Natch
Well-Known Member
Guinea pigs are supposed to live 6-7 years?! Mine made it to 14! 
Rabbits and guinea pigs?
- Thread starter mulledwhine
- Start date
RobinHood
Well-Known Member
We kept rabbits and guinea pigs together for years and years without a problem. Wiggy the guinea pig lived 'til he was 9yrs old and he spent much of that time snuggled under the ear of a rabbit.
circuit dancer
Well-Known Member
I had a rabbit and ginipig together. Bought them from the shop together. Never were seperated. Apart from a few weeks as ginipig feel down the ramp and broke his leg :/. Loved each other
catxx
Well-Known Member
Like I have said before, just because others have had it work before, does NOT mean its recommended and yes it can prove fatal for piggy or even bunny.
I kept a rabbit and piggy together, over 15 years ago now, before the Internet existed to tell me otherwise. The piggy lasted a few months before it collapsed and died on the way to the vet. Poor thing was humped and bullied constantly. Either a broken spine or scurvy, or a combo of the two, got the poor thing. I was a kid and the vets and shop didn't advise keeping them a part. I would never do it again.
I kept a rabbit and piggy together, over 15 years ago now, before the Internet existed to tell me otherwise. The piggy lasted a few months before it collapsed and died on the way to the vet. Poor thing was humped and bullied constantly. Either a broken spine or scurvy, or a combo of the two, got the poor thing. I was a kid and the vets and shop didn't advise keeping them a part. I would never do it again.
Natch
Well-Known Member
But catxx what others on here have said is about approaching it sensibly, which to me means that if you are introducing two you introduce them with a fence between first, then gradually allowed to spend time together supervised until you can be reasonably sure that it is working. That's a reasonable way to introduce two of any species, same or different.
We introduced two rabbits to each other like this and had to seperate them when it was clear that the fighting was more than introductory squabbles. If OP buys another rabbit and another guineashe is still going to have to go through the same process to see if they will get on with their intended friends, with the possibility that she ends up with 4seperate animals if they don't like the company! To me it would make sense to carefully see if rabbit and guinea would get on before going down that route.
We introduced two rabbits to each other like this and had to seperate them when it was clear that the fighting was more than introductory squabbles. If OP buys another rabbit and another guineashe is still going to have to go through the same process to see if they will get on with their intended friends, with the possibility that she ends up with 4seperate animals if they don't like the company! To me it would make sense to carefully see if rabbit and guinea would get on before going down that route.
webble
Well-Known Member
No sensibly is keeping them with a neutered member of their own species forget the risk element how would you like to live never meeting another human!!!
catxx
Well-Known Member
But there is no reason to introduce two completely different species, for completely selfish human reasons, when so much is now known on how to bond two of the SAME species.
Introducing two rabbits is not easy BUT over the last 15-20 years a ton of research has been done. Any good rabbit rescue will even do the tricky bonding for you now. The rescue I volunteer at has several bonding sheds which are always fully booked and the rescue has not only bonded pairs, but also several trios, a few quads and even a quintuplet of rabbits. The trick is spaying and neutering and respecting their need for territory - so introductions can only be done on neutral territory. And, just like people, you don't always fancy the first person you're introduced to. A good rescue will try a few rabbits until they find the right match.
And its similar with guineas, but not the same, but the same with guinea rescues in that they will help with matching two together.
Basically, there are NO excuses for slinging two completely different species together because you can't be bothered to bond them with their own species. Selfish.
Alaadin
Well-Known Member
It doesn't matter how 'gradually' or 'sensibly' you introduce them. The fact is that they are different species and a rabbit can so easily seriously injure a guinea pig, even without malice.
Like I said, I help out at a guinea pig rescue centre and we currently have 3 guinea pigs in that were either seriously injured or traumatised by living with rabbits. And we see them all the time. Just because people do it doesn't make it right or fair on the animals. Any guinea pig forum or website you go on now will say it's wrong. Just because people have done it in the past with no issues, that doesn't make it right now. Research moves on!
Put your rabbit with a rabbit and your guinea pig with a guinea pig...
P.S just to add, guinea pigs are herd animals. How can you ever expect a rabbit to be a suitable replacement for that herd interaction? They can't even communicate together.
Like I said, I help out at a guinea pig rescue centre and we currently have 3 guinea pigs in that were either seriously injured or traumatised by living with rabbits. And we see them all the time. Just because people do it doesn't make it right or fair on the animals. Any guinea pig forum or website you go on now will say it's wrong. Just because people have done it in the past with no issues, that doesn't make it right now. Research moves on!
Put your rabbit with a rabbit and your guinea pig with a guinea pig...
P.S just to add, guinea pigs are herd animals. How can you ever expect a rabbit to be a suitable replacement for that herd interaction? They can't even communicate together.
Alaadin
Well-Known Member
Have a research on this website www.theguineapigforum.co.uk
You will find plenty of experiences here!
You will find plenty of experiences here!
Hexx
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't keep them together.
