinea pig difference

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. The first countries where hamsters were discovered were Romania, Syria, Belgium, Greece, and northern China.

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Which cute ball of fluff should you introduce to your family: a hammie or a piggy? Put simply, guinea pigs are vegans kind of!! Although hamsters need smaller space than guinea pigs, they do better in a bigger and roomier environment. 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. Rabbits are a prime example of the damage that can be done by the thoughtless introduction of exotic animals, insects, and plants. With all this in mind, hamsters might be a favorite choice exactly because of their independent nature. Are you a commitment-phobe or do you crave the deep bond of trust that a long-term relationship with your pet can bring? They also require spacious enclosures to exercise in, and private hideaways where they can take a break from their furry housemates and hoomans. Search for:. This was a great article!

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.

Since hamsters love to burrow, cute hamster enthusiasts encourage owners to have the bedding thick enough 2 to 3 inches for hamsters to burrow under and navigate. GuineaDad Nourish Series provides the freshest Timothy Hay for guinea pigs in the most convenient packaging so that all you need to do is open it and clip it to the cage! Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C added to their diets because their bodies can't produce it in the same way as other mammals. They ultimately belong to different families, with cavies hailing from the Caviidae clan and hamsters coming from the Cricedidae tribe. Remember that guinea pigs prefer to live with companions, so keeping two piggies means even more room for both of them to popcorn about. OK, got to state the obvious now, but yes, they do have the same number of legs. Hamsters don't need extra vitamin C! Yes, they are small furry socialites! On the whole, Guinea Pigs are remarkable easy-care pets with few health issues provided they are kept well-fed and watered and housed in clean, dry conditions. Hamsters can be affectionate to humans, but without proper time to gain their trust hamsters do bite. This means that guinea pigs need larger enclosures. They have evolved to be social animals and will soon become sad and stressed if they are denied this interaction. More food means more poop, so be prepared to set aside a little more time to keep their cage spick and span.