Getting your hamster or guinea pig a companion is a good idea. However, choosing the right one can be challenging. Since both these pets are rodents, you might think housing them together is a no-brainer, but there’s more to it.
Hamsters and guinea pigs can’t live together. Each animal has different care and nutritional needs. When kept in one enclosure, they can become territorial and display aggressive behavior. While they can interact with one another under supervision, it’s best to keep each in their own cage.
In this article, I’ll share more information about what happens when hamsters and guinea pigs live together, and why it’s best to keep them separated. I’ll also go over their different care requirements and list their pros and cons to help you decide which pet will work best for you. Let’s get started!
Will Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Fight Each Other?
Hamsters and guinea pigs can exhibit aggressive behavior towards one another. While it’s possible for them to coexist peacefully, I don’t recommend keeping them in the same enclosure. Both species have a natural instinct to assert dominance over other animals. They may fight and cause one another physical harm.
Housing hamsters and guinea pigs together can also be stressful for both animals. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, so they prefer sleeping during the day. Guinea pigs are diurnal. If your guinea pig is active during the day, it can disturb your hamster’s rest. This can lead to a lack of sleep and increased stress for both pets.
It’s important to provide each of your pets with their own separate enclosure. This will prevent conflict and injuries. Each animal also has specific care needs that will be challenging to meet if you keep them in the same cage.
The Care Requirements for Hamsters and Guinea Pigs
Hamsters and guinea pigs need different living environments. Providing each of your pets with an enclosure that meets their needs will help them stay healthy. Here’s what hamsters and guinea pigs need to thrive:
Hamster Living Environment Requirements
- Cage: Hamsters need a large, escape-proof cage, and you need to ensure they have plenty of room to run and play. Hamsters are incredibly active, so a cage that can fit a running wheel, sleeping spot, and extra toys is best. The enclosure should also have enough ventilation. Cages with tubes may look fun, but they often offer poor ventilation.
- Bedding: Your hamster will appreciate a cozy nest. Soft and absorbent bedding material like aspen shavings, shredded paper, or cotton nesting is a good choice. Don’t use cedar or pine shavings in your hamster cage.
- Food: Hamsters are omnivores. You should feed your pet a diet that’s high in protein and fat. Commercial hamster food is specially formulated and the best choice. You can also treat your hamster with fresh fruits and veggies. Hamsters typically like apples, carrots, peas, spinach, and cucumbers. Fresh water is also a necessity.
Guinea Pigs Living Environment Requirements
- Cage: Guinea pigs need a larger cage than hamsters. They’re plumper and need bigger hideouts too. A deep enclosure will work best. This species tends to be messy, and side barriers can help keep the mess inside. If you add a wheel to your guinea pig enclosure, it’ll have to be large.
- Bedding: Your guinea pig will sleep well on paper or fleece-based bedding. Washable fleece squares can offer more comfort and are easier to clean.
- Food: Guinea pigs typically need extra vitamin C in their diet. Their bodies don’t produce this as hamsters do. You should choose vitamin C-fortified pellets. Ensure there are no seeds or dry fruits. If you want to add fresh produce to your guinea pig’s diet, opt for lettuce, kale, parsley, and cilantro.
The Best Companions for Hamsters and Guinea Pigs
Keeping a hamster and guinea pig in the same enclosure is not a good idea. If you want to give each some companionship, you can consider these options:
Get a Hamster or Guinea Pig of the Opposite Sex
You can add a mate of the opposite sex to your hamster or guinea pig enclosure. A fellow hamster or guinea pig will offer yours some companionship. It’s unlikely that they’ll fight, but you should still monitor their interactions and separate them if necessary.
If you want to prevent your hamsters or guinea pigs from breeding, I suggest having them spayed or neutered. Doing this will also help prevent aggressive behavior or territorial issues. You can also avoid mating by separating your pets during their mating season and only allowing interaction under supervision. This method isn’t foolproof, but it reduces the risk.
Get Another Type of Small Pet
There are many small pets that can keep your hamster or guinea pig company, including:
- A bird
- A gecko
- A chameleon
- A rabbit
These animals can coexist peacefully. You should research the specific care requirements of whichever animal you choose to ensure you provide it with the proper care, and carefully monitor their interactions with your hamster or guinea pig. If they’re not getting along, it’s best to intervene.
Hamsters are generally solitary animals and don’t require company. However, guinea pigs are social and prefer living in groups. I suggest housing your pets in separate enclosures but allowing them to interact under supervision.
The Pros and Cons of Hamsters and Guinea Pigs
If you’re undecided between a hamster and a guinea pig, looking at the pros and cons of each pet can help you choose the one that will work best for you. Both are popular and can make excellent companion pets. However, housing them together is not the best option. If you can’t buy separate cages, it’s best to only bring one home.
The Pros of Hamsters
- Hamsters are small and easy to care for.
- They’re nocturnal, making them a good choice if you’re at work during the day and home at night.
- Hamsters are active and curious. It can be entertaining to watch them!
The Cons of Hamsters
- Hamsters have a relatively short lifespan of about 2–3 years.
- If you don’t properly handle your hamster, it can be nippy. This pet is not the best choice for small children.
The Pros of Guinea Pigs
- Guinea pigs can live for 5–7 years.
- They’re generally docile and easy to handle, making them a good choice if you have small children.
- Guinea pigs are vocal, and you can train them to come when called. This can be fun and rewarding!
The Cons of Guinea Pigs
- Guinea pigs require a large cage and plenty of space to move around.
- They can be prone to respiratory infections if you don’t keep their environment clean and dust-free.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a hamster and a guinea pig can be tricky. They’re both popular pets for a good reason. If you want to get both, don’t let them live together. These animals might fight one another to assert dominance.
If you already have a hamster or guinea pig, getting a mate of the opposite sex is a better option. You can also consider a pet bird or bunny to keep your hamster or guinea pig company. They can coexist and play peacefully under supervision.