Guinea pigs and hamsters: They’re both popular small pets beloved for their tiny stature and adorable appearance. Though they do share some similarities, these two pets have plenty of differences too. From their physical characteristics and personalities to their housing requirements and general care, it’s important to know what each needs before you decide to bring either one home as a pet. We’re here to help!
To decide between caring for a new guinea pig or hamster, read on to learn more about guinea pigs versus hamsters and which one may be the perfect pocket pet for you.
In This Guide:
Key Differences
Guinea pigs and hamsters are both small rodents. In general, the key differences between the two include:
- Lifespan: Generally, guinea pigs can live to 10 years old, while hamsters live to up to 3 years old, depending on their species.
- Diet: Guinea pigs are herbivores, while hamsters are omnivores. Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C and must have it included in their daily diet. Hamsters, on the other hand, can synthesize this essential vitamin and do not require it in their diet.
- Size: Guinea pigs can weigh around 1,000 grams. Hamsters can weigh up to roughly 140 grams.
- Personality: Guinea pigs are known to be social and friendly. Hamsters can be a bit more solitary and shy.
- Living needs: Due to their differences in personality, guinea pigs should be kept in pairs (of the same sex if not spayed or neutered). Hamsters should be housed alone and in completely enclosed cages to prevent them from escaping.
Important note: There are 13 recognized guinea pig breeds and five hamster species commonly kept as pets. Each has its own unique look, temperament, and needs. Learn about your prospective pet’s breed or species before you bring them home to be sure you can give them the best care.
Size and Lifespan
Although these two pint-sized pets frequently get mistaken for one another, their physical characteristics and lifespan are quite different.
Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs have a stocky body; it’s why they’re sometimes affectionately called “furry potatoes.” While their size can vary, these plump piggies typically weigh about 2–2.5 pounds, or 900–1,100 grams, when fully grown.
Guinea pigs can be seen with all lengths of hair depending on their breed, with some breeds having long, luscious locks and others being nearly or completely hairless.
Cavies (another word for guinea pigs) have four toes on their front feet and three on their back feet, for a total of 14 toes. They also have 20 teeth, which are all continuously growing.
Physical Characteristics of Hamsters
Hamsters are teeny tiny compared to guinea pigs. Depending on the species, fully grown hamsters can weigh anywhere from 20 to 140 grams, aka about 0.7–5 ounces—roughly equivalent to a large paperclip and a medium-sized banana, respectively.
Hamsters have four “fingers” and five toes. One notable feature they have is cheek pouches. They use these as pockets to store and carry their food, giving them an adorable, puffy-cheeked appearance.
Hamsters have 16 teeth—and of those, only their four incisors (aka their front teeth) never stop growing.
Behavioral Differences
Guinea pigs and hamsters also have several behavioral differences:
Social Behavior of Guinea Pigs
Susan Tyson, VMD, MS, veterinarian and owner at Avian & Exotic Philly Vet Medical Surgical Clinic in Philadelphia, says guinea pigs are “very social creatures” who are generally kept in family groups because they prefer to have a guinea pig buddy. They’re friendly and not known to be aggressive.
Guinea pigs can breed quickly, with their gestation period being 59–72 days. To prevent unwanted breeding, guinea pigs in groups should be separated by sex. They can live in mixed-sex colonies if spayed and neutered, Dr. Tyson says.
Guinea pigs can communicate through several vocalizations. One vocalization they make to express their excitement is known as “wheeking.” Along with wheeking, you might also see them “popcorn,” which is basically jumping for joy.
Social Behavior of Hamsters
Hamsters tend to be more solitary pets who can show aggression toward other hamsters.
Like guinea pigs, hamsters can breed quickly, with their gestation period being 16–22 days. To prevent unwanted breeding, you’ll want to keep them separated.
Hamsters don’t often vocalize and are quieter compared to guinea pigs, with one exception: A spinning sound when they’re racing away on their exercise wheel.
Dr. Tyson notes that Syrian hamsters are typically more friendly and interactive than other types of hamsters. Others, like the Roborovski dwarf hamster, are known to be more timid and quiet.
Interaction With Humans
In the wild, both guinea pigs and hamsters are prey animals, so they’re instinctively fearful and likely to hide. When it comes to interacting with your guinea pig or hamster, you can establish trust through calm, frequent handling.
“Both species benefit from interactive time outside of their enclosure, though this should always be closely supervised when other pets and children are within the household,” says Walter Merker, DVM, veterinarian at Orange Grove Animal Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. “Hamsters should have at least 15 minutes of supervised time outside of their cage, while guinea pigs should receive a minimum of one hour outside of their enclosure.”
