Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

[babybombo]

I've just bought a new hutch and run for my rabbit and there is loads of space, I thought he might like a friend.

I know there's alot of arguement about if rabbits and guinea pigs should be kept together, some say it should never happen but then there are people who have been keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together for years without any bother.

I would like a guinea pig as I've never had one before and I know from friends that they are good pets but I'm just worried that it could all go wrong.
I've heard so many arguements from either side.
Against putting them together saying they need seperate diets, the rabbit will become too dominant, the rabbit will injure/kill the guinea pig.

But at the same time I've heard how some people have had rabbits and guinea pigs kept together and they have got on famously ,my neighbours for example.
I still have the very first rabbit info book I ever bought and it says that rabbits and guinea pigs would make great friends.

I just don't know what to do now, it seems that there are good reasons for and against and I can't figure out which outweighs the other.

Help?

[alfieblue]

Dear babybombo - I am no expert but we had a bunny and guinea pig (bubble n squeak!) living together in harmony for many years.

They got along so well and were best buddies!!! Never any quarrels, just great friends. Good company for each other.

Their diet was varied to suit both - plenty of bedding, water etc. The downside was when bubble passed away, squeak missed her a great deal - however squeak lived to a ripe old age - lots of TLC and extra treats etc.

As I say, I am no expert - just speaking from experience. :o)

[babybombo]

Hey alfieblue,

Thanks very much for your reply.
Bubble and squeak, such cute names!

That's great to know another good story about keeping them together, thanks again!

I have another hutch so I think I'm going to go for it and if it all doesn't work out at least I can still keep them seperate.

Thanks again for your input, made me feel a bit more positive about this now!

[alfieblue]

Best wishes babybombo - I'm sure all will be well :o)xx

[garner]

Good luck babybombo with your new pals but please try your local animal shelter/rescue first, they have many little creatures needing good homes and I would try there first before going to a pet shop ect. I have two g/pigs called Iggy and Wiggy and they are lovely little souls .Enjoy and give plenty of TLC.g.

[babybombo]

Thanks alfie =]

Hey garner,
thanks for the advice.

I'm going to phone the SSPCA centre tomorrow and see if they have any guinea pigs, the centres quite far from where I stay so phoning first before travelling there.

If there aren't any there I've seen a few advertised in the adtrader due to people moving house, getting a more time consuming job etc etc so one of those would be my second choice before going near a pet shop.
I'm with you about rehoming furries in need of a good home before going to a pet shop.

Iggy and Wiggy! Awww!
Everyone's pets seem to have brilliant names so I'll need to think of something witty for my new pal when I find him!

[Lakitu]

I had a rabbit, Minstrel and guinea pig, Missy and they lived together OK. Minstrel was a bit of a moody rabbit so every nowand then he'd let Missy know she wasn't welcome to snuggle up to him, but on the whole they got on well.

My parents had a rabbit and guinea pig live together too and they were fine.

All of them are at rainbow bridge now.

[babybombo]

Hey Lakitu,
Ah that's reassuring thanks.

I'm sorry to hear that but I'm sure they're at peace now, and probably getting on better than they did before! =]

[Batterseadog]

Hi, I hope I'm not too late to stop you but NEVER NEVER NEVER should a rabbit be housed with a guinea pig. This trend was started by pet shops and it has become the norm for people to think its ok.
Rabbits have huge strong back legs which they are prone to lash out with, not always intentionally, sometimes they are just stretching, but I have treated and seen many badly damaged and dead guinea pigs, broken bones and internal injuries being common. Animals should be kept in pairs for their well being and castration of the male with a suitable rest before a gradual addition of a female would be the way to go. It's a simple enough proceedure for any vet and will lead to a happy existance for your pets. Good luck

[Munkeh]

Hey Babybombo
I've got a bunny and ginuea pig (dude & spikey) and never had any problems, they are both great companions. The dude sometimes cleans spikey! They are like a married couple!

[babybombo]

Hi battersea dog,

I've had the guinea pig in with my rabbit for over two weeks now.
They get on wonderfully together and the rabbit has never been aggressive to the guinea pig.
There is plenty of room in the hutch and attatched run so I don't think there's much chance of the rabbit hurting the guinea pig by accident.
Thanks for your reply anyways.

Hey munkeh, I love the names!
My rabbit's Hazel and the guinea pig's pepper =]
Mine are the same! Hazel cleans pepper all the time and they're always huddled up close together at night.
They seem the best of pals!
Thanks for replying!