Looking at the photos of hamster and guinea pig, I feel that the two are very similar in appearance, and they are both very cute and popular little pets , so some novice breeders often confuse the two, although both belong to pet rats, there is actually a certain difference. For example, in terms of body size and personality, there is also a certain difference in feeding between the two, so what is the difference between a guinea pig and a hamster?

Guinea pigs

Hamsters may not be very different from guinea pigs when they are young, but over time they will become It gradually emerged that the food intake of guinea pigs is larger than that of hamsters, and in terms of body size, guinea pigs are also larger than hamsters. The coat of guinea pigs is also divided into reverse hair and smooth hair, while hamsters basically grow along the hair. Observe that the hamster has a tail of about 0.5 cm, but the guinea pig does not. It must be a hamster hiding food in the gills, because the guinea pig has no food sac, and the hamster can only see two teeth. The guinea pig is larger than the hamster and has a pointed body, while the hamster is round.

The difference between hamsters and guinea pigs is not only their appearance, but also the items and energy needed to raise them.

Expense: Guinea pigs are larger than hamsters in the early stage, because there are more things to buy in cages, etc., there should be food pots and grass racks (not very easy to use, it is recommended to use pots) , Kettle, toilet, mention grass, pig food and so on. However, the cost of hamsters is not much cheaper than that of guinea pigs. If imported rat food is selected for them, the price may be relatively higher, but the cages in which hamsters live are smaller, less expensive, and more DIY. Of course, this is just an ordinary rat cage. If you buy a more advanced one, the price is not cheap.

Activity space: Guinea pigs have a larger activity space than hamsters. Generally, hamsters only need a suitable cage and running wheels.

IQ level: Relatively speaking, the IQ of guinea pigs is higher than that of hamsters. The relationship between guinea pigs and us is more like cats and dogs. After they are familiar with their owners Will be very close to people, can be said to be more intelligent. Hamsters can also be loved, but they are more prone to fear of people. Therefore, guinea pigs are easier to get close to people than hamsters, and guinea pigs are gentler and less likely to bite people.

Body odor level: Guinea pigs have more body odor than hamsters, but if the owner pays more attention to cleaning, it generally does not matter much. Guinea pigs and hamsters stink differently, and bear hamsters also stink. No matter which one is concerned, it is necessary to pay attention to regular care at ordinary times.

Noise: If the hamster's running wheel is not in the right position, it will be noisy, and the guinea pig will not be very loud. And as guinea pigs grow up, their calls will decrease.

Lifespan: The lifespan of guinea pigs is relatively long, and some guinea pigs may live for about 10 years. The lifespan of hamsters is relatively short, generally around 2.3 years.

Although hamsters and guinea pigs are somewhat similar in appearance, they are still fundamentally different, whether in terms of body shape, personality, and other conditions, or the way the owner feeds and cares. of. Therefore, the owner should not confuse the two. Whether it is in terms of living environment or the amount of feeding, it is necessary to figure out which method is suitable for which one, and do not treat it with the wrong feeding method.