One of the biggest things to consider when owning a specific animal is what kind of room you have. Consider specific city ordinances for any animal that lives outdoors, especially farm animals. For example, if you live in the city, you cannot simply own a large horse; having a mouse, cat, or dog will do just nicely. Not only are these specific animals small, but they will not take up much space.
In this case, some people might see the word “guinea pig” and get confused with a literal pig so that we will discuss the differences between the two animals.
However, the main difference is that a guinea pig (or a cavy) is not a pig. Firstly, guinea pigs are rodents, whereas pigs are mammals. Pigs are also large farm animals (or livestock) that need plenty of space to roam around. On the contrary, in many countries, guinea pigs are no longer regarded as livestock but still are in certain parts of the world.
This article discusses the difference between a guinea pig and a pig. We will discuss their appearance, habitat, behavior, and lifespan. You will also learn why guinea pigs are called what they are, as this is one of the biggest mistakes when discussing the two animals.
What Is the Difference Between a Guinea Pig and a Pig?
There are many differences between a pig and a cavy, so instead of talking about them all at once, we will further review them in categories:
- Appearance
- Diet
- Behavior
- Habitat
- Grooming
- Lifespan
- Health
When deciding which animal to get, review all of these accordingly, as some pet owners raise pigs strictly as animals instead of raising them for their family’s food supply. Still, we will discuss all of the things mentioned above down below.
1. Appearances
The first thing we will discuss is the appearance of a guinea pig. This is essential, as no two animals will look the same, even if they are the same species. For example, a black and white guinea pig will not have the same facial structure as another one of the same color.
Guinea Pigs
First, let us discuss what a guinea pig looks like. The first thing to note is its size, which is much smaller than that of pigs. A cavies body is about 8 to 10 inches long and weighs between 25 to 39 ounces or 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. That is not a lot of weight to deal with, so you can easily pick them up, but you should do so in a certain way to help them feel safe. Hence, they are small pets, as we like to discuss here at Little Pet Corner.
The next thing to talk about is the shape of their body, which is ovalish. These little animals have short feet and hands but contain large eyes and heads. They have three toes on their hind feet and four on their forefeet, meaning they are unique, as most creatures have the same number of feet on all their legs. Besides, cavies ears are relatively small, although they have sensitive hearing.
Lastly, we will discuss the color of guinea pigs’ fur, which can be cream, chocolate, white, grey, or mixed. Their hair also comes in different textures and lengths.
Pigs
Pigs look like guinea pigs in a way. These animals have oval-shaped stout bodies and short legs. Pigs also have smaller heads. The main difference is that a pig can grow to about 300 pounds in six to seven months; however, pigs can grow up to 660 pounds. Usually, people raise pigs for meat, but they rarely will be lifelong pets. On the contrary, mini pigs get up to 75 and 150 pounds but have been known to reach up to 200 pounds!
Some other differences are that pigs have hooves instead of feet. They have two main hooves on each foot, called a cloven hoof. Pigs also have a snout for their nose, which consists of their nose, jaw, and mouth. Pig coats come in many colors: spotted, brown, black, pink, white, belted, and red.
2. Diet
Believe it or not, guinea pigs and pigs have different diets! Let us check it out down below.
Guinea Pigs
Firstly, a guinea pig’s diet consists of only fruits, vegetables, pellets, and a specific type of hay (like Timothy hay). Because of this, they are considered herbivores or animals that do not eat meat.
A guinea pig does not produce vitamin C alone, so they need pellets as a supplement for vitamin C. If you are considering getting a guinea pig, we recommend investing in Kaytee Timothy Complete, an inexpensive 9.5-pound bag. Because guinea pigs require only 1/8th cup of pellets per day, it will last you a long time, even if you own two cavies.
Lastly, guinea pigs should always have Timothy or orchard hay. Giving them a handful of fresh fruits and veggies daily is also wise.
Pigs
Now, onto what a pig’s diet is, which is almost anything they can get their hands on! The first thing to note is that other than a cavy, pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat meat and plants. They love eating broken rice, soybeans, canola, vegetables, fruit, fish, leaves, eggs, flowers, roots, and other vegetation. However, that is not the only thing they eat. As mentioned, a pig’s diet is less specific than a guinea pig’s.
Farmers will still add vitamins and minerals to their pigs’ diets, as this provides maximum sustenance. Farmers will also often offer their pigs high-quality grains like wheat, corn, and barley, which provide energy.
3. Behavior
A guinea pig’s behavior differs significantly from a pig’s, but they still have a few similarities!
Guinea Pigs
Most guinea pigs are very friendly and will squeal for joy when happy. Not only that, but they will show their affection towards you by “popcorning” or jumping around their enclosure. In particular, guinea pigs love to be held and will not typically bite unless they feel threatened by you or another animal.
Guinea pigs are very social, so providing another companion is wise. However, they can become territorial, so you must provide them with a large enough space if you do this. If they continue fighting, you should provide them a separate cage next to each other, then try reintroducing them to one another a few days later.
Finally, guinea pigs love playing, so providing them with plenty of stimulation is imperative. More importantly, since their teeth continuously grow, you must provide them with chew toys like these here.
Pigs
Believe it or not, pigs are brilliant creatures. These animals are susceptible, friendly, playful, and loving. They are considered to be smarter than dogs. These animals love music, belly rubs, massages, and ball play. Many pigs are happy to live next to each other as well.
