Pets can bring a real difference to your life as they gradually become part of the family. The most suitable pet depends on the size and the interest, and lifestyle of the family. Both cats and guinea pigs are little adorable creatures and are equally good pets. Guinea pigs are very social pets, and it is best to get two of them to keep each other company. However, they have various predators and have to be kept in a well-protected area with enough food.
Cats, on the other hand, have for long been known to be excellent pets. Young kittens need to be handled carefully and kept in cool temperatures. However, cats require a lot of attention and responsibility. They depend on humans for every need, such as water, food, shelter, company, and medical attention. For a busy person, getting a cat is much more trouble compared to a guinea pig.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are tailless, hairy pets that can grow up to three pounds and live longer than other pets. Like humans, they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. Guinea pigs have varying personalities and are vocal; hence it is easy to know their identities. They are very social and entertaining to play with. They love companionship and can become attached to humans.
Guinea pigs have various shapes, sizes, and several breeds with varying coat textures and colors. The popular species include;
Abyssinian Guinea Pig
This breed of guinea pigs has a medium-length coat that is harsh textured and grows in evenly spaced emblems that touch each other on the outer edges. The guinea pig can have 8 to 10 different colors of rosette or can be combined. The Abyssinian breed is known to be very friendly and affectionate. However, it can become anxious and too energetic for young children.
Abyssinian Satin Guinea Pig
The difference between this breed and the Abyssinian breed is the medium length, rough coat. The satin breed has a sheen coat that sparkles under the sun. The Abyssinian Satin Guinea Pig is also very friendly and outgoing but is more prone to health issues than the non-satin breed.
American Guinea Pig
This breed of guinea pigs is the most common to find in pet stores all over the world. It has a shiny short coat that is smooth with no rosettes. They come in various color combinations, require less grooming effort, and have good friendly personalities. These attributes make them excellent and easy to be considered as first-time pets.
Coronet Guinea Pig
The Coronet breed is a new type of species and has a long silky coat with one rosette in the center of the forehead called the coronet. Like the other part of the coat, the coronet grows out to be long, covering the front’s eyes, and blends with the other coat at the back. Coronet guinea pigs are known to be very playful and affectionate. However, they require daily grooming; hence they are not the best option for first-time or busy pet owners.
Peruvian Guinea Pigs
The Peruvian breed has thick, long, and silky coats. The hair grows to form a series of rosettes that grow long enough to almost two feet long. The front hair falls over the head and goes out towards the rear ends, and when extended, it can be hard to differentiate the head from the rear. This breed requires more grooming attention than the short-coated breeds. They are calm but can be curious. Unlike other hairy guinea pigs, the Peruvian breed’s hair does not require more care.
Peruvian Satin Guinea Pig
This breed is similar to the Peruvian guinea pig, except it has a different sheen covering the entire coat. This satin breed requires more hair care and is calm but alert. Like other satin breeds, the Peruvian satin guinea pig is more prone to medical conditions, especially Osteodystrophy conditions.
Silkie Guinea Pig
The silkie breed is one of the common long-haired guinea pigs that are also referred to as shelties. They have a luxurious, long, and dense coat that sweeps from the forehead to the back. They can be similar to the coronet guinea pig; except they do not have the rosette on the head. They are also not suitable for first-time pet owners as they require more hair grooming. They can be calm, gentle, and docile with a shy personality initially and do not relate well with a loud environment.
Teddy Guinea Pig
This kind of breed has an even coat that is short to medium length size. The coat is strong and full; it can stand on one end and spring up when one runs their hand over it. The Teddy guinea pig has numerous color combinations and is the only breed with an upturned nose. They are a very popular breed and are known to be very friendly with humans, although they have an issue sharing cages with other guinea pigs. Their coats, however long, do not require daily grooming.
Texel Guinea Pig
This type of breed has a soft, springy long coat that grows in twists. The curls can make the hair look shorter than the other long-coated types. The curls can be stretched gently to show the actual length of the hair. The Texel guinea pig has short hair on the face, which, with time, grows longer to blend with the hair on the shoulders. The belly fur in the guinea pig is also curly, and frequent grooming can pose a medical threat to the guinea pig’s coat. The Texel guinea pig is known to be very active and is the best to cuddle with.
White Crested Guinea Pig
Also known as the crested guinea pig, this breed has a smooth, short, silky coat similar to the American guinea pig. The breed has one white rosette in the head, commonly known as the crest. The crest has a different color from the fur on the other parts of the body and is a scarce breed to find. These guinea pigs have shy personalities compared to other vibrant guinea pigs. Despite their calm nature, they are the best for training various tricks as they are smart and are have fun characters.
Why Guinea Pigs Make Great Pets.
