8 replies to this topic

[Happyhammies26]

Ok, let me just state this as clearly as possible,

I get so annoyed when Guinea pigs and hamster are mixed up. I've seen hamster cages (very small ones, like 100 Sq inches of floor space) labeled as Guinea pig cages, now I never have owned a Guinea pig, but I know that is way to small ): . People also mix up their diets, size , and what to call the different kinds of them (breeds vs species).

Just wanted to see if anyone else agrees (feel free to disagree ),

- Happyhammies26

Edited by Happyhammies26, 11 August 2022 - 07:55 AM.

[HamsterLover246]

I agree!
They are also super different, my sister has two guinea pigs and I have a syrian.
Her guinea pigs are very social, and always awake, and she struggles to understand that hamsters need more time to bond and be tamed.

Also obviously they don't have the same needs, guinea pigs are not burrowers or diggers and can live on fleece, something hamsters can not. Guinea pigs are herbivores , hamsters are omnivores.
Overall, I think guinea pigs suits younger children better than hamsters, and I don't get that people don't get the difference
Also there is a big size difference !!
-Hamsterlover246

[Kikya]

Yeah, I'm always surprised by how little people know about exotic mammals, of all kinds.

[Happyhammies26]

I agree!
They are also super different, my sister has two guinea pigs and I have a syrian.
Her guinea pigs are very social, and always awake, and she struggles to understand that hamsters need more time to bond and be tamed.



Also obviously they don't have the same needs, guinea pigs are not burrowers or diggers and can live on fleece, something hamsters can not. Guinea pigs are herbivores , hamsters are omnivores.
Overall, I think guinea pigs suits younger children better than hamsters, and I don't get that people don't get the difference
Also there is a big size difference !!
-Hamsterlover246

I 100% agree with you!

- Happyhammies26

Edited by Happyhammies26, 11 August 2022 - 08:54 AM.

[Happyhammies26]

Yeah, I'm always surprised by how little people know about exotic mammals, of all kinds.

I know, totally agree with you!
- Happyhammies26

[top tier hippo]

Yeah, I'm always surprised by how little people know about exotic mammals, of all kinds.

What always blows me away is the way people are so unwilling or simply don't think to put even five or ten minutes into researching that specific animal to make sure whatever the pet stores are telling them is accurate. It really does throw a person down a rabbit hole of information once you discover the first inconsistency with common misconceptions and actually correct information. Considering how much love is put into animal care in this century, it still shocks me to see just how much exotic pets suffer still with improper care. 

 

Since when did we ever truly trust stores and the commercial industry? They're out to make money. We know this. And they've proven that they'll lie or mislead customers to do that. 

 

So why would pet stores be any different?

 

I just don't get it.
 

If you can afford a pet and afford to care for it, you can definitely afford to put ten minutes of reading into the animal's care before you purchase/adopt a pet.

Edited by top tier hippo, 11 August 2022 - 10:59 AM.

[Natalie]

Literally same!! It bugs me sooo much when people can’t even tell the difference between the two, and when people compare them because they are total opposites! I always keep a picture of my hamster in my locker at school, and all the time people would ask me, "oh is that a guinea pig?” and sometimes even, "is that a rat?” Like how can you not even tell the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? The part that really bugs me though is when I respond and say, "no its a hamster” and they say, “same thing”. That triggers me big time cuz they are so different in so many ways

[Happyhammies26]

What always blows me away is the way people are so unwilling or simply don't think to put even five or ten minutes into researching that specific animal to make sure whatever the pet stores are telling them is accurate. It really does throw a person down a rabbit hole of information once you discover the first inconsistency with common misconceptions and actually correct information. Considering how much love is put into animal care in this century, it still shocks me to see just how much exotic pets suffer still with improper care.

Since when did we ever truly trust stores and the commercial industry? They're out to make money. We know this. And they've proven that they'll lie or mislead customers to do that.

So why would pet stores be any different?

I just don't get it.

If you can afford a pet and afford to care for it, you can definitely afford to put ten minutes of reading into the animal's care before you purchase/adopt a pet.

Yeah, I agree!

- Happyhammies26

Edited by Happyhammies26, 11 August 2022 - 08:12 PM.

[Happyhammies26]

Literally same!! It bugs me sooo much when people can’t even tell the difference between the two, and when people compare them because they are total opposites! I always keep a picture of my hamster in my locker at school, and all the time people would ask me, "oh is that a guinea pig?” and sometimes even, "is that a rat?” Like how can you not even tell the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? The part that really bugs me though is when I respond and say, "no its a hamster” and they say, “same thing”. That triggers me big time cuz they are so different in so many ways

Yep, I hate that when it happens, so I definitely agree with you!

- Happyhammies26