Can Guinea Pigs Live with Rabbits?

So, you’ve decided your guinea pig needs a friend. They are very social animals after all and love company. But if you are considering introducing your squeaky pal to a bouncy rabbit roommate – however cute they both clearly are, you might have to think again.

Even though both guinea pigs and rabbits come from species that live in groups, keeping them together isn’t as rosy as you might be imagining.

Do Guinea Pigs & Rabbits Get Along?

Guinea pigs and rabbits aren’t natural buddies. They are both sociable, but each prefers living with their own kind. It was common for pet owners to keep guinea pigs and rabbits together due to the belief that neutering rabbits was an unsafe practice. However, this procedure is now extremely safe and routine. So there is no reason rabbits can’t be kept together, instead of with guinea pigs. It is also best to keep guinea pigs with same-sex cavy friends, as they will get along well and reduce stress.

Unsurprisingly, guinea pigs and rabbits communicate in different ways so they aren’t likely to understand each other’s behaviour. The squeaks and sniffling noises they make are two different languages. This is why they may not get along and occasionally fight. It can affect them negatively if kept together with this dynamic, and their health could suffer.

They also need different cage spaces. Rabbits like to express themselves through jumping, hopping, and running.

Guinea pigs, on the other hand, enjoy being couch potatoes as open areas make them anxious.

They like having sheltered areas to hide under and curl up in if they are feeling unsure or tired.

Will a Rabbit Hurt My Guinea Pig?

The short answer is, yes. As rabbits are a lot bigger than guinea pigs, they are more likely to scare them and bullying could occur. Even if they are not being aggressive, an attempt at play could end up hurting the guinea pig. Rabbits have very strong back legs, so they could injure a guinea pig easily or even try to mate with them. This could damage a guinea pig’s back.

Anyone who has been at the wrong end of a rabbit’s paw will tell you how sharp their claws can be. And they are prone to clawing. So whether it’s your furniture, bedding, clothing, or your guinea pig’s face – it’s all the same to them. If a rabbit gets frustrated or provoked, a guinea pig could end up with infections, corneal ulcers, or even blindness.

Rabbits can also harm guinea pigs by passing on a dangerous bacteria, Bordetella Bronchiseptica, which causes serious respiratory problems.  A real danger to guinea pigs, it is harmless to rabbits. So, it’s important that they are kept separate to protect guinea pigs from getting sick.

Can Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Eat the Same Food?

Both rabbits and guinea pigs eat similar food, as they are herbivores. This means that their diet should mostly be good-quality hay. Eating hay will help their digestive systems as it provides important fibre. Both animals have constantly growing teeth and eating hay helps wear them down. Rabbits like oaten hay while guinea pigs prefer meadow grass hay.

Certain fruit and vegetables are good for both rabbits and guinea pigs. They enjoy greens, carrot tops, celery, spinach, herbs, and kale. There is a difference in the amount though, as guinea pigs need more than rabbits.

Although it is okay for rabbits to eat guinea pig food occasionally, remember not to give rabbit food to your guinea pig. This is because they need extra vitamin C as they can’t produce their own. Rabbits produce vitamin C easily, so they don’t need supplements.

If a guinea pig ate rabbit food constantly, after a short while it will develop a vitamin C deficiency.

This can lead to serious (and possibly fatal) health issues for your guinea pig.

However, just because both animals eat similar food, doesn’t mean it is a good idea to feed them the same. They are still separate species with different nutritional needs, after all. To ensure both stay healthy, it is recommended to stick to separate meals for your furry babies.