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Cat - Pet Rat interaction Anonymous
'sup /an/,

Is there a way to familiarize an adult cat (male, unneutered if it makes a difference) with guinea pig(s) so that every time he sees a guinea pig moving around he won't think OMG FOOD OM NOM NOM NOM?

Also, is it possible for a cat to tolerate guinea pigs but still remain a rat-killer? Or is it an all-or-nothing proposition?

Pic related.
>> Anonymous
cats can get used to pet rats pretty fast, especially if the two meet and the rat lays down the law first (chomp). But something about the way guinea pigs move makes cats more likely to want to terrorize it.. You should just try to keep them in seperate rooms, really. Punishing the cat will just make it more sneaky/feral about the whole thing and it will start stalking the pig when you're not around instead. if you have the pig in your lap a lot and the cat sees this, he may eventually realize that its not for food. but this depends on your relationship with your cat, too.

My cat ignores my rats - at first he was interested, but he gave up once he saw me spend a lot of time with them and they got too big to really mess with. But this cat is still a shameless killer when outdoors (in b4 irresponsible owner/extinct birds/etc).

Just time and patience.
>> Anonymous
If its a fat, lazy kitty like my own who couldn't be bothered to move if a squirrel or bird or other small animal is sitting right in front of it's face, then yes, they'd probably get along just fine.
>> Anonymous
are guinea pigs good pets? i read about them but im wondering if i can get only one if i play with it alot, also do they smell bad? or should i get a hamster( my little sister already has a hamster) but i would like something that is bigger so it cant push through the really tight spaces like a hamster can, and i want something that can sit in my lap (no rats, already ruled out i wouldnt be able to care for the financial costs if it got a tumor or something)
>> Guodzilla
Is it possible to fix a guinea-pig? I'd think maybe, since they can get to about the size of a small cat, but since they're rodents, is that sort of thing feasible?
>> Anonymous
When I got my cat, she was 5-6 weeks old, still tiny. I'd put her on the bed and let my two hamsters crawl all over her. She'd touch them, lick 'em, pounce and roll around atop them, but never attacted. The either time one of my two hamsters have gotten out, my cat has returned them too me, putting them on my face untill I wake up. Now she just lays there and let the hamsters nuzzle into her belly.
>> Anonymous
>>235323

I had one, it was really cute but just sat around and ate. The guinea pig itself doesn't smell, but the cage can get really nasty, so I cleaned it about once a week. Also, if you're avoiding rats because of tumors I think guinea pigs get them too, mine had one and I think it's what killed him, but I'm not sure.

Everyone I know who's had a hamster says they suck, they're noisy and they bite a lot.
>> Anonymous
>>235323

Guinea pigs don't do much, but they make good lap pets. Not as tenacious and bitey as a hamster. But wait til you get enough money - you will need to buy vitamin C supplements and hay, and of course they may need vet care too (eye problems/"colds" seem to be the most common problem).
>> Fuzzy_Logic !vrMM/Pho8Q
I had some guinea pigs when i were little, some neighbor let his ferret loose, and it killed every single one, and entire family.

But that didn't stop me getting another one a few months later.

My cat has been a horrible tormenter for birds, mice and rats. But even while still a mostly feral skitish cat, it never attacked my guinea pig, including one time when i left the cage roof open, my cat got inside it, and just placed its paw on top of my guinea pig for about 2 minutes and then jumped out.

Now i moved house, my cat is lazy and very friendly(actually does approch people who have never been to the house, when she wouldn't even approch me unless i had food at my old house,) so i'm thinking of getting another one actually.
>> Anonymous
>>235344

Tomorrow, I'm doing an ovariectomy on a female lab mouse... the tidy little white ones. yes, It's possible to fix a guinea pig.
>> Anonymous
1. retrieve guineas
2. cover in meow mix
3. retrieve cat
4. let them frolic together
5. ??????
6. PROFIT!!
>> Anonymous
It mostly depends on how well you've handled the piggy. If your cavie is friendly and inquisitive, you will have no problems. Cats only assume something small is food if it runs away from them. I had a guinea pig that would come running to the wall of her cage whenever a cat or dog would investigate. Used to freak out my uncle's beagle.