wanting to either buy or build a run for both my rabbit and Girls

[kala83]

I would really love to construct or buy a run for my girls and my male bunny....I sadly just don't have the space to put up a C&C cage in my house so I am trying to find other ways to let my girls get out and have exercise. My mother is a little concerned about fleas but I think as long as we use the same types of meds as the dog and cat the girls and boy will all be fine.

I would love to put something together or just get one for them to play in. So an recommendations would be wonderful if any of you might have any.

Thanks!

[Taboo]

I'm not sure that housing a rabbit and guinea pigs together is a good idea; they could hurt each other. Have they been housed together before?

The run would have to be very safe to keep out any predators. And would of course need a top on it. I don't know where you live but in my area that would be dangerous to house guinea pigs/rabbits outside because of birds of prey, raccoons, foxes, stray cats and dogs, etc so make sure it's very sturdy and that animals can't dig underneath.

I would look up to see if it would be safe to use cat/dog flea medicene on guinea pigs or rabbits. with most it isn't.

[dra&pigs]

Are your rabbit and guinea pigs housed together? If so, please seperate them. A rabbit can severly injure a pig, even kill them, whether that be their intention or not. Most cat and dog flea/tick medicines are not safe for pigs, like Taboo said. Most people go without medicine at all, but if you find a pig-safe one, its really your choice. Before you put them on the lawn, you should make sure your yard is pesticide free, and the run must have a lid, as well be sturdy enough in case a cat decides they are interested in the little pigs.

[PixieStix]

Not only can a rabbit unintentionally (or intentionally) easily cause injury or even death to a pig, their dietary needs are different, they don't communicate in the same way, and rabbits can carry disease that harm pigs.

Is there no furniture you could move around or get rid of to make space for two C and C cages (one for the pigs, one for the bun)? Is there not an empty space they could fit? It's not suitable to house either animal outside, the temperate and humidity is unstable, predators and humans can get at the animals, there are bugs, etc, and you can't socialize or moitor your animals the way you could if they were inside.

For a run, your best bet is to construct a run for supervised, occaisional outside time in nice weather. Make sure you're always out there with them, and that it's neither too hot nor cold, windy, etc. The pigs could have an open topped run if you wished, though obviously it would need to be taller and closed in for your rabbit. Grids can be used to make outdoor playpens.

[kala83]

First of all let me make it very clear that the Guniea pigs and rabbit live in entirely different cages, and yes they have been in with each other before while playing but it is always under supervision, I give them lots of space so they are not close to each other and can't be harmed and the play times are very limited as far as time goes as well. I know that the rabbit could very easily kick one of the girls and hurt them but he has not done so as of yet and I make very sure that a situation like that would not happen..the run is not something I am thinking of house them in at all it was just a thought for if they ever wanted to go outside for play times....I don't intend to house the guinea pigs and the rabbit together since he has a cage that is perfectly fine for him and the girls are getting a bigger C&C cage for them soon as well anyway.

[AnimalHouse36]

Even if the play times are serious I think I heard something about rabbits giving them a deadly diesese. And it will only take a second for your rabbit to get startled and kick your guinea pig injuring it or killing it.

[kala83]

Originally Posted by AnimalHouse36

Even if the play times are serious I think I heard something about rabbits giving them a deadly diesese. And it will only take a second for your rabbit to get startled and kick your guinea pig injuring it or killing it.

Yes I do see your point so I do think no more play times with each other. Will it be a problem if they are housed not with each other but near each other. Because they are all three housed in my basment downstairs just because there is the most space down there. Everything is kept very clean and since I spend a lot of time down there I can keep an eye on them quite well and everyone seems to be in perfect health all running around and eating and drinking just fine.

If anyone know anything more about the disease that Guniea Pigs can get from rabbits would you mind finding me any info no one of my pets have ever had any health issues as of yet so I am hoping that no issues will come up.

[kala83]

I just thought I would let everyone know that even though all the lil ones pigs, and the bun all look perfectly healthy and the plan still is to keep them in the basment near each other but not in the same cage and no more play dates together. As well as I have arranged to take my lil ones to the vet just to give them all a check up...and to ask what kind of things I will just want to keep an eye out for...I don't think any of them are sick or anything like that I make sure to keep a good eye on them but I figure having them go in for a check up is a good idea...for everyone.

Thank you all for your concern and your opinions on the matter I will make sure to keep everyone safe by keeping them seperated and not near each other unless inside a cage. I highly doubt anything would happen on purpose but at the same time I want to make sure everyone is safe from any harm.

[AnimalHouse36]

I'm so glad you d ecieded to do that! I'm pretty sure its direct contact that spreads the disease. But i don't have buns so don't go by my word!

[sammy_kaye]

I have seen other members cages who have the buns C&C on the bottom and the guineas on top. Not in the same cage but stacked together.

As for your original question. My partner has just made me a fully enclosed outside hutch for my guinea pigs. What we did was find comercially made hutches that we liked and took note of the construction and materials.

I would recommend that at least part of the run has a house for them to retreat to when the sun etc gets too much. My boys love being outside but the go to the upstairs part of the run (house part - all wood) to get out of the sun quite a bit. I have had no problems with fleas or any other parasitic insect. Have a look on guinea lynx for safe flea medications for pigs.

[Deenanicole08]

(10) Does my rabbit need a hutch mate or companion?
Rabbits are very social animals, in the wild they live in large groups. One rabbit on its own may become very lonely. The best option is to keep a compatible pair or group such as neutered males and females etc. Always take great care when introducing your rabbit to other species. Ensure both the rabbit and the other animal does not have access to each other at any stage unless you are confident they are happy in each others company and that no harm will come to them. Rabbits are territorial and will defend their enclosure area by fighting with intruders so arrange new meetings on neutral territory. Domestic animals such as cats and dogs can harm the rabbit with rough play or even aggression if they are unfamiliar with the species as a result of incorrect introductions, the consequences can be fatal. Therefore you must consider if the introduction is necessary and take all the appropriate measures to ensure a safe get-together. It is not advisable to keep guinea pigs with rabbits. Guinea pigs are susceptible to respiratory disease from bacteria which rabbits carry and can become ill during times of stress as rabbits can be found to bully smaller rodents sharing territory.

That is from this website http://www.bluecross.ie/top10others.html
Is is an Ireland based website but a rabbit is a rabbit and a guinea pig is a guinea pig.

Also at my local pet store they have this stuff by the company 8in1 Ultra Care and its Flea and Tick Spray. I've never used it since so far I've had no problems with fleas or ticks on my girl, and I dont know much about the quality of the product, but it is the only thing I've found available in my area