guineas vs rabbits

[luvmycavies]

Are rabbits as easy to love and care for as piggies.....as in; holding and snuggly, fresh veggies and pellets and hay and a CnC cage? Some sites I have been to says they are not easy to love or care for and do not respond to people and are much harder than any other typw of animal. Also, does it depend on the breed?
I know my cousin has a mini lop and a guinea in a 3X6 CnC cage and they share it. (not the best idea I know but she has had both since they were 6 weeks and thinks they are fine)

[Kipsie]

I've actually never had a rabbit, but I do know that you can take them for walks, are cuddly, and you can actually litter train them.

[momof1kid3piggi]

I have had a few rabbits, And Yes you can walk them (short distances) and they are easier to potty train. But they are a lot harder to pick up and handle, It takes a while for tehm to trust you, So in the process of you trying to pick them up you cn get scratched by there nails. Yes you can trim there nails too, But if they don't trust you, Then it is very Hard. Did you ever tell your cousin that is it;s suitable to house a guinea pig and a rabbit together? because I would Strongly not recommend it. A rabbits back legs are very strong and when they get excited and kick, they could kick the guinea pig (not trying it) but the guinea pig can get very badly hurt and Even die.

[Paula]

They are certainly as easy to love, but whether or not they are as "easy to care for" depends on the rabbit. It would be impossible to characterize all rabbits with a single, sweeping review, just as it would be with guinea pigs. Rabbits generally don't like to be held and tend to have their own, unique health concerns and personality quirks. As for them being "harder than other types of animals," they are a lot of work and they require a lot of time and energy.

It doesn't depend on the breed as much as it depends on the animal, so if you're looking into getting a rabbit, I suggest you find one at a rescue or shelter and then get to know the individual rabbit or rabbits.

They need high quality rabbit pellets and grass hay like pigs, and the veggies they can eat are similar, but that's not to say they are the same, or really even comparable.

Like cats and dogs, they need to be spayed and neutered.

Originally Posted by luvmycavies

I know my cousin has a mini lop and a guinea in a 3X6 CnC cage and they share it. (not the best idea I know but she has had both since they were 6 weeks and thinks they are fine)

More important than being "not the best idea," the housing arrangement could quite easily result in the, probably unintentional, serious injury or death of the guinea pig. Not to mention they have different nutritional requirements and shouldn't be sharing the same feed.

[Ibbet]

It may depend on the individual rabbit but my old rabbit (RIP) didn't like to cuddle or be picked up and neither does my sisters current rabbit.

Many rabbits live happily in c&c cages, for ideas view the "Cages for other pets" photo gallery. They can also be easily litter trained.

They do need veggies and unlimited hay along with rabbit pellets

They aren't for everyone but they are great pets.



Your cousin really should separate her rabbit and guinea pig. The rabbit could easily hurt/kill the guinea pig and they have different dietary needs.

[JD In Van]

Rabbits are more like cats then guinea pigs in my experience. They can't be caged all the time, they need to have room to run around freely in the house and rabbit proofing the house can be very diffecult but is ultimately nessesary.

It's definitely NOT suitable to put a rabbit in with a guinea pig. My mother had them together when she was younger and didn't know better, she got both as babies, at the time they fed them the same things (we're talking back in the 60s here) and they seemed to get along. They even curled up together to sleep at night. They were always 'fine' until one day something startled the rabbit who hopped quickly, kicked out and broke the piggy's neck. It was entirely an accident but it still killed the piggy.

[luvmycavies]

Originally Posted by momof1kid3piggi

Did you ever tell your cousin that is it;s suitable to house a guinea pig and a rabbit together? because I would Strongly not recommend it. A rabbits back legs are very strong and when they get excited and kick, they could kick the guinea pig (not trying it) but the guinea pig can get very badly hurt and Even die.

