Hamsters and guinea pigs

[Tillica26]

Hi folks,

My friend has asked if we could babysit her hamster whilst she is away.
Is it safe to have a hamster in the same room as my guinea pigs? Each in their own cages obviously! They will never “meet” but it would be more straightforward to keep them in the same room.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Freela]

To the best of my knowledge, hamsters don't carry anything passively that can infect guinea pigs (like how rabbits can carry bordatella.) I have hamsters and have kept them in the same room as guinea pigs for years without any issues. I don't let them interact, obviously! I wash my hands thoroughly going between them but sharing airspace in a room should be okay.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi folks,

My friend has asked if we could babysit her hamster whilst she is away.
Is it safe to have a hamster in the same room as my guinea pigs? Each in their own cages obviously! They will never “meet” but it would be more straightforward to keep them in the same room.

Thanks in advance!

Hi

Hamsters and guinea pigs can share a room safely without any transmission concerns.

Just use normal common sense hand washing hygiene in between feeding (keep any dishes well apart when serving, collecting and washing), handling/grooming and cleaning both species and individuals.

We have never come across a case of illness transmission between guinea pigs and hamsters, either from direct contact, via the air or indirectly via the owner (including clothes or food dishes) on this forum in nearly 20 years - unlike with rabbits.