Do Cats Eat Guinea Pigs? 7 Ways To Introduce Them

I recently participated in a Facebook group thread for cat purrents where one wanted to adopt a guinea pig. The purrent was however worried that their kitto would terrorize the new rodent.

Now, this discussion sparked my curiosity and I decided to do some research on it. Can cats eat guinea pigs? Or can they cohabit safely? Here are some of my findings:

Do cats eat guinea pigs?

Yes, cats do eat guinea pigs. However, socialized kitties are unlikely to eat the piggies. It is still important to note that although your kitto may be a very social cat, it’s still a predator. This means, their hunting instincts may kick in anytime. Do not leave the two alone and together at any given time.

Will cats harm guinea pigs?

There is a slim possibility that cats will harm guinea pigs. If guinea pigs run or start popcorning, then out of natural instinct, your cat might hold your guinea pigs tightly with its paws. This can hurt your guinea pigs badly.

Would a cat kill a guinea pig?

Yes, a cat can kill a guinea pig. Felines are predators and may view the pig as prey. However, this is mostly in the wild. Domesticated cats may not view the piggy as prey.

Additionally, guinea pigs are rather slow compared to other rodents. This can take away the thrill of chasing and possibly killing it to a cat.

Are guinea pigs scared of cats?

Most guinea pigs are scared of cats. They are small and cute, but they are at the bottom of the food chain. In the wild, a pig will scare easily. However, that may not be the case with domesticated ones.

Pet guinea pigs react to cats in one of 4 ways: they may be friendly, curious scared, or ignore them. It is important to monitor your guinea pig’s behavior around a cat to avoid any potential stress or fear.

Why are cats scared of guinea pigs?

Cats will get scared of anything (guinea pigs included) when they are unsure what it is and whether or not it poses a threat. Felines are much smarter than guinea pigs and are therefore constantly on the lookout for potential threats.

For example, if your cat has never seen a guinea pig, the 1st reaction would be fear. However, as days go by, s/he gets used to the piggy.

Can you have guinea pigs with cats?

Yes. You can have guinea pigs with cats. However, while it’s not impossible to have the two living together, it can be quite difficult to make it work. Guinea pigs are prey animals, which means that cats can be dangerous to them.

Additionally, guinea pigs are simpler animals and don’t overthink things like cats do. This means that they may not be able to understand the intentions of a cat if it tries to hit them.

It is important to exercise caution and take things slowly if you are intent on introducing a cat to a guinea pig. Careful planning is key to making sure the two animals can coexist peacefully. Supervision is also necessary in order to prevent any accidents from happening.

How do I introduce my guinea pig to my cats?

1. Maintain a safe place for both pets

If you have both cats and guinea pigs, it’s important to make sure they have separate, safe places to stay. It will help them feel comfortable and secure during introductions. This way, the guinea pigs can’t be injured by the cats, and vice versa.

Make sure the meeting space between the two is big enough for both animals to roam freely. And finally, ensure that both pets have access to their safe places and the meeting space so they can feel comfortable.

2. Introduce your pets to each other gradually

Introducing your pets gradually is key to having a harmonious household. Make sure your cat sees you petting the guinea pig and vice versa. Do the same with your cat, slowly teaching them to trust each other. This will help them get along better in the long run.

3. Let your guinea pig and cat get to know each other

When you first introduce your cat to your guinea pig, there may be a lot of tension. This is because of the prey-predator relationship, and they may feel uncomfortable with each other.

One way to let them get to know each other is by allowing them to meet each other. You can let your guinea pig roam in the area with your kitto and allow them to get to know each other. Another way to let them get acquainted is by letting them see, smell, and touch each other.

After a few meetings, the reaction should subside.

4. Always supervise both pets when they’re together

I don’t recommend leaving the 2 alone, especially during the introduction stages. Due to the nature of their relationship, the piggy may get hurt. Remember a scratch/bite from your cat is enough to take you to the vet.

Monitor the interactions between the guinea pig and your cats to make sure everything is going well.

5. Introduction at an early age

If possible, introduce the two when they are both young. I’ve learned that most animals can peacefully coexist when introduced while young. If they are older, it might be a little hard but it’s still doable.

6. Setting up a common play area

It is a good idea to have a designated play area in your home where both your guinea pigs and cats can spend time together. This will help them to get used to each other’s presence and smell, and also provides an opportunity for supervised play.

To set up the play area, choose a room that is different from where your pets usually live. This will help to avoid any potential conflict between the two species.

