Do bunnies and guinea pigs make good friends?
This is a very hot topic among rescuers, generating many different opinions, but the one most held is that they do not, and should never under any circumstance be housed together. I would disagree with this opinion, having had many successful rabbit/guinea pig couples. The important thing to remember is that not every rabbit likes to have a guinea pig around, and likewise, not all guinea pigs will like having a bunny friend. In some cases, rabbits will traumatize guinea pigs with their much larger size, and can cause serious injury with their big feet and “randy” natures. No guinea pig wants to be raped by a rabbit, and it is not just males but also a dominant female rabbit who can persist in chasing guinea pigs around trying to mount them. You can get the odd randy guinea pig as well!
Small animals need companionship just like humans, but sometimes those dominant male piggies will not accept another male piggie as a friend. Or, perhaps they are not giving the guinea pig friend you intended for him any peace, as he chases him around in a show of unrequited love? You can always go for the desexing option, and trying him with a female. Otherwise, these over-sexed piggies can sometimes find a best friend in a bunny, where they don’t have the urge to chase/mount. At the same time, as with humans, you get the odd “hermit” rabbit or guinea pig that wants to be left alone. Rather than forcing him to live with another animal 24/7, it is important to accept that you have a unique pet that is perhaps better housed by him/herself and given more human affection.
So, if you’ve determined that your bunny and guinea pigs' first reaction is not to hump the daylights out of each other, but prefers to ignore the other in an open, neutral territory, the next thing to remember is to give plenty of “time-out” space. Guinea pigs will often fit into small tunnels and igloos which bunnies can’t get into, and likewise, bunnies may be able to hop higher, so a milk crate may be just the thing. Getting away from each other does not mean they are no longer friends, but we all need a bit of alone-time - and it’s not always when your buddy feels that way.
Having introduced the couple in a neutral territory several times under supervision, it is time to take them to their cage. If one of the animals has previously resided in this home, it is only natural for them to be a bit territorial while their guest explores every room, so it is best to start with a new cage. If this is not possible, scrub and clean to remove most of the occupant’s smell, which may cause him/her to get defensive. New toys and a different arrangement of food bowls will make the resident also feel they have gone into a new cage that needs exploring rather than defending. The crucial point I make is that there is enough space in the cage, and once again places to get away from each other. Even if they are taken out every day for exercise, bunnies and guinea pigs like to have enough floor space in their hutch to race around and exercise, binkie/popcorn, and show other signs of happiness. They will still need their “time out” areas, so once again something bunny can hop onto and something piggie can go under should be in the hutch. Plenty of food should also keep them occupied during the settling-in period.
Another argument for not housing rabbits and guinea pigs together is the different dietary requirements of these two species. Other than a good quality pellet mix, fresh clean water and hay which should be available to both animals all the time, guinea pigs require more vitamins in the form of fresh fruit and veges, particularly vitamin C which can be eaten in the form of capsicum, oranges, parsley, etc. Rabbits will generally know how much is good for them, so the only issue here is for you to provide enough fruit and veg for rabbit and guinea pig to be satiated. Don’t forget that each animal should have their own area, eg tunnel (guinea pig) or a box to sit on (rabbit), so should you wish to feed them different quantities of food place them in the individual areas. Don’t be surprised if piggie pulls a bit of veg out to give to his pleading friend though!
Providing all goes well, you may find you have an inseparable pair of pets, which groom each other and cuddle together on those cold nights. It is not uncommon for them to get so attached to one another, that you’ll see piggie following your bunny around the house not wanting to be separated from his/her buddy. It is a beautiful relationship, and for anyone that still strongly disagrees with housing rabbits and guinea pigs together under this situation, look at all the interspecies relationships documented, such as chimps and tigers, tigers and pigs, snakes and gerbils, dogs and cats etc. to find that a rabbit and guinea pig friendship is really not such a leap of the imagination.
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