can i have a guinea pig and a rabbit in the same cage. and if i can should i make any changes. and for a first time buyer of a guinea pig any must haves?
2007-06-20 10:50:34 · 15 answers · asked by Tyboy 1 in Pets ➔ Rodents
No, you should not keep them in the same cage. Rabbits have very strong back legs and can kill your guinea pig in the blink of an eye, not even on purpose. Plus, rabbit food contains antibiotics that are toxic to guinea pigs. There's no way to keep a pig from eating everything in the cage, so problems can happen there too.
It is a dangerous chance to take. You could put their cages side by side, just keep them seperated.
Guinea pigs need a large cage, quality pellets, fresh veggies, vitamin c supplements, hay, and fresh water. Please read this site : guinelynx.info You will see everything you need to know about guinea pigs.
2007-06-20 11:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by MemphisGal 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pigs can NOT eat rabbit food and vice versa. Guinea pigs have special requirements like they can not make vitamin c so you have to provide it for them, rabbits can make their own vitamin c. Rabbits can also accidentally jump forward and their legs could go into the guinea pigs tummy causing internal bleeding. I know that you are trying to do the best by both of your pets but for the safety of the guinea pig and the rabbit please do no put them together. You are better off getting another male guinea pig. Males can be housed together with out fighting but you need to introduce them properly.
2016-04-01 08:28:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can be kept in the same cage. However, it does not always work out. The younger ones do better together with few problems, but then they grow up. I've never had a guinea, but I do have a rabbit, and around 9 or so months of age, they go through major hormonal changes! Pissed off little thing she was! I expect that if I had had a guinea pig in there with her, it would not have survived.
So, my advice:
If you are set on keeping them together, get both as young as possible (however, I reccommend adopting instead of buying. You may end up with older pets, but these guys desparately need homes and can be just as loving and affectionate!)
Spay/ neuter your rabbit! Don't know how reasonable it would be to suggest the same for your guinea... In order to avoid the "pissed off stage," fixing your rabbit is crucial. It is also the most responsible and heathy thing to do for your pet. Check your area for a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. It may run you $100 or so, but it's worth it. More expensive vets may charge up to $500.
You'll need a very large cage- they will both need their own space. Make sure the rabbit has enough room to run, turn, and stand up completely. Also plan on at least 4 hours of "free time" in which both can run around out of their cage in a safe area in your home. (Did you know that bunnies can be litter-trained?)
My last suggestion: Be prepared to separate them into two cages if necessary.
See the link below for excellent cage designs. They are mostly for guinea pigs, but there is also a section for rabbits. I think I have even seen some with a rabbit cage bottom and guinea pig top! Have fun! Sorry that I didn't have more info on guinea pigs!
2007-06-20 11:34:36 · answer #3 · answered by Just Me 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Speaking as someone involved in small animal rescue (guinea pigs and rabbits)...no, they should not live together.
--Rabbits' hind legs, which they get feisty with, can seriously injure or kill a guinea pig.
--Rabbits and guinea pigs require different food pellets, which are carefully formulated for each species' dietary needs. If they're living in the same cage, there's no way to control their access to food.
--Rabbits have big appetites, leading them to hog the food (theirs and the guinea pig's) and leave the guinea pig underfed.
--While rabbits and guinea pigs can eat many of the same veggies and fruits, there are some things that rabbits can digest easily and safely that guinea pigs cannot. If you have them in the same cage, there's no way to separate servings
2007-06-20 12:36:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Introduce them slowly. They are both vegetarians so you gotta pretty good chance. Keep in separate cages and let them smell the other, like through the wire. Then introduce them for just a minute or two in neutral territory. Middle of the floor or a big cardboard box. Then put them both in the same cage (very clean one so no territory has been marked) with a wire divider between. Later, if they seem O.K., remove the divider and watch them carefully. If they quarrel, don't give up but go back a few steps and let them smell each other longer. Another trick is to put Fred in Barney's cage and visa- versa to get used to the smells. They need a way to get away from each other too, not to be trapped or cornered.
Make sure the cage is big enough for two, crowding will cause fights. They should probably have sparate bed boxes that they are used to, also. Good Luck!
2007-06-20 11:18:11 · answer #5 · answered by gentlesoul 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Along with the other reasons people have mentioned NOT to house them together is because rabbits can be carriers of certain viruses, like bordatella, which can be transmitted to the guinea pig and be fatal. Never house them together.
2007-06-20 14:19:00 · answer #6 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Memphis Gal & GPRescuer. They gave you accurate advice.
It would be a huge mistake to put a rabbit in with a guinea pig. One of them will end up injured and its usually the pig.
2007-06-20 13:58:24 · answer #7 · answered by Justified 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can but a rabbit might bite the guinea pig sometimes.Well u must have a hideout, they can get scared and need somewhere to hide.
2007-06-20 13:12:27 · answer #8 · answered by bootstraplover94 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
listen to me.
if they fight, then separate. my friends have guinea pigs and rabbits together and they dont fight. I saw in a shop and they werent fighting. but if they fight, then separate.
2007-06-20 11:00:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
yea if u wanna see a fight
2007-06-20 10:54:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