Guinea pigs and cats

[Claire W]

I am just wondering if anyone has cats and guinea pigs? OH has always wanted a cat as his parents have always had them so he has grew up with them so we rescued a 4 month of kitten the other day. We have called him Harrison. Anyway, as you can imagine, I am concerned about what he'll be like with the guinea pigs as even though they live in the out house, they spend a lot of time in the kitchen running around in an open pen. We introduced them yesterday under a watchful eye. Connie and Eliza didn't seem bothered by him and they even touched noses at one point. Harrison got in to the pen at one point but after shouting at him, he didn't do it again. I am just concerned about if he pounces on them or something as he is still playful. I am just wondering if anyone has any advise on helping them to get along?

 

[samjt12]

I have a cat and 2 guinea pigs. They have been in the same room before and my cat doesnt really bother with them she hasnt ever tried to attack them p

 

[Missbonbon]

I have a Cat, he loves to sniff the piggies, but he has never tried to chase or attack them.
I would never leave him alone with them though.

 

[samjt12]

Yeah i would never leave them alone. My guinea pigs usually run around the living room and my cat just sleeps on the sofa. Although saying that my cat is 17 so she probably wouldnt chase them anyway she just sleeps all day

 

[Hannah_xx]

hii.
My cat is about 17 now, however she has never been fussed about the piggies, in fact i think shes scared of them ..she always runs away from them haha!
But i would be careful with a kitten as obviously there are more active, playful and love to hunt. But with careful introduction i would think they would become good friends and Harrison shouldn't bother about them =]
hope all goes well xx

 

[charlie23]

My cat is scared of the gps 1 escaped the other day. I paniced as the cat was in but as luvky ran towards him the cat bolted in the other direction and hid! I think it will be fine just never leave them unattended with the cat around if the run hasnt got a roof!

 

[tinso]

both of my cats ignore the guinea pigs completley

 

[Angeladeedah]

I have 2 guinea pigs and 2 cats and they get along fine - both have free run of the house (indoor cats and guinea pigs). However, if I'm going out the house I always shut the guinea pig cage door, just in case. You never know when even playing might turn nasty.

I worried at first as sometimes one of my cats would tap the guinea pigs with his paw, but it obviously didn't hurt whatever he was doing as it never puts the guinea pigs off from going near them - in fact, Daisy will sometimes wind the cats up.

 

[starshine]

Another cat and pig person here!

I have 14 plus piggies here at any time as well as my 18 month old cat Henry and our naughty but nice kitten Cleo who is about 3 months old.

Both cats are great with the pigs - I've always introduced them carefully and I think as long as you are calm with it things can't go far wrong.

As others have said I would never leave out of cage piggies unattended with the cats but other than that they are a great combination.

 

[mutton chops]

Tattoo and all our past cats have allways been fine with them, but i wouldnt leave them alone cos you cant be too carefull. Somehow they understand that theyre pets and part of the family and not to eat them!
Obv cos hes a kitten, harrison may wanna 'play', but also he'll grow up with the pigs, so should be good with them IYKWIM

We got a kitten on Sat but she hasnt seen the pigs yet!

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Another cat and piggy person here too. Charley our elderly girlie (RB) was always fine with the piggies and I never had to worry about her hurting them, we even had an open topped cage. If any of the piggies were ill Charley used to sit and clean them and snuggle up next to them, she was a wonderful nurse maid!

We now have Cleo who is four months old and a pickle. She is gradually being introudced to the pigs and so far has been very good. The gang are now in a C&C cage in the playroom and because it is open topped she is not allowed in there unless the girls or I are with her. She has been very gentle with them so far, but I wouldn't trust her - it is her nature to chase small furry beings after all!

 

[starla]

Like others have said, usually cats who are older and wiser (and perhaps used to guineas!) will just ignore them, my older cat just turns her back on them now! But we have a kitten (similar age to yours) who can't leave them alone, I hold one and she will sit on my lap and stare at the pig, she has tried batting them with her paw and I would never leave them alone together [whether she was old enough or not] especially at the moment, while the kitten is still learning and has a desire to catch and pounce on everything it's even more troublesome.
I think maybe keep introducing them everyday as you are, but take the kitten away/move the pigs away after 10-15 mins so it isn't so stressful for either party