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- This topic has 33sd replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
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So as some of you read, I was really looking into a bunny for Noot. He was doing well with the loss of Chuck, still eating. But watching him it had become apparent that he needed a buddy. The obvious choice would be my pair however Rupert nips and can be aggressive…and Noot is very very gentle, and blind.
My plan had been to take Noot to the humane society on Saturday to date. I was nervous about taking him for such a long car ride but he needed a buddy. Lined up DAve (who was suprisingly on board) and my sis in law to come. Even had my application pre-filled out. And on Friday evening I was showing my mom pictures of the bunny I thought might work out-or I tried to. Zepplin was adopted
Me: He’s not here
Mom: GUINEA PIG!!
Me: WHAT???
Mom: Guinea Pig!! Get Noot a guinea pig!!!
Me: Mom…gah! Umn….Wait….
Yeah so my mom had a good idea…I hopped online and read any articles I could find about keeping them together. Few and far between. It seems to be controversial (there is some worry the rabbit could hurt the guinea pig…house a gp with Rupert and I wouldn’t doubt it!) , however I did find a few articles I thought were from reputable sites that sounded about right. In fact I’d been thinking of getting Kokanee a guinea pig when Dave wasn’t going to let me get a second bunny
http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/gpfriends.shtml
“Our Clydesdale, a small lop who has limited eyesight, rejected the bunny friend we gave him because she was too energetic. Once we decided to make him sanctuary because of his age, we introduced him to two bad-hair-day guinea pigs adopted from Boston shelters, so he has company without the stress of meeting another rabbit”
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-8/r…lural.html
“Don’t let a busy schedule give you the guilts about quality time your rabbit is missing. Think guinea pigs (see sidebar). Think cats. Some bunnies coexist contentedly with a feathered friend. Cross-species introductions, in which territorial issues are muted, run a swifter and easier course than rabbit/rabbit situations”So anyways I knew that this was maybe a little unknown territory, but I did keep piggies when I was growing up and they were wonderful pets-they rarely bite…I’m concerned with Noots safety but he needs a fuzzy guy to keep him company-well a gp makes sense.
And it looks like my mom was right!! Noot really seems more perked up-spending less time sleeping and was eating HAY (something I’ve been trying to get him to do since I brought him home..)
Getting to the good stuff-Pictures!!!
This is Norman
They eat together
And sleep together
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K&K, I am not missing the fact that this is a tri-coloured GP.
*blush* When I was little I had a few guinea pigs in with one rabbit but learned that their pellets have different ingredients, and people worry about safety too. How do you deal with their different needs? Just mix pellets or offer more vit.C for Norman in fruits?
I have both types of pellets in there…but I like what some of the sites said to do-and I’m just trying to track down a bottle-but they said water vitamin C degrades too quickly and discourages drinking. I don’t count on it being in the food as it can degrade as well. So obviously veggies-but I’m going to get some chewabe vitamin C tablets-thats what most sites recommended and see if he’ll take them as a treat. Oxbow makes some.
because she’s insane and hard to catch, hahaha
Oh my gosh I know what you mean! I’m handling him like crazy to get him used to it-I remember my first piggies weren’t easy to handle but eventually they were great. I’m so not used to how fast he moves!!
Oh ….and poor Mikey…he would really really like to ‘eat that mouse’
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I’m amazed!
My first thought, having grown up with only piggies for pets, was how fast they are, and how they cannot be trained very much. I was picturing how Noot would nudge and guide Chuck, so I guess I thought a new bunny might be smart enough to do the same. Odds were against it. So with a pig, that won’t happen, but if it’s company and snuggling you want (and great conversation since a piggie rarely shuts up when awake) it should work out very well.Reminded of Shrek and Donkey, in size and natures.
My uncle was named Norman. I miss him. Nice choice.
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So, bunnies and guinea pigs don’t need to go through bonding sessions at all???
I wouldn’t know if that’s true in every case, but because they aren’t the same species they probably won’t see the other as a threat and can co-exist easier? I’m not sure I’d say it’s the way to go for anybun of course-but its good for Noot because he’s gentle and not going to hurt the GP which is the only caveat besides vit C I can see to keeping them together.
It might be perfect for a bunny who cannot get along with other bunnies but is otherwise nice (i.e. not a super aggressive bite anything bunny).I know there is a lot of controversy about these two pets together, but if you match them correctly, then why not. Oh, congrats, K&K – and it is so great that Noot has a little friend now.
Thank you!!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad for Noot! I never realized how big he is, or is that just a very small g pig? I love piggies! Good luck litter training him though!!!! Has he done the loud “BOUI BOUI BOUI” or purring noises yet? I wonder what Noot would think of those weird noises!
Young piggie-he’s very small. Noot is less then two pounds and quite small himself
I was thinking the noises are perfect-given that he’s relying on touch and sound now…well a friend who can talk is quite nice I think.
