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Home for guinea pigs or rabbits

21 replies

EekThreek · 23/01/2018 21:47

We've recently moved to a bigger house. Long, long ago we seemingly promised DD (7) that we could get a small pet when we live in a "big house". Kids have long memories apparently...

My preference would be for a pair of rescue rabbits or guinea pigs. We've got space in the garden for a decent outdoor run, but would they have to come indoors in the winter? We have a conservatory, but it's unheated, so can get really cold, although it doesn't frost inside so still preferable to outdoors?

What else do I need to think about in advance? I'd be getting pet insurance, because I know even teeny pets can come with unexpected massive bills!

How big a space should we have for them?
How much can I reasonably expect a 7yo to be responsible for? Are there breeds that are better for handling? Thinking about 3yo DS who will also want to be involved!

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 23/01/2018 22:07

They will be fine in a hutch ideally within a garden shed outdoors. However I was a child we used to just keep them in a hutch outdoors. I would line the hutches with newspaper and then top generously with sawdust and pile lots of hay up in the sleep compartment. At night to keep any cold winds out we used to put a tarpaulin cover down over the top with air holes. They were nice and warm like this and lived a very long time.
I would recommend Netherlands dwarf rabbits; they won’t grow too big and are so lovely and cute. Guineas pigs are very social animals and are better to be housed with another. If you’re housing a rabbit and guinea pig together it can be problematic but it can work but it largely depends on the nature of the rabbit. You do have to be careful; we had a rabbit and guinea pig together who were the best of friends but we also had another pairing that wasn’t so successful as he rabbit began attacking the guinea pig and trying to pluck it, they had to be separated. I would recommend having two Guineas pigs together from babies either 2 males (they shouldn’t attack one another if introduced from babies) or 2 females. Maybe the rabbit/s separate.

PasstheStarmix · 23/01/2018 22:08

when

PasstheStarmix · 23/01/2018 22:09

the

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 24/01/2018 09:02

OK, loads to consider:

First - are your DC allergic? Little furry animals and their hay (which is essential for guineas and rabbits) are highly allergenic. My own DD developed an allergy to our rough coated piggies after years of smooth/abby pigs.

Hand on heart, you will be doing the work. your DC might help but it'll be your call.

Pigs need more shelter and protection (has to be dry, draught free and constant. They cannot cope with fluctuations or extremes)

Rabbits are not generally considered to be good childs pets , guinea pigs are (mainly) but they are fragile and they can bite , but its rare.

Phone some Rescues and they'll tell you what size of accomodation you need )bigger is better especially for boars) . I've never kept rabbbits myself.

They won't home rabbits and guineas to live together . Rabbits can kill a guinea pig, their diet is different and they carry a nasty bacterial load which passes to guineas.

Pigs don't need vaccines or neutered unless you want a male/female
Rabbits do need neutered for their health and behaviour and there's annual vaccinations plus dental checks.
You have to get to know them, they hide illness well.

They are vunerable prey animals so you need to protect them from foxes,cats,dogs,birds of prey. Make their house and run like Fort Knox

Our piggies are in for winter they are noisy, their hay gets everywhere and they clang their plates at 3am and eat cardboard (loudly).
We have 3 , we did have 5. DD and I share the work , though I know she's sometimes "Oh Mum can you clean the Pighouse" if she has homework, or out with mates , but I know she will do the next feed or clean.

Rescues are overflowing with them, there will be pigs or rabbits for you. They'll (depending on age) be neutered and vaccinated , you'll need a donation to reflect this .And you get the reassurance that theres advice and if you ever need to rehome them , the Rescue will take them back.

Good Luck Smile

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:12

I think my little Netherlands dwarf rabbit used to think it was a guinea pig; we got them both as babies and the rabbit never kicked the guinea pig and I just used to feed them appropriate food for both. They would get dried food with added vitamin drops in water and on the dried food as well as a big bowl of fresh veg every day. Guinea pig lived until 8!! That’s very old for a guinea pig.

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:14

In my experience of pigs and bunnies I prefer Guineas pigs. I find you get more back from them and like pp said they’re certainly more child friendly and are adorable good natured little loves.

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:15

Also agree you’ll end up cleaning them out once novelty wears off!

EekThreek · 24/01/2018 09:49

Thanks everyone, lots to consider!

I had a rabbit as a child, she bit me while I was trying to read her a story... Grin Lesson learnt!

