rats and pigs?

**ILovePiggies** · #1 11-29-04, 09:02 pm

~My friend was wondering if rats and guinea pigs could hang out. I didn't think so but I said I would ask just incase...? Thanks~

**Treen** · #2 11-30-04, 05:10 am

You're right, they can't. The most likely scenario is that the rat will bite the guinea pig - I've seen photos of some pretty nasty injuries (especially around the eye) inflicted this way, from people who had previously been sure they could have supervised play together. Keep each with their own kind.

**ILovePiggies** · #3 11-30-04, 05:41 pm

~Ewww aww , poor piggies. Thanks for telling me so now im positive =)~

**mncavylover** · #4 11-30-04, 07:19 pm

I agree, it won't work. =)

EricNDeeDee · #5 02-20-05, 12:14 pm

Agreed. They are two different animals with very different temperments. We have our rat's cage near our cavys just so they have neighbors during the day-and they do exhibit curiosity about each other-but they are far enough apart where they cannot reach each other. They will never be brought together.

If you have cavys and rabbits, however, they can be very friendly towards one another. DeeDee's rabbit Mathilda and Sheila the guinea pig lived in seperate cages, but would play togther on the patio all the time (under supervision), and clearly enjoyed each other's company. She was just afraid to cage them together without supervision.

**bunnyluv17** · #6 02-21-05, 01:50 pm

I agree too. Rats are naturally predators. One night at the shelter a hamster escaped from his cage and when the staff came in the next day, there was blood on the wall and in the rat cage, but no trace of the hamster

The rats will sometimes try to bite the rabbits through the cage bars, so I have to be careful when I let the shelter rabbits out to exercise.

Poohbear · #7 02-21-05, 02:31 pm

That is scary buunyluv.

**lindsey's boys** · #8 02-21-05, 02:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen B

That is scary buunyluv.

I agree with you Queen B.

Poohbear · #9 02-21-05, 03:09 pm

Thanks Lindsey. I personally think rats are gross.

**lindsey's boys** · #10 02-21-05, 03:16 pm

I don't think I would ever have one as a pet anyways.

Poohbear · #11 02-21-05, 08:20 pm

I agree with Lindsey 100%.

**guineagurl** · #12 02-22-05, 01:29 am

I'm sure rat lovers say the same about Guinea Pigs.

**The Dumpling** · #13 02-22-05, 07:22 am

You know what was interesting? Years ago I had taken Piggy outside to eat grass, and there was a squirrel nearby eating acorns. It came down the tree and kept staring at Piggy. I was there the whole time, so the squirrel didn't do anything, but it kept staring at her. Kind of unnerving.

Poohbear · #14 02-22-05, 07:37 am

When squirrels attack.

EricNDeeDee · #15 02-22-05, 08:33 am

As owners of both cavies as well as rats, we have a deep love for both of them. And we know that many people have issues with rats-but I do feel compelled to jump to their defense. Yes-they do have a jaded past-but please believe me when I tell you that rats are as devoted and loving to humans as any dog or cat.

Rats are incredibly social, intelligent, complex creatures that clearly exhibit problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and deep love and devotion to their human companions. They will setup their living space on their own in an orderly and logical fashion. They bathe themselves regularly, and work towards keeping their living area tidy. They are anything but dirty. And these are not fanciful observations, either. It is abundantly clear how much is going on in their little heads. Our latest rat is a white-haired female named Beth. Every day we come home from work, she is at her gate, holding onto the bars, her little nose twitching while she looks at us with this sort of "come say hello to me" thing. As soon as the bars are open, she is climbing into my hand. She sits on my lap as we watch TV, and falls asleep as I massage her under her jaw. She will sit on my shoulder as I walk around the house and snooze, and when I finally have to put her back-she protests-as she prefers to stay with us. She never bites, and doesn't have an aggressive bone anywhere in her little body.

Hey now-we love our cavys just as much, so don't misunderstand us here-but a rat is a companion that instead of running from your hand will actually struggle to get into your hand.

Just had to say that.

Poohbear · #16 02-22-05, 08:59 am

Ok, I did not say they are bad pets I just said that I would never want one in a million years. I do not like their tails. I like cavies becuase they are cute and easy to handle and they do not have a tail.

**ChadWPB** · #17 03-09-05, 05:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricNDeeDee

As owners of both cavies as well as rats, we have a deep love for both of them. And we know that many people have issues with rats-but I do feel compelled to jump to their defense. Yes-they do have a jaded past-but please believe me when I tell you that rats are as devoted and loving to humans as any dog or cat.

Rats are incredibly social, intelligent, complex creatures that clearly exhibit problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and deep love and devotion to their human companions. They will setup their living space on their own in an orderly and logical fashion. They bathe themselves regularly, and work towards keeping their living area tidy. They are anything but dirty. And these are not fanciful observations, either. It is abundantly clear how much is going on in their little heads. Our latest rat is a white-haired female named Beth. Every day we come home from work, she is at her gate, holding onto the bars, her little nose twitching while she looks at us with this sort of "come say hello to me" thing. As soon as the bars are open, she is climbing into my hand. She sits on my lap as we watch TV, and falls asleep as I massage her under her jaw. She will sit on my shoulder as I walk around the house and snooze, and when I finally have to put her back-she protests-as she prefers to stay with us. She never bites, and doesn't have an aggressive bone anywhere in her little body.

Hey now-we love our cavys just as much, so don't misunderstand us here-but a rat is a companion that instead of running from your hand will actually struggle to get into your hand.

Just had to say that.

Sounds like you have a great little rattie there. Rats are even more social than guinea pigs. Have you considered getting a female buddy for Beth?

EricNDeeDee · #18 03-20-05, 03:02 pm

Hello Chad! VERY happy to hear from another ratter! ;-)

We actually adopted her from a local shelter-so we're not sure of her age, or if she was ever socialized with other rats. She does seem to be older, and she has the upper respitory infection that is indemic with most domestic rats. So our thought is that another rat would get sick from her-and she might not even appreciate the company to begin with. And she is so very much bonded with us, that we believe she thinks she's human anyways. We have also found that solitary rats (and cavies, for that matter) tend to bond with peo

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