5 Reasons Why Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Live Together

#1: Rabbits Can Injure Guinea Pigs

Some rabbits will bully guinea pigs, making the piggies feel afraid. They may try to hide from the bunny or be constantly stressed when they’re around.

Even if the bunny is nice to the guinea pigs, these animals have different body language, and misunderstandings between them are common.

Bunnies also tend to be bigger than guinea pigs and can hurt them by kicking, humping, or landing on them while hopping around.

#2: Living with Rabbits Can Make Guinea Pigs Sick

Rabbits can carry Bordetella, which is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections in guinea pigs. URIs progress very quickly and can be deadly.

Even a rabbit who shows no symptoms of illness can pass it on to their guinea pig companion. The same is true for cats and dogs!

This is why you should keep other pets other pets separate from your guinea pigs, and you should wash your hands between handling them. It’s also not recommended to share items between your rabbits and guinea pigs, especially without washing or disinfecting them first.

#3: They Need to Socialize With Their Own Species

Rabbits belong with other rabbits and guinea pigs with other guinea pigs. There is no way around this! If your rabbit or guinea pig lives alone or only with other species, their social needs are not being met.

We used to think housing these herd animals together was enough for them, but it isn’t. While some of them can form bonds, they don’t have the same body language and cannot communicate the same as they do with their own species.

It’s also, luckily, easier to house them with their own species than ever! This is due to veterinary advancements that make spaying and neutering rabbits and neutering male piggies safer than ever.

There’s no risk of unwanted babies this way. Rabbits are more likely to get along with other rabbits when both are spayed or neutered. And, male guinea pigs can be neutered and bonded with females if they don’t get along with other males.

#4: They Have Different Diets

Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C and thus need much more of it in their diets than rabbits. While they can both spend their days eating timothy hay, rabbits and guinea pigs must be fed their daily veggies and herbs separately.

#5: They Have Different Housing Needs

Guinea pigs can live in large enclosures of 7.5 square feet or more, with the ideal size for two being 10-12 square feet or greater. The bigger their cage, the better!

Rabbits do not belong in cages, and keeping them in a guinea pig enclosure likely won’t provide them with enough space. Ideally, your rabbits will free-roam at least one room in your home. At the bare minimum, they should be kept in a large dog exercise pen.

#6: They Can Live in the Same Household, but Separated

The good news is that you can care for both rabbits and guinea pigs in your home so long as they’re kept separate. You’ll also want to keep their items separate and wash your hands between interacting with your bunnies and your guinea pigs.

It’s also vital that you have at least two guinea pigs and at least two rabbits. If you have one guinea pig or rabbit and are thinking about adopting the other species, please adopt your existing pet a friend first.

It’s always important to take care of your first pet before adopting another, and this includes meeting their social needs.