The popular “pocket pet” of American households is the Chinchilla and Guinea Pig. Both have unique characteristics that should be considered by potential pet owners. Comparing Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs is like comparing apples to oranges. Both are rodents but they don’t have much in common.
There are some things we can compare to give you a better idea of the experience of owning either a Chinchilla or a Guinea Pig. It should then be simple for you to choose the right pet option for your family.
Visual Differences
Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs are both larger than Chinchillas. This is the most obvious visual difference. Chinchillas have tails, while Guinea Pigs don’t. Both can be found in many colors including white, brown, beige, and even beige.
To protect themselves from pests and the elements, Chinchillas have thicker fur coats than Guinea Pigs. The hair of a Guinea Pig is usually longer than the Chinchilla
. The eyes of a Guinea Pig are also larger and more round than those of a Chinchilla.
A Glance
Chinchilla
- Average length (adult): 9-15 inches
- Average weight (adult): 1-2 pounds
- Life expectancy: 10-15 years
- Exercise for 1+ hours per day
- Grooming Requirements: Minimal
- Yes, it is family-friendly
- Other pets are not usually allowed
- Trainability Moderate
Guinea Pig
- Average length (adult): 8-10 inches
- Average weight (adult): 5-2 pounds
- Life expectancy: 5-10 Years
- Exercise for 3+ hours per day
- Moderate grooming requirements
- Yes, it is family-friendly
- Other pets-friendly places
- Trainability made easy
Chinchilla Overview
Chinchillas are active at dawn and dusk and sleep during the day. They need somewhere quiet to sleep during the day. They should not be allowed in the house to wander around, as they could easily get stepped on by furniture or other objects.
They love to eat as much as they can so they might ingest something dangerous if they’re not contained. Chinchillas can live alone but will be happy with one or two other people if they are introduced as babies or littermates. If owners have babies to look after, it is best for them to have the same sex.
Personality/Character
When awake, rodents can be playful and curious. They are more interested in their own company than seeking attention from humans. They are happy to be held and petted if they are young. Although they are quite quiet, they do not seem to be lazy or lethargic in their sleep.
They are very active and need a safe place to play. Although they can be friendly with small animals, they should not be allowed to play with large pets such as dogs and cats. They could get hurt.
Training
Chinchillas can learn basic skills that will make them more fun and better behave. Chinchillas can learn to be punctual, clean up after themselves, and not do anything that isn’t necessary. The trainer should be able to trust the Chinchilla before training begins. The most important tool to train Chinchillas is patience. These rodents can be difficult to train.
Health & Care
Chinchillas are healthy and will not suffer from serious health problems if properly cared for. There are some minor problems that can occur, including eye infections, heatstroke, and mites. They have thick hair that keeps them warm in colder weather. However, the hair can cause them to overheat so it is important to place them in cool areas of the house.
For their safety, the Chinchillas’ habitat should be completely enclosed and large enough to allow them to explore different areas during the night. To keep their health as they age, it is important to clean out their habitat, food, water, bedding, toys, and other items once per week. Chinchillas should have a bowl of dust twice per week to keep them clean.
Chinchillas shouldn’t be allowed to swim in or to water bodies. They also don’t need to have their nails or teeth trimmed. They eat pellets and commercial food. As snacks, they can have fruits and vegetables like shredded carrots or papaya chunks. These rodents need to have clean, fresh water at all times.
Suitability
The Chinchilla can be a great pet for both families with and without children. They shouldn’t be living side-by-side with other animals unless they are related to the same species. They should live in mild climates that do not get too hot or be housed in a temperature-controlled space that will keep them from overheating.
Overview of the Guinea Pig
Guinea Pigs make great family pets. They are affectionate and friendly, can be kept awake during the day, and rarely bite unless they are in distress. They are friendly and have unique personalities. Guinea Pigs can be taken care of easily and do not require long walks outdoors like dogs.
They don’t talk as much as other cats. They are more comfortable sticking to a schedule and knowing when they will eat. While they are cute and cuddly, they can also be hilarious. You can find these adorable, large rodents in pet shops all over the country.
Personality/Character
Each Guinea Pig is different and each one has its own personality traits. Owners never know what they will get from adopting one of these pets. It is safe to say that Guinea Pigs can be happy, go-lucky pets that love their humans and other animals.
