The simple answer is; no.
It’s really important that your rabbits and guinea pigs are kept completely separate from each other for a few reasons:
Different dietary requirements
Rabbits and guinea pigs have very different dietary needs that need to be catered for – for rabbits we recommend steering clear of the traditional vegetables, but our piggie friends need vegetables for their health. Rabbits and piggies shouldn’t be sharing nuggets or fresh food as each has different requirements.
Rabbits may injure guinea pigs
Unfortunately, even though historically the two species have been kept together and have seemed happy together, the risk of injury particularly to guinea pigs is great. As a smaller species, who don’t speak rabbit, they can easily be kicked or trampled whilst rabbits are going about their normal behaviours.
Disease transmission between rabbits and guinea pigs
There are, possibly most importantly, diseases that can be passed between rabbits and guinea pigs that can be fatal. Bordatella, a respiratory infection that rabbits can harbour, can be detrimental to guinea pigs. Respiratory infections can be passed on by sneezing, cleaning paws and then leaving residue on shared items and other methods – and it is absolutely not worth the risk to our small companions.
Guinea pigs and rabbits can’t communicate
Rabbits and guinea pigs speak different languages! It’s really important that each species has their own companionship of their own kind who they can exhibit natural behaviours with and thrive.
Do I need to choose between rabbits and guinea pigs?
Does the above mean you can’t be a guardian for both species? No!
For many, the answer is as simple as keeping in different rooms – but if you only have one small animal space (which, remember, must be 60sq ft 24/7 for all rabbits) you can still care for both of them. Why not elevate your guinea pigs’ C&C set up so that it hovers several C&Cs above the rabbits!
Here are some examples of setups with both rabbits and guinea pigs sharing air space:
