Guinea pig and cat (among other questions)

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meipei

Hi,

I'm considering getting 2 guinea pigs but want to make an informed decision.

I have one 3-year old cat and I'm not sure what to expect if I were to get guinea pigs as well. She's just a normal, non-violent cat but I would imagine she'd chase a mouse if she sees one. I'll obviously not let the guinea pigs run around when she's in the room but would like to know if a guinea pig would be stressed out in the cage if a cat is nearby ,sniffing.

2nd question is, how often do you have to clean the cage? Some say once a week, others everyday. What's best?

Anything else I should know before getting a pair?
 
I neighbours who have cats and they are good at catching mice rats and rabbits But they have been not trouble to my guineapigs except when one got in with Merlinand his then 9 girls and the cat got bitten by the guinea pigs! i think he spread the word!
Clean out when necessary i clean out my indoor boys every other day but the outdoor get cleaned out every 5 days or so not quite weekly
But it depends on size of hutch runs and how messy they are!
 
My last two cats were absolutely fine with the indoor guinea pigs, of course they were in cages, and when I let them out it was totally supervised. However, my new cat is freaked out by the piggies and won't even come downstairs. I'm sure your new pigs would be quite safe from your cat.

I have two cages in the living room, and clean them both out completely on alternate days, and spot clean when necessary in between.
 
hi there I have two cats and the guineas are fine around them.they often sniff each other and the guineas completely ignore the cats :)
 
I have outdoor guinea pigs. I have a cat who was curious at first but now doesn't take any interest at all! He got told off for sitting on the run when we first got them and hasn't been naughty towards them since. As for cleaning, I try and clean mine out every 4-5 days, It seems to be enough, 7 days is a bit too long for my two!
 
I think it depends entireley on the cat's personality, my neighbour has a cat that is forever sniffing round my enclosures and I wouldn't trust her as far as I can throw her.However growing up we had 3 cats who lived happily alongside dogs, rabbits, guineas,ducks and hamsters to name just some of the menagerie. My friend also has 2 guineas and 2 cats who live obliviously of each other.
As for cleaning I do mine every other day too
 
My cat would have all of mine for dinner given half a chance! I clean mine out thoroughly twice a week and each day, shake out fleeces and change them where necessary.
 
i'm lucky in that none of my neighbours have cats so i don't get them wanting guinea pig dinners lol i do have a spayed 12yr old collie and she loves my guinea pigs...very protective if a stranger goes out near their cages or run, keeps looking and checking they are still there...she is very motherly lol **** thinks they are her babies when she has phantom pregnancies. lol she runs away from the rabbit
 
I've never had a problem with cats and guinea pigs to be honest. We used to have two cats and they never bothered with them. I have also had birds and hamsters whilst we had cats and they seemed to know that they were off limits.:))
 
As long as you make sure that the kitty can't get through the bars it should be fine. Make sure you give the piggies somewhere in their cage to hide in (like an igloo or so) as our cat is a big ol' hunter, and he occasionally takes an interest in the pigs, and peers in through the bars. If the pigs feel scared they scoot on into their pigloos and hide! The cat the loses intrest and wanders off!

If you're really worried keep the piggies in a room that the cat isn't allowed in, or is only allowed in if you are there. =) but otherwise should be fine!

I spot clean my piggies every day, probably about twice. And then properly once every few days, as they're on fleece and if they're in the mood they can really smell it up. :(

(And on another note, if you do get piggies, please please please rescue rather than buy!)
 
Thanks for all the information.

susie_q: thanks for letting me know about adoptions. I didn't even think of it. I googled and there are guinea pig shelters not too far away.

I have my eye on these:

Females, ages unknown, dumped at a petshop
zeugjessized.jpg


or

male, born July 20th
yunnermeier


The male is too young to get castrated so is it possible to put a castrated male with him?
 
When our cat first saw our piggys in their run I think he thought we had got him a packed lunch!:))
 
meipei said:
Thanks for all the information.

susie_q: thanks for letting me know about adoptions. I didn't even think of it. I googled and there are guinea pig shelters not too far away.

I have my eye on these:

Females, ages unknown, dumped at a petshop
Click to expand...

Those two girls are gorgeous.
 
Aw, those wee lovelies are gorgeous! It is infact possible to put two uncastrated males together, there's a rescue section on this forum, so many members would be able to help you out! It's even possible to get an already bonded pair.

but as for the poor wee guy by himself, there is no reason why you couldn't get another boar. Have a peruse about the behavior area, there's loads of advice on bonding piggies.

And good luck, with whatever you do. :) Rescue piggies can take a bit of work (like any piggies!) but they are always so worth it. =)
 
I have 2 indoor cats and 2 indoor guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have free roam of the house when I'm home and they all get fine. You just have to be really careful to be begin with to see how they are going to get on - just do it in baby stages. I started by having the guinea pigs on my knee whilst the cats sniffed at them and took it from there. Now its the guinea pigs that chase the cats!

I clean out their clean every 2 - 3 days depending on how dirty they've been.

Oh, and the picture of the 2 girls are beautiful.

Someone else will be able to advise you on bonding 2 males - I've only ever had the 2 already bonded girls.
 
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