Rabbits and guinea pigs are beloved pets that thrive on companionship for their well-being. While you might contemplate housing them together, it's essential to recognize the potential health and welfare challenges that can affect both species, and the benefits of housing them with members of their own kind.

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Guinea pigs are originally from South America, and in particular the Andes. Also known as Cavies (p), Cavy (s) they live in large family groups on grassland savannas and do not create their own burrows, like rabbits do.

Rabbits originate from the southern European mainland, evolving millions of years ago in the Iberian Peninsula of Spain. The scientific name for rabbits is Oryctolagus cuniculus. They live in large groups, with a defined hierarchy, digging out vast burrow systems.

Yes! Both rabbits and guinea pigs are social animals who find safety and comfort in the presence of a peaceful group. They thrive on the company of their own kind so it is therefore important they both do not live alone.

No, sadly not. It is not as simple as just placing two guinea pigs or two rabbits together; this will invariably result in fighting, which is highly likely to cause injuries, potentially serious to one or both animals. Guinea pigs can be bonded in pairs or groups, but personality clashes do occur, so it is important to go slowly with introductions, and avoiding forcing combinations that are not working. When keeping guinea pig in same-sex groups combinations, neutering may not be necessary, if opposite-sex combinations of guinea pigs are kept together, then the male (boar) must be castrated. Guinea pigs can be happier in groups with several females and one, castrated male, but again, slow introductions are and compatibility assessments are important, otherwise fighting may occur. If you are bonding two rabbits together, neutering will need to be performed to both rabbits, regardless of the combination of sex being kept together. Allow at least 6-8 weeks for hormones to settle down before bonding can start, being sure to introduce them on neutral territory.

Many years ago, it was almost the norm to have a guinea pig living with a rabbit. Many people saw this as a way of providing each with company without the risk of them breeding and preventing interspecies fighting in rabbits. However, keeping  guinea pigs and rabbits together puts the guinea pig at risk of being bullied and injured by the rabbit so it is no longer accepted practice. Nowadays, anesthetics are safer, and the veterinary care of both species has advanced dramatically, meaning neutering, especially of rabbits is much more commonly performed, especially by rabbit savvy vets, so there is no need to consider keeping guinea pigs and rabbits together as there are ways of keeping both species with other members of their own kind.

Guinea pigs and rabbits do not share a natural environment in the wild, they come from different countries and as they are ground dwelling herbivores, they could be competitors for the same habitat if they lived together in the wild. Guinea pigs and rabbits do not share a common language, so they struggle to understand each other leading to miscommunication, conflict and fighting. Rabbits are usually larger and heavier than guinea pigs, and sometimes by a considerable amount, and can easily overpower them. Mounting (even if neutered), chasing, biting, and bullying is common when they are kept together. This can cause the guinea pig large amounts of stress and can cause serious, or even fatal, injuries to occur. Guinea pigs and rabbits also have different dietary needs. Whilst they are both herbivores and both need a high fiber diet consisting of mostly hay and grass with some species-specific pellets, guinea pigs need a diet high in vitamin C as they are not able to produce this themselves. This means they require a diet with lots of fresh food, some of which is not suitable for rabbits to eat and can upset their sensitive digestive system. In addition, guinea pigs and rabbits are incompatible living together as many rabbits carry the bacterium, Bordetella bronchiseptica within their nasal cavities. This bacteria can be present in the rabbit without causing illness, or it can cause respiratory disease. However, even if the rabbit is not showing any signs of illness, this bacteria can be passed onto guinea pigs, causing them serious, or even fatal, respiratory disease.

If your guinea pig and rabbit have lived together for several years and do not bully each other or seem restless in each other’s company, then separating them could be likely to cause more stress. In these cases, it may be possible to leave them together. However, if you are thinking of introducing a new guinea pig or rabbit to your current group, or if one sadly passes away, the remaining animal should be introduced to a companion of their own species. If you have a guinea pig and rabbit who are newly bonded or you have ones living together and not getting along, then separating them up and introducing them to a member of their own species would be a better option for them both.