Yes GP is making all the noises but the big WHEEEK. He’s still nervous I think but I’m sure he’ll be loud soon!
Wasn’t worrying about litter training him-mine never did…however he seems to be going in just two spots so I snuck a little litter pan in there to see if he’d use it One of mine was very clean and only toileted in one spot but we never thougth to try to litter train. i warned Dave they are noisy and wouldn’t be quiet like bunnies are…his response? “Oh quiet like when it’s defcon 3 in the bunny room at four am because Rupert is moving boxes around?”
heheh yeah they aren’t that quiet I guess Reminded of Shrek and Donkey, in size and natures.
My uncle was named Norman. I miss him. Nice choice.That’s funny-and thank you-I love the name Norman
Oh my goodness! How fantastic for Noot!
A shelter in Boston that has a great reputation keeps a guinea pig with each single bun, rather than bonding them with another rabbit. I was surprised when I first saw it, but it seems to be working out well. I think in this case it was a perfect option for little Noot.
That’s neat-I read about a shelter that does it too-and they noticed that they grieved if one was adopted without the other so now if they put a gp and bun together they are adopted together! I thought that was neat!
Wow. I was certainly not expecting this. I really hope it works out okay.
umn-thanks?
Me too. If it doesn’t I have no problem making a GP spot and getting Norman his own friend and trying again. But when I was home at lunch just a while ago things were great-they were snuggled up and Noot looked very happy That is so cute! There is a g pig/rabbit pair at the shelter I’ve been working with and they are inseparable. I hope they become the best of friends =)
Thank you!! I think they make a cute pair too
welcome norman
love the pics… noot & norm seem to be great mates already! as for mikey… you just resist the urge big guy. you’ll realize its just another fuzzy treasured by your mom soon enough
They do !
It’s suprising-thought it might take a little onger but it’s going well Mikey has calmed down significantly from when he first saw Norman, but I’m keeping the door shut when I’m not home just in case. -
Wow, adorable, I’m so glad it’s working out! I love guinea pigs, don’t have much experience with them… the first time I played with a piggie it was at my friend’s house, the piggie was so sweet and tame and cuddled in my lap for an hour… then finally peed on me. Making me completely prepared for a future with rabbits LOL. I like to see this inter-species bonding, I’m not even tempted for a second to get a second rabbit because Mr. Bun-Bun is so aggressive with my cats and even my roommate… another rabbit would probably be a nightmare. He’s bonded to me and either thinks I’m a rabbit, or he’s a human being. I think in a lot of cases it’s best to have inter-species bonding. As long as there’s love, it doesn’t matter which animal is the source.
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So just a mini update because I’m having trouble getting non-blurry piggie piccies-they are doing GREAT!
I’m really noticing that Noot is more awake and active now, and they are constantly cuddling when they’re resting. The guinea pig is more vocal, feeling more at home now (not a peep the first few days-though still not wheeking for his food).
He follows Noot around when Noot goes on a toodle, which is very cute to watch *He was alittle close a day ago and Noot lifted to pee…very funny to see Norman back up slowly all-like ‘Heeeeeey’
I’d really say at this point that if they were both buns they are fully bonded, so although still cautiously optimisitic-things are going GREAT and I’m so happy with how they are doing together.
Oh and Norman binkies…Ok I know it’s called pop corning-but he twists and stuff and so CUTE!!! -
So can you litter train Norman? And is he neutered? Oh, all these questions
It sounds really great, and I hope you film them, so we can watch them do binkies and popcorns together!
Honestly I don’t think they would litter train but we’ll see
Not neutered-my vet is out of town so we’ll see what she thinks about neutering. From what I read online it’s not very common or necessary…but I’d prefer to get him neutered so we’ll see what she says. I was wondering that too. The piggie does his business on the puppy pee pads along with Noot? Is Noot disabled, I’m sorry I don’t remember his exact story (and I’m too lazy to do a thread search.)
YEAH! I was wondering what I was going to do flooring wise but the pee pads are working great for both of them.
Nooty’s normalish
Blind now, and getting tilty-he was always a little leany when he was stressed but strait usually… but it seems to be more now that’s come on slowly -so we need to see the vet next week when she’s back and see if we run through some antibiotics or what have you. I think a disclaimer may be in order for this thread that a piggie mate won’t work for all rabbits, but I’m glad that he’s working well with Noot.
Yes I did touch on that too- though I doubt I’ll start a trend hahaha GPs just don’t hold a candle to the bunnies
Cute but not the same But yeah-totally not what I’d recommend for just anybun-it was a call I made based on who Noot is and what Noot needed. And it’s working grand. Norman is really coming out of his shell and is such a happy little dude and Noot is doing more moving around and being awake. AND he’s never lonely-whenever I peek in they are snuggled up together (though hard to snap a pic because Norman runs as soon as I come in-something I’m not used to…the bunnies come running and paw me for treats…Norman thinks I’m a scary monster lol) And Noot really responds to Norman’s talking.
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