What is the difference between a guinea pig and a hamster?

Answer 1

Hamsters and guinea pigs are two completely different animals. The most obvious difference is that hamsters are very small, they can fit in the palm of your hand. Guinea pigs are much larger, they generally weigh around 3 pounds or so when fully grown.

They have different dietary and housing needs as well.

Answer 2

The difference between a hamster and a guinea pig is that the hamster is smaller, eats less, sleeps during the day and is active at night, and doesn't eat that much fruit. Guinea pigs NEED vitamin C, fruit, greens, timothy hay, vitamins (lots and lots). They need a certain amount of attention. Hamsters like to be left alone, they also need an outdoors cage so they can get their exercise because they don't run on a wheel. Guinea pigs NEED a buddy to share their cage and meals with, while hamsters PREFER to have a cage to themselves. Also, most hamsters know how to unlatch their cage door, and guinea pigs just sit there and wait to be taken out of their cage.

Guinea pigs don't run on a wheel, in a ball, or climb through tunnels. The reason for that is that a guinea pig has a very fragile spine that can not bend in that much of a "U" shape. Hamsters, because of their small size, are not all that easy to cuddle with. Therefore, they are used to people watching them and holding them, but not cuddling up with them. Since guinea pigs are so much larger than hamsters, they LOVE to cuddle up with the person they are closest to, because it is more comfortable to do so.

Answer 3

Guinea pigs are larger than hamsters and have a stockier body shape. They are also social creatures that prefer to live in pairs or groups, whereas hamsters are usually solitary animals. In terms of behavior, guinea pigs are known for being more vocal and interactive with their owners compared to hamsters.