Haley

A few years ago, I had a few (3) hamsters. I loved the little critters, and spend hour after hours looking into them and how to care for them. I leant everything from the perfect condition to look after them to how to sex them! I also tutored somebody else to look after one. I felt guilty, though, because my last one died a year or two early because I wasn't able to look after it properly.

A few days ago, I went into a pet shop and was looking at all the pets. I have enough time again to look after a new one but the thing was, I didn't want a hamster. My first thought was, rats, but I didn't really like them or want to look after more than one. My second thought was rabbits, but they seemed to expensive.

When I saw the guinea pigs, I fell in love with them and thought they were perfect! I didn't buy one (duh!) but I looked into how to look after them.

I found out that you need to keep two of them like rats, and they lived a bit longer than I expected. But I'm still quite jolly about the idea of getting one.

So, I'm asking. How is a guinea pig any different from getting a hamsters. I know the conditions to keep it in and I need to do more research before I actually get one, but are they basically like lound giant hammies elsewhere. Specifically;

- Can I use the same toys?

- Do they have the same sort of temper/scared easily?

- Can they be petted or bought out in the same way?

- Can I use stuff like hamster balls (I saw a big one in a charity shop)?

- Are boys or girls better (I know male hammies are better)?

- Do they have any additional expenses besides buying them and their home?

- Do they like hoarding their food like hammies?

- Do they like tunnling like hammies?

- Are there any differences in the breeds (and which do you recommendatory)?

- Are Guinea pigs nocturnal?

- Can piggies eat the same treats as hamsters (I have a ton of choc-drops leftover)?

- Do they chew as much as hamsters?

Should I try something new and get a guinea pig, or will they would they be too different and should I stick to a hamster.

(Note, I'll still put in a week at least of research before getting one.)