Play time with a Guinea Pig?

[PaaigeyBearr]

Hi guys, I know I ask a lot of questions, haha! Sorry! I figured I’d ask here sense you all know the natural nature of rabbits and how they react to things, I don’t want to do anything that’d upset my babies.

Anyways, my niece would like a guinea pig. I don’t see the big deal or problem sense…

1. Rabbits don’t really neccessarily like children.. (Kids naturally want to hold them)

2. It’ll teach her some responsibility, and I could help

3. And I just feel so bad that my rabbits run from her! They’re so timid and gentle in nature! haha.

So… I was wondering, I’d of course have seperate cages and all. But, could supervised play times with one rabbit at a time with the guinea go well at all? Has anyone ever tried this?

I know how easy rodents can turn on people if they don’t get played with enough, and that’s what I’m worried about…. I figured if I could include it every once in awhile it’d help. (That and it’d be in a big BUNNY PROOFED room)

I will NOT allow her to have a misserable piggy in this house, I love animals way to much.

Like I said my rabbits come first, and I’m hoping she can handle the responsibility.

[tanlover14]

Rabbits actually carry a bacteria (I can’t think of the name) that can be harmful to guinea pigs. With this being said – I know TONS of people who have guinea pigs and rabbits homed in the same room but in separate play areas. Many of my friends have both so I’m not sure it’s common for the disease to be transmitted.

The biggest problem is that a rabbit can seriously injure a guinea pig with their strong hind legs so typically play dates are not something that always bodes well. I was actually talking about this to my vet the other day at our last appointment and she STRONGLY recommends (don’t say ew too quickly!) rats as a good childs pet. They are easy to care for and she said are very calm and nice pets, especially for children. She believes it to be a good starter pet as guinea pigs like rabbits can be very hard to care for. They need a special diet like a rabbit that I’m not sure a child could monitor and keep up with well. As well as they should be weighed weekly and they need anal glands and boars need “boar cleanings” a few times a month.

I would recommend researching and trying out the rat thing – if you can get past the tail they are very cute and playful little animals.

[MoveDiagonally]

The bacteria that rabbits carry is called bordetella bronchiseptica and it’s the most common cause of respiratory disease in Gpigs.

The risk of a rabbit injuring a Gpig is a realistic danger. I would especially caution against putting an un-altered rabbit with any other small animals.  Hormones make them very unpredictable and more inclined to dominance behaviors.

I agree with TL about looking into rats. I’ve known some people that have had them and they are affectionate and can be taught tricks, etc… A lot of people get grossed out by the tails but all the pet rats I’ve been in contact with seem pretty awesome. I don’t know much about their care but you could fine a rat forum and ask questions of some more experienced rat people.

[Stickerbunny]

The bacteria for the disease is spread through contact, not airborne, so same room would be ok… but out together a big no. Besides the disease risk, there is risk of injury and also they eat different stuff and should not food share.

[hannaroo]

Rats are great pets, they’re very intelligent and playful! They need alot of attention though!

[Emandme]

That’s a really funny coincidence because just yesterday I was talking with one of the vet techs at my vet’s and she was telling me she’d owned about 30 rats over the years (not all at one time, lol!).

She looked like she was in her 20s or early 30s at most. She said that they are great pets. Might be worth looking into

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’ve also heard that rats are great pets that really bond to their humans.

[LBJ10]

Why is a rat tail gross?

I agree with what the others have said. A rat would make a good pet. And if you decide on the piggy, close interaction isn’t recommended.

[Beka27]

Rats can be really sweet! I like that suggestion!

[LBJ10]

I meant close interaction with the rabbit isn’t recommended. LOL

[PaaigeyBearr]

Hey guys I loved your suggestion! But our plans have changed /: I live on a farm, and it has come to my attention that a “Wild” or “Stray” cat has had a litter of kittens outthere. & being here my whole life, I know a wild litter… Gets ate. So I’m either trying to get a mama cats trust (Already have food and water out there!) and domesticate her and getting her kittens inside or, taking them and bottle feeding them if that doesn’t work (I know it sounds incredibly cruel, and I’m highly against it, & not even sure I’d be willing to do it). Either way I want them to get domesticated so I can send them to loving homes through my church. I think they’d be better off then being here with the chances of diseases and coyotes, raccoons, hawks, etc.

I apologize for my lack of a rabbit based post haha. I’ll look into the rat idea after this whole ordeal! Thanks guys & wish me luck!

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