Hamsters versus 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, hamsters versus guinea pigs. These often chatty yes, they can oink!

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.

Hamsters versus guinea pigs

New customer? Login to your VIPP account. Lost password? Recover password. Remembered your password? Back to login. Which cute ball of fluff should you introduce to your family: a hammie or a piggy? Guinea pigs and hamsters do share some common ancestry as they both belong to the order of Rodentia. They ultimately belong to different families, with cavies hailing from the Caviidae clan and hamsters coming from the Cricedidae tribe. Besides this connection, our sweet furry friends are actually quite different. To be a responsible hammie or piggy parent, you must carefully consider their specific needs when deciding which is going to best suit your lifestyle. Piggies are plumper, stockier, and more potato-like than their hamster cousins. To put it into perspective, they typically weigh around 1. Much closer to rodents in their looks, hamsters also have a tail in contrast to tailless piggies. Due to their physiological differences, they also navigate the world differently.

Expert advice is that no child should be given the main responsibility for looking after a pet. The last thing I want to tell everyone is to do enough research about the pets before adopting them. Guinea Pig Sounds and Their Meanings!

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.

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. The common one is The Golden Hamster because it looks attractive as a pet. They are mainly active at night. They live between years. Their offspring are born without hair and sight and a litter can comprise up to 20 pups.

Hamsters versus guinea pigs

Both hamsters and guinea pigs belong to the order Rodentia. Guinea pigs are bigger and heavier compared to hamsters, which is an important aspect when determining how much space you will need for your new pet. On average, a guinea pig lives between 5 and 8 years, whereas a hamster usually lives 2 to 3 years. The oldest guinea pig ever was almost 15 years old before it died in The life expectancy of these small and adorable pets is important when considering which of these two rodents to adopt. Both hamsters and guinea pigs have their unique personalities so make sure to get to know your new pet.

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Featured products. That said, both species use their legs differently; piggies tend to stay on all fours while hamsters are more likely to sit up on their back feet and use their front paws to hold food or climb. Ownership is fun for the whole family, and most people recommend that looking after the pet is a family responsibility. Both guinea pigs and hamsters come in a variety of color combinations featuring a caramel hue, white, brown, black, and gray. But they don't share the same family; guinea pigs are members of the Caviidae or Cavi family while hamsters are members of the Cricetidae family. In fact, despite being such little furry potatoes, they need a surprising amount of space to live! An easy way to tell guinea pigs and hamsters apart is by looking at them. With the various beddings out there, we strongly urge you to not choose a bedding solely on the price. Buying A Hamster. Remember that we can only ship your order to addresses located in the chosen country. A small animal like a hamster or a guinea pig will naturally require less daily attention than a larger, needier pet like a dog. You will also need to provide a hutch and a run, keep these animals in pairs, and provide them with fresh vegetables on a daily basis.

Both have for many years been popular choices around the world as family pets.

Join the Kavee Kommunity! A pig needs at least 7. For both pet types, you can find short and long-hair breeds in pet stores and animal rescues. 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. Another aspect different from guinea pigs is that hamsters are nocturnal so you will see them more active in the evening, night, and early morning. So why does it happen, is it that difficult to tell the difference? However, t o ensure that hamsters are able to live a long and full life, hamster parents can do their part in making sure their environment and their diet is best and suitable. The guinea pigs require roomier enclosures, so they can exercise on their schedule and have some private space. Time Requirements. Guinea pigs on the other hand are much plumper and can't fit inside hamster tubes. Guinea pigs love floor time when they can explore a larger area. Crystal, 30 January I agree.