Because of the similar appearances of guinea pigs and rabbits, some pet parents want to keep them together. As both these animals are adorable and fluffy and love eating vegetables, so you may think keeping them together will help them become best buddies.
Some pet owners also want to keep guinea and rabbits together due to a shortage of space. So, before keeping your pet guinea pigs and rabbits together, you can follow this post to find out whether they make a great match or a disaster.
Can guinea pigs live with rabbits? The shocking truth
Here are some surprising truths every pet parent should know before mixing these two adorable pets.
Social needs
Even though both guinea pigs and rabbits are social creatures and love to bond with their herds and bunnies to thrive, the language they speak is different. Communication made by guinea pigs is through purrs, wheels, and chirps. Whereas rabbits use body language like subtle ear movements, thumping, and nudging to communicate.
It’s just like you speak English and want to be friends with someone who speaks only Spanish–it can be extremely confusing.
Keeping a guinea pig and rabbit in the same enclosure cannot make them true friends. They might tolerate each other, but a dominant rabbit might attack the guinea pig and make the little rodent severely injured or stressed out.
As some rabbits can be territorial, true companionship between both pets is rare. So, even though both these domestic pets look very similar and cute, they are not compatible roomies.
Differences in diet
Both guinea pigs and rabbits love munching on veggies, but their nutritional needs are different. Guinea pigs need a large amount of vitamin C, which they cannot produce. A lack of enough vitamin C can cause scurvy, which can be fatal.
On the other hand, rabbits require a high-fiber diet to keep their digestive system healthy. Leafy greens and a large amount of hay can be the perfect food for them.
So, if guinea pigs and rabbits are kept in the same place, they will share the food bowl, and thus, they might miss out on the vitamins and fiber that they need individually.
The situation will be like feeding a weightlifting or marathon runner. The strong and fast will win, and they both will crash.
Challenges of house-sharing
Rabbits have playful behavior and are stronger/larger than guinea pigs. They need vertical space to hop and jump. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, are comparetively quiet and prefer a horizontal room to move around. So, while playing or jumping, if your rabbit accidentally lands on your guinea pig then your little piggy can get severely injured.
Hygiene can also be a matter of concern if both pets are kept in the same enclosure. The cage may get messy faster as the rabbits produce more waste. The urine of rabbits contains ammonia, which can cause respiratory issues in guinea pigs, as they are sensitive to ammonia.
Health issues
Your little piggy can be at health risk as rabbits carry Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacteria that is harmless to them but can be deadly to guinea pigs.
Besides diseases, the stress from living together can weaken your piggies’ immune system making them ill faster. If your rabbit accidentally scratches or nips the tiny pig, those tiny wounds become infected and can be a cause of death for them.
Lack of communication
Both rabbits and guinea pigs talk and express their emotions differently. For example, a Guinea pig is scared if it is freezing in place. Whereas a rabbit thumping its hind legs is a sign of annoyance or danger.
Your guinea pig might not understand the rabbit’s language, and thus, the situation can be extremely stressful for the little rodent. The enclosure can become an unpleasant place for the piggy without any peace.
Keeping both pets separate
Here’s how to keep your beloved pets happy and thriving.
- Supervised Interaction Sessions: If both pets are kept in the same enclosure, make sure there are controlled and short interactions between them. However, it is important to supervise them.
- Species-Specific Companionship: Keep another bunny with your rabbit and another piggie for your guinea pig if you are planning to keep both pets together. This will help your pets to get a friend of their own kind.
- Safe Scent and Sight Exposure: Make sure they smell and see each other safely. Remember, they are just like fellow passengers and not roommates.
What are the strict conditions for guinea pigs to live with rabbits?
While keeping both of these pets in the same enclosure is not recommended, some pet owners may still want to do the same due to lack of space or some other reasons. Follow the strict conditions shared below to minimize risks.
| Condition / Precaution | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Feeding areas should be separated | Take immediate action if you notice signs of illness like wounds, sneezing, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Your guinea pig’s immune system can get weakened as rabbits can transmit diseases like Bordetella. |
| Living spaces should be separated | To prevent the spreading of diseases and territorial behavior, use separate bedding materials, water bottles, and toys for both pets. |
| Monitor health | Keeping a large/giant breed of rabbit with tiny guinea pigs can be extremely dangerous for the piggie. A rabbit’s kick can severely injure the tiny rodents. |
| Reduce stress | Provide quiet areas for rabbits and hiding spots for guinea pigs in the same enclosure to reduce stress caused by differences in communication. |
| Avoid shared bedding and toys | To minimize the risks of infection, consult a vet and vaccinate your pets so that they are disease-free before staying together. |
| Consult a vet | To prevent the spreading of diseases and territorial behavior, use separate bedding materials, water bottles, and toys for both pets. |
| Companionship with the same species | Keeping a large/giant breed of rabbit with tiny guinea pigs can be extremely dangerous for the piggie.A rabbit’s kick can severely injure the tiny rodents. |
| Maintain hygiene | Keeping a large/giant breed of rabbit with tiny guinea pigs can be extremely dangerous for the piggie. A rabbit’s kick can severely injure the tiny rodents. |
| Aware of strength and size | Keeping a large/giant breed of rabbit with tiny guinea pigs can be extremely dangerous for the piggie. a rabbit’s kick can severely injure the tiny rodents. |
Wrapping up
It is always better not to keep your rabbits and guinea pigs together. Even though they can live together, it is very risky to place them in the same enclosure. As both animals have different food habits, communication styles, shapes, and sizes, so respecting their unique needs and housing them separately can help both pets be healthy, happy, and thrive.
If you are still thinking of a mixed-species cage, then follow each and every suggestion shared in this post thoroughly to prevent fatal conditions. Even if you are keeping both pets in the same cage, ensure you divide it with a barrier so that each of them stays happy in their own space.
I am sure a responsible pig parent will always do the same for the well-being of both their pets.
