Guinea pigs are popular across the US and UK. Guinea pigs might not be as bold or aggressive than cavies (their wild, though still fluffy, cousins), but a new study in the journal of Animal Cognition suggests that -- surprisingly -- the domesticated critters are quicker learners. The basic structures in the brain are the same, but the size of the structures may differ. Pigs like to play. There are plenty of products on the market that can test your Guinea Pigs logic. Compare this to the lower-pitched noise and different, shorter cadence of a distressed noise and you’ll note a difference. Both cats and dogs have high capacities for learning and intelligence. How much are government and business risking our lives and health with dangerous technologies like nuclear power, genetically modified foods, inadequately tested vaccines, and other even worse "experiments"?. For this reason we tend to suggest having two Guinea Pigs. link to Can Guinea Pigs Have Straw In Their Cage? This is where we start to see bigger differences. We’ll dive into all of this for you so you can understand just what a Guinea Pig brain can do! At first, the researchers thought that guinea pigs use their keen sense of smell to find their way back. Our site doesn’t provide you with any medical advice for your guinea pigs. What Is the Friendliest Guinea Pig Breed? Just provide them with their favorite treat when they do things right, and with such positive reinforcement, they will soon associate what actions they need to do to get to their food and learn some commands quickly. Let’s have a look! As pets guinea pigs are known for their capability to recognize their owners, respond on the call of command, and even perform some amazing tricks. Guinea pigs also get used to your hands and smell, and they will happily play and eat from your hands when you are around. Rats are well-known for being quick learners. I decided to do some research and talk to a few people, and here is what I found out. Some basic tricks like calling them out for food by saying a specific command, teaching them to stand up or go through a tunnel or push a ball or even going circle around the cage can be taught easily. Studies prove that they have a sharp memory that they used to remember their path in the wild. Practically, there is no mathematical formula (well at least, not a simple one) because the age of a pig does not follow a linear curve compared with the human age. True.Guinea pigs are generally hardy animals, but they are susceptible to many health problems if they are not cared for properly. Because pigs and humans are mammals, their brains are relatively similar. Are Guinea Pigs Smart? Guinea pigs vs Rabbit: Which one makes a better pet? Piggies understand love, feel it, and love back as well. Either way, share your experience in the comments section! Hours Of Fun And Relaxation For Adults As Well As Kids, Have their favorite treat in your other hand and place one hand flat in the ground, Lure them with the treat towards your hand placed on the ground, Put the treat high enough that they can’t get it without stepping up. link to Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance For Guinea Pigs? The chemo-receptors assist the guinea pig in identifying the different food flavours and tastes. Guinea pigs are intelligent rodents that can be taught many things. We will need to look at abilities that include recognition, learning, and social behaviors. Domesticated Guinea Pigs Are Smarter Than Their Wild Cousins. A water-maze test of learning ability for guinea-pigs, Can remember the pathways and retrace their way back, Learn and remember tricks for a long time, Example of a few quick tricks guinea pigs can learn easily, How intelligent is a guinea pig? Pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal. (where the big treat is placed). But there was a catch: On the second run, each pig was also accompanied by a bigger pig, a pig who did not have the benefit of knowing where the food was, but did have the benefit of bulk. Pigs Are Intelligent, Emotional, and Cognitively Complex A recent review of research on pigs shows they are complex, sentient beings. In general, guinea pigs learn things much quicker, and they can learn tricks quickly, which makes them smarter than rats. They do remember their enclosure pretty well. Sized At 8.5x11, A Perfect Size To Color And Frame! See how long does it takes your guinea pigs to find the same. Their cages are their homes and where they feel safe, but they will always appreciate a chance to explore and interact with their owners. And how smart are they? Each pig was given two chances to locate the food. They have excellent spatial orientation and are able to learn complex maze tasks using symbols as sign posts. For such times, we have a guide for all sorts of guinea pig exercise activities. Call your guinea pigs by tapping your legs and calling out a command. Often, the larger an animal, the more social it is. So some pigs and humans are now even more alike. These include various anatomic and physiologic traits, such as organ placement (and often size and function), skin similarities and some disease progression. They can be simple or complicated, but should always have a reward at the end. (Compared to other pets). Compared to humans they're not all that bright; however, they're definitely near the head of the class compared to other animals, even those usually considered pretty smart like dogs, cats, or horses. We love those little furballs, but they simply don’t have enough neurons in their brains to really compete in terms of intelligence and learning. You don't want to miss them out! Create a maze using playpen walls, bricks, cardboard, or anything you can think of. Recommended Supplies For Guinea pigs: Our Top Picks! To test their grey matter, you can try a few things during their floor time. Intelligence and being “smart” are vague concepts at best, and when you dig into it, there are sliding scales. Social intelligence is a huge part of daily life for humans, but one that is often overlooked in animals. This also applies if you often are the one feeding them, as they’ll remember that you = food. No, guinea pigs are not as smart as dogs. For any medical assistance and advice, it is recommended to consult a licensed veterinarian. They can also remember things better, so definitely, they are more intelligent than guinea pigs.Recommended reading:Do guinea pigs get along with cats? And if yes, how smart are they? How smart are guinea pigs? Even in such outdoor conditions, they were able to get back to their homes quickly if they suspect any threat nearby. Are Guinea Pigs Rodents? The iconic experiment of rat in a maze trying to get some cheese comes to mind. They know you are not going to try to eat them, and hope that this also means you’re a human-shaped shelter. If you find your guinea pigs are hiding, then try calling them out by their names, and you will be surprised to see that how quickly they will come towards you. Don’t expect wonders, but Guinea Pigs do have an ability to learn tricks and can perform tasks. Note how long does it take to get them back to the starting point. So, it is less problem “solving” and more like persistence. They usually pick an area where they feel safe and familiar with. How Smart Are Guinea Pigs? I am an Animal Nutritionist by education but a pet blogger by profession. They can provide each other emotional support, which leads to happier piggies. However, today I shall help you uncover some hidden aspects of your guinea pigs. On the second run, the food remained in the same place, so the pigs could rely on memory to locate their meal. I bet you will be surprised by the results. Being readily available at an economical price, people often wonder if they can use straw as bedding... Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance For Guinea Pigs? Do They Understand Human Language? He's had two Americans, two Abyssinians, and one Silkie Guinea Pig. Perhaps a bit of a gluttonous attitude, but one that still shows recognition abilities. Not only can they learn and respond to training, but they are also highly social creatures, showing an ability to understand emotions in their owners and others of their species. In the past, guinea pigs used to wander off far from home to find food and water for survival. Guinea pigs need at least 7.5 square feet of living space. Guinea Pigs show an ability to learn that rivals other small pets. You hide a treat somewhere on a board, covered up usually, and the Guinea Pig gets to hunt it down. Even among humans there is plenty of room for variation. We love those little furballs, but they simply don’t have enough neurons in their brains to really compete in terms of intelligence and learning. Sources: A water-maze test of learning ability for guinea-pigs, Brain and body growth of guinea-pigs. They can tell which people are nice to them and which aren't. The fact is that guinea pigs are intelligent rodents; they can perceive some gestures and even respond when their names are called.. The best part is they have a strong memory, and they can remember the trick for a long time. This is likely because in the wild, Guinea Pigs’ ancestors developed a great kinesthetic memory, which allowed them to remember paths to and from their homes. Do you have any favorite moments where your guinea pigs showed how smart they are? 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