Animal lovers around the world often have several kinds of animals that make up their family, so it’s not uncommon to have animal creatures large and small sharing the same space.
But what happens when these two animals, in the wild, have a predator-prey bond? ? Is it impossible to make them live together? Cat and guinea pig can’t live together? Here’s how to achieve it.
Cat and guinea pig: A possible agreement
Cats and guinea pigs can get along, but it will take some planning on your part. For example, keeping your guinea pig in a secure, predator-proof hutch is essential, as is ensuring that time spent with them is always supervised.
Unfortunately, since guinea pigs are smaller and weaker than cats, even a playful paw from the cat that just wants to play with it could end in absolute disaster.
And even if there is no physical interaction, guinea pigs can become very stressed if the cats are just sitting near the hutch, staring at them longingly. Guinea pigs are prone to stress, and being watched all the time could leave them feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
Understanding cat behavior
Did you know that cats, just like humans, have different personality types? Commonly referred to as the “five cats,” knowing which category your cat belongs to will help you better understand their behavior and temperament.
1. Neurotic
Another word for this category of cat is “scary cat”. You know the gender. He is nervous and on his guard all the time, and more often than not, this cat’s own shadow will be cause for alarm for the guinea pig.
Other common personality traits include shyness, suspiciousness, and fear of the unknown. But as soon as they realize that they are loved, and in a secure environment, they will feel confident.
2. Extrovert
If cats are generally described as curious, the extrovert cat is the most curious of them. If your cat falls into this category, he needs lots of stimulation to keep him from getting bored. This behavior can quickly become destructive if there isn’t a healthy outlet for all that pent up energy.
3. Dominant
The dominant cat is often compared to the bully of the playground. And if you have other pets, it can make their lives absolutely miserable. Cats with this personality type tend to take over the home and will monopolize toys, food, litter boxes, and you.
4. Impulsive
An impulsive cat is not necessarily nervous, but it reacts quickly to the stress of its environment. These cats also tend to react differently on different days in the same situation.
If your cat falls into this category, chances are she will fly away first and ask questions later. It’s best to have routines in place for this type of purr to keep its stress levels low.
5. Pleasant
As its name suggests, the Pleasant Cat loves everything and everyone. Cheerful meows, enthusiastic head-butts and a versatile social butterfly, this kitten does well in any environment.
A cat’s behavior is greatly influenced by its environment and the way it is raised. A pleasant cat, for example, has been socialized like a kitten. Of course, if you have an older cat or are considering adopting one, it will take some time to establish its personality type.
Can cats kill guinea pigs?
Regardless of a cat’s personality type, it’s important to remember that they are predators and their natural instincts are to hunt and kill. Your guinea pig, on the other hand, is prey, which means a potential meal for your cat.
Of course, if you introduce a guinea pig to a kitten, there’s a much better chance they’ll get along because the cat will have learned from an early age that it’s not prey. .
My advice is to always watch their time together and never leave your guinea pig alone with your cat. Even a friendly paw could seriously injure or kill your guinea pig.
How do I introduce my guinea pig to my cat?
Taking the time to introduce your guinea pig to your furry feline will take time and effort on your part. But it’s worth it. Keep in mind, though, even with all the patience in the world, there’s always a small chance they won’t get along.
Take a look at our tips on the best way to do the intro.
1. Introduce your pets as babies
If possible, it is best to introduce them when they are babies. Growing up together, they get used to each other and will forge a friendship. The best time for your kitten to meet your guinea pig is around 10 weeks old. Do not stress if this process is not going well and be prepared to intervene if there are signs of stress or aggression.
2. Don’t force the friendship
Even if you want your pets to get along well, it’s best not to force a friendship. If your guinea pig and cat feel stressed during the introduction, it may be more difficult for them to get along in the future.
3. Hold your pets
Regardless of their size, it’s always a good idea to hold your pets while introducing them. If possible, have someone with you to hold one pet, while you hug the other. This allows them to get used to each other, without stressing them out. Keep these meetings short, but try to do them several times a day.
4. Make sure you are there to supervise
You should always be there to supervise. Whether during the introduction phase, or when your animals are used to each other. A sudden movement or noise from your guinea pig could startle your kitten and cause her to go wild. And as already mentioned, even a friendly paw from a cat can injure or kill a guinea pig.
5. Set up a designated play area
Once your pets are comfortable with each other and you’re sure they can interact, it’s a good idea to set up a shared play area for them. Cats and guinea pigs can be territorial, so providing them with a shared play area will help reduce aggression and stress.
Because your guinea pig is prey, it will need places to hide. Place tunnels and other hiding places in the guinea pig’s play area, so your pig will hide when he’s feeling nervous.
How to keep your guinea pig cat-free?
The most important thing is to keep your guinea pig away from the cat. Here are all my tips:
Put their personal corners away from each other
Ideally, you want to house your animals separately. Knowing how and where to set up your guinea pigs’ hutch is the first step to keeping them safe. If both animals live indoors, they should be housed in different parts of the house.
When choosing a guinea pig cage, make sure it is predator proof and provides places for the guinea pig to hide.
Always check that the cage is locked
Whether you are out for the day or night, always check that your guinea pigs are tucked away in their cage and that it is properly locked. Even though cats cannot enter the cage, hamsters are easily scared and the consequences could be fatal.
Never leave your guinea pigs in their wheel overnight
Guinea pigs need plenty of space for exercise and feeding, so we always recommend a wheel. However, you should not let your guinea pigs stay in the wheel overnight. Cats and other predators are a potential threat.
Can guinea pigs get sick from cats and vice versa?
Guinea pigs can get sick from cats, and vice versa. Bordetella is a common respiratory disease that can be passed from cats to guinea pigs and even humans. To avoid disease transmission, it is best to always wash your hands after touching them. And if one of your pets is sick, we recommend that you keep them away until they get better.
Cat and guinea pig: The final word
Even though it’s not the most natural of friendships, there’s no reason why you can’t have guinea pigs and cats as pets.
But it is essential to introduce them slowly and always keep an eye on their interaction. By their very nature they are opposites, but that doesn’t mean they can’t become friends.