Cats are natural predators and may perceive guinea pigs as prey; therefore it is best to keep cats and guinea pigs separated.
Introduce your pets gradually; doesoping too soon could increase stress levels and result in negative outcomes for everyone involved.
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They are predators
Guinea pigs are prey animals and tend to become distressed around larger predators such as cats or dogs, so it is crucial that introducing them gradually through familiarization. Begin by keeping your guinea pigs in an inaccessible room from which your cat cannot access and slowly let him become aware of their presence without ever meeting face to face – otherwise your cat could injure or kill one accidentally through rough play!
Take your time when introducing large animals to smaller ones; hasty introductions will only cause unnecessary anxiety for both parties involved and could even result in devastating results. When it’s time for you and your guinea pigs to meet each other for the first time, bring a pee pad or sleep sack from their respective cages so they can smell it before meeting each other directly.
They are prey
No matter their breed, cats often see guinea pigs as prey and may attack them if they feel threatened – this instinctual response being particularly strong in kittens and young cats, which poses a grave danger to a guinea pig’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Cats tend to play roughly with guinea pigs, which can result in serious injuries for them as their delicate bodies simply cannot withstand such attacks.
Take your time when introducing cats and guinea pigs together; trying to rush it can create stress and fear in both animals, making them less likely to accept each other. As an example, try rubbing a washcloth with the scent of the guinea pig then allowing your cat to sniff it, before gradually moving them closer together until they can see each other safely interact.
They are friends
Even the calmest cat may become excited when an unexpected movement or noise from a guinea pig reawakens their predator instinct. A friendly swipe from their paw could injure or kill it!
At its ideal, introducing your cat and guinea pig should happen while they are both still young – the ideal age would be no more than ten weeks for the guinea pig as this timeframe allows critical socialization development to take place.
If you are introducing your dog or cat to a guinea pig for the first time, it is wise to keep them separate rooms with doors closed until they become comfortable with one another. Use a washcloth to rub the animals together and exchange scents to help familiarise and feel secure around one another and prevent aggressive reactions from either animal.
They are not friends
Cats are natural predators and will kill or severely injure guinea pigs if they catch them. A scared guinea pig may flee its cage and hide, leaving itself vulnerable to being chased by a cat who will hunt it down – trauma-induced heart attacks may even ensue from being caught by one. Cats are fast predators, making an attack possible quickly enough that could kill or seriously injure guinea pigs instantly.
Cats have long been used as predators against rodents such as guinea pigs in the wild. Bred specifically for rodent control, they have perfected their hunting techniques over thousands of years to instinctively recognize guinea pigs as prey and hunt them accordingly.
Guinea pigs do not make suitable companions for cats unless the cat is very old and calm. Young cats should wait at least ten weeks after reaching 10 weeks to be introduced to guinea pigs due to this being their critical socialization stage.
