Having animals live together can be harmonious or disastrous, depending on the type of animals you have. For example, you can have a dog and fish live in the same household with (mostly) no issues, depending on the temperament of your dog.
Regardless of what animals you have, it is wise to ask yourself if certain animals can live with each other. In this specific instance, we are asking, “Can guinea pigs live with rabbits?” The answer might surprise you.
In short, it is extremely unwise to keep guinea pigs with rabbits for several reasons. Things like dietary needs, health risks, and behavioral differences are just a few things to consider when wanting these two animals to live together. Not only are they all different, but there could also be serious issues when the two animals are together.
This article discusses further why guinea pigs and rabbits should not live together, and what to do if they already do. Just know that there are solutions to every problem, and it is never too late to start making them. Overall, we encourage you to continue reading for everything you need to know about this subject!
Can a Guinea Pig Live In the Same Enclosure as a Rabbit?
As stated above, it is extremely important to keep rabbits and guinea pigs separate for multiple reasons. The biggest issues with guinea pigs and rabbits living together are health concerns, dietary differences, and behavioral differences. On top of that, rabbits can be much larger than guinea pigs, resulting in injury on the guinea pig’s end.
1. Health Risks Involved
Rabbits are larger than guinea pigs, and bites, scratches, and kicks can occur at any time. Because of this reason, rabbits might want to play with their other furry friend, but in doing so, the guinea pig can get hurt.
Alternatively, both animals can become extremely territorial, especially when males are involved. Because of this, both male species might attempt to show dominance over one another. However, rabbits are more often than not the aggressor, so your guinea pig can get significantly hurt or worse.
Lastly, it is worth noting that some rabbit breeds are much larger than guinea pigs. If you have them together, the guinea pig is likely to get hurt, whether the rabbit had good or bad intentions.
2. Dietary Needs
One who might be new to owning rabbits, guinea pigs, or both might wonder, what is the difference between these animals’ dietary needs? Well, good thing you asked because we have the answers! Although guinea pig and rabbit food come in pellet form, they have different dietary needs.
Guinea pig pellets contain quite a bit of vitamin C, more calcium, roughly 20% of fiber, and 15% of protein to ensure their growth. On the other hand, rabbits naturally produce vitamin C, so they would not need this. Rabbits also need lower levels of calcium to prevent urinary issues. Lastly, rabbits do not need as much protein, and their fiber content varies depending on the brand of food you provide for them.
In addition to their pellet differences, both guinea pigs and rabbits need Timothy hay consistently. In doing so, it provides both animals with enough fiber, support for digestion, and dental health. However, pregnant, nursing, or young guinea pigs should be given Alfalfa hay to ensure they get more protein.
Lastly, you can feed both animals fresh fruits and veggies daily. However, you should limit how much they get per day. For rabbits, 1 to 2 cups is acceptable, whereas guinea pigs should have 1 cup per day. It is wise to distribute this food several times throughout the day to keep it fresh and prevent it from rotting.
3. Behavior Differences
There are many differences in behavior between a rabbit and a guinea pig. Let’s start discussing what rabbit behavior is.
Rabbits
Rabbits are very social creatures, as they like attention. On top of this, they are extremely playful and love being with a companion or doing tricks for their owners. These animals need plenty of room to roam, as they require a lot of exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Rabbits thrive in larger environments, so the bigger the enclosure, the better. These small creatures can also become aggressive when scared or territorial, leading to biting or kicking. Because of this, it is wise to monitor their behaviors often, especially if they have another companion living with them.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are similar in that they are very social and love spending time with their owners. Although they can be very playful, guinea pigs will more often than not want to cuddle with you. These critters also love having a companion, so having two guinea pigs will be better than having one. If they do not have a companion, it is extremely important to spend time with them during the day to help them avoid feeling lonely.
When guinea pigs become afraid, rather than becoming aggressive, they often become more docile by running and hiding in their huts or houses. They do not engage in any rough play while feeling this way, which will result in injury from the rabbit.
4. Communication Issues & Stress Levels
Guinea pigs and rabbits communicate in a much different way from one another. For example, guinea pigs will squeak to let you know something, whereas rabbits might thump if they are upset. A guinea pig and a rabbit might become afraid or feel threatened by these noises, leading to chaos.
Guinea pigs’ socialization is much different than rabbits’, as we mentioned above. To go a bit further on that subject, guinea pigs thrive in a community, while rabbits will be more than happy with one companion. If there are too many animals in one space, the rabbit may become territorial and essentially bully the guinea pig for said space.
5. Different Species
Did you know that rabbits are mammals and guinea pigs are rodents? Although they both have growing teeth, are small in size, have smaller diets, and contain a gnawing behavior (meaning they are constantly chewing on something), rabbits are considered mammals.
This is because, in 1912, researchers found that rabbits have an extra pair of small incisors hidden behind the main upper teeth, giving them two pairs in total, whereas rodents have only one pair.
It is wise to note that although some species may get along quite well, like cats and dogs, others do not. When placing animals together, it is important to consider if their needs are being met, how well they communicate with one another, and if they are safe.
Can Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Transmit Diseases to One Another?
Although we have discussed quite a bit already, one question you might not have considered is illnesses affecting both animals. To put it in perspective, yes, unfortunately, rabbits and guinea pigs can absolutely transmit diseases to one another. Let us review some of the top issues they might be facing.
