Are guinea pigs or rats better pets? Which animal has a longer life span?

Question

Actually, I know a few people who have pet rats. I have had several pet mice that I love but they usually die within a year or so. I'm looking for rodents with a longer life span.

Answer 1

I have owned both rats and guinea pigs.

Rats: I personally prefer rats. They are more intelligent, you can teach them to come to their names, teach them tricks and they potty train easily. The male rats tend to smell because they produce an oil on thier fur, but there are ways to help that. Rats are high energy, so you probably won't get much snuggle time out of them.

Guinea Pigs: Guinea pigs are scared of anything unknown. If you get them used to you, you can hold them and snuggle them, but they will run from strangers, sudden movements and loud noises. They show little to no intelligence. They were originally bread for food, so intelligence wasn't a high priority. If you want an animal that will sit on your lap all day, get a guinea pig.

Lifespan: Guinea pigs have a longer lifespan, but they hide their sickness, so it is hard to tell when they are sick. My guinea pigs died due to a respritory infection that I caught a day before they died. The didn't look the least bit unhealthy until that point. Rats give many clues when they are sick, they become lethargic, they have red stuff come out of their nose (porphorin), they even sneeze and cough. A rat's lifespan is 2-4 years, a guinea pig's is 4-8 years, I believe.

Housing: Guinea pigs require a large, long cage with perhaps one other level for them to climb up to. There has to be ramp to get up because they aren't very agile. Rats require a multi-level cage that can be taller than wide. Metal cages work fine, but the portions where they walk must be covered in some way to prevent them from getting bummblefoot. They also need variety in their environment. Both creatures require alot of personal attention.

Food: Guinea pigs and rats have similar nutritional needs, but there are some differences. Rats can live off of Rat lab blocks and supplemented with fruits, veggies, and the occassional oyster(for health reasons). Rats do not need a salt lick. Guinea pigs require special guinea pig food, vitamin C must be added to either their food or water because they do not produce enough of it on their own. They are vegetarian and enjoy leafy greens.

Neither rats nor guinea pigs will bite, unless they are trained to do so (by feeding them through the bars of the cage).

I hope this information will help in your decision.

Answer 2

Both are excellent pets and both have shorter life spans. But with proper care they both can live a longer time. My one Guinea Pig lived for 8 years, which they normally live 3 to 4. My Guinea Pig now is going on 5 years. They need vitamin C to live longer. Both have problems with cancer and the vitamin C helps them stay healthy and live longer. Vitamin along with fresh fruits and veggies. Carrots, and lettuce and apple are what I give mine. A couple times a week and they do really well. My rats never made it as long though.

Answer 3

Both guinea pigs and rats are good pets. Rats will be more active than guinea pigs, but guinea pigs live longer. If you want a pet to hold and cuddle, a guinea pig would be better. Rats tend to climb all over you and do not enjoy sitting still.

Answer 4

Guinea Pigs have a much longer life span not sure how many years but i know that rats have only a two year life span.

Answer 5

Rats have a longer lifespan. Though PIggies are much more fun to cuddle. Piggys dont really like to be carried around and stuff..but Rats will be more than happy to sit on your shoulder and eat a cracker while you walk around the house. Rats are very curious and very entertaining.

I have 2 guinea oigs right now...my last one died of old age, 8 years.

I had to adopt my Rat out because HE STUNK! I already had a guinea pig, cat , dog, and rabbit...so my family madem e get rid of the stinkiest one. :-( Not fair. I bathed him weekly and kept his house clean though.

I'd still adivise a Rat if you want something to play with...A piggy if you want something to cuddle with.

Answer 6

Hahaha! I just asked myself this same question! I chose a guinea pig. For starters they are a heck of alot cuter. When some one enters your house they wont shriek and go OMG WHAT IS THAT! My guinea pig seems to be fairly intelligent. He knows the sound of the fridge means fresh veggies and fruits so he shrieks and jumps around in excitement. He knows his name, and comes to me. He's still new, and doesnt know my husband very well so he's scared of him, but my husbands been putting in effort, and it seems to be going well!
Rats, they stink. Ive had one, and had to adopt him out due to smell. Granted, if you willing to clean the cage 24/7- go you. LOL. I would have to vote Guinea.

Answer 7

Ferrets (more fun and highly intelligent...if you have to ask this question though...probably go w/the guinea pig!). Rats are smarter than guinea pigs. They actually have somewhat of an attention span and are affectionate. Guinea pigs..sometimes let you pet them...mostly they hide, scream and ####. Fun hugh!

Answer 8

get a rat! rats are far more intelligent. if you enjoyed mice, you will love rats. rats don't smell, and they live for about 2 years. guinea pigs live for about 5 years

Answer 9

I would go witha guinea pig, because rats are gross

both have about the same life span

but who has a rat as a pet? don't get a rat you sicko

Answer 10

I prefer rats. Guinea Pig urine crystalizes and stinks really bad. Plus, I feel like rats are more intelligent, they can be trained to respond to their name. And they can even be "potty trained" in a sense that they will make noises or act a certain way before peeing or pooping on you or your furniture.

As for actual facts, use google. That's what everyone else is going to do.