Guinea pig or rabbit?

[TheMoonOnAStick]

Dd would love either really but I'm just unsure about the care aspect. Help!

The situation is that we have the space in the garden, no problem there. We have a cat, but I am home a lot during the day and obviously we would keep him safely away from any gp's or rabbits that we might have.

The things that concern me are that I have read on a couple of care sites that rabbits and gp's should be brought in when it gets cold.

Oh dear..I hadn't really considered this. No way do we have room indoors for big cages and runs and it's this that could be the big sticking point. I don't think I've heard of anyone I know doing this either with their gp's/rabbits but then again I've not really found out about them until now in detail. Is this really something everyone does?

Also I understand that one gp alone isn't ok and that they need a friend. But a single rabbit..is that an ok option?

Thanks so much if you have any advice. I don't want to get pets that we can't care for properly even though dd wants one so much.

Both rabbits and GPs are social animals and should be kept in pairs - who cleans behind your ears if you are an only rabbit.

They can live outside all year round if they have a good weather proof hutch and remain outside all the time. It is changing them from being an indoor to an outdoor rabbit\GP in the middle of winter that they are not adapted to that is the problem.

For a child, I would say GP.
We have rabbits.
They are harder to handle - very strong legs, very jumpy,
Expensive to keep - females will need to be neutered to prevent uterine cancer, males because they might be aggressive , they need two sets of injections each year to prevent Myxamitosis and 'flu
You need 2, at least.
They need careful feeding as they have delicate digestive systems.

I would def say guineas! I had rabbits as a child but we went for gps recently and they are wonderful! As Blu said rabbits are more difficult to handle. Our 2 year old has no problem handling our gps and he struggles to handle rabbits. Of course I am sure there are very placid rabbits out there that are as we speak making wonderful pets but in general I do think gps are more suited to children oh and they squeak to each other which is so cute!! We can works out what some of the squeaks mean now to.

Deffently a GP, we have had a few evil bunnies which could not be handdled. GP's are far more cuddly.

Thanks so much ALL. Really very helpful info there (can't beat mn for this kind of feedback). Still considering but feeling more hopeful re weatherproof hutch and maybe a heater. Dh seems v unsure still though so we need to think this through.

Not a decision to rush into though. We went to an animal sanctuary today just 'for a look' and the amount of unhomed pets is heartbreaking...including two lovely gp's.

I have a good friend who is a vet and mum. This is a fairly common question, and she always says GP. Domestic rabbits have been so interbred in the last 30 years, that they need a lot of vetinary intervention. GPs much less so.

PS - i know several GPs who live out during the winter. Except for last winter when our village was under snow and ice for 5 weeks.

This is interesting. I had no idea rabbits needed so many things taking into consideration. Some of the ones we saw today were nearly as big as our cat!

I have heard that they can be biters though. Some friends had one once that looked like an angel but was totally psycho - they had to give him up in the end because he attacked everyone.

Encouraging to hear of more gp's braving the winter outside. Although yes, of course last winter was a big exception.

GP's, we had 2 rabbits long ago and they were evil, our gps free range and stay outside all year (we lock them in hutch of an evening ) - last winter we did move them into a shelter when it was aprticularly bleak.

I keep my piggies in Hutches inside a huge shed. With runs on the floors during the winter months. I also heat the shed and have lighting. Its the cold and damp that can kill piggies. Its easier to clean them out in a shed in all weathers too. I used to have them in the house but I own 7 now but the do come in thier groups on alternate weeks.

We kept our GPs outside all year round with no problems, but you need to either keep them in a shed or move the hutch to a very sheltered area out of wind and rain. A shower curtain on top of blankets/other insulating material on the hutch will help keep them cosy, plus plenty of hay as bedding. They must be kept in pairs as an only one will be very lonely (and two will keep each other warm on winter nights). Males may fight once past puberty so I would get two girls. They need daily access to a run which must be secure as gps are no match for a cat - make sure it has a lid on and has wire that a cat can't put a paw through. Don't wish to scare you, but I saw my friend's gp after a cat had had a swipe through the bars of the hutch and it was awful - will spare you the details but I will say the poor piggy had to be put down straight away.

As an alternative, and to be honest a better pet, consider rats. They are indoor (cleaning out outdoor animals in the dark and rain is not much fun to be honest - and I guarantee you will end up doing it rather than dd) and pets that can be kept indoors are a better choice. Hamsters bite and don't have as much personality, but rats love people, are really intelligent and friendly and will give you loads of fun. They do need a big cage, but still less bulky than a hutch and run, and must be kept in single-sex pairs not on their own. They don't smell as long as you clean the cage regularly and aren't noisy. If you're not squeamish, you honestly won't have nicer pets.

Great to hear all your comments on rabbits, guinea pigs and rats! What would you suggest are the best ages for having pets? I'm thinking having animals around when they are very young is a good thing.

Definately guineas - they don't bite, scratch on scramble to get away like rabbits do - they are great for children from about three and up (obv. ou'll be cleaning them though!)they sramble for cover whilst they get used to you but as they get bigger and used to their surroundings they are much more handleable. Guineas don't need innoculations either which will set you back about £50 per rabbit per year.

Definately keep in pairs as they are very sociable with other guineas.

