Hamster vs Guinea Pig

Most people desiring a small rodent pet to keep around the house are faced with choosing between the two most popular species commonly available today, guinea pigs and hamsters. Which is the better pet? Both animals have their good and not-so-good points and both are small and fairly easy and inexpensive to house and care for.

Guinea pigs are not pigs of course, they are rodents. Originating in South America, the first guinea pigs were spread around the world by European traders in the 16th century. Different breeds of guinea pigs have a variety of different fur types and colors, the animals are naturally very shy and spend a lot of time in hiding. Guinea pigs have a long history of being utilized in heredity experiments due to their rapid and prolific breeding.

Hamsters, on the other hand, are also rodents but much smaller than guinea pigs. The Syrian hamster is the most common type of pet hamster today, and most sold as pets today descended from one litter captured in the Middle East in the 1930’s. Syrian hamsters entered the United States in 1938. Hamsters are nocturnal but are often active and curious little rodents during the daylight hours as well. Hamsters are clean and generally gentle, although they can get into fights if caged together.

In the end, the choice of hamster or guinea pig will probably be based on personal preference, as both rodents make perfect (caged) house pets. Direct examination of the two different species’ different characteristics and habits might make the decision a bit easier. Here’s how they compare:

Guinea Pigs

• Guinea pigs are much larger than hamsters and can live about 6-8 years.
• Guinea pigs are very calm creatures, they rarely bite and they are easy to hold.
• Some people find guinea pigs to be very skittish and they often refuse to come out of their “nest” houses.
• Guinea pigs sometimes refuse warm up to people.
• Guinea pigs can sometimes be a bit stinky, and many people think their cages stink.
• Guinea pigs require a little more grooming, hair brushing and toe nail trimming than hamsters.
• Guinea pigs do not like to play inside roll-around balls.
• Guinea pigs are very calm creatures, they rarely bite and they are easy to hold.
• Guinea pigs can subsist on guinea pig pellets exclusively, but they will eat vegetables too.
• Guinea pigs need exercise time every day outside of their cage.
• Guinea pigs require larger cages, as well as more bedding and more food.
• Guinea pigs are not very active and often just sit around with an occasional hop here and there.
• Guinea pigs live longer than hamsters.
• Guinea pigs seldom bite hands and fingers.

Hamsters

• Hamsters are active and love to run, play and explore.
• Hamsters are small and like to be handled.
• Hamsters require less bedding, food and maintenance.
• Hamsters tend to be a little nippy at times.
• Hamsters move faster than pigs and love tubes and wheels.
• Hamsters require very small enclosures and cages.
• Hamsters need very little attention and care.
• Hamsters love to play on tubes and wheels.
• Hamsters can keep you up at night with their activities.
• Hamsters are escape artists and will always be trying to escape.
• Hamsters generally only live for 3 years maximum.