If you’re a cat person who is interested in becoming a guinea pig person or vice versa, you may be wondering if it’s safe to bring the two together. Do cats eat guinea pigs?
The good news is that many cats usually won’t eat guinea pigs, and felines may coexist peacefully with these rodents if they remain separated (though such a setup may still be stressful for the guinea pigs). Although they may not necessarily want to eat a guinea pig, a cat can definitely injure or kill them (even through seemingly harmless actions, such as playing with them).
Ultimately, housing any predator and prey species together is generally not advised and is always considered a risk for one or both of the animals involved. Read on as we explore this interaction further.
The Risks of Cats and Guinea Pigs Living Together
Although cats and guinea pigs can often get along peacefully, there are still risks involved in bringing them together. A cat, especially if they’re not used to being around guinea pigs, may see the small creature as prey and attempt to chase or even attack it. They usually won’t eat it, but they may kill it if they have access to it.
Guinea pigs are also prone to stress and can easily become overwhelmed when confronted by larger animals like cats. It’s important to keep the two separated and introduce your cat to the guinea pig while the guinea pig is in its enclosure and your cat can’t get to it.
Interestingly, a guinea pig doesn’t necessarily have to see a cat to become stressed; their smell and sounds can also stress them out. Guinea pigs are considered a neophobic species and are generally frightful of any new situation, object, or environment, including the presence of a cat. Stress is undesirable for guinea pigs because it quickly leads to other ailments (such as digestive issues), which then compound to more health problems.
Cats may also harbor or transmit diseases or parasites to guinea pigs, such as fleas or ringworm. This can happen even in scenarios where the two species are physically separated, as their caretakers often inadvertently act as a transport mechanism when they interact with each pet.
Making the Decision
Ultimately, whether it’s safe to keep cats and guinea pigs together will depend on several factors, including their individual personalities. If you have an especially curious or predatory cat, it may be best to keep the two animals separated. Conversely, if your cats and guinea pigs are both easy-going creatures, they may be able to live together without any issues.
That said, the prevailing advice is to not house these two species together. If you insist on doing so, the best way to ensure success is to introduce them slowly and carefully. For example, give each animal their own room, and allow them to explore the other’s territory from a distance. This will help both animals become comfortable around one another without putting either of them in danger. If your cat does get close to the guinea pig and seems like they want to attack it, separate the two immediately.
The 6 Tips for Keeping a Cat and a Guinea Pig Together
The following advice is from the author’s perspective, not our veterinarian’s. The veterinarian advises against housing these two species together. Remember that photos or videos of successful cohabitation that you see online might not accurately reflect reality.
It is sometimes possible to keep a cat and a guinea pig together, but it requires proper planning and patience. To ensure the safety of both animals, it is important to introduce them carefully and gradually. Here are some tips for keeping a cat and guinea pig together.
1. Provide Separate Living Spaces
Make sure that your cat and guinea pig have their own living spaces, such as a hutch or cage for the guinea pig so they can feel safe and secure. You may even wish to keep the guinea pig in a room that your cat doesn’t have access to. This is an essential first step in preventing the most basic types of conflicts between the two animals.
2. Monitor Interactions
When introducing your cat and guinea pig, it is important to monitor their interactions closely. If you notice any signs of aggression or fear from either animal, separate them immediately.
3. Train Your Cat
Training your cat can be beneficial in helping them understand how to interact with the guinea pig properly. You can use treats or toys as rewards when they show appropriate behavior around the guinea pig.
4. Provide Enrichment Activities
Provide enrichment activities, such as puzzle feeders or hide-and-seek games for the guinea pig and scratching posts or interactive toys for the cat. Your cat will keep away from the guinea pig if both of them are entertained by other things.
5. Maintain Regular Vet Visits
Regular veterinary care is important for both animals to ensure they remain healthy and free of parasites and diseases. Make sure to take your cat and guinea pig to the vet at least once a year or more frequently if recommended by a veterinarian.
6. Observe Behavior
Observing their behavior around each other will help you determine whether it’s safe to keep them together. If you notice any signs of aggression or fear from either of the animals, it may be best to separate them. Have a separate room or space ready in case you need to quickly remove one animal from the other’s presence.
Following these tips can help ensure that your cat and guinea pig stay safe and happy when living together. With the right precautions, the two animals can form a strong bond and even become best friends!
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Stressing Out My Guinea Pig?
To tell if your cat is stressing out your guinea pig, pay attention to both animals’ behavior. If the guinea pig becomes easily startled or starts acting aggressively toward the cat, this may be a sign of distress. Other signs of stress in guinea pigs can include refusing to eat, trembling, vocalizing, and excessive grooming.
Additionally, the guinea pig may stress out your cat instead of the other way around. Signs of stress in cats can include hiding, hissing, spraying, and litter box accidents. If you notice any of these behaviors from either animal, it is best to separate the two until you can consult with a veterinarian.
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FAQ
Is It Okay for My Cat to Sleep Near My Guinea Pig?
This is not recommended. Limit interactions to when they are awake so you can observe them fully. Guinea pigs should also be safely enclosed in their cage during the night.
Can My Guinea Pig and Cat Play Together?
This is not recommended. Keep in mind that a cat being playful may easily injure a guinea pig, even with no apparent display of aggression.
Is There Any Other Advice to Keep in Mind When Keeping a Cat and a Guinea Pig Together?
Whenever possible, prey and predator species shouldn’t be kept in close proximity to each other (including in different rooms within the same house).
Guinea pigs should be housed in an enclosure, and if you have a cat, that means ensuring the top of their enclosure can be shut securely when you are not present. These are two different animals with varied needs and instincts, and interspecies relationships are not bonds that can be forced. We do not recommend that cats and guinea pigs live freely among one another, and there should always be supervision if you want there to be direct contact between the two.
It is also important to note that if one cat fares well with your guinea pig, that doesn’t mean other cats will. Protecting your guinea pig from any potential danger, harm, or emotional distress should be a top priority.
Remember to provide plenty of safe spaces for both animals. Cats should have access to high perches or shelves that the guinea pig can’t reach, and the guinea pig should have access to tunnels, huts, and other hiding spaces that the cat can’t reach. Additionally, provide plenty of chew toys for the guinea pig to help keep their teeth healthy. Finally, make sure to clean both enclosures regularly with non-toxic cleaning products.
Conclusion
With the proper care and precautions, cats and guinea pigs can sometimes live together peacefully. However, the ethics of this is highly debated, as the mere presence of a predator can definitely have detrimental effects on a prey species (in this case, your guinea pig).
It is important to be aware of the risks involved, be mindful of each animal’s individual personality, and keep a close eye on them in order to ensure their safety. With patience and understanding, cats and guinea pigs can coexist happily! However, if your cat shows any signs of aggression, separate the animals immediately. Never force interactions.
Featured Image Credit: BunionBear, Shutterstock
The Risks of Cats and Guinea Pigs Living Together
