hamster or guinea pig?

Question

at first i was sure i wanted a hamster but now after reading things about their hamsters dying soon, biting, escaping i dont know if i want a guinea pig instead. please give pros and cons of both animals and which one you prefer.

are guinea pigs nocturnal?

wait you need to get more than one guinea pig becuase they will gie of lonliness???

Answer 1

Guinea pigs need at least 4 square feet of space PER PIG

Hamsters are content in smaller cages, like aquariums with tubes and such.

http://cavycages.com has info on guinea pigs and their care
DO NOT PUT Guinea pigs in tiny aquariums or small store bought cages. These are way too small for guinea pigs to have any room to move. It's like if you were living in a closet.

Pros of Guinea pigs
Friendly
Don't Bite
Can be calm
Bigger

Cons of Guinea pigs
Needs at least 4 sq ft per pig
Needs a constant supply of TImothy hay
Can be costly.
Needs a friend (they are herd/social animals)

If you decide to get a guinea pig and care for it correctly, then the best way to make sure they're happy is to get them a friend.

Guinea Pigs are not nocturnal, but they will move around at all times of the day. So keeping them in a bed room is not a wise idea. A hallway or family-ish room is a good room because of the stable tempurature, and they won't be forgotten as easily.

If you are concerned about cost and space, then get a hamster.



Finally, if you do choose to get a hamster OR a guinea pig, do not use Cedar bedding. It is harmful to all small animals because of the oils it emits. Pine does the same thing, buy aspen or paper bedding.

Answer 2

GUINEA PIG!!! They are MUCH better company than hamsters. And they actually are quite interactive and social beings: They learn to recognize their name (and sometimes even answer when you call them), make different funny noises depending on the situation (excitement, to call your attention, annoyment, etc.), and can be very playful.

However, to have a healthy, well-adjusted guinea pig, you need to provide it with an environment in which it feels comfortable and safe. Guinea pigs need space (i.e. a large cage), good bedding (Aspen is best), lots of food, and WATER (they drink a lot). They also need their own little retreat where they can go into seclusion: For ex, you can buy a little igloo-type home to put inside the cage, and the guinea pig will crawl in there whenever it feels it wants to hide for awhile. Guinea pigs also like to chew on stuff, so make sure to get your pet something to nibble on.

Answer 3

I prefer guinea pigs myself because they are so love-able and they don't run away when you hold them. Hamsters are cute and adorable but they can bite and run off faster then guinea pigs. On the other hand, Guinea pigs eat non-stop and have to have their cages cleaned out 1 0r 2 times a week because they eat alot they all defacate alot! Hamsters on the other hand don't eat as much and don't make much mess. But like any animal its time and devotion to your pet and the love you feel back from them!

Answer 4

Hamsters are way cuter and stuff. A guinea pig bit me once and they aren't as cute. They are noisy too. Hamsters are fun to watch and play with!

Answer 5

I have 4 hamsters but have always wanted a guinea pig...if you are only looking to get one pet, then get a sirian hamster, they are SOOO cute, and have good personalities.....if you get a guinea pig, then you have to get at least 2, because they are social animals, and will die of lonlyness and depression. I think they both make great pets, just depends on what you really want

Answer 6

Get the long-haired Peruvian Guinea pig.

Answer 7

i had a text message off my wife earlier with a picture of a hamster,asking me to pick a name for it,i told her no that i didnt want this animal in the house,but when i got home there it was a bloody hamster,,,and now your saying about them escaping???**** im gonna feed it to the cat right now<

Answer 8

get a guinea pig. They dont die easily and they are more funner. You get to touch them more and they are very obedient. trus me, i have one. Plus they are more softer and cuter and fatter which is awesome! I love them. Hamsters are way too wild for me. And they always run away. I had a hamster too. But he ran away. LOL! GET A CUTE GUINEA PIG!!!!! THEY ARE EASY TO TAKE CARE OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I have had both and definitely prefer a guinea pig.

Hamster: They are small, and therefore eat less, make less waste, and take up less space. BUT, they are easier to injure, and do tend to be rather mean.
Guinea Pigs: Bigger, easier to handle, less likely to bite (I actually had one that liked to give kisses) BUT they do eat more, and need to have their cages cleaned more often.

Answer 10

Guinea pig. They are much more interactive with humans..learn certain sounds,,like when you open their food or the door to their food etc. The one I had even came when you called its name...SWEET little animals.