Advice on Guinea Pigs please

[reallyoldmum]

I am sure I remember seeing a thread on peoples guinea pigs some time ago, so I thought I would ask some advice.

My darling neice is 10 and animal mad - She has had Rabbits for the past 2 years that she feeds every day and cleans out regularly without asking as well as taking responsibility for feeding the family dog and picking up his Poo from the garden daily!! What I am trying to say is she is a great little girl who does understand how much work an animal is - right now to the advice........

As I mentioned she has had 2 rabbits for the past couple of years and in November due to no fault of hers one of them died (vet said he could have be frightened to death by a fox), this leaves her with the one rabbit - he is a giant lopear. She is worried about him because she thinks he is lonely now his friend has died and spends lots of time sitting by his hutch talking to him bless her - I got to thinking last night and when I was little we had a rabbit and guinea pig who lived very happily together and I am wondering about buying her one for christmas.

Normally I would be really cross if someone bought a child a pet for christmas but I know it would be much loved and looked after - the thing I am not sure about is how would a guinea pig and rabbit get on if they were not babies together? Would they fight? She has a large hutch with 2 bedrooms , if I was to get her one what should I look for - would I be better to get a young adult or baby? The rabbit's hutch is now in the garage for the winter but would a baby guinea pig be ok there or do they need to be inside to begin with?

Any advice greatfully received.

Thanks

Jane x

 

[hennaly]

I have no problem with rabbits and piggies living together and have taken loads of rescues in in pairs as such however as the rabbit is a large breed and already an adult i wouldnt put a guinea in with it now as it could get hurt, one kick of the bag legs could destroy a guinea pig, you maybe better off having the rabbit castrated and buying another of similar size of the opposite sex and introducing them slowly.

 

[beanie]

I am not a fan of piggies and rabbits living together - even a pair that have lived together for years can still cause problems (if the rabbit kicks out). Plus I have seen the damage a rabbit can inflict on another rabbit let alone a piggie

 

[daftscotslass]

I wouldn't put a guinea pig near a rabbit. In my time working with rescued guinea pigs I've seen guinea pigs with broken limbs, missing eyes, torn ears, open wounds and have known people who have had to have them euthanised because a swift kick from a rabbit left them paralysed. Rabbits can also carry pasteurella which doesn't affect them but can cause fatal respiratory illness in guinea pigs. They also have completely different dietary requirements.

I also think a rabbit companion would be best but then I wouldn't buy from a pet shop as there are literally thousands of rabbits in rescue across the country.

 

[reallyoldmum]

Thanks for your advice - have spoken to her mum and dad this morning and I think we have decided its a no go... Would hate to do anything to harm an animal. They are going to wait for the spring and look at getting a rescue rabbit with another hutch but hopefully them being able to share the run.....

Now back to the drawing board for her Christmas pressie!!

 

[daftscotslass]

If she's animal crackers what about something like an animal sponsorship?

 

[nissa]

My daughter is animal mad too and I just brought her a subscription to 'I Love Animals' magazine for her birthday in January.

It's great because she'll get something through the post which is exciting for them! Also, I know she'll make good use out of it.

You can check it out here....

http://www.newsstand.co.uk/206-Children ... IMALS.aspx

But I think holding off on the pig and rabbit idea is a good plan. Seen lot's of bad things happen before in this situation.