Will My Cat and Guinea Pig Get Alongside? Vet Accredited Compatibility Information

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Anecdotally, there are a number of households the place cats and guinea pigs appear to coexist peacefully. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that you’re introducing a prey-predator relationship. Guinea pigs are prey animals, they usually have a fight-flight-freeze response to nearly any consequence. Guinea pigs run away, turn into frightened simply, and squeak loudly as a protection mechanism.

Since cats are predator animals, they’ll search a guinea pig’s prey instincts as a sport of cat and mouse. Cats will provoke play by means of stalking, chittering, and pouncing. Compared, guinea pigs provoke play by chasing, grooming, rolling a ball, or burying toys as a hide-and-seek sport.

Because of the pure instincts of those two animals, cats could turn into aggressive throughout playtime, whereas guinea pigs could turn into damage as a result of freeze-response and preliminary worry. In any case, guinea pigs and cats should be supervised throughout any interplay. Nevertheless, cats and guinea pigs can get alongside in some circumstances, however once more, you should all the time control them. divider-cat

The Probability of Cat and Guinea Pig Households

These two animals getting alongside is dependent upon every animal’s temperament. Nevertheless, up to now there isn’t any examine which assesses the probability of those animals getting alongside and tolerating one another.

Cats are predators and instinctively view guinea pigs as prey, not pals. Even when your cat isn’t looking, they will significantly injure a guinea pig by rough-housing them throughout play. A cat may swipe at a guinea pig by means of a cage and trigger an damage.

Guinea pigs are naturally neophobic, which suggests they worry new environments, objects, and experiences. This contains meals gadgets that they’re unfamiliar with. A guinea pig that’s fearful could refuse to eat, which is extremely problematic for the species. When confronted by a predator, guinea pigs could seem exceptionally stiff as a result of stress, a phenomenon often known as tonic immobility.

Curious guinea pig on white background — Picture Credit score: Arcady, Shutterstock

Though there are examples of those two species coexisting on the web, it is very important do not forget that such examples are exceptions to the norm and never one thing that’s really helpful or assured should you ever try to undertake each guinea pigs and cats.

Guinea pigs and cats can reside in the identical home if they’ve their very own house, and the possessions of every pet (together with their toys) are by no means positioned in a room the place the opposite animal resides.

The Dangers of Cat and Guinea Pig Households

No matter in case your cat is pleasant and wouldn’t allegedly damage a fly or in the event that they’re a natural-born hunter, you should all the time supervise the interplay between the cat and the guinea pig. Cats will all the time be a predator species, and their habits in direction of your guinea pigs will all the time be unpredictable.

Some folks suggest elevating your guinea pigs with a kitten and having them develop up collectively. There isn’t any proof of this lowering the danger of damage to both species, as kittens like to play and may significantly injure a guinea pig whereas enjoying with them, even when they don’t intend to truly hunt them as prey. Kittens apply their looking expertise throughout enjoying, usually with toys, their littermates, or their caretakers. They might view a guinea pig as a playmate.

In any scenario the place your family inhabits predator-prey relationships, it’s finest to maintain your guinea pigs enclosed and solely allow them to out when your cat will not be round. Guarantee every animal has their nook of the home and stays close by throughout introductions. It’s also necessary to make use of your self as a defensive possibility on your guinea pig to maintain them safe earlier than making an attempt an introduction.

Guinea pig in hands of child — Picture Credit score: Lipatova Maryna, Shutterstock

Introducing Cats and Guinea Pigs

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There isn’t any assure that an introduction between a cat and guinea pig shall be profitable. You will need to maintain a really shut eye on each species throughout any interplay makes an attempt. Cats and guinea pigs ought to by no means be left in one another’s presence of firm unsupervised.

Regardless of the predator-prey relationship, the purpose or goal is to strive at the very least to have every species turn into acquainted with one another.

A peaceable relationship between cats and guinea pigs begins with and is dependent upon how they’re launched.

There are a number of guides on methods to introduce the 2 species, with a number of variations in opinions and proposals. The primary steps of this course of are as follows:

Earlier than introducing your pets:

Guarantee each pets get a transparent invoice of well being out of your veterinarian earlier than making an attempt any introductions. Throughout stated checkup, it’s an amazing concept to request that your cat’s nails be clipped, as sharp claws can simply injure a guinea pig.
Permit your guinea pig to acknowledge your cat’s scent by rubbing a towel, shirt, or a material of comparable consistency in your cat, and inserting it close to your guinea pig’s cage. At this part, your cat and guinea pig shouldn’t have any bodily contact in any respect.
Assess your guinea pig’s response to your cat’s scent for a interval of a couple of week or so.
In case your guinea pig doesn’t appear to indicate any indicators of unfamiliarity to your cat’s scent, you may try a bodily introduction.

