Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are great, easy to care for pets. Do not keep males and females of the same species together, unless you want babies! Two males together will fight unless they are brothers, so it is best to keep two females. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs can live together happily. They require a secure cage, bedding, suitable food and water.
Living area
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs can be kept indoors or outdoors. The hutch must allow plenty of room for movement, and there should be a sheltered area for the animal to sleep in. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs must always have a proper enclosure in which to live. It is not safe for them to be free in a garden or house. The hutch must be predator proof and be well ventilated and protected from the elements and extremes of temperature. Take care to ensure the enclosure is not in direct sunlight in the heat of summer. The cage must be securely closed as small animals are good escape artists!
- Pets Wonderland stock a variety of indoor cages. These have a solid plastic base, which is easy to clean and hygienic.
- For outside, a Hutch is recommended.
- Use a mixture of hay and straw as bedding in the hutch. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs will eat hay as part of their diet, and straw is best for bedding as it is more absorbent.
- You will need to clean the hutch at least once a week using an animal safe disinfectantHousehold disinfectants must not be used as these can be harmful to the animal.
- Food bowls should be deep and heavy to prevent tipping over.
- Water bottles are an ideal way to provide water to your pet, and will ensure it stays clean.
- Play things such as wood chews will help make the hutch an interesting place to be and give your rabbit or guinea pig much-needed opportunities to exercise its teeth and to get exercise in a limited space.
Food and nutrition
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs need a constant source of food as they graze throughout the day.
- Rabbits and Guinea Pigs need a balanced diet, made up of good quality pellets, grass hay (such as oaten hay) and fresh vegetables
- All uneaten food must be discarded every day.
- A salt lick stone must be provided. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs can’t store salt in their body as they don’t get salt from their food, so the stone provides a supplement of salts and minerals to their diet. Aristopet small animal vitamin supplement should also be added to their water once a week for the same reason.
Toilet training
It is possible to train your rabbit to go to the toilet in a litter tray, which makes keeping the enclosure clean very easy and can be beneficial if you want to let your bunny out inside.
A corner litter tray should be used as it fits neatly into a corner of a hutch, ½ full with a small animal safe litter. Place a few droppings in the tray and leave the tray in the same spot. Rabbits will usually choose one area to go to the toilet in so this is a good place to start putting the tray. The rabbit will soon catch on and you will be able to move the tray around.
Exercise
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs benefit from having time outside of their hutch where they can safely explore other territory.
They can run very fast and escape easily, so a Harness and lead set should be used. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs won’t follow on a lead like dogs, you will need to follow them around as they explore. An extendable lead may be used to give them more room to run. An outdoor run can also be provided for extra room.
Grooming
Rabbits and Guinea pigs do shed and require brushing. This should be done regularly and from a young age so the animal gets used to it.
- Brushing with a specific small animal brush is an effective way of removing the hair.
- Never fully submerge your pet as it may shock them. You can use a small animal shampoo or small animal dry shampoo and give him a sponge bath if necessary.
Health
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs can be effected by common pet issues such as mites, lice and worms. This can be easily prevented or managed:
- Rabbits and Guinea Pigs should be sprayed fortnightly with small animal mite and mange spray. Remove the food from the enclosure and spray the whole thing including bedding, and the animal taking care to avoid the eyes.
- Rabbits and Guinea Pigs get intestinal worms just like any other animal. Small animal worming syrup should be added to their drinking water every month. During worming time, this must be their only source of water to ensure they get the benefit of the Syrup.
Pets Wonderland Pty Ltd
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