Guinea Pig With Other Pets

Can You Keep A Guinea Pig With Other Pets?

In Care by Ana M

You are seriously considering to get a guinea pig as a pet and have already done your research about the differences in breeds, learned how to choose a right guinea pig but there is one thing that most people forget about in the selection process.

And this is… Compatibility!

Well, if you don’t own any other pets you will still find this information helpful just in case your are going to be in a situation when your piggy is surrounded by other animals.

So, today we are going to find out whether guinea pigs are scared of cats and dogs. Also, let’s look closer at the love/hate relationship between guinea pigs and rabbits.

– What animals get along with guinea pigs?

I can’t give you a 100% guarantee that the following pets are going to get along well together because it depends on the personality of each animal. However, if you follow a set of tips on how to introduce the animals to one another, the chances of success will definitely get higher.

guinea pig with other petsSo, here is a list of animals that get along with guinea pigs well:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Frogs
  • Smaller lizards

We are going to talk in more details about the adjustment tips and how to keep the peace between these animals.

 – What animals DO NOT get along with guinea pigs?

  • Snakes
  • Larger Lizards (monitor lizards etc.)
  • Rabbits
  • Hamsters
  • Ferrets
  • Chinchillas
  • Mice
  • Small animals (other)

Rabbits and guinea pigs?

can I keep guinea pigs and rabbits togetherAccording to RSPCA guinea pigs and rabbits should not be kept together. It is a biggest misconception today due to the fact that they were leaving in the same cages for years when neutering of rabbits wasn’t believed to be safe. Even though keeping them together was possible, it is better to provide them with separate homes.

Why?

First, rabbits and guinea pigs have completely different dietary needs when the latest can’t produce vitamin C.

Secondly, rabbits are prone to carrying a bordetella – a bacterium causing pneumonia in guinea pigs.

Moreover, rabbits are much strong than piggies and can injure them unintentionally.

Lastly, rabbits are very territorial ad can easily bite a poor piggy when they are feeling sad or unhappy.

– Can guinea pigs live together with hamsters?

Guinea pigs and hamsters are not compatible and should never live together in the same cage. Apart from having completely different dietary needs, they have completely opposite sleep and activity patterns. Hamsters can be quite nippy after having a nap which can distract guinea pigs.

– Can guinea pigs live together with ferrets?

Do not keep guinea pigs and ferrets together at the same home. Ferrets were bred to hunt on small rodents and will view a guinea pig as a prey. It is very likely that ferret will start to hunt a guinea pig and try to attack it. As a result, it will make a guinea pig very stressed and unhappy being around a ferret.

 – Can I keep a guinea pig if I already own snakes and lizards?

Snakes and most of the larger lizards are carnivorous and view guinea pig as food. It is an unbearable stress for piggies. However, you can keep them in a same household with frogs and smaller lizards because they are unlikely to cause any harm.

– Do guinea pigs and dogs get along?

The main concern with the animals’ compatibility is in the interest each animal shows for another one. With dogs it is highly dependable on breeds.guinea pigs and small dogs For example, most hound types of dogs like Terriers are going to assume that a guinea pig is a potential prey and are, most probably, going to chase a piggy.

On the other hand, the herding group of dogs including Border Collie and German Shepherd are going to follow their instincts to protect piggies from harm.

As you can suggest, toy dogs referring to very small dogs like Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua will think that guinea pigs are just like them and are most likely to form a good bond.

  • How to introduce your dog to a guinea pig?

how to introduce a guinea pig to a dogThe first contact is very important. On the day you bring a guinea pig home make sure that your dog meets a guinea pig that is kept in a hutch or a cage. A guinea pig will be frightened, therefore it is a good idea to keep the dog at a reasonable distance. Wait for a good behavior from your doggy and reward it every time it remains calm.

What we are trying to achieve here is that a dog looses interest in the guinea pig. So, repeat the treating until the dog gets comfortable around guinea pig.


Remember that supervision is essential at any point of contact!


Will my cat attack my guinea pig?

Similarly to the different breeds of dogs, various cats can react to a guinea pig in a completely different way. Some of them might have an increased interest in piggies and can assume that a guinea pig is a prey. However, it is a very common situation when a guinea pig and a cat are spooning as you can see in this picture.

guinea pig snuggling with cat

Very often cats are guilty of sitting by the guinea pig’s cage and staring at it curiously. This puts a guinea pig under a massive stress. Ideally, you should have a separate war garden shed or a room at home where your cat or dog don’t have an access to.

Guinea pigs and birds

Guinea pigs and birds can make good friends in one household. However, you should always be near them when they are playing together. For example, if you have a parrot he can accidentally injure a guinea pig with its beak.

Guinea pigs are ideal pet companions if you own budgies because they do not pose any threat and are non-carnivorous pets.

If you have an aviary it is safe to keep guinea pigs there as well because they are usually just ignore bird-life and will never hurt birds.