Guinea pig a little too fond of the rat...

[Siobhan_Roisin]

Hi,

This is not a big problem, i'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this.

I have two male guinea pigs and my boyfriend has three female rats.
We let them un around on the floor together sometimes, and they seem fine. Felix, the older guinea pig gets a bit annoyed with them touching his face, but other than that he doesn't bother with them.

However, my younger pig, Wendall, he goes nuts when the rats come out. Burring and trying to mate with them constantly! He doesn't let up for hours at a time. He gets very very excited, takes ages for him to calm down after. It doesn't seem to bother the rats, they are so small and quick he can never actually get them to stay still long enough to properly do anything, but his intentions are clear.

I find it odd though, should he not realize that they are not guinea pigs, that he will not be able to mate with them?
Has anyone else experienced the same thing?

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

It's probably a dominance thing - Wendall will feel that the sudden addition of members to the group will be threatening his status in his pairing with Felix.

I would advise just keeping the two species separate and letting each group have their own floortime.

 

[clairelove]

i think it is dominance and also the fact that rats are a preditor animal to them which could also scare him to death poss why he isnt calming down afterwards for a while

have to say there is know way in this world i would let my rat run around with my guineas

 

[Romily]

Our rabbit was very fond of our cat so I don't think all animals mind what species they are getting friendly with .

 

[Shellza]

Our rabbit was very fond of our cat so I don't think all animals mind what species they are getting friendly with .

We had that same problem when I was younger...the cat had to leg it across the garden before the rabbit got hold of her poor thing. Was quite funny to watch though, the bunny never caused her harm, she was too quick most of the time and could climb trees .

About the predator-prey thing...I have a friend who has a bunny and a ferret that she lets run around together sometimes and then wonders why the bunny doesn't like ferret, that will jump on his back mallethead rolleyes. I don't really think that's very fair on the poor bunny, he's such a sweetheart

 

[Carma Violet]

Now I know they are very different but I feel like I should say.

I unfortunatly had a rat who charged and then killed my budgie who was out at the same time. So, being someone who knows how easy they can change, I would be very very careful.

I didn't know this would happen prior, so I know how you feel, I never thought she would have acted so preditory.

Sad story, I really miss my Max, but one I hope that others will learn from as I have...

Glad that hasn't happen to your's though Siobhan_Roisin

-Carma

 

[Carma Violet]

We had that same problem when I was younger...the cat had to leg it across the garden before the rabbit got hold of her poor thing. Was quite funny to watch though, the bunny never caused her harm, she was too quick most of the time and could climb trees .

About the predator-prey thing...I have a friend who has a bunny and a ferret that she lets run around together sometimes and then wonders why the bunny doesn't like ferret, that will jump on his back mallethead rolleyes. I don't really think that's very fair on the poor bunny, he's such a sweetheart

Jesus! Does she know what Ferrets are actually bred for!? Sorry, but if that was my friend I would either tell them to stop, or I would be forced to report them. That will only end in tears... Poor bunny

-Carma

 

[Shellza]

Jesus! Does she know what Ferrets are actually bred for!? Sorry, but if that was my friend I would either tell them to stop, or I would be forced to report them. That will only end in tears... Poor bunny

-Carma

I know, it's hard though. She was also saying the other day about putting another bunny with her pigs mallethead. I will have to have words with her if she decides to do this. I just hope she realises the mistake before it's too late . I'm just not a strong enough person to say what I think. I wish I was at times believe me, it's so annoying. Hmm, might just have to pluck up the courage and speak with her. I don't want to feel guilty about not saying anything if something does happen

 

[Carma Violet]

I know, it's hard though. She was also saying the other day about putting another bunny with her pigs mallethead. I will have to have words with her if she decides to do this. I just hope she realises the mistake before it's too late . I'm just not a strong enough person to say what I think. I wish I was at times believe me, it's so annoying. Hmm, might just have to pluck up the courage and speak with her. I don't want to feel guilty about not saying anything if something does happen

Seriously hun, it is only a matter of time before the ferret has a munch. Then that's one dead bunny you might have been able to do something about.

Sorry for the harshness of that, but I don't know how else to word it. Just take her aside and explain that it is in the ferrets nature to hunt rabbits, that is what they eat in the wild.

-Carma