Hamster and guinea pig difference

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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

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. Could it just be ignorance? 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 They are furry. Can't argue that one unless it's hairless breed like a Skinny Pig! They have little round eyes on the side of their heads. Yep, both the same on this score. They have four legs. OK, got to state the obvious now, but yes, they do have the same number of legs.

Both guinea pigs and hamsters belong to the order of Rodentia - so they are both rodents. Guinea pigs on hamster and guinea pig difference other hand tend to just take a nap as and when they feel like it! GuineaDad built a cage with IKEA furniture, and it provides about 2 grid by 6 grid space for his three guinea pigs.

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.

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. Read on as we thoroughly explain everything that you need to know about hamsters and guinea pigs, from their appearance to grooming needs and health, so you can determine which pet is right for you. Hamsters are adorable little rodents kept as pets in homes throughout the world. Currently, there are 24 known hamster species, all of which belong to the Cricetidae family, though each species is unique in their own way.

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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Guinea pigs on the other hand tend to just take a nap as and when they feel like it! Hamsters tend to sit up on their hind legs and hold seeds in their hands to chew on. What Is A Guinea Pig? Before bringing home one of these furballs, you should carefully consider the responsibility you are taking on and whether this is something you can commit to over the coming years. But guinea pigs typically only take naps and are awake for most of the day. Close search. If we had a pound for every time we heard the phrase "How are your hamsters? Hamsters don't need extra vitamin C! This means you need to make sure you include lots of vegetable high in vitamin C such as spinach and broccoli. So the next time someone drops the 'H' bomb on you and calls your guinea pig a hamster, please point them in the direction of this blog for some light reading or memorise the content for a smug retort!

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

They are furry. Clearly a guinea pig is nothing like a hamster and there are a lot of differences between the species listed above , so the fact that people muddle them up is somewhat perplexing. Both of these animals sound pretty cute to have around the house, but what are three key differences that any new pet owner should consider? They also tend to be more squirmy when handled. However, piggies may be better than hammies for younger kids due to their friendlier temperament. Lost password? Can't argue that one unless it's hairless breed like a Skinny Pig! Hamsters, on the other hand, are omnivores and will eat plant material as well as insects and worms. Lifespan 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. They do tend to sleep more during the night, though.