I have told her but she keeps insisting that nothing will ever happen and they are just fine together.
I guess at least I can be happy she got them from a rescue and built a CnC and feeds them veggies regularly. sigh

[lissie]

Originally Posted by luvmycavies

I have told her but she keeps insisting that nothing will ever happen and they are just fine together.
I guess at least I can be happy she got them from a rescue and built a CnC and feeds them veggies regularly. sigh

Please show her these links. Accidents can happen. I think it's very irresponsible of her. The pigs were probably been in better care at the rescue.
Dangers of housing Guinea Pigs with Rabbits and other species
GP sick after being housed with rabbit
GP severely maimed by rabbit
Rabbits in Petstore terrorizing a Guinea Pig. GP kept from Eating and Drinking by Rabbits
Guinea pig killed by rabbit
Guinea Pig Attacked by Rabbit. Dies shortly after separation from the rabbit

[teyah]

I have had several bunnies throughout my life time (I live on a large acreage) and I have found them to be great pets - however, in my opinion, they do require more 'attention'.

It does take them a lot longer to trust you and get used to you - especially if they're adopted. Bunnies also tend to be quite territorial, and one of my bunnies, Coco, could not stand new scents in her cage, be it washed blankets or new bowls. She also didn't like to be picked up and held. Also, some people have bunnies as inside pets (litter trained) which is fine, but if they are caged, you really need to make sure they have a lot of room. They need enough room to run, as well as hop, so they need more room than piggies - especially for larger breeds. I used to have indoor bunnies, and they smelt a lot more than my piggies do!

They do become acustomed to you though and respond to their name being called, and if provided with a proper living environment can be amazingly good, loyal pets.


As previously said, I can't speak for 'all rabbits' - but I have had 4 in my life time and I have also had 4 piggies and personally I find bunnies usually require more time and constant persistance. All of the piggies I have had love being held, especially with a strawberry in their mouth . My piggies don't really complain - they love new things and are very playful.

That's just my personal experience though!

[fridzalone]

I have 2 rabbits, and i have to admit that they're so cute. Rabbit are easier to handle, they're friendlier than piggies (it's like when you buy new rabbit you need a week to make her know you, while with piggies you need more than that), and more intelligent (more like cats).

But you need more time to clean up their poos and pees which is smellier than piggies (so lots of effort is needed). And they are very sensitive and easily die.

While piggies are less friendlier (they looks pretty scare sometimes) so you need more time to make them know you well. Piggies care are lot easier, and very healthy, they don't easily die.

Both of them need lots of effort, but in a very different way. With rabbit, you need effort in cleaning up their mess. With piggies, you need effort in get to know each other.

[lissie]

Rabbits can be litter trained. They should be easier to clean up after.

[luvmycavies]

Thanks everyone for your views on this subject and for now i think we will stick with our 3 piggies. Adding more for me to do on top of homeschooling and my boys heading into winter isn't going to work out. I will remember what you have all said though.

[Catayn]

Oh, I have 2 rabbits and I just love them, aside from the fact that they don't seem to love eachother that much... But now they're starting to get along. They are adorable sweet creatures, and they litter train themselves. You'll have to be rady for some bites and scratches, but after some time they get used to you. They just don't like lap very much, you know? But thgey really LOVE being petted ^^

[HeatherBoo]

I have lots to say on this subject, so be prepared.

Rabbits are just as easy, if not easier, to love. Guinea Pigs tend to want to explore during floor time, but most rabbits prefer to play and cuddle with you. My rabbit plays a game with me where if I look at him, he runs off, but when I look away he runs at me and hops up on my shoulder(thats his favorite place to be).

Care is pretty much the same. Keep a clean cage, pellets, hay, veggies, and water. Whether a C&C will work depends on the rabbit and the design of the cage. For instence, some rabbits will jump out of an open cage, but some wont.

Okay, here comes the long part. Does it depend on breed?? Yes. It can and a lot of times does. I have owned many breeds of rabbits and I will use them as examples.

Dutch-> Extremely sweet, but tend to be explorers at floor time.
Californians-> Not very snuggly in my opinion. They are skittish by nature and dont tend to be very happy when held.
Harlequin-> Again, great rabbits, but more of explorers then lovers.
Lionheads-> I've heard they can be sweet, but mine was horribly mean despite daily handling from an early age.
Jersey Wooly-> Awesome rabbits!! Very snuggly and ultra cute.
And my favorite..
Netherland Dwarfs-> My Dwarfs are easily the sweetest rabbits I have owned. The are cute, love to play, and love to be in your lab(or on your shoulder in my case). They are very small, maxing out at no more than 3 lbs.

