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Original poster

Rabbits or Guinea pigs ?

13 replies

chattycaterpillar · 20/02/2022 20:49

Would you reccomend rabbits or guinea pigs as indoor pets ? Ideally want them to be "free range" as much as possible ?

OP posts:

Furries · 21/02/2022 04:55

Free range but kept indoors 😂. If you go for rabbit, you can’t have one on its own, they need company. Same for Guinea pigs. Just don’t mix both, not a good idea.

Sunbird24 · 21/02/2022 04:59

Rabbits are a bit daft and will chew electrical wires (and knitting, it turns out) so that’s worth being aware of…

Trinacham · 21/02/2022 07:14

Hmm. I'm biased as guinea pigs are my favourite, but not sure I'd ever have them free range. You can't exactly train a guinea pig - they will poop and pee wherever they want.

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BertieBotts · 21/02/2022 07:23

Guinea pigs can't be litter trained so unless you don't mind them weeing everywhere. Their poos are like little pellets, not a problem to clean up.

That said we did have a guinea pig that lived with a rabbit and learned to use the cage for toileting so maybe it's not true it can't be done.

Rabbits are not good pets for children, so I'd always lean towards Guinea pigs for children. But as a house pet a rabbit is probably better.

We did used to have Guinea pigs that lived in a hutch officially but quite often had the run of the downstairs if that is a suggestion that works for you? It meant they could be contained when we were out or asleep etc so we could keep an eye on wires and weeing.

TinyBearCub · 21/02/2022 07:28

House rabbit, on the basis that I have one and am pretty sure you cannot litter train a guinea pig.

Once neutered our rescue boy became pretty solid on the litter tray. He would definitely munch wires given the slightest chance. He answeres to his name when he feels like it, is very affectionate and a generally lovely pet. He and my 3.5 year old get on great together which is lovely to see.

Equimum · 21/02/2022 07:28

We have a house rabbit who initially had lots of freedom (together with his sister who is no longer with us). They house trained very easily and are great company, but they do chew. The female learned to get the edge of the carpet and would pull threads, and the males loved a cable (hence being more restricted now). Also be aware, that rabbits can be a long-term option. Our boy is now 11. His sister, though, only made it to 5.

In brief, house rabbits are great, but many will do damage and could be around for some time, so take that into consideration before taking the plunge.

Heathofhares · 21/02/2022 07:35

Guinea pigs every time. It’s true that they aren’t house trainable but they don’t need to free range. Given a sensible sized cage or enclosure they are happy to stay home.

Mine only run straight home if you let them out anyway. I guess it depends if you have enough inside side for them to have their own space.

Rabbits can be aggressive and really he’s for kids to handle.

DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 21/02/2022 07:40

Team Guinea Pig here. I wouldn’t let them free range as they were everywhere but ours are in the middle of the house. They chat away to everyone, wheek when they hear someone opening the fridge or chopping food, and are generally complete nosey bonks.

We put them outside in a run during the summer days tho, for a bit more space.

blanketyblanked · 21/02/2022 07:58

Rabbits are lovely indoor pets...but it really depends on their character. Some are harder to litter train, some love nothing more than nibbling skirting boards and digging up carpet and chewing through live wires. Got them a big shed and run in the garden in the end :D honestly, I would go for a pair of rabbits outdoors in a large enclosure that you can spend time with them. Indoors tends to be too hot and full of things to chew for them, but you could always bring them in for a supervised run around every so often

blanketyblanked · 21/02/2022 07:59

Just be aware rabbits can love for 10 years so once the initial excitement wears off, be prepared to have them around for the next decade!

blanketyblanked · 21/02/2022 07:59

Live*

Artesia · 21/02/2022 09:22

I had house rabbits for years. They chewed through a wire initially, but we wiped all the accessible wiring with malt vinegar - safe but not pleasant- and they never tried it again. They were amazing pets, but wouldn't recommend in a household with children

TabbyM · 21/02/2022 11:50

Guinea pigs - though I would keep them in an large indoor cage and not leave loose in the house as they will gnaw furniture / cables / books if unsupervised (sorry Mum). They are easier to catch and make happy squeaking noises, plus if they enjoy getting handled will purr for you. Both pigs and rabbits should be kept in pairs at least (not mixed species). Ours lived outside initially but after pneumonia inside in large tank cages/pens and went out in a secure run on grass when people were around (too many cats / foxes to have an open run - solid wire mesh sides and roof).

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