Hamster or guinea pig?!

[paul332]

Hi all,

As some of you might know from another thread, I want to buy a hamster for my kids (9, 16). Some one asked me today why I am not buying a guinea pig instead as they are more friendly as pets for kids.

I did a bit of research and found while what my freind said seemed to be true there are some other facts about them that might be seen as downsides.

They need a big cage and lot of space (we only have a semi detached with not much space although the garden is quite large).

Also I understand they will not be happy to be alone and need to be in pairs (so needs double attention and double space).

Hamsters seem to be an easier option (space and maintenance wise) while guinea pigs seem to be a better pet. I have read that while hamsters only try to survive and at best will tolerate you, guinea pigs are like small dogs and are more responsive to their owner.

I thought maybe there are people here who had both and can give me a bit more info.

Thanks.

Paul

[cheekycheeks]

Originally Posted by paul332

Hi all,

As some of you might know from another thread, I want to buy a hamster for my kids (9, 16). Some one asked me today why I am not buying a guinea pig instead as they are more friendly as pets for kids.

I did a bit of research and found while what my freind said seemed to be true there are some other facts about them that might be seen as downsides.

They need a big cage and lot of space (we only have a semi detached with not much space although the garden is quite large).

Also I understand they will not be happy to be alone and need to be in pairs (so needs double attention and double space).

Hamsters seem to be an easier option (space and maintenance wise) while guinea pigs seem to be a better pet.

I thought maybe there are people here who had both and can give me a bit more info.

Thanks.

Paul

Hello Paul, I have had both so thought I would put my two cents in. Ok guinea pigs are lovely. When I had one I was about 14 (Im 20 now so I remember) and had two very happy boy guinea pigs. They lived in seperate cages though, because they would fight. So in this sense I think it is okay to get one guinea pig as long as you are willing between you and your kids to give him attention every day. Guinea pigs don't need a big house, you could own one in a apartment. You do though need to have a good size cage, which uaully in pet stores runs only about 10 dollars more then a hamster cage (where I live). Guinea pigs make excellent pets because they are pretty docile, chill animals, usually. But it really depends on their personality. My black guinea pig was so sweet, you could pet him forever without him moving. My other guinea pig was so hyper could never really get fully tamed and ran around the cage like a mad man! I think though either something happened to him or he was older when I got him so more skiddish to be handled, because from what I hear most pigs are like my black one. I would say and I don't know if this is a downside for you, is they are much more of a commitment, as they live 10 + years.

If you were to get a hamster I would suggest a syrian. I have had both dwarfes and syrians, and syrians seem more docile in my experience then the smaller hamsters. Also syrians unlike dwarfes like living alone. Syrians are the bigger hamster also called teddy bear hamsters, you can get one that has long or short fur. This is my experience but with handling form the first few days you get him and if you handle them everyday they will bond with you. Also my hamster sleeps during the day but has periods where hes kinda up walking around, I like to take him out then. Because he is more drowsy and calm, sometimes will just sit in my hand totally calm and let me pet him. With hamster its all about gettiig one with the right personality. What you could do if you get one at say a pet store, bring the kids. Let them look at them and if they like one don't buy it right away, ask a staffer if you can hold a few of them. Thats how you will find the more social kind ones apart from any aggressive biters. My pet store always lets the customers hold them to see which one is best suited. Anyways I wish you luck. If you do get a hamster i would suggest syrians again, as they are better starter hamsters, and usually more calm when handled then dwarfes

[Redame]

Maybe an addition to Cheekycheeks brilliant post.
I have had guinea pigs since i was born (as far as I can remember that is) untill I was about 15. Guinea pigs are indeed very docile. Problem was that mine were so docile, they were boring! They sat around all day doing nearly nothing. Positive side is though that ginnys are awake during the day which might be great for your kids as they might not stay up late enough for the hamster to awake. However, a hamster (the syrian I currently have) is more fun to watch. He is docile, never bit, but a hamster does need your undivided attention if you have him out (our guinea pigs were put on a thick sheet on the floor and they wouldn't go anywhere, just laid down comfy).
One thing that I might add which might be pretty silly to say but it is the truth: guinea pigs wee when on your lap. And they wee loads more than a hamster. I have not experienced any superwee's from my syrian though!
What I did like was that guinea pigs are squeeky, they are real talkers and that makes them bloody cute.
Good luck making the choice!

[katie123]

I've had both hammies and guinea pigs too. Although guinea pigs are best in pairs if they are already living on there own then they are fine - by that I mean if they are at the RSPCA and have been found on there own when an adult then there is no option but to keep them singly. Another we had was from an 'unwanted' notice in our vets and again was on his own.
They also like fresh vegetation as they need to keep chewing to keep their teeth down so hand fulls of grass is good for them along with the pellet food and lots of hay. And on a vet bill side if anything does go wrong with their teeth (Mainly the back ones as they can overgrow too) then it can get a bit dear if cost is a problem.
They also need a bit more cleaning out than an hamster.
They are more of a handful to hold so your younger child wouldn't be as afraid to hold him and they can live to a good age so a plus point there.
Also remember the big problem with hamsters .......... they are highly addictive we got one a year ago and now have three syrians all in their own cages!!! so be warned

[fluffymunchkins]

Guinea pigs are lovely, i had them as a young child and i would have them again if i could
But they are A LOT more work then hamsters and it really depends on the individual hamster/guinea pig to whether they are more friendly.
Some guinea pigs do not like being picked up at all and vice versa. I've also heard that they are a lot more lazy and will spend most their time eating and resting. Whereas hamsters (although nocturnal which is another thing to consider) will provide hours of entertainment climbing, digging, running etc.

I may be a bit biast But maybe you should ask your children what they would prefer, possibly visit a few pet shops/breeders or even better a show to see which they warm to better

[mangoandmimi]

i'll just notrepeat everything lol, but yeah, piggies are very loud when they squeak, and also... i'd say they did alot less than hams i like the fact that hamsters are nocturnal, they're asleep during school/work and awake after homeworks finished workes well for me, lol

[paul332]

thanks for all the comments, all very helpful.
I think overall at least for a start, it has to be ................ a cute HAMSTER

[Womblehands]

get them a puppy.... he he he ... i would go for hamster as the noise of a guniea pig would worry me too much

[BOB THE 4TH]

my mum has a guinea pig, he is a lazy, cheeky so and so- but soo funny!! he screams at anyone with a plastic bag- the salad comes in a bag! and he loves cuddles, especially scratching his b*tt!!! he is kept inside, but if they have to be kept in a garden/yard, make sure there is a good lock on the cage. my mum had yale type locks on her rabbit cages etc, foxes cant undo those!! hamsters are my fave, they dont leave their hairs every where, like g'pigs do! (and other things...)!!

[DeweyTheHammy]

I say go with a dog > unless you already have one. but thats not the point i guess. (even though dogs are the best pet)

I'd say go with a hamster, because kids could get bored. Guinea pigs need a lot more attention.