As an avid small pet lover, I love to research about various pets and their lifestyles. Sometimes, even in the middle of the night, I get curious to explore more. When I was 15, I wanted guinea pigs so badly after watching a YouTube video of a swimming guinea pig. I somehow convinced my parents to buy me guinea pigs and I started digging everything I possibly could under the sun about guinea pigs. It also occurred to me that I could also go for a hamster. Belonging to the same rodent family, I thought any of the two could work until I realised I had to narrow down their fundamental differences and see which one works best for me. If you are keen on getting a new small furry pet, this feature might turn out to be helpful for you in some way. Here are a few lifestyle differences between guinea pigs and hamsters:
Social Interaction
Guinea pigs thrive on social interaction as they happen to be highly social. They enjoy living in pairs or groups. On the contrary, hamsters are solitary animals and prefer to live alone. They may become stressed or territorial if forced to share their space.
Exercise Needs
Guinea pigs require more space and exercise compared to hamsters. They are larger and more active animals, so they benefit from having a larger cage or enclosure with room for running and exploring. Hamsters, on the other hand, are smaller and need relatively less space to move around. It is well known that running on the wheel is hamsters’ favourite activity. Guinea Pigs have delicate bones and will not be able to use that. They are fluffier in nature too.
Nocturnal vs. Diurnal
Hamsters are primarily nocturnal, which means they are most active during the night and tend to sleep during the day. Guinea pigs, on the flip side, are diurnal and are generally awake and active during the daytime. This difference can affect the interaction and availability of playtime with their pet parents.
Dietary Requirements
Guinea pigs have specific dietary needs and require a diet rich in hay, fresh vegetables, and vitamin C. Hamsters have different dietary requirements and need a balanced diet consisting of hamster pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats.
Handling and Taming
Guinea pigs are docile and friendly animals. They enjoy human interaction once they gain a sense of familiarity with their pet parents. They can be easily tamed and handled gently. Hamsters, on the other hand, are more likely to be timid and may take longer to get comfortable with handling. Some hamster species are more prone to biting if they feel threatened or scared.
It is important to remember that individual animals within each species may have their own personalities and preferences. Providing proper care, a suitable environment, and social interaction are crucial for the well-being of both guinea pigs and hamsters. These are some of the standard differences from which new to be pet parents to small animals can choose which one works best for them when it comes to these two special rodents.