guinie pigs and rabbits

[DouglassLove]

my sister has two Guinea pigs who are bonded… has anyone tried to bond their rabbit with a Guinea pig?  i think it would be nice for them all to play with each other, especially when my sister lets hers go outside.

[Sarita]

Rabbits and guinea pigs really don’t play together – they don’t speak the “same language”.

It’s a very novel idea but not the best idea. Also guinea pigs cannot be litter trained like rabbits so housing them together just would not work.

[Svandis]

I had a rabbit when I was around 13, and we were fostering a guinea pig. We tried to see if they went allright together, just for company seing that they were both alone, and they had so much fun playing with each other! They were sleeping almost ontop of each other, the rabbit would groom the guinea pig, and the guinea pig would make happy noises. They followed each other around ALL the time, and my rabbit seemed really lonely after the piggy left. So I guess there can be exceptions, but I agree with Sarita, they don’t really speak the same language and I wouldn’t count on it at all. I think I was just lucky, or that they were both lonely and found company in each other.

[Svandis]

Btw, we never let them be together without supervision. But they were playing together really well for almost two months.

[DouglassLove]

well yes they wouldn’t be roomed together im getting a flemish giant so i don’t think that would really work…. ahah. but i was just wondering on occasion. i figured they spoke different languages because of course… different type of animal but i just didnt know if any of you had any good experiences just supervising them… just becuase i feel bad my bunny is will not have another companion, i cant afford two bunnys because i want to make sure i always have enough for vet bills… i just feel a little guilty i guess, since i cant speak bunny (:

[Beka27]

Rabbits can bond very strongly to their owners so I wouldn’t worry about not providing a rabbit companion if not possible right now.

I think allowing them out together (supervised) to see if they even have any interest in each other is fine. Make sure the piggies have a small space to escape to that the rabbit can’t get in. It’s not going to be a true bond because they are different species and won’t be living together anyways.

[SuperCheesetastic]

Posted By Beka27 on 09/27/2012 05:30 AM

Rabbits can bond very strongly to their owners so I wouldn’t worry about not providing a rabbit companion if not possible right now.

I think allowing them out together (supervised) to see if they even have any interest in each other is fine. Make sure the piggies have a small space to escape to that the rabbit can’t get in. It’s not going to be a true bond because they are different species and won’t be living together anyways.

Bunnies and humans are not related.

… Or are they? 

[Beka27]

Posted By SuperCheesetastic on 09/27/2012 04:24 PM

Posted By Beka27 on 09/27/2012 05:30 AM

Rabbits can bond very strongly to their owners so I wouldn’t worry about not providing a rabbit companion if not possible right now.

I think allowing them out together (supervised) to see if they even have any interest in each other is fine. Make sure the piggies have a small space to escape to that the rabbit can’t get in. It’s not going to be a true bond because they are different species and won’t be living together anyways.

Bunnies and humans are not related.

… Or are they? 

Is this a criticism of my saying rabbits can bond with their owners?  Maybe a wrong choice of word, but rabbits CAN in fact form a strong relationship with the people who care for them.  

My female rabbit has a special relationship with me and will often seek me out, despite of the fact that she has a rabbit companion.  I had her as a solo rabbit for nearly a year before we adopted Max, and I think if you ask others with solo rabbits they will also tell you that their rabbits may act more favorably toward them.

Rabbits and guinea pigs have differently needs so it’s just not recommended that they be permanent living companions.  I said that supervised playtime may be okay.

[DouglassLove]

i dont think she was criticizing you at all…. i think she was just being playful, and yes i agree that supervised play time is the right way to go.

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