Will My Cat Eat My Guinea Pig If They Get The Likelihood? Info & FAQ

Though cats and guinea pigs can get alongside, you will need to do not forget that cats are predators, and since guinea pigs are considerably smaller than most cats, your cat might chase your guinea pig if given the prospect. This may occasionally consequence within the cat killing the guinea pig and doubtlessly consuming it. Even when the 2 appear to get alongside, it is best to all the time hold any playtime between them monitored as a result of even an unintentional paw out of your kitty might trigger harm to your cavie.

About Cats

There are estimated to be between 300 and 600 million cats on the planet. Round three-quarters of those cats are stray or wild, however that does go away 100 to 200 million pet cats dwelling in our houses and being a part of our on a regular basis lives. Together with canine, they’re the preferred sort of pet on the planet, dwelling on all continents besides Antarctica.

The typical lifespan of a cat is anyplace from 12 to 18 years, though it does differ in response to home standing, breed, and different components. And, as a result of they combine into our dwelling lives so simply, it’s simple to neglect that, naturally, cats are predators. Within the wild, these obligate carnivores would eat small animals and even bugs.

About Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs hail from South America the place they dwell in household models of as much as 10 cavies. They’re adaptable creatures that may dwell in very difficult situations and difficult terrains, however they’re pure prey. Within the wild, a few of their pure predators embody wild cats, and this offers us some indication of whether or not cats are prone to try to hunt and eat pet guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs could make good pets. They’re bigger and simpler to deal with than smaller pets like hamsters, and they are often fairly affectionate and open to human contact below the proper situations. As such, there are estimated to be round 30 million pet guinea pigs globally.

Can They Get Alongside?

Pet cats are domesticated animals and whereas because of this they’re extra approachable and lovable than wild cats, they do retain a few of their wild instincts. That’s why they sit at home windows, tails twitching, making mewling noises once they see birds and different potential prey outdoors. It’s also why some cats will naturally try to hunt any animal that’s smaller than them and that they see as a possible meal.

Do Cats Eat Guinea Pigs?

Guinea pigs are naturally smaller than cats, and because of this they are often seen as prey. Nonetheless, this isn’t true in all cases. Cavies are a bit bigger and don’t dart round as a lot as, for instance, hamsters. Due to this fact, your cat’s looking intuition might not be triggered by a slow-moving guinea pig.

How To Maintain Your Guinea Pig Protected

It’s all the time greatest to err on the facet of warning relating to letting cats and guinea pigs combine. Even a fast swipe out of your cat’s claws may cause severe injury to your guinea pig.

Don’t Let Your Guinea Pig Out Close to Your Cat

Guinea pigs are inclined to dwell in cages or hutches, with a run to offer additional house for each day exercise. The guinea pig will spend the vast majority of its time on this enclosure, and this ought to be very true in case you have cats. Guinea pigs are prey to cats, and one of the simplest ways to maintain your cavie protected is to not let it out of the cage when your cat has entry to the world. In the event you do wish to let the guinea pig out of its hutch, be sure that the cat is shut out of the room.

Restrain Your Cat

It might be doable to let a guinea pig out whereas your cat is within the room should you put your cat on a leash or harness. It isn’t really useful that you simply maintain the cat as a result of if the looking intuition kicks in, you’re prone to face the claws and enamel of your cat earlier than they’re turned on the guinea pig.

Don’t Depart Them Alone

Even should you do uncover that your cat doesn’t chase or assault your guinea pig, it is best to by no means go away them alone and out of the cage. Your guinea pig might nibble at your cat, inflicting an sudden response out of your cat. Alternatively, as a result of your cat instinctively sees guinea pigs and smaller animals as prey, you can not assure that it’ll stay calm and placid always. In case your guinea pig is out of its cage and it’s essential to go away the room, put it again within the cage or shut the cat out of the room.

Conclusion

Cats are pure predators and guinea pigs are pure prey. Because of this, in a whole lot of circumstances, cats will hunt and try and kill guinea pigs. There are exceptions, however it’s best to work on the precept {that a} cat will hunt a guinea pig when given the prospect. Maintain your cavie in its hutch whereas the cat is round, and be sure that your cat is correctly restrained or shut out of the room once you do let your guinea pig have a free roam.

Featured Picture Credit score: The Escape of Malee, Shutterstock