Which rabbit do I choose?
By rosycat
@rosycat (168)
June 4, 2007 9:07am CST
Im thinking of getting a couple of rabbits, as Ive recently moved into a house which has a walled garden, and they could run around the whole of the garden safely. Which type of rabbit should I choose? Should I have 2 rabbits or a rabbit and a guinea pig?
3 responses
@julieandpico (73)
• United States
17 Jun 07
If you are anywhere near Portland, OR Rabbit Advocates has a bonded rabbit guinea pig pair that need a home (check out http://www.petfinder.com ) They can live together, but you have to feed them both the more expensive and nutritious guinea pig food
I wouldn't let a guinea pig run free though. If you are going to let them run free in the yard, I would recommend a Flemish Giant. They make great pets and are large enough to have less problems with preditors. You will need to make sure they have plenty of cover from hawks - I never had any trouble with hawks with my Flemish, but my vet told me that he's seen dogs the same size be dragged off in our area (rabbits watch for hawks and dogs don't usually.)
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
17 Jun 07
Aside from eating different foods, rabbits and guinea pigs are very different socially.
Rabbits do social grooming, and a guinea pig is not going to groom them back. Rabbits are very neat and will use a litterbox. Not as many guinea pigs will do this reliably. Rabbits have strong legs, an accidental kick to the guinea pig could result in serious (even potentially fatal) damage. Even if they are both free range (inside, not outside), you'll still risk them being injured.
Yes, some people do it. But it's not a good idea. They're different species and it's not good for either of them. Having a partner of a different species doesn't meet their social needs for either guinea pig or rabbit.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
17 Jun 07
None if you're just going to let them roam free. They could get eaten by hawks, coyotes, cats, etc.
And by the way, rabbits and guinea pigs aren't related. They cannot be housed together. So if you find that you can provide for rabbits, get two and have them both neutered. But don't just let them loose (unless you want to let them loose inside the house, provided that they are safe there).
@rosycat (168)
•
17 Jun 07
Ive decided that im going to get 2 rabbits and not a guinea pig. They will be quite safe running around my garden, it is walled, we dont have hawks or coyotes here, foxes cant get in and my cat keeps other cats away from my grden, so Im not worried about predators. They have got a hutch , and obviously I wont let them free in the garden until they are sure of me and their surroundings, so at first they will be in the house.
@spalsh (17)
• Singapore
4 Jun 07
Well, I'm not a rabbit expert but here's my 2 cents worth =)
You may want 2 rabbits so they can have companionship. Unless you want baby rabbits in future (or ALOT of baby rabbits if you're not careful lol), you would be better off having 2 female rabbits. 2 males rabbits would get into a bit of trouble at times when they get..you know..the urge and end up aggresive.
A rabbit and guinea pig would be fun, but interaction-wise, it may still be better to have 2 rabbits. =)
Hope this helps! =)
