Rabbits and Guinea Pigs together?

[guitarlixx]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. My name is Julie and I have all kinds of pets at my home here in Alberta, Canada!

I am wondering about something that has probably been asked several times before, but I can never seem to get a proper answer about it.

Can a Rabbit and a Guinea Pig live together? I've heard very successful things about this, and some not so successful things. Very mixed reviews.

I have a neutered male Rabbit named Eddie whom I would like to get a friend for, but I worry I don't have enough space for 2 large rabbits, so I thought a smaller friend might work alright.

Any advice? Thanks!

[Percy's Mom]

Absolutely not. Rabbits can seriously injure a guinea pig, often unintentionally. Being kicked or trampled by a rabbit can cause severe physical harm or possibly death. They also have different nutritional needs, and rabbits can transmit diseases to a guinea pig that could kill them.

[Sopher7132]

Rabbits and guinea pigs should never be housed together. Rabbits and Guinea pigs require different nutrients and rabbits can eat one type of food but that if the pig eats it, they can get very sick.

The rabbit can really hurt the guinea pigs because their back legs are so strong. Even a small kick towards me when he doesn't want to be picked up has even hurt me! So I can't imagine how seriously the rabbit could injure the piggy.

If the rabbit gets startled or scared, they can hurt the pig without even intentionally doing it.

[AnimalHouse36]

Instead of getting a large rabbit for your bunny what about a dwarf type breed from the shelters?

[rabbitsncavyluv]

The rabbits will still need the same amount of space if not more. It is a misconception that dwarfs require less space. They usually need more since they are more active than larger breed rabbits.

[AnimalHouse36]

Oh, I didn't know that! I thought I saw someone who said they require less space. Ah, who knows! Well good luck then!

[crazywiggy]

Honestly, the answer is no.

Yes, some people seem to keep the two together without any obvious problems, but I think you also need to look below the surface. Small animals are exceptional at hiding signs of stress and distress, so most people wouldn't eralise if there pets were unhappy with their situation. And most people's idea of "success" with small pets is that live for a couple of years. I would be curious to know how many of these rabbits and guinea pigs actually live contended and full lives.

Another point to consider is that both rabbits and guinea pigs are social species - they need the company of their own kind. As totally different species they can not communicate with eachother, and interact in totally different ways.

And of course the biggest problem is the risk factor. As the others have said, rabbits can easily kill a guinea - either through carrying certain diseases or physically, even by accident.

You will find that whilst some ignorant pet owners say its okay, the "experts" and animal welfare groups all agree that they should not be housed together. This includes the people on this site and the other guinea pig links from here, the RSPCA, Blue Cross, the rabbit welfare association and fund (part of the British house rabbit group), Rabbit Rehome etc.....

Obviously the best option would be to get another rabbit - it doesn't need to be a large one. Of course, this will only work if you actually have enough space - would you mind me asking how much space you actually have available?

[Bennalaya]

Just to expound a bit on the dwarf rabbit topic - dwarf rabbits tend to be a bit more temperamental than standard size rabbits. I don't know if it's due to the type of breeding that is required to produce such an anomaly or if it's because their smaller stature makes them feel more threatened. Large or small, rabbits do not make suitable cage mates for cavies and vice versa.

[guitarlixx]

Thank you all very much for your insight!
I will definitely not be getting Eddie a Guinea Pig friend!

As for space, it's limited. I live in a large basement suite, but we have a lot of other pets as well. Mostly reptiles, but I have a Pug who wants to play with the rabbit, but not in a rabbit friendly kind of way.

Eddie used to want to play with Buddha (the Pug) but she's just too rough with him. I've decided he might be happier if I maybe just enlarged his living space! So I've gotten the crates to build for him and hopefully if he just takes up the living room he'll be a little happier.

[kala83]

I do have to agree that housing them all together is just probably not a good idea I let my girls come out and do floor time with my lil Netherland Dwarf but I always keep a very close eye on all three of them espically since he kicks when he jumps around...he has not ever done anything to either one of the girls to harm them...but that is mostly due to the fact that their play dates are never really that long. And under supervision like I said but I would have to agree housing them together all the time seems to me like it would just be far to risky I think.