Other factors play into all this though. Male vs. Female is a common one. Males in my experience are much more likely to want to snuggle with you, but that doesnt make them the better choice for everyone. Males spray and therefor stink. Neutering will stop this though. Female will also stick from time to time due to hormones(not heat. rabbits only go into heat when placed with a male) but overall less than males. The spraying issue also makes intact males harder to potty train.

Intact males should never be house together. unrelated males have tendencies to fight(somethings to the death) and same litter brothers will often times castrate each other when they get older. I also dont suggest putting females(intact or not) together since they for some reason cant stand each other. Lots of people will argue with this saying "rabbits are herd animals", but thats not true. HARES are herd animals and despite common belief, hares and rabbits are NOT the same thing. If you want more that one rabbit together, I suggest getting either 2 neutered males or a non-mating pair(with the male fixed instead of the female, but both being fixed is even better).

Another thing I'd like to point out is that you should always go to a reputable breeder for any animal. I suggest going to ARBA.net and find the breed of your choice on the breeds page and go to THAT website to find breeders.

A note on Netherland Dwarfs I'd like to point out, there is a variety known as BEW(blue-eyed white) that gets a bad reputation as biters and being unhealthy. This is not true if you get them from a good breeder who understands the variety well. I own BEW Dwarfs and love them dearly. Definitely the sweetest rabbits I've ever owned.

So, overall, I prefer rabbit. I LOVE Guinea Pigs, but if I had to choise just one to own, I'd go with rabbits.

[lissie]

Originally Posted by HeatherBoo

Another thing I'd like to point out is that you should always go to a reputable breeder for any animal. I suggest going to ARBA.net and find the breed of your choice on the breeds page and go to THAT website to find breeders.

Do you know this is an anti-breeding forum? It is very disturbing that you come here and suggest that people get their pet from a breeder. There are so many guinea pigs and rabbits in shelters and rescues. I hope you did not get all your rabbits from breeders.

[HeatherBoo]

I'm sorry, I didnt know this was an anti-breeder forum. What I meant was that you shouldnt get them from a backyard breeder or from a petstore. Those rabbits are mean and tend to have health issues like seizuring and weak backs/necks. I myself am not anti-breeder and it confuses me that its "disturbing" that I suggested that she go to a good, responsible breeder and get a healthy, well adjusted rabbit with a known family background of health issues(although good breeders rarely produce animals with health issues).

[Fudgenrolo]

Originally Posted by HeatherBoo

I'm sorry, I didnt know this was an anti-breeder forum. What I meant was that you shouldnt get them from a backyard breeder or from a petstore. Those rabbits are mean and tend to have health issues like seizuring and weak backs/necks. I myself am not anti-breeder and it confuses me that its "disturbing" that I suggested that she go to a good, responsible breeder and get a healthy, well adjusted rabbit with a known family background of health issues(although good breeders rarely produce animals with health issues).

But when there are 30,000 rabbits in rescue and this site is pro-adoption perhaps you can see why it may seem 'disturbing' to some. There are actually several rescues out there that firmly believe all rabbit breeders should quit breeding for at least one year so that the dire rescue situtation can perhaps 'catch up' a little.

I researched rabbits but decided on guinea pigs instead in the end for various reasons although I would like to have a pair of rabbits eventually. Rabbits are social animals and should be kept in pairs - a neutered male and a spayed female is a pairing that works really well.

[HeatherBoo]

The thing is, most of the bunnies in rescues and shelter didnt come from good, responsible breeders. They came from people who had a girl and thought, "Hey, one litter couldnt hurt." or from those people who produce litter after litter to sell the babies for $20 a piece. Responsible breeders actually produce very few litters a year. THOSE are the breeders I am for, not those irresponsible people who shouldnt even own an intact animal because they cant help but produce babies.

Dont get me wrong, I love it when people rescue and I am in fact rescuing a trio of Piggies soon myself. I dont blame those breeders who do there best to produce a few sound, healthy animals for the overpopulation though. I blame the other people who breed irresponsibly.

[lissie]

You've mentioned you've owned many rabbits. Did you keep them until they're old and passed away? Or you dump them into shelters or rehome them when you get bored with them because they were not your favorite breed?

[Fudgenrolo]

But for every 'responsibly bred' rabbit that gets a home that's a rabbit left in rescue for that bit longer.

The rabbit rescue situation is critical. It's a major problem. And breeders are adding to it. Responsible or not.