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Rabbit/Guinea pig

16 replies

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 16:42

My dd wants a rabbit (she's 13), just been to Pets at Home, and they have said we should buy two. Is this the case?

Do they not like living by themselves, everyone I know with a rabbit only has one, are they being unfair to the rabbit?

I'm not going to preach to them, just if it is unfair I would prefer to get 2 to make for happy bunny.

Also I am shocked at how much a hutch is, how big a hutch does 1/2 rabbits need (that's one or two not half a rabbit!!!)? I would prefer to get a separate run with shelter for during the day, and the hutch for night - can I get away with a relatively small hutch (3' 4') if that's all it's for or do I still need a big hutch?

Thanks for in advance for advice

OP posts:
keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 16:43

Because that got too long I didn't include about guinea pig, my ds would like a guinea pig. I was going to put that in with the rabbit but again Pets at Home said that was not advisable. Agree?

Also they said I should get two guinea pigs. Agree?

Do they need a hutch as big as the rabbits?

OP posts:
reikizen · 12/04/2010 16:54

We have 3 guinea pigs from a rescue centre and they are lovely. Several people told us rabbits were a less cuddly/more aggressive option but my children are younger than yours. We also got the hutch from the rescue centre (a bargain, and not very large) but they now spend a lot of time outside since the weather has improved. I think most animals would benefit from company ime so 2 is probably a good idea.
I had rabbits as a child and they were always a bit aggro tbh, but the guineas are as sweet as pie.

Ukelegirl · 12/04/2010 16:58

You mustnt put gps in with a rabbit - rabbit may kick gp and thus kill it

Gps always need a friend or they get lonesome

And the hutch and run NEED to be big because otherwise their lives wouldnt be much better than a battery hen................

Guinea pigs are definately more fun imho - they are more friendly and make cute noises

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 17:03

Sorry should of clarified, not a choice between guinea pig or rabbit unfortunately kids are adament of which animal they want! They don't agree on anything. But looks like I've got to have 4 animals rather than the 2 I was hoping for!!!

OP posts:
Ukelegirl · 12/04/2010 17:13

Have you got the garden space for two hutches and two runs?

Also bear in mind that is two lots of cleaning out and two lots of extra veg to buy

I would start with one or the other, see how you get on and then maybe consider getting a couple of the second choice - once you are used to the effort involved with the first!!!!

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 19:25

Fortunately space isn't an issue.

Due to the age of the children with nagging gentle persuasion, I'm sure they will each look after their own cages. I'm mean their own animals, rather than keeping them in cages!!!

Alternatively ds has said he would be interested in a hamster, but we had one of those years ago, and it kept us awake with drinking from the water bottle in the night. Does anyone know a solution to this, then we could get rabbits and hamster. Can syrian hamsters live by themselves happily or will they want a friend?

OP posts:
Ukelegirl · 12/04/2010 19:31

As far as I know hamsters prefer to be alone

Actually I think they wont live with other hamsters happily unless making babies!

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 19:33

Any ideas of how to get them to drink water quietly?

This may be the way forward.

OP posts:
MissAnneElk · 12/04/2010 19:34

We have a syrian hamster and they like to be alone. We also have two guinea pigs and they are lovely. We rarely see the hamster and it's not that keen on being handled but the guinea pigs love company. I know a few people with just one rabbit, didn't think that was a problem. I agree guinea pigs shouldn't share with rabbits.

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 19:44

Ok make your vote on following choices

a)1 rabbit / 2 guinea pigs
b)1 rabbit / 1 hamster
c)2 rabbits / 2 guinea pigs
d)2 rabbits / 1 hamster

OP posts:
MissAnneElk · 12/04/2010 19:48

A

keepitsweet · 12/04/2010 19:51

Thank you
Ukelegirl do you have a vote?

OP posts:
tatt · 12/04/2010 20:00

rabbits are sociable animals and need company. So they either need to be a single house rabbit (and they chew cables if left unattended) or a pair of outdoor rabbits. They need a big hutch (6 feet recommended by RSPCA) so they can hop - would you like to be unable to move around? Many people are cruel to rabbits.

They can be litter trained and if a house rabbit kept in an indoor cage at night. They are not ideal pets for children as they don't really like to be held and can scratch (accidentally) when being returned to the hutch. If you get rabbits get them from the RSPCA who have more than they can cope with as many people find them too expensive/ too much effort after the first enthusiasm wears off.

No experience of guinea pigs.

