Are you looking to add a pocket pet in your life and can´t decide between a guinea pig or hamster? Both of them are super cute and may seem similar to an untrained eye. There are, however, many differences between them although they both belong to the rodent family.
What exactly are the differences between a guinea pig and a hamster? Which one to choose: guinea pig vs hamster? Let´s find out!
Table of Contents
Size And Space Requirements: Is Space An Issue In Your Household?
The size is probably the most obvious difference between a hamster and a guinea pig. Many people are stunned to see how big a guinea pig can be.
Guinea pigs can be two to four times bigger than hamsters depending on their breed.
Guinea pig weigh between 700 to 1200 grams (1.5 to 2.6 pounds) while hamsters weigh only around 30 to 300 grams (1 to 10 ounces). Guinea pig body can be from 20 to 32 centimeters (7.9 to 12.6 inches) whereas hamsters are maximum half of that.
The more space guinea pigs and hamsters have around them, the happier they are. They need space to roam and forage. There are minimum cage size recommendations for guinea pigs: (source: The Humane Society Of The United States)
- One guinea pig: 7.5 square feet, or about 30”x 36”, is the bare minimum recommended, but bigger is better. (Keep in mind that guinea pigs are highly social, so it is best to have at least two guinea pigs).
- Two guinea pigs: 7.5 square feet (minimum), but at least 10.5 square feet (30” x 50”) is preferred.
Hamsters cage size doesn´t have to be as big as guinea pigs´ due to their size differences and the fact that hamsters are solitary and territorial animals. However, to keep your hamster active and happy, choose a larger cage if possible. The minimum cage recommendation for hamsters: (source)
- 2 square feet wire cage (576 square inches/3616 square centimeters) or 24″x12″ aquarium (288 square inches/1858 square centimeters) for all hamsters.
So, if space is limited in your household, maybe a hamster would be your choice.
Learn more about guinea pig cages here: Guinea Pig Cage – What Size Should It Be?
Lifespan: How Committed Are You?
The average lifespan of a guinea pig is 5-8 years. Hamsters, instead, live an average of 1 or 3 years with proper care. Therefore, it goes without saying that having a guinea pig means more of a commitment in terms of time.
Guinea pigs´ long lifespan, on the other hand, ensures that you will have enough time to build an affectionate relationship with these adorable creatures.
So, if you can´t make a long commitment to a pet, maybe a hamster would be your choice.
Learn more about guinea pigs´ lifespan over here: How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live For?
Are you nocturnal or diurnal?
This is a big thing! Hamsters are nocturnal while guinea pigs are diurnal. This means that guinea pigs are awake during the day, like most of us humans, and go to sleep at night. Hamsters, instead, prefer to be active while everyone else is asleep.
This is something that cannot be changed, so there´s no point trying to keep your hamster awake during the day. You´ll end up having a very grumpy hamster and, the worst case scenario, they may bite you.
So, if you´re a night owl, a hamster could be your choice. In other case, a guinea pig might be a better match for you.
Companionship And Behavior: Are You Willing To Take Two Animals?
Guinea pigs should never be kept alone as they are herd animals. They have a very social character, so it´s vital for their well-being to have at least two guinea pigs living in the same habitat.
Hamsters, instead, should be kept alone as they are solitary in nature. Hamsters are also very territorial and might get aggressive when their territory is invaded by another hamster. They may fight and inflict serious injuries to each other.
So, are you willing to take minimum two guinea pigs and love and care for them every single day?
Time Requirements: How Much Spare Time Do You Have?
Guinea pigs´ cage maintenance takes a lot more time compared to hamsters´ as they eat and poop more. Guinea pigs´ housing should be cleaned daily. Hamsters cage should be thoroughly cleaned every week (minimum).
Both hamsters and guinea pigs need to be handled by their owners regularly outside their cage, on a daily basis. The more time you can give to them, the happier they will be. Remember also, that the more these rodents are being handled when they are babies, the more accustomed they are when being picked up or cuddled as adults.
So, you need to ask yourself, how much spare time do you have on your hands?
Personality Aspects: Do You Like To Cuddle?
Guinea Pigs´ temperament is easy-going, gentle and quiet, while hamsters are more temperamental and skittish. Guinea pigs are also very social and playful creatures, while hamsters are independent creatures that do better on their own.
Guinea pig can make a lot of different sounds, and you can see them interacting with you by making funny voices (wheeking, chutting) and “popcorning” when they´re happy (springing into the air). Hamsters make “noise” when they scurry around their cage or in their wheel – usually in the nighttime.
Hamsters are more likely to nip, bite or scratch, especially under stress, so if you have young children, a guinea pig is probably a better option for your family. And if you like to cuddle with your furry friend, you should choose a guinea pig. They are more receptive to affection and don´t mind being handled by humans (once being used to it).
Learn more about guinea pigs´ personality here: Are Guinea Pigs Good Pets For Kids? A Full Breakdown.
Difference In Diet: Are You Allergic?
Guinea pigs are herbivores and they need unlimited amounts of hay always available as they like to nibble it throughout the day. There are many people who are allergic to hay, so this something you should really take into consideration when choosing a pet for you.
Learn more about the importance of hay to guinea pigs here: How Much Hay Do Guinea Pigs Need?
Guinea pigs also need vegetables and high quality pellets every day to provide them more nutrients. Unlike many other animals, guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C, so you need to give them vitamin C supplementation.
More about the importance of vitamin C here: 18 Guinea Pig Foods That Are High In Vitamin C
Hamsters are omnivores, and they can eat a wider range of foods compared to guinea pigs including seeds, grains, fruits, insects… Whether you´re choosing a guinea pig or a hamster as a pet for your family, it´s important to learn everything about their individual diet.
So, if you´re allergic to hay, you should choose a hamster to be your pet.
Guinea Pig vs Hamster? To Sum Up!
Many people confuse guinea pigs and hamsters. As seen above, there are many differences between guinea pigs vs hamsters, including size, temperament, dieting differences, to name but a few.
There are many things to consider when acquiring a new pet to a household. Guinea pigs and hamsters are often consider to be great “starter pets” for kids as they are small, round and furry. However, that´s not the case! In fact, young children under 8 years of age should always handle these animals under adult supervision (source). Young children may accidently drop, squeeze or scare these precious pets.
All pets, no matter how small, need to be looked after and cared for every single day. Now the choice is yours – which one is your choice?
I would love to hear your opinion on this! Which one do you prefer and why? I hope you find this article helpful and eye-opening! It would be awesome to hear from you! If you have any questions or comments whatsoever, please let me know in the comments below. I will be more than happy to help you out!