In regards to winter etc, getting rabbits or guineas it's best to not leave it much later. If you get them now and keep them outside they will have a chance to grow their winter coat but if you leave it closer to christmas they would have to stay in until March at the earliest having been in a nice warm pet shop/breeders. Both prefer to be in sheltered areas in the winter away from direct draughts. A shed or unused garage is ideal. If not then just away from direct breeze.

Pet shops sell snugglepads which are pads you put in the microwave to warm up and then put in the hutch maybe under the hay which will help keep warm.

Also agree with lurcher - rats make great pets, they are very sociable and intelligent and very very loyal. Good luck!

GP. We have a rabbit and dd dearly loves it. However, we have to bring her indoors during winter. Vets bills have been massive, all kind of different ailments. Also, I only realised when we already got her, rabbits can get a kind of white nasal discharge which is potentially very dangerous for people (kind of flu). Our rabbit had it and not suspecting anything too major, the vet donned full protective gear and advised that he keep her given young age of my dd until she was fully recovered as it is fatal for people if it enters bloodstream through scratch. If I had known this I would never ever have bought a rabbit suffice to say. So unless GP can get something similar (vets will know) I would go for a GP.

WE have 4 GP's which live out all winter. They are under a 'lean-to' roof next to the kitchen, so fairly sheltered from wind etc and when it gets cold they get extra hay in the bedrooms and covers (old quilts and picnic blankets) over the hutch at night.
I was very twitchy about them last winter when it was so very cold, because there is no space in the house for them, until I stuck my hand inside the nest of hay they had made and realised how warm they actually were.

We have a house rabbit.
He's as big as our cat
he's litter trained
downside is that he will chew cables, sometimes the skirting board and eat the wallpaper. WE've found bitter apple spray helps keep him from gsome things

Rabbit, Rabbit Rabbit! I bought 2 mini lops for my kids a few months back they are adorable very affectionate and since it will be you who is going to be their main carer and housekeeper I would do your research first, if your kiddies would be happier with either make it your choice and let them think it';s theirs!
Since getting the 2 outdoor bunnies I rehomed a french lop they are quite big about the size of a cat but much more cuddly, very docile and lazy we have kept her in the house as I too hate animals being on their own. I simply left her a box with hay and straw and voila she knew exactly what to do! Most rabbits don't like being handled and will kick and struggle so I don't pick them up unless I have to I use a pet carrier to and from the run, but with daily cuddles they become very tame and will let you stoke them. Kids love making their run an adventure playground(actually it is more me!) Expect the novelty to wear off at about week 2 which is why it should be more your choice. Also I don't let my kids clean them out because a) They won't do a good job and b)poo wee and kids is a bit of a hygiene hazard!!
Also however much I try my house bunny will not play she just lazes about expecting to be stroked 24/7

I am also interested, as my dd is six soon and would love a rabbit for her birthday, although she played with two gps some time ago and loved them-they marched up and down the room smelling eah others bottoms making everyone laugh. Is it advisable to discuss with a vet beforehand regarding the breed of rabbit and suitability? we visited pet spectrum where thay had a female lionhead rabbit who apparently doesn't like other rabbits?? she appeared very docile though. Does anyone know a good vet in Finchley/Whetstone area? Iwould appreciate any advice and thanks for the information to date. Most people who posted picked gps I notice, is this simply coincidence or can i hear from more rabbit lovers?

chaussons, I have had both and don't think rabbits make good pets for small children. They don't like being picked up and readily bite or scratch to make their feelings known. If she understands she may never be able to pick up and cuddle a rabbit it can work, but most children want a pet that can sit on their knee. GPs are much more easy to handle, as long as she's very careful not to squeeze their fragile ribs.

If you do go for rabbits, please get two not one - they are highly sociable animals and an only one will be very lonely. The best combination is a mixed-sex neutered pair, or two girls (get them both neutered as well to stop them having bunny PMT - they can be moody and hormonal otherwise. It also protects them against uterine cancer, which is extremely common in rabbits). Two boys will probably fight past puberty so this is not advisable.

hi i have one male mini lop rabbit he is so l;ovely he loves kids ,i am a childminder so lots of cuddles and stroking ,our rabbit will sit on your knee for ages to be stroked we also had another one but he died a couple of month ago.we are in the process of getting another one from a rescue home!!!! bunnies are gorgeous i looked after my friends gp for a week and i didnt like them at all we couldnt catch them to stroke them and what a noise i would say rabbit rabbit rabbit!!!!!

We had 2 dwarf lionhead rabbits, m&f.

The male is lovely & placid.

Will sit for ages with you.

Female was much more "bitey" & wanting to get away.

We also have 2 GPs who are also lovely & will sit on you-and wee, so a cover always needed.

The rabbit seems to have more personality so I would say rabbit!

We have a rabbit, inherited from a friend. He is incredibly docile and has never bitten or scratched (but like most rabbits he's not hugely keen on being picked up). DD1 puts him on a lead and walks him around the garden!

We were happy to have him because we knew he was so well-behaved; I have heard some horror stories regarding vicious bunnies.

we have always had gps. ours is now inside in our kitchen in an indoor cage. he does go out in the run if the weather is still fine. he is easy to look after and i absolutely love having gps.

i like rabbits too but feel they are more high maintenance.

gps like company though and although we are not always there in the day someone is always around in the evening and we chat to him.