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Although cats and guinea pigs can get along, it is important to remember that cats are predators, and because guinea pigs are somewhat smaller than most cats, your cat may chase your guinea pig if given the chance. This may result in the cat killing the guinea pig and potentially eating it. Even if the two seem to get along, you should always keep any playtime between them monitored because even an accidental paw from your kitty could cause injury to your cavy.
About Cats
There are estimated to be between 300 and 600 million cats in the world. Around three-quarters of these cats are stray or wild, but that does leave 100 to 200 million pet cats living in our homes and being part of our everyday lives. Along with dogs, they are the most popular type of pet in the world, living on all continents except Antarctica.
The average lifespan of a cat is anywhere from 12 to 18 years, although it does vary according to domestic status, breed, and other factors. And, because they integrate into our home lives so easily, it is easy to forget that, naturally, cats are predators. In the wild, these obligate carnivores would eat small animals and even insects.
About Guinea Pigs
Guinea Pigs hail from South America where they live in family units of up to 10 cavies. They are adaptable creatures that can live in very challenging conditions and tough terrains, but they are natural prey. In the wild, some of their natural predators include wild cats, and this gives us some indication of whether cats are likely to try and hunt and eat pet guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs can make good pets. They are larger and easier to handle than smaller pets like hamsters, and they can be quite affectionate and open to human contact under the right conditions. As such, there are estimated to be around 30 million pet guinea pigs globally.
Can They Get Along?
Cats and guinea pigs are both considered to be domesticated. This means that, through selective captive breeding and conditioning, they have changed, morphologically and behaviorally, from their wild counterparts. However, survival instincts are not so easily eradicated, and both these species retain certain characteristics that all pet owners need to keep in mind when keeping different species in the same home.
Cats are predators and will still chase, pounce, shake, bite, and even kill small, fast-moving animals that cross their paths. Some have less killer instincts than others, but we cannot take for granted that if something small and fluffy runs past, even the laziest cat might pounce.
Guinea pigs are a prey species, and as such, they are innately wary or scared of predators, and that can include your cat. Depending on the sort of set-up you have with your hutch or enclosure, your guinea pigs could feel as though they are living under the constant threat of being eaten, so their home must be kept somewhere that cats can’t easily get to, preferably out of sight of watchful feline eyes.
Having said that, there are plenty of situations where cats and guinea pigs, particularly those that have grown up together, see each other as companions rather than predator/prey, but that doesn’t mean we should let them play together unsupervised. Some rough play, a swiping paw, or a ‘love bite’ in the wrong place could spell disaster for your cavy.
Do Cats Eat Guinea Pigs?
Being smaller than cats, guinea pigs may be seen as prey. However, they are larger and slower-moving than pocket pets like mice or hamsters and may not trigger your cat’s hunting instincts so readily. Domestic cats, particularly those that live mostly or entirely indoors, will rarely catch prey to kill and eat, as they do not need to consume wild prey when they have food waiting for them in a bowl. Some people mistakenly label cats as cruel for killing small animals without eating them, but this really isn’t the case.
A cat is driven by instincts that tell them to chase and catch prey whenever they see it, because in the wild, you never know where your next meal is coming from. Even if they don’t intend to eat what they catch, they are not hunting to be spiteful, they are simply doing what millions of years of evolution have taught them to do.
If your cat were to kill your guinea pig, intentionally or accidentally, they might decide to eat it, but chances are, they will lose interest in it once it stops moving.
How To Keep Your Guinea Pig Safe
It is always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to letting cats and guinea pigs mix. Even a quick swipe from your cat’s claws can cause serious damage to your guinea pig, particularly their prominent and delicate eyes.
Don’t Let Your Guinea Pig Out Near Your Cat
Guinea pigs tend to live in cages or hutches, with a run to provide extra space for daily activity. The guinea pig will spend the majority of its time in this enclosure, and this should be especially true if you have cats. Guinea pigs are prey to cats, and the best way to keep your cavy safe is to not let it out of the cage when your cat has access to the area. If you do want to let the guinea pig out of its hutch, ensure that the cat is shut out of the room.
Restrain Your Cat
It may be possible to let a guinea pig out while your cat is in the room if you put your cat on a leash or harness. It is not recommended that you hold the cat because if the hunting instinct kicks in, you are likely to face the claws and teeth of your cat before they are turned on the guinea pig.
Don’t Leave Them Alone
Even if you do discover that your cat doesn’t chase or attack your guinea pig, you should never leave them alone and out of the cage. Your guinea pig may nibble at your cat, causing an unexpected reaction from your cat. Alternatively, because your cat instinctively sees guinea pigs and smaller animals as prey, you cannot guarantee that it will remain calm and placid at all times. If your guinea pig is out of its cage and you need to leave the room, put it back in the cage or shut the cat out of the room.
Conclusion
Cats are natural predators and guinea pigs are natural prey. This means that, in a lot of cases, cats will hunt and attempt to kill guinea pigs. There are exceptions, but it is best to work on the principle that a cat will hunt a guinea pig when given the chance. Keep your cavy in its hutch while the cat is around, and ensure that your cat is properly restrained or shut out of the room when you do let your guinea pig have a free roam.
See also:
- Will My Cat Eat My Bearded Dragon If They Get the Chance? Facts & FAQ
- Will My Cat Eat My Hamster If They Get the Chance? Tips & FAQs
Featured Image Credit: The Escape of Malee, Shutterstock
