Introduction
Hi everyone! Today’s article is going to be about the most frequently ask question, can guinea pigs and rabbits live together? I get asked this question a lot, and I’m just going to explain the reasons why I personally don’t recommend housing guinea pigs and rabbits together.
Diet
The first reason is dietary needs. One of the main reasons guinea pigs and rabbits don’t make good companions is that they have completely different dietary requirements. Their digestive systems are somewhat similar, but unlike rabbits, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C. So, this must be included in their diet. Rabbits, on the other hand, don’t need as much vitamin C, and too many veggies can be fattening for bunnies. Their pellets are also made differently, and rabbits and guinea pigs should not be fed the other one’s pellets. If you were going to house them together, you would need to completely separate them at feeding time.
- Read more: what to feed baby bunny?
Different Communication
Another big reason why guinea pigs and rabbits living together isn’t recommended is behavior and communication. Rabbits and guinea pigs communicate and behave in very different ways. Rabbits use body language to communicate, whereas guinea pigs are very vocal. This means that they don’t understand each other and, as a result, can become stressed. Stress can seriously affect the health of both rabbits and guinea pigs, as they are both prey animals and can get stressed easily. Since they can’t understand each other’s communication styles, they don’t benefit from each other’s company. It’s like if I only had a goldfish to talk to—I’d still feel lonely because I can’t communicate with a goldfish.
Behavior
Additionally, even the friendliest rabbit can bully a guinea pig, causing the guinea pig to feel stressed. As mentioned earlier, long-term stress can negatively impact their health and shorten their lifespan. Rabbits can easily injure guinea pigs, intentionally or unintentionally, and even kill them. Rabbits have very strong back legs and can accidentally kick a guinea pig or even try to mate with them. Since guinea pigs have weak spines, they can easily be harmed when living with a rabbit. So, with their different builds and miscommunication, severe injuries can occur. Guinea pigs have also been known to ingest rabbit fur, which could lead to health problems.
- Read more: Can a rabbit live alone?
Size
Generally, it’s just not a good idea to have guinea pigs and rabbits living together. Their housing needs are also different. While guinea pigs are much smaller, they still require plenty of space in relation to their size. Rabbits, on the other hand, need even more space because, in the wild, they cover the equivalent of 30 tennis courts a day. Rabbits need lots of space to hop and jump. Housing rabbits and guinea pigs together can also lead to health issues. Bordetella, a bacteria present in rabbits’ nasal passages, usually doesn’t affect rabbits but can be passed to guinea pigs. It’s a leading cause of respiratory disease in guinea pigs and can lead to fatal pneumonia.
- Read more: How much space do bunny needs?
Despite this, I still hear people say, “But I’ve been housing guinea pigs and rabbits together for years, and they’re fine.” My response is that animal care is constantly evolving. We are always learning new things, and the way I care for my animals now is different from 10 years ago. Things change, and as responsible pet owners, we should stay updated and always strive to improve our pets’ quality of life. Our goal should be to provide the best care possible so they can live long and happy lives.
If you still decide to house guinea pigs and rabbits together, please take measures to keep them safe. You can follow this,
- Provide plenty of hiding places for both so they can get away from each other.
- There should be a hiding spot with an entrance big enough for the guinea pig but too small for the rabbit, so the guinea pig has a place to escape if needed.
- They need different diets, so always feed them separately to ensure proper nutrition.
- Neuter your rabbit
Neutering your rabbit can reduce, but not completely prevent, bullying or sexual behaviors that could harm the guinea pig. Also, consult with a small-animal-savvy vet for recommendations.
- Read more: Neutering and spaying rabbit
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best companion for a guinea pig is another guinea pig, and the best companion for a rabbit is another rabbit. I hope this helped answer your questions about whether guinea pigs and rabbits can live together. This information is based on my research, and while some people say they’ve successfully kept them together, the majority of sources recommend housing them separately. Everyone will have their own opinions, but this is what I’ve found. I hope this helped.
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