Add some hiding space for your guinea pigs in the form of a cardboard box or tunnel, as they may feel stressed and nervous around the cats. Add some climbing space for your cats, as they will be able to retreat if they feel overwhelmed.

Supervise the initial interactions between your pets, and make sure that there is always an escape route available for both the guinea pigs and cats. If everything goes well, you can gradually increase the amount of time that they spend together in the play area.

7. Housing them separately when you are not around

When you are not home to supervise, it is important to keep your guinea pigs and cats in separate rooms. This will help to prevent any fighting or accidents from happening.

How can I keep both pets safe when they’re together?

It’s important to keep both cats and guinea pigs safe when they’re in the same room. One way to do this is to create separate safe areas for both pets. Allow both pets to be comfortable in both their safe areas and their meeting space.

Finally, it’s helpful to create an open space where they can meet each other. By following these steps, you can help ensure that both cats and guinea pigs are safe and happy when they’re together.

Should you let your guinea pig and cat play together?

Yes, you can let your guinea pig and cat play together. However, only do this after they are used to each other and under supervision. Make sure you do a proper introduction to make them comfortable with each other.

Your cat may get along with the guinea pig but there’s a chance they won’t. While some pet owners report that their cats get along well with their guinea pigs, there’s always the possibility that they won’t – in which case, it would be best to leave them apart until they are more comfortable around one another.

How to keep your guinea pig safe while having a cat in the house – Simple instructions

1. Don’t leave them alone

Don’t leave your guinea pig and cat alone together. Even if they seem to be getting along, always supervise them when they’re together.

If you have an outdoor cat, make sure your guinea pig is always safe inside. Outdoor cats can pose a serious threat to guinea pigs, even if they don’t mean to hurt them.

Keep an eye on your cat’s eating habits. Some cats like to eat small animals, including rodents like guinea pigs. If you see your cat showing interest in your guinea pig’s food, or trying to catch one, it’s best to separate them entirely.

Be prepared to take action if your cat does attack your guinea pig. If a fight breaks out, quickly separate them and seek veterinary help for your guinea pig right away.

2. Get a lid for the cage

Covering the guinea pig cage with a lid is an important safety measure. The cat may attack the guinea pig without meaning to, so it’s important to keep your animal safe.

Get a cage that is completely covered and locked on all sides to prevent cats from attacking your guinea pigs. The cage should be made of metal or plastic and have tight bars close together to prevent the cat from poking its paws through the bars.

3. Keep them in different rooms

The best way to keep your guinea pig safe from your cat is to keep them in different rooms. When your cat approaches the guinea pig, you should reassure it with affectionate petting.

If they can sniff one another and remain calm, they are likely ready for supervised playtime. However, always maintain active and vigilant supervision.

Do not ever allow the cat to enter the guinea pig’s enclosure. If your cat begins to get aggressive or stalk your guinea pig, try to interrupt their interactions and try again another day.

If the behavior continues, spend time holding the cat in your lap while the guinea pig roams around the room outside of its enclosure.

4. Separate areas for their toys

It’s important to keep their toys in separate areas to prevent fighting. Place the guinea pig’s toys in an area that has a familiar smell. For example, put them in their cage, so they can easily find them.

Keep the cat’s toys in a different area of the house. This will help prevent either pet from becoming confused or agitated and reduce the chances of them getting into a fight.

5. Providing hiding spaces

Guinea pigs need to have some suitable hiding spaces in order to feel safe. A good way to provide this is by giving them a lot of hiding spaces. This will help keep them away from cats and other predators.

6. Make sure to lock the cage before leaving

It’s very important to make sure the cage door is always properly closed in order to keep your guinea pigs safe from cats. Always double-check that everything in the cage has been checked and rechecked before leaving home to ensure their safety.

Can cats be allergic to guinea piggies?

Yes, cats can be allergic to guinea pigs. Your kitto may develop an allergic reaction to the piggy’s dander or saliva.

Signs of allergies include sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.

FAQ

Do kittens and guinea pigs get along?

Kittens and guinea pigs can get along if they are introduced properly. Domestic cats are generally less aggressive than wild cats. So, a domestic cat is less likely to view a guinea pig as prey.

However, it is still important to properly introduce the two animals so that they can get used to each other and build a successful relationship.

Do cats chase guinea pigs?

Yes, cats do chase guinea pigs. A bored cat will do anything for some little fun.

However, guinea pigs move more slowly than other small animals like hamsters. This may not be as exciting or interesting to a cat. If a guinea pig is free and not kept in a cage, there is a risk that a cat may chase it.