Please be aware that in this era of separation, each animals needs to be provided ample quantities of social interplay and applicable care. Although your cat is a predator, it is very important not place them in “day out” – they do require your consideration and socialization every day.

Young woman wearing warm sweater is resting with a cat on the armchair at home one autumn day — Picture Credit score: Alena Ozerova, Shutterstock

Introducing your pets for the primary time:

Select a impartial space for a primary introduction.
Guarantee every animal is well-fed earlier than the introduction. Guarantee your cat has had their each day train/play time earlier than the introduction and is a relaxed mind-set
Start by inserting your cat in a service which permits them to see, however not bodily contact your guinea pig. Place your cat in the midst of the room, and sit close to the cage along with your guinea pig. DO NOT BRING YOUR GUINEA PIG CLOSE TO THE CARRIER IN AN ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE YOUR GUINEA PIG TO YOUR CAT.
After a interval of about 10-Quarter-hour, return your guinea pig to your cage (in one other room).
Return to the impartial room and let your cat out in order that they will discover the realm and odor the guinea pig’s scent. Assess your cat’s response to the scenario.
In case your cat appears content material, reward them with a deal with and name it a day.

The steps above needs to be repeated every day till your cat appears fully aloof and oblivious to the guinea pig’s presence. On the identical time, your guinea pig needs to be assessed for indicators of stress, with particular consideration being given to their urge for food adjustments (if any).

For a bodily interplay and not using a cage, it’s finest to ask for help from a relative or buddy. This introduction entails holding the guinea pig securely and slowly permitting the cat out of their cage to evaluate their response. Cats are naturally inquisitive, so they’d wish to examine your guinea pig, nonetheless, they need to be discouraged from doing so in the event that they do that with excessive enthusiasm or in the event that they show stalking habits. Ask your assistant to take away the cat from the room should you observe this habits, or in case your guinea pig doesn’t appear to understand the introduction of the cat.

Reward each animals with treats for constructive habits after an interplay with one another.

little guinea pig eats from a boy's hand — Picture Credit score: KseniyaHaritonova1406, Shutterstock

Can Your Cat and Guinea Pig Stay Collectively if They Don’t Get Alongside?

Solely you already know your cats and guinea pigs’ temperament, what makes them upset, and the way probably their personalities will mend. As talked about, some cats are grumpy, aggressive, and centered on looking. Normally—however not all—cats will reject your guinea pigs and by no means get alongside. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply they received’t or can not reside collectively.

In case your cat and guinea pigs have their very own territory, they’ll by no means discover the nuisance or inconvenience the predator-prey species offers. So, don’t turn into discouraged in case your cat hates your guinea pig or vice versa. It’s an intuition on either side that their species can not ignore.

Although you don’t should cease making an attempt to introduce the pairs, make sure you give each animals a lot love, care, and a spotlight to keep away from jealousy or resentment.

Suggestions for Holding a Cat and Guinea Pig Family

You’ll want security measures above all else when proudly owning guinea pigs and cats. Though guinea pigs want a lot air flow, and it’s finest to have an open-roof enclosure, it’s possible you’ll go for a high with massive breathable holes, however not large enough that your cat can get by means of. Guarantee your guinea pig enclosure will not be on a desk the place your cat can push them off. You may present a unique room strictly for guinea pigs, the place it’s a no-cat zone.

To make the transition or new life-style run easily, listed here are some recommendations on how cats and guinea pigs can reside collectively:

They’re extra more likely to get alongside if launched at a younger age (kittens and guinea pups).
Make sure you embody each animals as a part of the pack—don’t give yet another consideration than the opposite.
Guarantee every animal has their designated territory.
At all times supervise the 2 and their behaviors.
Don’t drive the connection.
Maintain and bond with every pet individually.
Don’t push your cat away when spending time along with your guinea pigs, and vice versa.
At all times present constructive reinforcement.
Solely enable interactions in your presence, regardless of how comfy the 2 appear with one another.

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Last Phrases

Whereas it’s extensively believed that cats and guinea pigs won’t ever get alongside, stranger issues have occurred. Many households have cats and guinea pigs who co-exist and, higher but, are pleasant with one another. You should do not forget that regardless of how pleasant or aloof your cat could appear, their predator nature is part of them. Likewise, guinea pigs will all the time be a prey species, and their behaviors are an enormous a part of what prompts the cat’s prey drive.

Nevertheless, in some circumstances, it’s doable for guinea pigs and cats to reside collectively and settle for—or at the very least tolerate—each other. It’s protected to say that cats and guinea pigs can get alongside and co-exist, however solely on uncommon events.

Featured Picture Credit score: Susana Luzir, Shutterstock

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