Another thing to note is that although most people consider pigs lazy, they are very active in the morning and evening. They will lounge around throughout the day, hence where the term laziness comes from. Indoor or mini pigs will sleep 50% of the day, especially during summertime or hot weather.
4. Habitat
You might have already guessed that pigs have different habitats than guinea pigs. When you first learn about farm animals, even at a young age, you will know that most pigs do not live indoors but outside in a pen, whereas cavies live inside. Still, let us understand a bit more about their habitats below.
Guinea Pigs
Firstly, guinea pigs live inside your home. They originated from South America, making them an exotic pet. However, they have been domesticated since 5000 B.C. and now live in cages or enclosures.
Some people make enclosures to save money, but you can buy one online or at a pet store. Guinea pigs need at least 7.5 square feet of room or 30 x 36 inches. It is important to note these dimensions are for one cavy instead of two, let alone three.
Still, the bigger their cage is, the better, as they will have more room to roam around. Guinea pigs require a lot of hiding spaces as they are considered prey and may get scared easily by a loud noise, such as your dog barking or the door accidentally slamming shut due to a window being opened.
Lastly, something to consider is that guinea pigs need to live near or on the ground instead of up high on a table or something similar. This is because they need to be kept in a spot that is not drafty or cold.
Pigs
A pig’s habitat is a much different story. Instead of being indoors, pigs remain outside. Still, pigs may or may not always cover themselves in mud, so they must have a barn to cool off in during the summertime. Aside from this, pigs are kept in fenced-in areas and pens. This habitat is where they sleep, eat, and live.
On the contrary, indoor pigs will typically have a specific area inside to stay in, such as a portion of the laundry room or kitchen. They usually eat and sleep in these areas, so keep that in mind if you consider getting a small pig for your household. In an ideal world, indoor pigs should have an area outside to roam around. Make sure the lawn is not treated with pesticides or chemicals.
5. Grooming
Grooming your pigs, whether they are guinea or not, is also important. We will discuss these requirements more so below.
Guinea Pigs
The first thing to know about a guinea pig is that you should trim their nails at least once a month to help prevent curling. Otherwise, it might hurt them in the long run.
Something else to consider is bathing your cavy at least once a month. Doing so helps prevent their coats from getting too oily. Lastly, brush their hair every once in a while to remove any twigs, dead leaves, dust, or other debris, especially if you bring them outside in a playpen like this one.
Pigs
Interestingly enough, you do not necessarily have to bathe a pig, although you can provide them with the occasional bath. Pigs are naturally clean animals, although many of them put dirt on themselves for cooling reasons.
Make sure not to give your pig too many baths, as this will mess up their skin and coat condition. Too many baths will cause dry skin conditions, which can be frustrating to deal with. Another thing to consider is providing your pig with an outdoor pool. It contains water already heated by the sun, which is perfect during the late spring and summer.
You are more than welcome to brush their coats, although it is not required. Make sure to brush behind their ears and bellies to reach the areas.
6. Lifespan
The second-to-last thing we will discuss is each animal’s lifespan. This is important to note so you can know how long your animal will be with you, assuming you are raising a pig as a pet and not as livestock.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs live anywhere between 5 to 8 years. However, some cavies have been known to live up to 10 years, given they live a very healthy lifestyle and nothing happens within their health. One thing to consider is pampering your guinea pig, meaning you provide them with a well-balanced diet, groom regularly, and give them a lot of love and care.
Pigs
A regular pig lives anywhere between 15 to 20 years. However, if you are considering getting a pot-belly pig, they will live between 14 to 21 years, with an average life being between 15 to 18 years. This is because they have a nutritious diet and proper medical care. Providing your pig a lot of love is a huge factor in it as well.
7. Health
Lastly, we will discuss what health concerns to consider.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are typically very healthy but come with health concerns, especially the older they get. Some of these health issues include but are not limited to the following:
- Respiratory issues
- Dental diseases
- Ringworm
- Bumblefoot
- Diarrhea
Pigs
Pigs are also no exception, as they can come with many health concerns. However, there is no guarantee they will have these issues, so take everything with a grain of salt:
- Swine brucellosis
- Foot & mouth disease
- Leptospirosis
- Piglet anemia
- Intestinal torsion
- Gastric ulcers
Are Guinea Pigs Related to Pigs?
Guinea pigs and pigs are not related as they are not members of the same family. Guinea pigs belong to the family Caviidae, which includes rock cavies, mountain cavies, yellow-toothed cavies, and maras. On the contrary, pigs belong to the Suidae family, which comprises boars and hogs. The Suidae family has hooves, and the Caviidae family does not.
Why Are Guinea Pigs Called “Pigs”?
Although guinea pigs and pigs are not related, some may wonder why they have the name “pig” in them, which is typically where a lot of confusion comes into play. However, the name initially came back in England in the 16th century, where it is believed people thought they resembled miniature pigs, which came up with the name “guinea pig.”
Which Should You Get?
You should get a cavy or pig depending on where you live, what your resident codes are, and what you can afford. For example, if your family owns a farm and you live on it, you will most likely get pigs. However, if you live in the city without a yard, guinea pigs will be your best bet. Having a guinea pig might be more enjoyable for older children who want to interact with their pets thrice daily. Overall, we recommend going through all the pros and cons before getting a pet, especially one that gets large quickly.