I like the idea of Pigs, and looking at the weather today, I think I'd be tempted to bring them in for winter - nobody will want to go out in this weather to clean them out!

I saw online about not mixing rabbits and pigs, which I think I've heard before. If pigs are hardier, I think they will be a good option. The good thing about the conservatory is that they'll be slightly more removed so won't keep us awake chattering at night. Sounds like they would be a good option for us, so I'll look into it a bit more and see if I can visit some rescue centres without the kids first so I know what I'm dealing with before it gets dd's hopes up Smile

Do they eat fresh food mostly, or mix with pellets? Chopping food is definitely a job DD will be up for after school. I'm under no illusions that cleaning will be down to me/DH after a couple of days Grin

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:52

Conservatory will work fine OP as god are they noisy!!

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:55

They eat dried food as well as fresh. Ruffage is food for their systems. You’ll find out what your guinea pig prefers (yes they have Individual tastes like we do.) I had one that loved cucumber and wouldn’t touch tomato and another that loved tomato and wouldn’t touch the cucumber! I used to offer, carrot, cucumber, tomato, green change. They loved it and lived for years.

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:55

good rather

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 09:56

And cabbage!*

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 24/01/2018 10:36

Rabbits are hardier than pigs , if you have them outdoors then they need the option of safe access to a run . You can use cat doors to let them in/out. I think most owners lock them away for the night but rabbits like to be active dawn/dusk so they might not approve Grin . Look on sites like "Runaround" lots of ideas about sheds / playhouses as houses.
We use a wooden playhouse which has 4 windows , 2 can be removed for air (the inside part of the window space has bars/chicken
wire/mesh for safety). We have the garage to store hay and newspapers (the car isn't in there) and an electric cable to the Pighouse for a light , a heater and a fan (makes a huge difference having a light inside) . I can stand up in the Pighouse (just).
We have rabbit runs , need to move then every 4-5 days in summer . I peg them down with tent pegs (rabbits will need anti-dig mesh round the edges)

Rabbits will happily prance about whatever the weather but guineas with their little straight backs and porky little stomachs on the floor are not. Cold damp bellies and chilled grass isn't good
If I had a £ for everyone who said "They live in Peru, its cold there" I'd buy my guinea-pigs a mink coat each!
Peru is dry cold. Peru guineas are nothing like the domestic guinea.Mine would last 5 minutes in Peru!

When you consider they cannot really fight, jump (though Gp3 could leap out of his carry box) they don't climb, or dig. They don't have a powerful back leg to kick. They can run but not as fast as other rodents. Their bodyshape means they can't turn their heads really quickly. They do have a good set of teeth.........................but they very rarely bite......they are lovely gentle little animals .
I've had one bitey pig (mine are all Rescues) , DD and I wouldn't have called it a 'bite' but your DC might .

You need to make sure all the adults are on board too, my DH will buy veg and feed/clean if we're not here or ill.
And factor in holiday boarding or someone to pop in to look after them.

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 10:38

When I was little I used to want a house rabbit, now I have my own house not so much!

Notasperfectasallothermners · 24/01/2018 10:43

My large rabbits loved the snow!! Were happy out all year round. Had an indoor rabbit that pretty much left the place needed a full rewiring!! Guinea pigs are very noisey and appealing to neighbourhood cats if left in a run unsupervised - can be daunting!!

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 10:52

Hope one of them wasn’t a white rabbit or you’d have had one heck of a job finding him/her!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 24/01/2018 13:40

Follow the trail of paws and rabbity pooh Grin

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 14:07

Haha looking for two little eyes in amongst the white abyss.

PasstheStarmix · 24/01/2018 14:13

Also OP it’s definately worth investing in a run for the garden. I used to let the guinea pigs run around the entire garden and believe me they ran riot. They are speedy little things when they get going. I was chasing one for a good 45 minutes before securing it!

EekThreek · 24/01/2018 21:14

You've got me completely hooked now! Definitely think this will be something for the spring when it starts to get warmer outside and dc3 (due any day) has settled in. It will give us time to find a good run and hutch for outside, and clear enough space in the conservatory for winter accommodation.

I'm sure I'll be back asking more questions at some point! Thanks for your help EnvyThanks

OP posts:
EekThreek · 24/01/2018 21:15

Confused not sure where the Envy came from Blush

OP posts:
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