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Are you thinking of keeping a pet and deeply considering a guinea pig or a gerbil? Are your children asking you to buy both for them and you are wondering how that will be?

Have you been having a dilemma for quite some time? Then read along before choosing because there are some things you need to know about keeping both of them before making the decision.

Are gerbils and guinea pigs the same?

No. Gerbils and guinea pigs are not the same. Despite the fact that they are both rodents that are delicate and dislike noise, they belong to different species.

They also have distinguishable physical appearances that we will discuss later on. Knowing the differences will aid in the decision-making process for you.

Do guinea pigs and gerbils eat the same foods?

No, they do not because gerbils are omnivores while guinea pigs are strictly herbivores.

Gerbils eat plants, nuts, seeds, and fruits while guinea pigs are restricted to only plants. This means that gerbils can consume all that guinea pigs eat. Depending on your budget on food and accessibility to different foods, then you can make a decision on which to keep. Gerbils will need different varieties.

What is the difference in the lifespan of gerbils and guinea pigs?

Gerbils have a lifespan of between 3-4 years, while guinea pigs have a lifespan of between 6-7 years.

They are both delicate pets and are susceptible to diseases, but great care such as keeping them up to date with their vaccinations and vet checkups will have them living a long life. If you are looking for a much longer living pet, then guinea pigs are for you!

What are the physical differences between gerbils and guinea pigs?

Many people say that gerbils and guinea pigs look alike but there are some differences that can be noted with their feet, ears, fur, and tails that you can look for to know which is which. That is:

Gerbils have longer feet, while guinea pigs have shorter feet.
Gerbils have small, round, and upright ears, while guinea pigs have floppy ears.
Gerbils have short and fluffy fur, while guinea pigs have longer and quite rough fur.
Gerbils have tails whose length is up to half the length of their body, while guinea pigs have no tail.
Gerbils are generally smaller than guinea pigs.

Some characteristics can help you know which your preference is before choosing one of them.

Can guinea pigs and gerbils live together in the same cage?

The fact that guinea pigs and gerbils belong to different species makes them not interact well.

Therefore, they cannot live together in the same cage and besides, guinea pigs are larger and therefore need larger space to live in than gerbils.

Can they live together in the same room?

Yes, gerbils and guinea pigs can live together in the same room but in different cages. However, be sure of some noises such as whistling or hissing from your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs tend to make that not when it is aggressive and ready to attack. This will make your gerbil feel threatened by the guinea pig in the room. When gerbils are threated they tend to bite and they may not embrace your petting.

They clearly do not get along.

Can they live together in the same house?

Yes. This is the best option if you want to keep both gerbils and guinea pigs.

You can have two different cages in two different rooms but make sure to give them equal care in terms of spending time with them, feeding them, and ensuring they have clean and conducive cages.

Can gerbils and guinea pigs play together?

No, as mentioned earlier, gerbils and guinea pigs do not get along, therefore, cannot play together as it will result in them hurting each other in a bid to defend themselves.

In short, it is best to keep gerbils and guinea pigs far away from each other.

Which of the two are children friendly?

Surveys have been done to compare which of the two are friendlier to keep. Despite the fact that gerbils may have a tendency of biting, they are the best companion and also they require less upkeep.

However, in a case where you are buying a pet for your children, then guinea pigs are better for them as they do not bite like gerbils.

Also, guinea pigs having long life spans make it good to avoid buying new Guinea pigs all the time. Children also often get attached to their pets, and a guinea pig will be best for them as they live longer.

Is it costly to maintain gerbils or guinea pigs?

Keeping pets generally is not a cheap affair at all, especially for starters. As for gerbils and guinea pigs, you need to consider the following:

1) The initial cost of buying a gerbil or guinea pig.

The cost of a gerbil or a guinea pig varies depending on the location however be assured that the cost of a guinea pig is more than that of a gerbil due to its size.

Some adoption homes offer pets for adoption, and you can choose to go that route as it will save you some coins.

2) The cost of a cage.

Gerbils and guinea pigs live in cages and guinea pig’s cages should be bigger than that of a gerbil due to their size, hence making their cage more expensive.

3) The medical costs.

From vaccination fees to vet charges to impromptu illnesses, all these should be considered. Ensuring healthy eating such as ensuring they do not eat what is poisonous to them will save you costs.

If you plan on keeping more than two, then pet insurances can be a deal for you!

4) Cost of food for your pet.

Both guinea pigs and gerbils need up to 4 meals a day therefore planning a budget for your pet’s meals is important. Knowing what to get your pets and affordable places to get them, how to store them so that they do not get spoiled will save you a lot.