These rodents are very active and love to run. They should be allowed to roam around their enclosures every day for exercise and fun. Guinea Pigs will not become aggressive unless they feel threatened. Although they can live in isolation, Guinea Pigs prefer to be surrounded by other Guinea Pigs. They should be allowed to go outside their habitat to exercise and indulge their curiosity.
Training
Guinea Pigs are intelligent and love learning new things. This makes training easy for both novice and experienced owners. They can be trained to follow instructions and learn how to get up when called, sit up, eat, turn in circles, beg, and jump through hoops. When told, they can also learn to return to their caged environment. Guinea Pigs are like Chinchillas in that they love treats. They love leafy greens, which are healthy and affordable.
Health & Care
This rodent is a bit more difficult to care for than Chinchillas. To keep them clean, they need to be bathed once a month. A shampoo that is specifically made for rodents should also be used. Shampoos made for humans can dry out their hair and skin. To minimize injury to others and their belongings, it is important to trim nails regularly.
Guinea Pigs need to eat a balanced diet that includes grasses such as alfalfa, fresh fruits, and vegetables. There are many commercial foods that contain the grasses and hay these rodents require for their good health. Guinea Pigs cannot make their own vitamin C so commercial food products should be supplemented with this nutrient. Regular meals should include foods like lettuce, kale, and parsley. Guinea Pigs can also enjoy tomatoes, bell peppers, and broccoli. A full-grown rodent may consume up to 1 cup of vegetables per day. They don’t overeat so you don’t have to be concerned about how much they eat.
Suitability
This animal can be kept in a home with children or adults. They are easy to keep and fun to interact with, making them great companions for teenagers and children.
Both Chinchillas, as well as Guinea Pigs, are great pets. But which one is best for you? Chinchillas require less attention and are easier to care for than Guinea Pigs. They may be the best choice for busy households. Guinea Pigs need more attention and care, but they can be more friendly and interactive, which makes them a great pet choice for families with children. We would love to hear your opinion on which pet is best for you and your family. Please leave your comments below.
Are rabbits or guinea pigs friendlier?
Guinea pigs are normally fairly docile and are significantly less prone to scratch, kick, or nip than rabbits. This helps to make them simpler to handle, and of course, they only grow to a pretty modest size which makes sheltering them much easier.
What smells worse guinea pig or rabbit?
In theory, rabbits have the upper hand. While rabbit pee smells harsher than guinea pig urine, bunnies may be litter trained. Guinea pigs may excrete whenever and anywhere they like.
Is guinea pig pee toxic?
Guinea pig urine is not extremely hazardous to humans. However, because all pee contains germs, we don’t advocate going too close to any urine or feces if possible. The easiest approach to accomplish this is to clean on a regular basis, wear gloves, and use antibacterial treatments.
Do guinea pigs pee and defecate everywhere?
You could avoid getting peed on, but being pooped on can be inescapable. This only pertains to time spent outside the cage. Overall, guinea pigs urinate in the same location in their habitat, while excrement might drop everywhere.
Do guinea pigs stink up your house?
Cavies, as previously said, are clean tiny rodents that seldom emit a disagreeable odor. When a guinea pig’s surroundings aren’t properly maintained, or they’re fed improper foods, these pocket pets may rapidly stink up the room.
Are guinea pigs cuddly?
Even though guinea pigs are incredibly loving and like spending time with their humans, they require cautious treatment. They also dislike loud noises, therefore they aren’t necessarily the greatest pets for small children.
Is it okay to kiss your guinea pig?
Kissing your guinea pig is normally harmless; nevertheless, like with any other pet, it may put you at risk of illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that guinea pigs and other tiny pets can contain salmonella, which is a germ that can spread to people when in contact with excrement.
Should I acquire two or one guinea pig?
Guinea pigs are inherently gregarious creatures who require friendship to be happy. They live in vast herds in the wild, thus they should always be housed in couples or small groups.
Do guinea pigs kiss you?
Kissing. Even though most people believe licking to be the animal counterpart of kissing, guinea pigs really offer human-like kisses! It’s not exactly nibbling, because they don’t use their teeth. Instead, they softly and persistently nip you with their lips for a split second.
Which is smarter, rabbit or guinea pig?
Guinea pigs have a better memory than rabbits because rabbits’ short-term memory lasts only a few minutes, but guinea pigs’ memory lasts far longer. However, rabbits can be taught more complicated tricks than guinea pigs, which keeps them in competition.