MrsL123 · 12/04/2010 21:06

Please rethink getting a rabbit. Honestly I don't think people understand the amount of care involved because they are in a cage, people assume they are easily looked after. I have two big dogs, two cats, two rabbits, up until recently had two guinea pigs, and had a horse up until a few years ago. The rabbits have been the most hassle out of the lot. They need so much more space than people realise - none of the pet shop hutches will be big enough. As an absolute bare minimum you must have 10 square feet of floor space per rabbit - for two rabbits this would be a double-decker hutch at least 5 feet long and 2 feet wide (bigger if possible). This is on top of the exercise area that you provide - and really, a run isn't enough. Don't get me wrong, you definitely need one and it's good for general hopping about during the day, but for proper exercise you need to have a secure garden where they can run and jump in safety at least a few times a week (they run very fast and very far, and will bomb about the garden like a dog!). There are other considerations - rabbits need company for their mental wellbeing. A single rabbit will be very lonely and could become aggressive or destructive - they are very social animals and spend a lot of time grooming each other or snuggled up side-by-side. No matter how much human company they get, nothing compares to another rabbit (the same way as no amount of rabbit company would replace a human for us). A neutered male/female pair works best - neutering will cost you about £60 per rabbit, depending on your vet. They also need annual vaccinations (£25 per rabbit), regular flea/mite/worm treatments, and stuff to prevent fly strike in summer. Their diet has to be carefully managed to prevent illness because there are a lot of things they are unable to eat - and you have to get the balance of nuggets/hay/greens right. Then there is nail trimming, heat proofing their hutch in summer (they are very susceptible to heat stroke), cold proofing in winter, cleaning out (toilet areas daily, hutch weekly).... and they live on average for 6 years. When the novelty of the new bunny wears off, who will have to look after them? Personally I don't think they make great pets for children anyway - the average rabbit weighs 2kg (one of mine weighs double that) and they're not too keen on being picked up because they are prey animals. They can also kick out, and if not held correctly you risk them seriously injuring themselves by kicking out and twisting (broken spine being a possibility). Cost is also a factor - my two cost me at least £40 a month in hay, straw, sawdust, food, greens and toys (they are very intelligent and require stimulation and toys to play with, just like cats or dogs). With the right care, rabbits are loving, entertaining and rewarding, but I definitely consider them adult pets, I'm not sure why so many people get them for children to look after. Most rabbits live a miserable existence in a tiny hutch or end up in a rescue centre.

Guinea pigs make much better pets for children - you still have to be careful picking them up (they can't jump, so dropping them is very dangerous) but they are lighter and more compact, so easier to hold. They are extremely vocal (the range of noises they make is amazing - mine used to purr like a cat when she was stroked) and very entertaining to watch as they bumble about. You'd still need a large hutch (10sq feet for two pigs - a 5 foot long hutch will be fine), and it should be on a single level because they don't do well with ramps. If you attach a good size run, they will be happy as larry (put a sun cover on the run - they don't like being open to the air). They'll still enjoy the odd run around the garden if you can, but are just as happy running about the kitchen floor with some greens to munch on. If you get two girls there's no need to get the neutered and there are no annual vaccinations, but you will need to bring them inside in winter unless you have a shed you can move the hutch into. They are still a lot of work, and you would need to research them thoroughly, but a lot less work than rabbits.

It's been a few years since I've had a hamster but you can get a new kind of water bottle that has a pressure-tap on the end instead of the ball, our rabbits have them and they are pretty much silent (they sell them in PAH). You can also refil it without removing it from the cage which is handy.

If you're looking for an easy pet to look after, get a cat

Ukelegirl · 13/04/2010 08:47

I do
Dont bother with a rabbit - for all the reasons MrsL says
Rabbits NEED a lot of space for them, not a small hutch/run for your convienence

Dont bother with a hamster - they are noisy at night as you already know

Get 2 guinea pigs - one for each child, then they can share the cleaning and caring etc

Or save yourself the hassle and get a cuddly toy

IndigoBlue · 13/04/2010 09:53

Hi I agree with the others I have 2 rabbits and though they are lovely they are quite a lot of work. They should have a decent sized hutch with a run attached and if possible a separate run in the garden or be allowed out if garden's secure.

Would recommend going to a rescue place where there are literally hundreds waiting for new homes and they are likely to already be neutered and you will get a better idea of temperament. Also lots of guinea pigs in rescues.

Rabbits are not cheap to look after - hundreds of pounds a year on food, bedding, vaccinations etc. It's possible for them to live up to 10 years so if your daughter decides to go to uni or move out at 18 and can't take them you would need to be willing to take on looking after them.

Would recommend starting off with guinea pigs or hamster and seeing how it goes as if you get all at once it will definitely feel like you've taken on a lot!

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