Most people classify guinea pigs as cute and cuddly little creatures that get along well with rabbits. As a result, you’ll often see these two domesticated breeds housed in one enclosure in pet stores. You may be thinking of getting a few guinea pigs to keep your rabbits company. However, before keeping these pets together, you should consider whether rabbits and guinea pigs can live together.
Rabbits and guinea pigs should not live or be kept together. Keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together can be extremely dangerous for both pets. Rabbits and guinea pigs don’t have the same nutritional requirements and communicate differently. For their safety, housing them together isn’t recommended.
The best companion for rabbits is another rabbit. When two different species are kept together, there is an increased likelihood that there will be bullying and a fight for dominance. Both guinea pigs and rabbits have a gentle disposition; when kept together, it can be a volatile situation.
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Can Rabbits And Guinea Pigs Live Together?
Rabbits and guinea pigs should ideally not live together. Rabbits should only be kept with other rabbits; the same is true for guinea pigs. Unfortunately, some people may keep these pets together, and it may seem like they are getting along. But, in reality, they are putting their pets in danger.
Unneutered male rabbits can become aggressive and territorial and start to bite the guinea pigs. As guinea pigs are naturally smaller in size, they will be the most at risk when keeping these two types of pets together.
Rabbits are larger in stature and are more robust than guinea pigs. Rabbits also have powerful hind legs and, with one swift thump, can easily hurt a defenseless guinea pig.
Besides these factors, guinea pigs prefer to keep to themselves; they don’t like socializing with other animals and would rather just have a few other guinea pigs as companions.
Guinea pigs and rabbits have entirely different body language and ways of communicating. As a result, they don’t understand each other, which poses an even higher risk for something bad to happen when rabbits and guinea pigs live together.
People sometimes put them together, and they seem to get along, but it isn’t recommended. However, if they are kept together, certain precautions should be implemented to keep the guinea pigs and the rabbits safe.
Health Risks Of Rabbits And Guinea Pigs Living Together
When keeping guinea pigs and rabbits together, there is a high risk that they can have health complications.
Rabbits carry bacteria called Bordetella Bronchiseptica and another called Pasteurella. While this bacterium can live dormant in rabbits for their entire life without making them sick, it can be passed onto guinea pigs. If this bacterium is passed on to guinea pigs, it causes severe respiratory issues and can even kill them.
The Risks Of Keeping Rabbits And Guinea Pigs Together
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are still kept together in some homes and pet stores. This is primarily to save on space, and it may be easier for owners to keep both in the same enclosure. However, most people who do this are unaware of the dangers of keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together.
Why Rabbits And Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Live Together
When keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together, certain risks need to be taken into account. These include:
- Rabbits can injure guinea pigs. Rabbits are bigger and tougher than guinea pigs and pose the risk of injuring guinea pigs. Sometimes this may not be intentional. For example, when rabbits hop, they kick out their hind legs. Therefore, if a guinea pig is close by, he could accidentally get kicked by the rabbit. Rabbits also have sharp claws; if they use their claws on a guinea pig’s face, they can cause blindness or an infection.
- Male rabbits are territorial. Male rabbits who aren’t neutered are territorial. They can become aggressive and may harm guinea pigs if the guinea pigs get in their way.
- Mating risks. It is not unheard of for male rabbits to try to mate with male and female guinea pigs. This can cause serious injury to the guinea pigs. Rabbits weigh a lot more than guinea pigs. During an attempted mating situation, the guinea pig’s back can break, causing severe injury to the guinea pig or even death.
- Rabbits and guinea pigs communicate differently. Rabbits and guinea pigs have different languages. Guinea pigs tend to make more noise compared to rabbits. Rabbits and guinea pigs can’t communicate with one another, and this makes it easier for them to get into a fight.
- Rabbits tend to be bullies when placed with guinea pigs. Bullying can become a problem when two species are housed together. Rabbits, the naturally bigger animal, will be more dominant and can intimidate the guinea pigs, especially around meal times.
- Guinea pigs and rabbits have different diets. The nutritional requirements of guinea pigs and rabbits are very different. Guinea pigs and rabbits should not be fed together or get the same food. Guinea pigs require sufficient vitamin C as they cannot synthesize this vitamin. At the same time, rabbits may not need it as much as guinea pigs.
- Space and exercise needs differ between guinea pigs and rabbits. Rabbits and guinea pigs need different amounts of exercise. Rabbits need lots of space to roam; if not given sufficient space, they can become destructive. In contrast, guinea pigs don’t require as much space and don’t need as much exercise as rabbits.
Tips On Housing Rabbits With Guinea Pigs
Housing guinea pigs and rabbits together are not recommended. However, if you have no other option, there are a few tips on getting the best outcome when keeping these two pets together. These include:
- The guinea pig and rabbit enclosure must be spacious
- Male rabbits should be neutered to minimize the risk of injury to the guinea pigs
- Ensure that the guinea pigs receive enough healthy food and get enough vitamin C
- There should be at least 2 rabbits and 2 guinea pigs; there should not be more of one pet than the other
- Provide an area for the guinea pigs to go where the rabbits aren’t able to go, so they have a hiding spot when they don’t feel safe. The same safe space should be created for the rabbits.
Please note that the above mentioned information should not encourage you to keep guinea pigs and rabbits in the same enclosure.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs and rabbits should live together and are better suited to their own enclosures. Rabbits and guinea pigs have entirely different dietary and exercise requirements and cannot communicate with each other. Keeping them together poses the risk of injury and disease.
If there is no other option than to house rabbits with guinea pigs, precautions should be taken to keep them safe.
