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.

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.

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.

Guinea pigs love floor time when they can explore a larger area. You can go for pre-built cages but remember that bigger is still better and to make sure the cage size at the very least meets the minimum requirement.

Both have for many years been popular choices around the world as family pets. But they are completely different although related animals. They are both from the rodent family but Guinea Pigs are a domesticated animal that belongs to the Cavia genus whereas Hamsters include some 25 species including Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, hand hamsters in the Cricetinae genus. In general terms, hamsters are more closely related to mice than Guinea Pigs. The most obvious difference is size.

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. As we mentioned above, hamsters are much smaller than guinea pigs, with the average size being in the region of cm. Even the smallest guinea pigs are larger than the biggest hamsters, with the average guinea being cm long. This means that guinea pigs need larger enclosures. The following differences are the ones that need to influence your decision.

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.

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You can expect your guinea pig to live years if it stays fit and healthy whereas a hamster typically lives years. 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! Lost password? Guinea pigs can live for years, while a hamster's lifespan is years. Both guinea pigs and hamsters come in a variety of color combinations featuring a caramel hue, white, brown, black, and gray. Submit Your Pet. Remembered your password? Today's pet hamsters are said to have originated from Syria in the s. However, in Australia they, like Hamsters, are banned and for the same reasons. Pet Birds. The possibilities are endless! Guinea Pigs are coprophages. Guinea pigs are neither strictly diurnal nor nocturnal, meaning they can play with you throughout the day more time for fun right?

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Guinea pigs are not good climbers! How much room do you have to house a furry companion in your home? As with any pet, Guinea Pigs and Hamsters need to be looked after properly to avoid health issues. You can expect your piggy pal to keep you company for years or even longer in some cases , whereas a hamster typically lives for years at most. Piggies typically live between years , but in some rare cases have also been known to make it to a ripe old age in the double digits. Another key difference between the two is their size. Hammies are most active at night and can cause a racket by running and scurrying around in their cages. Instead, they need larger cages and bigger hideouts, like the Kaytee Igloo Hideout in a large or giant size. Besides this connection, our sweet furry friends are actually quite different. The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus was introduced to Australia in the 19th century. Guinea pigs, in particular, are incredibly social animals who love to play with their hoomans. However, these often have lots of carbohydrates and not enough fibre. New customer? It's frankly astounding how many people confuse the two. The easiest option for feeding a hamster is to buy a pre-made food mix that has all the things they need, rather than sourcing your own insects and extra protein to supplement the plants and vegetables in their diets.