Hamster and guinea pig difference

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.

If we had a pound for every time we heard the phrase "How are your hamsters? It's frankly astounding how many people confuse the two. Yes, they are both small furries with two eyes and a nose, but you wouldn't call a dog a cat, so why do people do it?! Just before Christmas we got some fabulous coverage in the Sunday Times which resulted in the article we were featured in being talked about on BBC Breakfast News. In it, the guest analyst discussed the latest trends in pet products, with consumers looking for higher quality, luxury products for their pampered pets. Well, we just had to laugh, here we were again, confronted by another case of mistaken identity.

Hamster and guinea pig difference

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. The most popular Golden aka Syrian hamster breed tops out at palm-size as an adult. The common dwarf varieties including Djungarian and Roborovsky are even smaller with adults looking like fluffy golf balls with tiny legs and nub tails. Today's pet hamsters are said to have originated from Syria in the s. Sometimes these little cuties make a chattering sound with their teeth, which is much different from a guinea pig's oink! Both guinea pigs and hamsters come in a variety of color combinations featuring a caramel hue, white, brown, black, and gray. Most exhibit two or more colors on their coats.

Grains and cereals make a good addition to their diets, too. Back to blog. Admittedly, a baby guinea pig does look fairly similar to a hamster when you squint your eyes while chopping onions but surely there are a few telltale signs that give us a clue

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.

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.

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.

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All Rights Reserved. Guinea pigs are mainly on all fours and never use their front paws to hold things the way hamsters do. If anyone else has experiences with hamsters, has more knowledge on any of the matter, or would like for me to add anything please share in the comment! There are a bunch of differences when it comes to hamsters and guinea pigs. However, being this solitary might mean not knowing much about social etiquette between hoomans and furries, so your fingers might suffer from a few bites here and there - something that happens more rarely with guinea pigs. I never thought of getting guinea pigs, but they seem like a nice pet to have :. Lonely guinea pigs have even been known to die when left in isolation for too long. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. Start your day with heartwarming and hilarious animal stories that will make you fall in love. An unsocialized hamster will often bite, though, and this is another off-putting thing for children. They must be provided an unlimited amount of hay and fresh water, along with 1 cup of fresh vegetables bell peppers, cucumber, red leaf lettuce, etc on a daily basis. In it, the guest analyst discussed the latest trends in pet products, with consumers looking for higher quality, luxury products for their pampered pets. Small Animal Resources.

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.

Guinea pigs are much bigger than hamsters — around three times bigger, Dr. Both Guinea Pigs and Hamsters need to be handled from a young age to become familiar and relaxed with physical human contact. I own a pet hammy. Space Hamsters are always kept indoors, as they need to be kept somewhere consistently warm. They also tend to be more squirmy when handled. Beyond this, Jordan's expertise and unique insights are sought after in numerous pet industry magazines, blogs, and columns, making them an influential figure in the world of pet lovers. This is a basic defence mechanism against predators, who will find them harder to spot than in daylight. If looked after properly and hand-tamed from an early age, hamsters will form a bond with their owners and will be glad to spend time with them. The 2 x 3 grid size would provide your guinea pigs with the minimum size of 7. Guinea pig vs. Guinea pigs do not carry food in their cheeks! Guinea pigs, by contrast, are born almost fully developed. Hamsters are loners. A small animal like a hamster or a guinea pig will naturally require less daily attention than a larger, needier pet like a dog. Guinea Pig vs Hamster.