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Differences between rabbits and guinea pigs

lis

Warren Scout
Just wondering in what ways keeping guinea pigs is different from keeping rabbits? I've never had guinea pigs before and a friend is wondering whether to get rabbits or guinea pigs.
 
Let's see.

- Rabbits can be toilet trained (which makes keeping cage clean HEAPS easier). It is near on impossible to toilet train piggies.
- Slightly different dietary requirements. Guinea pigs can not make their own vitamin c so it is important that they have a wide variety of veggies to make sure that they get enough. Rabbits can make their own.
- Rabbits seem to need a lot more mental stimulation. My pigs tend to go from eating, to pooping, to sleeping in a constant cycle. They don't "play" with toys much.


My brains tired, I can't think of anything else right now. What I will say is that having 5 guinea pigs all on fleece in C&C cages (similar to NIC cages) is ALOT more work than having Charlee. She makes a lot less mess.
 
I find my pigs far more entertaining than the rabbits in all honesty. Pigs tend to be alot shyer and harder to catch lol The majority of pigs hate to be caught, but they are also alot easier to get to be lap pets than rabbits, so great for responsable children. They need more care when it comes to nail trimming than rabbits. Everything else was coverd by pigsforlife other than the mental stimulation. My pigs are forever popcorning over new toys, boxes and cuddle/cosy's that i make for them.

Currently caring for 6 rabbits, 6 mice and 18 guinea pigs.

Oh and almost all of my pigs are litter trained
 
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Guinea pigs can live in large groups quite happily (all sows or sows with one neutered boar) and happily in same sex pairs. More than 2 boars is usually tricky though with guineas.

As above re: vitamin C. They are not tolerant of damp or draughts.

Like rabbits, guineas need constant supply of hay to keep their teeth down.

They poop for England!

They have hair rather than fur.

They seem to be more tolerant of lots of veggies than buns

Sophie
x
 
I'll let you know. I've just got my first two piggies this weekend and I can already see that they make a lot of mess :lol::lol:. However, they're much easier to keep 'contained' than bunnies - who seem to be able to get into the exact spot you don't want them to get into :lol:

Also, a really sweet thing is that piggies 'talk' to you whereas bunnies are pretty much silent.
 
Although my lot are all people lovers, Rabbits are not always cuddly. Some rabbits prefer things on their terms and can scratch and nip in protest.

Although Guinea Pigs tend to be a little more timid by the same token they can also be easier to handle as once they're caught most will snuggle in your lap and stay reasonably still.
 
Goodness im constantly thinking of more things

Guinea need to be wormed every 3 months whereas rabbits twice a year.
You cannot get a sow "done" as its far too risky
They dont need 3 injections a year like with rabbits (myxi and VHD)
Rabbit kicks can break your ribs (experiance) where as guinea kicks dont hurt all that much
 
I didn't think worming pigs was advised?

I've had a few sows neutered with no problems, it is a big op though and best avoided.

I think the main difference is rabbits seem to be able to fight the natural 'flight' instinct when you get to know them. Piggies, even when they know you, nearly always do a runner out of habit!
 
I've never wormed a piggy in my life and I don't worm my rabbits twice a year either :?

Where is their info about worming piggys?
 
Im training to be a rodentologist, which specialises in one thing, RODENTS!

Alot of vets dont believe rabbits/guineas need preventative worming, but when a guinea or rabbit comes in with worms they give a rather harsh month long course of heavy drugs. For more information on why you should worm your guinea's/rabbits Email Vedra for more information on this: stanislinski@aol.com
 
That's interesting, I recently asked my exotic vet, who is a guinea pig specialist he said no to worming. Suppose it's one of those grey areas that vets disagree about. :)
 
Whilst I have both I much prefer the bunnies...although I do love my girls :love:

On the downside;
They smell worse than bunnies,
They mess everywhere....although my two boys are litter trained :)
They are very noisy :shock: :roll:

On the plus side;
My three girls are allowed to free range in the garden and all come to their name
They're funny when they popcorn :lol:
They're quite cute
 
Just a couple of things I don't really agree with;

Someone said "can't get a sow "done" . It is possible for a sow to be spayed, however not recommended unless for medical reasons (like ovarian cysts).

Someone else said "more than 2 boys is tricky" . Boys can actually get a long fine in large numbers (I have heard of herds of 10+) so long as the cage is big enough, you have enough multiples of everything etc.
 
Piggies-
-They're adorable.
-Rarely play with toys.
-Can't make their own Vitamin C.
-Can rarely be potty-trained.
-Make cute noises, such as wheeking like a real pig and chattering.
-Can bite very hard and cause bleeding, (as can rabbits.) Especially if you have the smell of food on your fingers.
-Love vegetables.
-Mine have never gotten sick.
-They have to have something for them to chew on, as their teeth grow quite fast.
-Require lots of hay, again, as do rabbits.

Bunnies-
-Very cute.
-Can love people and be a great companion.
-Like to dig, and some chew.
-Some play with toys, and can get bored if there's nothing to do.
-Don't make much noise. (Some "honk", if they're hormonal, and some grunt if you pick them up, they can also "scream" when they're very scared, in pain, or dying.)
-Overall make very good pets, as do guinea pigs. :wave:
 
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Thought of another one the other night...

Guineas are not natural climbers, and are therefore nervous of using ramps on two tier hutches for example. Some will; some just won't. In my opinion they would rather have a large one level hutch than a smaller two level.

As for the boars question - given that most pet people want a pair of piggies, boars are fine in pairs, but trios can be problematic and we often get piggies coming into rescue as 3 singles as they have fallen out and won't re-bond - I have heard of big groups of boars but the only groups I've seen for myself have been very stressed and covered in bites and abcesses, so I wouldn't recommend it for a first time owner :)

Sophie
x
 
That's strange, I always thought guinea pigs played with toys more, my neighbours love all the tunnels and balls and things :lol:
 
Thanks to all of you for the answers to my question. One of the reasons I was asking is because one of my friends has just given her 12 year old daughter a rabbit hutch for xmas and they plan to buy a rabbit once the weather gets warmer. I thought that perhaps I should convince them to get a couple of piggies instead? I don't know how big the hutch is but perhaps piggies need a bit less space? I already mentioned that getting 2 animals might be better.
 
Thanks to all of you for the answers to my question. One of the reasons I was asking is because one of my friends has just given her 12 year old daughter a rabbit hutch for xmas and they plan to buy a rabbit once the weather gets warmer. I thought that perhaps I should convince them to get a couple of piggies instead? I don't know how big the hutch is but perhaps piggies need a bit less space? I already mentioned that getting 2 animals might be better.

The min. recommended size for a pair of guineas is 4' x 2' (preferably bigger if they're boars.

Sophie
x
 
Im training to be a rodentologist, which specialises in one thing, RODENTS!

Alot of vets dont believe rabbits/guineas need preventative worming, but when a guinea or rabbit comes in with worms they give a rather harsh month long course of heavy drugs. For more information on why you should worm your guinea's/rabbits Email Vedra for more information on this: stanislinski@aol.com

Rabbits aren't rodents, they are lagamorphs :wave:
 
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