Can Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Live Together?
October 2021 - First published by Omlet UK
One of the most commonly asked questions from pet parents of smaller breeds of animals is whether or not rabbits and guinea pigs can live together. They are both small, cute and cuddly, live in hutches and like vegetables but that is pretty much where the similarities end.
Even if your rabbit is small and friendly, it’s not a good idea to introduce it to your guinea pig as a long term companion. Rabbits can be very docile animals and are a great companion for humans, but there are a few reasons why they are not ideal hutch-mates for guinea pigs.
Rabbits are often gentle but are also liable to kick out with their hind legs during what they consider to be play time and it’s in these circumstances a more docile guinea pig can be seriously injured. In addition, they dont have the same communication system and are not a good substitute for another guinea pig. A larger rabbit may unintentionally push a Guinea Pig off the shared food bowl, and separating a Guinea Pig from its food will frustrate them!
If you have a guinea pig living on its own, it needs another guinea pig companion to keep it company. By far the kindest thing to do for your pet is to get it a friend of the same species. If you want your guinea pigs and rabbits to meet, then a solution would be to create a mesh partition between their areas. This way, they can see and smell each other without any danger of a rabbit accidentally harming your guinea pig. Here, we look into the reasons behind why this seemingly suitable match made in heaven and lifelong friendship, won’t always be ideal.
They have different diets
Many consider these small pets to be similar in many ways, however, their dietary needs are quite different. Even though both mammals require hay, vegetables and fruit for a balanced diet there is something fundamentally different about how they process their vitamin intake. Guinea pigs need Vitamin C from food to ensure they have a healthy diet because just like humans, they are unable to synthesise vitamin C, due to a gene deficiency. Vitamin C is found in citric fruits and is necessary for survival. Rabbits, on the other hand, can synthesise this particular vitamin, and if they are given too much in their feed then it could make them sick. Housing them together and allowing them to share a food bowl, will only be meeting the complete needs of one, which could cause health problems down the line for the other.
Rabbits bully guinea pigs
This may seem like a bold statement, but it is a possibility and one to be wary of. Our floppy-eared friends are bigger and somewhat stronger than their smaller counterparts. When it comes to food, especially if they are sharing, Peter Rabbit could quite easily push little Mini Guinea out of the way and assert their authority over them. This would result in a tempestuous relationship, especially if your guinea pig is being deprived of food! Rabbits also love to bounce and hop around as they are very energetic creatures, so playtime could be slightly one-sided and maybe a little rough for your guinea pig who is a little more docile.
They communicate differently
Picture this, you’ve got your feet up, you’re comfortable and have a cup of tea on the side and are ready to read the Sunday papers, and all of a sudden your housemate decides to throw a Hawaiian themed party and invite the whole neighbourhood. That’s a little bit like living with a rabbit (from the perspective of a guinea pig!). Despite both being quite sociable little creatures, guineas do like their own space and time to relax, whereas rabbits tend to thrive from attention, either from regular mating or huddling together with their companions, grooming each other. This type of behaviour can be quite stressful for a guinea pig. They are a different species after all and will not speak the same language. If they cannot communicate with each other then they could suffer from boredom and loneliness. Whereas if there are lots of rabbits and guinea pigs they will feel happier being with their own kind.
There are health risks
Both animals can be affected by Bordetella bronchiseptica which is a bacterial infection that can lead to bronchitis. It is more severe for guinea pigs, whereas rabbits display very few symptoms. Another potential threat is Pasteurella which is passed through saliva, for example biting. Again, this is less of a threat to rabbits but more dangerous to guinea pigs. If rabbits and guinea pigs are living together, it could cause health risks which could be detrimental to a safe environment.
How to keep them safe if they do live together
Despite the recommendation that rabbits and guinea pigs should not house share, there may be some exceptions. Introducing them to each other when they are kittens and pups means they may grow to love one another and see each other as friends, not foes. Bringing in a new guinea pig into an environment with an older bunny could lead to a hierarchical imbalance. You might find that they share a bond or have become the best of friends, or you simply can’t house them separately. If that is the case then there are ways you can accommodate their differences.
Create a safe space for your guinea pig
If your guinea pig needs to retreat for a moment or two then having its own space is so important. Omlet has created products that can be extended, interconnected and upgraded providing you with a simple solution when it comes to creating a unique space for your animals. Start with the Eglu Go Hutch 1m which is super easy to assemble and clean. It provides that perfectly safe peaceful space for your guinea pig!
Feed your pets separately
Rather than sharing a food bowl, which we have discovered could be problematic, feed your guinea pig separately from your rabbit. Consider having a different area to feed your rabbit, like in their own enclosure.
Ensure your rabbit is neutered
Nowadays neutering small pets has become a lot safer and far more common, so it would be recommended to do so if you plan to keep multiple rabbits or keep them with guinea pigs. Since we know that rabbits have the urge to mate constantly, this is annoying for your guinea pig and could also lead to back injuries, considering they are smaller in stature in comparison to a rabbit. By neutering your rabbit they will have less of a desire to mount their hutch-buddy!
Friendly neighbours?
If you decide to keep rabbits and guinea pigs, try to create separate living areas so that they can sleep apart and have space for themselves (guinea pigs mostly), with an extensive play area (rabbits!) to keep them energised and entertained. Perhaps provide them a communal playpen with an interconnecting tunnel system. It is possible for them to live together, though not recommended. Hopefully this article has provided enough information as to why.
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