My YO had a rabbit and two guineas together (I did mention at the time it was not a good idea, but she can be quite stubborn and poo-pooed my suggestion that they be kept separate). The rabbit has killed both guinea pigs - she didn't learn after the first died, but she learned after the second died!!
My YO had a rabbit and two guineas together (I did mention at the time it was not a good idea, but she can be quite stubborn and poo-pooed my suggestion that they be kept separate). The rabbit has killed both guinea pigs - she didn't learn after the first died, but she learned after the second died!!
DreamingIsBelieving
Well-Known Member
I've not read the thread properly, just replying to OP's question.
In short, no. Not under any circumstances can you put a rabbit and guinea pig together, even for a short time. You would struggle to find any reliable up-to-date resource that suggests otherwise. Rabbits can harm guinea pigs (even unintentionally) with their powerful back legs. If you've ever seen a rabbit get excited and have a high-spirited 'run, skip and a jump' around their run then you'll know what I'm talking about. Also, rabbits are often carriers of a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica which causes a respiratory disease in guinea pigs.
If you want a companion for your rabbit then neuter him if he isn't already and introduce him to a spayed female from a rescue centre (they will have them back if the match doesn't work out).
Guinea pigs are very social and so I would recommend you get a companion for yours. It is much easier to provide a lone guinea pig with a new friend than you may think. If your guinea pig is a sow, then she will likely get on with another sow of any age after a brief introduction period. If your pig is a boar, then a young boar would make a good companion. A handy tip is to bath both pigs with the same shampoo before introducing them so that they both smell the same.
In short, no. Not under any circumstances can you put a rabbit and guinea pig together, even for a short time. You would struggle to find any reliable up-to-date resource that suggests otherwise. Rabbits can harm guinea pigs (even unintentionally) with their powerful back legs. If you've ever seen a rabbit get excited and have a high-spirited 'run, skip and a jump' around their run then you'll know what I'm talking about. Also, rabbits are often carriers of a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica which causes a respiratory disease in guinea pigs.
If you want a companion for your rabbit then neuter him if he isn't already and introduce him to a spayed female from a rescue centre (they will have them back if the match doesn't work out).
Guinea pigs are very social and so I would recommend you get a companion for yours. It is much easier to provide a lone guinea pig with a new friend than you may think. If your guinea pig is a sow, then she will likely get on with another sow of any age after a brief introduction period. If your pig is a boar, then a young boar would make a good companion. A handy tip is to bath both pigs with the same shampoo before introducing them so that they both smell the same
.
DreamingIsBelieving
Well-Known Member
Guinea pigs are supposed to live 6-7 years?! Mine made it to 14!
14 is the oldest recorded age for a guinea pig! You could of been in the Guinness World Records
.mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify I have a lone piggy because his brother died , I was told on a piggy forum that they do not take to a strange piggy very well at all
Mini wants a rabbit , I have been offered one for free this week , I now will not be letting them be lose together, I will partition the rum off so that they have a section each
I would consider neutering Henry ( piggy) but he is nearly 5 , so I don't think it fair to put him through that, I am willing to be contacted on that point
Thank you again for the replies
I have a lone piggy because his brother died , I was told on a piggy forum that they do not take to a strange piggy very well at all Mini wants a rabbit , I have been offered one for free this week , I now will not be letting them be lose together, I will partition the rum off so that they have a section each
I would consider neutering Henry ( piggy) but he is nearly 5 , so I don't think it fair to put him through that, I am willing to be contacted on that point
Thank you again for the replies
Alaadin
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify
Not true at all. Get down to your local guinea pig rescue and they'll pair him up for you
DreamingIsBelieving
Well-Known Member
Just to clarify
Well I don't know who told you that! As long as the baby boar you pair him up with hasn't reached full sexual maturity (so that he isn't seen as a threat initially) then it should work out fine! Just introduce them on neutral territory at first and then prop them in a newly cleaned out hutch together once they've settled and you should be fine!
suestowford
Well-Known Member
Some rescues do 'boar dating' where they will help you to find a new piggy friend for your lonesome pig. Might be worth a google?
shadeofshyness
Well-Known Member
Rabbits and guinea pigs living together is an outdated practice which is thankfully dying out due to research coming on in leaps and bounds over the past 10 years - much like keeping goldfish in bowls, which most people also know is wrong now. It's the same with anything - there's a difference between surviving and thriving. A dog will stay alive and eat if kept locked in a tiny room but fed. But I'm certain no one on this forum would find that acceptable. Guinea pigs can survive with rabbits, but it is not much of a life, and carries numerous risks which have been already mentioned.
OP, try The Piggy Bank (https://www.facebook.com/piggybank.gpr) for your local rescue who will have a dating service to find a friendly baby boar for your current piggy. The bank is made by members of the guinea pig forum UK and is an excellent tool. If there's nowhere that local, google their forum and ask around. Good luck!
