About Jess Expertise I can answer questions about most species of rodents. I will answer any questions about health, husbandry and welfare. I can also give advise about behaviour problems, how to overcome these and ways of enriching the life of your pet. I can help with those wanting advice about house rabbits.
Experience I have experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters and chincillas.
Education/Credentials I am qualified in animal management, I work as a veterinary nurse.
Expert: Jess Date: 7/31/2006 Subject: rabbits vs. guinea pigs
Question I have one house rabbit and I have been very interested in getting a guinea pig or a second rabbit. I've done lots of reaserch on them but I just don't know which would be more docile and inexpensive in the long run. They would be kept seperately but I really wanted to know if guinea pigs tend to be friendlier than rabbits or vice versa?
Answer I think the best thing you could do would be to get another rabbit of the opposite sex to the one you have, get them both neutered and then introduce them after a few weeks. That way they will have company when you aren't there. Rabbits and guinea pigs prefer company of the same species and I don't recommend keeping either of them alone unless there is a good reason for it. Guinea pigs are very scared and timid when kept alone. Rabbits just get bored when they don't have another rabbit to play with. It's never to late to introduce an existing rabbit to a new one. Neutering them is essential for females anyway as most of them get mammory tumors and die of cancer if they are not spayed. Males are less aggressive and spray less urine when they are neutered. I would avoid keeping even neutered males together if possible as there is a risk of them fighting, although it can work sometimes. I think it would be easier if you had two rabbits as guinea pigs need a completely different diet and have different needs for different vitamins, although rabbits should be vaccinated and presently guinea pigs aren't vaccinated. Rabbits tend to live longer than guinea pigs. If you decide to get guinea pigs, you would be better off with two, this would be even more expensive. Rabbits are great to watch when they live together, I have 2 house rabbits that love each other and its really nice to see them grooming each other, following eachother around and snuggling up together. I don't think human company is the same as two rabbits. I hope this helps and that you are able to make the right decision, if you need any more advice about neutering or introducing rabbits then just ask.