1. Parasites
Parasites are a nuisance regardless of whether they infect an animal or a person. Not only do they cause discomfort, but they also yield illnesses. Some animals might start itching more or become in pain because of them.
Mites are large ones that can be transmitted from animal to animal. If either of your pets has mites, it is important to consult your veterinarian to ensure they receive the proper care.
2. Bordetella Bronchiseptica
Bordetella Bronchiseptica is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections in both rabbits and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are more severely affected by this than rabbits. Both animals require veterinary care and antibiotics to help resolve the infections.
You also might need to provide your guinea pig or rabbit with oxygen therapy, extra fluids, or anti-inflammatories to prevent swelling. Also, if you suspect your animal has Bordetella bronchiseptica, here are some symptoms to look out for:
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Ocular discharge
- Nasal discharge (colored or clear)
- Sneezing
- Reduced appetite
3. Pasteurella
Pasteurella is a bacterium that can cause infections in animals and humans. It is most often transmitted through scratches or bites. Although Pasteurella does not affect rabbits as much, it can be extremely fatal to guinea pigs.
Pasteurella causes respiratory infections, which are commonly known as “snuffles”. In return, this leads to difficulty breathing and nasal discharge. It is important to check in with a vet to ensure your animal gets proper treatment. Having cases last a long time can be severe on your animal’s health.
Can a Guinea Pig Live In the Same Room as a Rabbit?
Yes, you can allow a guinea pig and a rabbit to live in the same room as one another. However, it is important to note that although they might do fine in the same room, each animal’s pheromones might cause stress for the other.
This entirely depends on the temperament of each animal, of course. Sometimes your rabbit or guinea pig might not care that the other is in the room.
Even still, we recommend monitoring their behaviors. If your rabbit is constantly irritable or your guinea pig is continuously hiding, it is wise to place them in separate rooms. However, if they do well in each other’s presence, you can place the cages close together.
Lastly, it is important to keep them separate to prevent disease transmission. Overall, the best practice is to ensure each animal does not have direct contact with the others. Doing so allows you and them to practice good hygiene.
What Should You Do if Your Guinea Pig and Rabbit Already Live Together?
Although we do not recommend that guinea pigs and rabbits live together, it is important to discuss what to do if they are already living together. One thing to consider is getting another enclosure for your guinea pig or rabbit to separate the two. However, if you truly feel that is not an option, here are some things you can practice.
1. Have Your Rabbit Neutered
Rabbits and guinea pigs can both be neutered, providing significant benefits for both. However, neutering your guinea pig requires specific techniques, and recovery time varies from one guinea pig to another.
In this case, it is important to ensure your rabbit gets neutered before anything else. Doing so will significantly reduce the rabbits’ testosterone levels and their territorial defense. It also allows your rabbit to calm down and relax much more than if they were not.
2. Provide Plenty of Hiding Spaces
As stated above, guinea pigs need plenty of space to hide. This is because they are prey animals and easily get scared. If they do not have any hiding spaces, they will not have any sanctuary that is specifically for them.
Rabbits need quite a bit of hiding spaces as well. Rabbits will often hide if they feel frightened, stressed, or unwell.
3. Feed Them Separately
Because rabbits and guinea pigs have different dietary needs, it would be wise to feed them separately. Rabbits might also bully the guinea pig away from any food they might share, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Because of this, we recommend feeding them separately. It is also wise to give them separate water bottles.
What Is Another Companionship Option?
Another companion option is to put a rabbit with another rabbit or a guinea pig with another (or multiple other) guinea pigs. This is because more often than not, rabbits and guinea pigs will get along well with their own species. As mentioned above, you can put them in the same room as long as they are not stressed or scared.
Can You Allow Supervised Visits?
Technically speaking, you can allow supervised visits, but it can be risky, even if you are closely monitoring them. Transmitted diseases and injuries can still occur. Even if they get along well, the rabbit can still wind up hurting your guinea pig.
Can You Put a Baby Guinea Pig and Rabbit Together?
While you can allow guinea pigs and rabbits to be together if they are still babies, the risks of injury can still happen. This is because rabbits grow to be much larger than guinea pigs. Even Dwarf rabbits are known to grow a little larger than guinea pigs.
What Size Cage Should You Get if You Insist Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Should Still Live Together?
As with everything in life, nothing can stop you from doing whatever you want. Because of this, if you truly believe rabbits and guinea pigs should live together, especially if they are already doing so, it is extremely important to get the largest enclosure you can find. We also know that cages can be extremely expensive.
Still, we recommend checking Facebook Marketplace, a thrift store, or another place that resells items at a fairly low price. We encourage you to make sure the cage is in decent shape rather than buying junk from someone. However, even getting something free or cheap means you can be creative about how you set everything up.
Food for Thought
It is not wise to allow guinea pigs and rabbits to live together. Doing so can cause turmoil, territorial disputes, health issues, dietary concerns, and other problems you might not have thought of. Even still, you are more than welcome to have guinea pigs and rabbits, but make sure they are kept separate.
If this article has helped you in any way, please share it with your other friends who love animals! On top of this, we recommend checking out our other rabbit and guinea pig articles to ensure you are getting all the information you need.