To ensure their safety, create a designated play area, such as a secure pen, and always check for any escape routes to prevent them from wandering around the house.
Housing and Space Requirements
Both guinea pigs and hamsters should have a well-ventilated enclosure that’s spacious and secure.
Cage Size and Setup for Guinea Pigs
Guinea pig cages should include a large roaming area and can have open concept enclosures since they’re not climbers, Dr. Tyson says. While their enclosure can have multiple levels, a single-level enclosure is the safest option. The minimum cage size for one to two guinea pigs is 8 square feet.
Dr. Tyson says guinea pigs should have a few hiding places available to them. She also recommends keeping multiple guinea pigs housed together. Having another guinea pig around will provide enrichment and keep these social animals calm and happy.
Cage Size and Setup for Hamsters
Like guinea pigs, hamsters should also have a large, well-ventilated hamster cage so they have enough room to support their natural behaviors. One major difference to consider: “Houdini” is a hamster’s middle name!
These small rodents are skilled climbers (aka escape artists) and need to be completely contained in their cage, Dr. Tyson says. For this reason, they should have an enclosure with a top, sides, and a bottom, like the Prevue hamster cage. All hamsters require at least 600 square inches with a spacing between cage bars of half an inch or less.
Environment Enrichment Needs
Despite their differences, guinea pigs and hamsters both need enrichment like any other pet to be happy and healthy.
A few supplies to enrich your guinea pig’s environment include:
- A variety of hay options
- Hideouts
- Multiple chewing toys
- Snuffle mats
- Tunnels and bridges
- Puzzle toys
- Treat-dispensing toys
- Pushable willow cubes or timothy balls
- Play walls
To make your hammy happy, include the following essentials in their enclosure:
- A running wheel
- A saucer wheel
- Recycled paper bedding
- Chew toys
- Hay tunnels
- Hideouts
- Bendy bridges
Care and Maintenance
Guinea pigs and hamsters require similar levels of care and maintenance, Dr. Tyson says. She recommends the following as part of the daily routine for both pets:
- Cleaning their enclosure
- Ensuring a fresh supply of food and water (with hay always available for guinea pigs)
- Monitoring their urine and fecal production for irregularities
- Weighing them
- Checking their feet and coat for any injuries
- Watching for signs of pain or lameness
General Health and Veterinary Needs
Both guinea pigs and hamsters tend to hide symptoms of illness. Because of this, it’s crucial to handle them—ideally daily—to check for any unusual signs and make sure they’re healthy.
Dr. Tyson recommends regularly checking their skin and fur, teeth, nose, eyes, limbs, and feet.
Common guinea pig health issues include:
- Dental disease
- Obesity
- Eye injuries and ulceration
- Arthritis or joint disease (as early as 3 years old)
- Pododermatitis (ulcerative foot lesion and subsequent bone infection)
- Pneumonia
- Ringworm (in juvenile guinea pigs)
- Heart disease
- Reproductive disease
Dr. Tyson says guinea pigs should have a wellness exam, dental check, and blood work done once a year. After reaching 4 years old, they may need wellness exams every six months.
Common hamster health issues include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Eye injuries
- Overgrown incisors
- Cheek pouch prolapse
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Respiratory infections
Dr. Tyson recommends scheduling a health exam for hamsters at least once a year. A vet may recommend blood work for your hammy, but this may require sedation due to their small size, she adds.
Costs and Budget Considerations
Small pets are generally considered to be lower-maintenance and generally less expensive to care for compared to pets like cats and dogs. Still, it’s important to consider the financial commitments for both hamsters and guinea pigs, from initial costs to ongoing expenses, to make sure you can provide them with the best care possible.
Initial Costs for Guinea Pigs
According to the Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue, it costs about $200–$300 for a guinea pig’s essentials, such as their cage, bedding, accessories, and adoption cost.
Initial Costs for Hamsters
The costs for hamsters are comparable, Dr. Merker says, with enclosures typically $100–$200, and supplies such as food, bedding, enrichment essentials, and adoption an additional $100.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
You can expect to pay about $30–$50 every month for your small pet’s supplies. This amount covers bedding, food, chew toys, and other essentials, and may be higher depending on how many guinea pigs or hamsters you have and how often you enjoy treating them with new toys and snacks.
Vet costs vary widely, ranging from $80–$600 for routine visits and as much as $5,000 for emergency visits or surgeries.
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