is it OK to get a pet Guinea pig when you already have a cat?

Question

heres the deal my sisters moving and she doesnt want her guinea pig anymore so shes giving it to me. If she takes it to a shelter i dont know what theyll do to it since. The guinea pig bites people and is not social. I have a adult male cat im worried that my cat will kill this guinea pig if i bring it into the house

its my sisters ginea pig she never payed attention to it or let it out of its cage so i think it lost its mind or sometihing

Answer 1

I have had 5 different guinea pigs, over a span of 15 or so years, with 2 different cats. You'd think since guinea pigs look like big rats that cats would try to hurt them. In my experience, the cats acted like the guinea pigs were disgusting little creatures and wanted nothing to do with them. sort of like having a little brother. My one guinea pig, Spike, just idolized my cat, followed her around and seemed to think she was just wonderful. As soon as the cat noticed the guinea pig was near her, she would hop on the highest chair she could find, and look down with total snobby "cat-titude" like only a cat can, and hiss!

Maybe watch them together, but I don't think the cat will hurt the guinea pig.

Good luck with your new friend :-)

Answer 2

Currently living with my gf who has a guinea pig and 2 cats. The animals get along fine. Guinea pigs are somewhat skittish and may take some time to adjust to new surroundings. Keep him in a cage away from the cat.

Answer 3

When I had 3 Cats we got a Guinea Pig and they did fine. My cats never bothered the Guinea Pigs. But yours might so keep the guinea pig in your bed room with the door shut at all time or somewhere the cats can't get to it.

Answer 4

It will depend on the cat. In my experiences, cats that are closely bonded to their humans have an understanding when another animal is brought in -- that it belongs to the human and musn't be hurt. Now, we are dealing with cats, so that is not a guarantee. A guinea pig is fairly large to a cat, so it might not want to kill it -- just play with it. But if it's kept in it's cage unless supervised, it should all be fine. Personally, I had a cat that tore apart a birdcage to get at the bird, but then didn't hurt it -- just followed it as it waddled around the floor. The same cat used to follow escaped hamsters around and let me know they were out and where they were - but never once tried to hurt them. This was the same cat who, if she got outside, would kill and eat birds. So, there's no concrete answer not knowing your cat. You'll just have to keep an eye on it. Hopefully, in the process, the poor little piggy will get some much-needed attention and mellow out.

Answer 5

keep the guinea pig in a different room. This sometimes works if tha animals are raised together. I have had a pet rat that got along with 2 cats. They even carried her around and ate out of the same dish. But if the pig is mean and the cat is older,I would say it wasnt a good mix.

Answer 6

I have a friend who got a guinea pig recently. She has five cats. It should be okay. Just make sure the cats aren't left unattended near the cage, and that the guinea pig has something to hide under if it becomes scared.

Answer 7

I keep my guinea pig in with my rabbit in a 30g fishtank. The top is open, but none of my 3 cats, 3, 5, and 13, even mess with them. As long as you keep your pig secure you'll be just fine.

Answer 8

the guinea pig will be fine... just make sure to feed and water it. i had a guinea pig and he was a perfect angel.. i mean u will have it in a cage right. cause they need to be in a cage. if i were you i would take him. do not take it to a shelter........

Answer 9

i have three cats and two guinea pigs and I keep the cavies in plastic containers and the cats don't bother them(but they are all neuter and spayed(the cats))

Answer 10

Keep them seperated, and everything should be ok.