They are hardy– guinea pigs are very healthy creatures when adequately cared for. They can be prone to common pet diseases but are managed efficiently with a sufficient diet and medical check-ups. Guinea pigs originate from cold areas and do not adapt well to hot conditions; hence keeping them inside is ideal for preventing them from dehydration.
They are easy to care for– guinea pigs require fresh vegetables, water, hay, and little pelleted foods with vitamin C. Their cages require paper-based beddings and need to be cleaned daily. With little attention, they can be good in their cages.
They are great for children– guinea pigs are not fragile and less skittish, making it easy for children to handle them. However, like other pets, they cannot be left to children unsupervised.
They live for long– guinea pigs can live up to five years with others growing to a teenager. This long span enables families to bond well with their pets and can grow up with the kids.
They are unique– guinea pigs have diverse personalities. Some are dominant and bold, while others are very shy. Their physical appearance being similar does not necessarily mean that they behave similarly. Before acquiring a guinea pig, ensure that their personality matches what you are looking for.
Cats
Having a cat as a pet is an enormously rewarding experience. A cat is known to calm the nervous system and provide an avenue for playing and having fun. Although cats rely on humans for literally everything, they can explore and scavenge on their own. Additionally, they are affectionate to their owners and the people around them.
Cats love to curl on the owner’s lap when they come home as they relax on the couch or bed. This automatically releases chemicals to the brain that helps one to get relieved from the day’s stress.
Why Cats Make Great Pets
Cats are the best pets as they provide great companionship filled with fun and games. They can live in either a big or a small space. Other benefits of having a cat include;
They are low maintenance– the appealing fact about cats is that they require less maintenance cost than other pets. Pets such as dogs can require daily walking, grooming, and training with more attention and toys. Cats also do not need much space as their curious nature will keep them busy in one section of the house.
They are very quiet– cats only meow when they are hungry. The rest of the time, they are reticent, and you cannot expect being distracted by a cat demanding attention like other pets. This makes them the best pets to have when working at home or if you have young children who sleep during the day. A cat will also not get you in trouble with a quiet neighborhood.
They are independent– cats will only be there if you need them and be on their own the rest of the time. Most cats do not demand attention from their owners, and when they have been trained, they can do most things on their own.
They keep the house free of pests– cats are commonly known to hunt rodents and kill insects naturally. They supplement the protection needed from the household flytraps that do not accurately deliver. Cats find it interesting to pursue bugs in the house like spiders and flies.
They have a long life-span– the most traumatizing thing for a pet owner is to lose their lovely companion. A cat can have a life span of up to 20 years, meaning that you will enjoy his company for a long time.
What Does It Cost to Have A Cat?
Acquiring a cat is usually dependent on the type of cat you want. A pedigree cat has several associated costs and can become more costly compared to other cats. They are often already vaccinated and neutered before being given out. If you decide to adopt a cat from a rescue center, the most they will require is a donation or a small fee. Such a cat will not be neutered or vaccinated and will need you to take him to the vet.
Cats gotten from family members or neighbors are also not vaccinated, treated for flies, or wormed. It will require you to register them to get the services. Neutering is a one-time expenditure, but the rest of the activities, such as vaccination, is essential to be done routinely. This protects the cat from infectious diseases during his entire lifetime.
Additionally, there are food costs, preventive treatments against ticks, worms, and flies. Other equipment includes the cat litter, grooming if the cat is hairy, and bedding equipment. It is also recommended to microchip the cat in case he gets lost or is missing. The cat should be insured to cover accidents or unexpected illnesses that can cost a lot.
What Does It Cost to Keep A Guinea Pig?
Purchasing or adopting a guinea pig is usually a small cost but hosting a guinea pig requires several equipment and maintenance costs. Guinea pigs need to be kept in cages to protect them from predators and guarantee their stay in the house. The initial equipment to purchase when bringing a guinea pig home include;
- A colossal cage or a segmented enclosure
- Bedding material- guinea pig beddings should be paper rather than wood as wood has shavings that can produce dangerous chemicals harmful to the guinea pigs, especially when dirty. This can cause foot and respiratory issues to the guinea pig.
- A small hiding box
- Water bottle
- Food bowl
- Guinea pig pellets
- Hay
- Playing toys
- Vitamin C supplements
Other additional costs include veterinary and treatment charges against common medical issues like mites. Guinea pigs will also need a pet sitter if you are away for work for more extended periods.
The Bottom Line
When choosing a pet, you need to consider your interests and lifestyle. Both guinea pigs and cats make excellent pets. You need to consider the costs and responsibilities required for having an either pet. Cats are independent creatures that bring joy to the owner every other time. They are low maintenance and require less attention compared to guinea pigs. When getting a guinea pig, ensure to have two of them for the best companionship, as they are very social animals.