Rabbits and guinea pigs make fantastic family pets, especially for small children. They have a kind and quirky nature, and are very clean animals. They are perfect for those families who have less space but still want the joy and companionship that comes with owning a pet. To live a happy and healthy life, rabbits and guinea pigs require a secure cage, bedding, suitable food and water, exercise and entertainment. We have put together a guide to owning a rabbit or guinea pig that we hope helps your family decide whether it is the right pet for you!
Food
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs require a balanced diet, made up of good quality pellets, grassy hay and fresh fruits and vegetables. Rabbits are lagomorphs, while guinea pigs are classed as rodents, meaning the dietary requirements can differ slightly. They are both plant eaters (herbivores) and thrive on a high fibre diet. You should look for a food that is high quality and nutritionally complete such as Oxbow Adult Rabbit Food or Vetafarm Rabbit Origins.
Fruits and vegetables are important to provide high levels of vitamins and minerals for your rabbit or guinea pig. Good choices include broccoli, cabbage, carrots and celery. In addition, you should provide some grassy, fibrous hay for them to graze on throughout the day. Popular choices include Western Timothy Hay or Oaten Hay. This also gives them something to gnaw on, helping to avoid overgrown teeth and dental problems. There are various rabbit and guinea pig treats available to treat your little friend including Oxbow Simple Rewards and Peters Fruit Bars. These should be offered in small quantities and as a treat, not as a sole diet.
Water
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs need access to fresh water daily, meaning you will need at least one water dish or bottle. There are various specifically designed bottles to help maintain a hygienic water supply including the Pet One Deluxe Drinking Bottle and the Living World Glass Bottle. If you do decide to use a regular food bowl, be sure to purchase a deep and heavy dish to prevent it tipping over and clean the dishes regularly. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs don’t store salt in their body, so you should also provide a salt lick stone to provide a supplement of salt and minerals to their diet.
It is important to provide your rabbit or guinea pig with a safe and secure place to live and sleep. Although they are small animals, they require a large hutch that has adequate shelter and plenty of space to run around. This will ensure they have a warm place to hide and sleep and suitable space to stretch and exercise. There are a variety of hutches and cages available, suitable for both indoors and outdoors. The enclosure should be predator proof and well ventilated. It should have wire sides so that your rabbit or guinea pig can see the outside world. An outdoor run is also a great idea to provide extra room for your furry friend to run around!
Rabbits and guinea pigs are prone to feel the seasonal extremities, so it is important to keep the hutch out of the sun when it is hot, and move it inside or provide adequate insulation during the colder months. During summer, many small animal owners like to put a frozen water bottle in the hutch for their pet to lie on and cool down. Don’t forget to clean your hutch weekly to keep it free from droppings!
Toilet training
Rabbits can be house-trained, just like cats. Training your rabbit to go to the toilet in a litter tray makes keeping your enclosure clean very easy. Simply equip your rabbit hutch with a litter tray, and place a few droppings in the tray to encourage your rabbit to use this area as a toilet. Once your rabbit learns to go to the toilet in the designated space, you will save lots of time cleaning. We highly recommend the Corner Toilet as it fits neatly in the corner of your hutch and doesn’t take up too much room. You may also like to fill the corner tray with some cat litter to better absorb the urine and reduce smell. Be sure to use litter made from recycled paper or wood pellets such as Breeders Choice.
Socialisation
Both rabbits and guinea pigs are very social animals and would benefit from the company of a friend. When choosing a friend for your pet, it is important you know the sex of your pet as two rabbits of the opposite sex will breed when housed together. If you are not planning to breed from your pet, desexing is recommended. This will promote a calm temperament and reduce the likelihood of some serious diseases.
Bedding
You should line the bottom of your rabbit or guinea pig enclosure with a nice, soft bedding to protect their paws and provide additional comfort. Hay and straw are great options for bedding. It is important to note the differences, straw is suitable for bedding, while hay is part of their diet. A mixture of both is a great option to give them a soft and comfortable home, while providing some roughage for them to snack on. The bedding will also help to absorb some of your pet’s urine and make cleaning up easier. Be sure to replace the bedding regularly to ensure optimal hygiene.
Parasite prevention
Much like dogs and cats, small animals can be affected by common parasites such as mites, lice and worms. It is important to take the necessary measures to protect your rabbit or guinea pig from nasty parasites. Rabbits and guinea pigs should be sprayed fortnightly with small animal mite and mange spray. As well as spraying the animal, be sure to spray the whole enclosure, including bedding.
In addition to mites and mange, rabbits and guinea pigs can get fleas and intestinal worms just like any other animal. Small animal worming syrup should be added to their drinking water every month. There are several excellent, easy-to-use flea control products that are safe for small animals available including Revolution and Advantage. Revolution is safe for use on rabbits from 8 weeks of age and will protect against fur mites, ear mites, sarcoptes mites and fleas.
Entertainment
It is important that you keep your pet stimulated with toys, chews and hideaways. This will make their hutch an interesting place and give them opportunities to play and exercise. Rabbits and guinea pigs have teeth that constantly grow throughout their life therefore biting, chewing, gnawing and grinding on food help keep their teeth at a healthy length The Pet One Wood Chews and Timothy Club Twists are economical yet effective ways to help prevent boredom and encourage dental health. You may also like to fit the cage with a Small Animal Castle or Critter Tunnel for your pet to hide and relax in.
In addition to toys and chews, rabbits and guinea pigs benefit from having time outside of their enclosure where they can safely explore the outside world. Rabbits and guinea pigs are intelligent animals that need plenty of exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated, so be sure you let them out to play at least once every day. We highly recommend using a harness and lead, as they run very fast and can easily escape. They won’t follow like dogs, so you must follow them around as they explore.
Grooming
Rabbits and guinea pigs shed and require brushing. This should be done regularly and from a young age so the animal gets used to it. Be sure to use a specific small animal brush such as the Pet One Small Animal Brush or Eurogroom Mini Bristle Brush to remove hair safely and gently. In addition, you might like to use a small animal shampoo to clean and condition your pet's coat. Fidos Bunny Bath is specifically designed for the delicate skin of rabbits and guinea pigs, and will leave their coat clean and lustrous with a long-lasting baby powder scent.
Health
Rabbits should be vaccinated against Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (Calicivirus), a fatal infection that has no cure. We highly recommend speaking to your local veterinarian when you purchase a rabbit or guinea pig, as they can advise you on a preventative health program for your pet for the years ahead. This is also a good opportunity to develop a good relationship with your vet for any issues that may arise over the lifetime of your rabbit. Regular check ups will allow you to catch any illness early and ensure your pet lives a happy and healthy life.
Rabbits and Guinea pigs are wonderful pets, and although they are small they require just as much attention as larger pets. Keep them healthy and happy by booking regular health checks with your local vet and giving them lots of love and attention. By providing them with an appropriate environment, good nutrition and preventative healthcare, rabbits and guinea pigs will live long and prosperous lives, and make a fantastic companion.
