Guinea Pig/Rabbit bonded pair - questions

[fcarr]

Guinea Pig/Rabbit bonded pair - questions

I've just adopted from the ASPCA a bonded rabbit/guinea pig. I already have 3 house rabbits, and 5 guinea pigs...so it seemed a good choice [I don't especially support bonding rabbits and guinea pigs, but these two guys have been in a shelter for almost a year and I wanted to get them out.].

They are very close, groom each other etc. Two males.

My question is around pellets...I know rabbit pellets may have antibiotics that are harmful to guinea pigs. I've looked closely at the pellets I have for both my guineas and rabbits...there are differences. Clearly, I can't be sure that one won't eat the other's pellets, so I've decided just to feed guinea pig pellets to the both of them. They both have plenty of good hay, and fresh veggies as well.

Any suggestions/thoughts from others?

 

[SuperCavyLover]

Re: Guinea Pig/Rabbit bonded pair - questions

I would still offer them both- Rabbit & Guinea Pig food. You can keep the two bowls in their cage. And you can't control what they eat, but at least they'll be getting the proper pellet diet some of the time :evil: !! And yes, do keep plenty of fresh veggies and hay for them.

 

[Briana D]

Re: Guinea Pig/Rabbit bonded pair - questions

You do not want your guinea pig eating rabbit pellets. Like you mentioned there are antibiotics in the rabbits feed that are unsafe and possibly harmful to a guinea pig. Plus guinea pig feed contains vitamin C which is crucial in maintaining a herd of happy and healthy pigs.

I don't know about rabbit feed so I don't know what your rabbit would be missing by eating guinea pig feed. Maybe you can find a reputable rabbit board and see what they have to offer.

 

[fcarr]

Guinea Pig/Rabbit bonded pair

Thanks for replies..I'm sticking with GP pellets. I also have recommendations from small animal vet advising against housing Guinea Pigs and Rabbits together in general...as rabbits may carry bordetalla virus that can be harmful/fatal to guinea pigs (causing pneumonia). Both of these guys are healthy...but I may try to rebond them to 'one of their own kind' over time. They've been together for over year.