OP, try The Piggy Bank (https://www.facebook.com/piggybank.gpr) for your local rescue who will have a dating service to find a friendly baby boar for your current piggy. The bank is made by members of the guinea pig forum UK and is an excellent tool. If there's nowhere that local, google their forum and ask around. Good luck!
mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
Well he is here, he should have been a she, but closer inspection proved other wise
He is a very cute boy, although very scared as he has not been handled for over a year
His old owner was an elderly lady, so this is how I came to be given him.
I can't wait for him to grow in confidence , his Rex velvety coat is gorgeous
He is a very cute boy, although very scared as he has not been handled for over a year
His old owner was an elderly lady, so this is how I came to be given him.
I can't wait for him to grow in confidence , his Rex velvety coat is gorgeous
mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
Thank you as well for ideas to find Henry the guidea pig a new friend , I will defiantly look into the dating services
suestowford
Well-Known Member
Oooh, a rex! They are gorgeous. The two I had became ever so tame.
DreamingIsBelieving
Well-Known Member
Rexes are wonderful! I have two and they are the friendliest, most characterful breed I've come across. My boar (my pride and joy) with sleep with his head on my shoulder. My sow hasn't been handled much but she's far more tame than I'd expect her to be with her level of handling.
Best breed ever! Seriously!
mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
I have posted a new thread with a picture of him
DreamingIsBelieving
Well-Known Member
I have posted a new thread with a picture of him
Oh lol, though you meant rex guinea pig
. Your bunny looks lovely (from other thread), love the name!ShadowHunter
Well-Known Member
I've always kept guineas and rabbits together. Although i have two rabbits and three guinea pigs, so there in no way alone. They are all brought out together in a small barn during the day and put back into their own cages at night (3 guineas together, rabbits separate). Never ever had any problems, past or present, counted up, i've had 4 rabbits and 5 guineas in my ''ownership time''.
In fact, the most problems ive had is between the same species. 5 guinea pigs had to be separated back into 2's and 3's after i got 3 from a rescue after my two rabbits died suddenly. Cue constant fighting even after a very slow introduction. When one of the pair died, she would not accept another piggy but enjoyed the occasional visit of the then house rabbit. Now we've the 3 guineas and 2 rabbits, and i've witnessed several times one rabbit happily grooming the guinea pig.
In fact, the most problems ive had is between the same species. 5 guinea pigs had to be separated back into 2's and 3's after i got 3 from a rescue after my two rabbits died suddenly. Cue constant fighting even after a very slow introduction. When one of the pair died, she would not accept another piggy but enjoyed the occasional visit of the then house rabbit. Now we've the 3 guineas and 2 rabbits, and i've witnessed several times one rabbit happily grooming the guinea pig.
Floxie
Well-Known Member
I won't quote anybody so it doesn't look like I'm replying to an individual, but r.e.
Well - I kept pets all my life, following methods which were accepted and common at the time. And as I got older, we learned more about particular animals and their requirements - the pet market expanded and more and more products became available. We learn and things change. There's not a chance I'd keep my small fuzzies the same way today as I did in even the 90s
If your bunnies have never battered your piggies, lucky you. But I'm not sure luck and past experience is a good enough excuse to continue and to condone something when it has been proved to be risky for the animals involved.
There's nothing wrong with 'how we used to do things'. What we know now will change, too, I'm sure. What is wrong is when we continue to do things based on tradition, rather than adapting practice with changing knowledge
Well - I kept pets all my life, following methods which were accepted and common at the time. And as I got older, we learned more about particular animals and their requirements - the pet market expanded and more and more products became available. We learn and things change. There's not a chance I'd keep my small fuzzies the same way today as I did in even the 90s
If your bunnies have never battered your piggies, lucky you. But I'm not sure luck and past experience is a good enough excuse to continue and to condone something when it has been proved to be risky for the animals involved.
There's nothing wrong with 'how we used to do things'. What we know now will change, too, I'm sure. What is wrong is when we continue to do things based on tradition, rather than adapting practice with changing knowledge
amy104
New User
Rabbits can carry a disease called bordatella which may have no symptoms but could kill a guinea pig. There's no way of knowing if the rabbit is a carrier or not so it's best not to mix them at all, even in just a run.
mulledwhine
Well-Known Member
Thank you for all the replies
He is settling in really well
For those that missed my pic post , here is Dave
He is settling in really well
For those that missed my pic post , here is Dave
Mynstrel
Well-Known Member
Well I don't know who told you that! As long as the baby boar you pair him up with hasn't reached full sexual maturity (so that he isn't seen as a threat initially) then it should work out fine! Just introduce them on neutral territory at first and then prop them in a newly cleaned out hutch together once they've settled and you should be fine!
Somebody who did a lot of pig rescue told me that a good way to bond pigs is to put them in a neutral smelling carrier together and go for a short ride in the car. She said that the movement would make them huddle together and share their scent so they'd accept each other better when they got home (then obviously do the clean hutch etc). I don't know how PC that method is but I have always used it with mine if I've had to introduce a new one and it hasn't failed me yet