Guinea Pig's v's Rabbit's! Please help!

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rach-louise

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Hi all , i'm very sorry but i seem to be posting the same things and going round and round in circles and i'm now more confused than ever!:(

We are trying to decided between getting a pair of Rabbits or a pair of Guinea Pigs..Originally we were all set to get Buns as that is what my children and myself wanted but i heard from variuos people that GP's were better so smaller children. However after reading up a lot on here and on the GP forum it seems to me that GP's are a lot more hard work?! I have never owned GP's before but have had a fab Rabbit as a child.

Rabbits-
can litter train-so less smelly? can roam free in the garden, can be kept outdoors all winter, less veg, more space needed(larger hutch), want to be held less than GP's

Guinea Pigs-
can't litter train, more veg, less space needed(smaller hutch), have to be careful outside-when damp cold frosty etc, happy to be held

It's seems to me the main reason GP's are better for children is that they are happy to be held? But i have had replies off some people saying that GP's can be skittish timid etc. If the main reason for recommending GP's is about them being held i don't see it as a problem-my children will not want to sit holding the Buns all day-they are at school and i think they will be quite happy with the odd stroke whilst they are in their hutch. The Buns/GP's will be maily my pets and the children can help me if they want to-they are not my childrens pets as they are far too young for responsibilty that will last years!
I want a pet that can be outside-i do not have room for those big cube things that some people have for GP's and i am not willing to be washing fleeces daily(as some people have said they do with their GP's). A pet that can run around the garden and play happily with the children without it being petrified.

Can anyone help? I thought it would be best to write what we wanted from a pet so that someone might have some ideas!
 
in my opinion...ive always prefered guinea pigs, as most rabbits ive encountered have legged it or scratched me or bit...but that could just be me....lol GPs are actually alot easier to look after than it can seem as long as you get them from a reputable place, you know their healthy and not pregnant (females obviously :P) then its just a matter of feeding them veg (easy) making sure theyre clean...ps you can potty train them :p one of my piglets used to have a code where hewould tug my clothes when he needed to go and we'd put him in a potty area or in his cage :) just as long as you handle them from when you get them, and reward them for their efforts, then they will be happy :) Also with the outside thing, we used to keep ours outside in the winter, just add plenty of bedding/hay for them to snuggle in, maybe buy 2 rather than one, then they have someone to cuddle up to :) You can get guinea runs so they can run about in the garden, but i would never let mine out unsupervised as we have alot of foxes round my area!

anyway...I'm sure theres probably alot of other more experienced GP owners who could shed a bit more light :)
 
Hmm..my aunty has two little boys aged 6 and 7, she has both piggies and a rabbit who live separately, they first got the rabbit Snowy when the boys where younger but she has a bad temper and is known for a kick or two when you handled her, they got the piggies two years ago although firstly skitterish they were much more relaxed when picked up and placed on the boys knees, they happy munch away on a carrot whilst the boys brush and stroke them. And after two years they are so relaxed around people although just like any other prey animal still run when you make a loud noise (such as sneezing!) they also dont smell as bad as bunnies if you clean them out regularly.
In my opinion ive had both rabbits and piggies now I prefer piggies, my piggies pee and poop in one place (which is their shoe box hidey) they are alot more relaxed and not as feisty as my bunnies.


You could get them a double tier hutch with a run attached to save room in your garden? Perhaps if you go to a rescue center they’ll point you in the right direction for a piggy or bunny with a friendly temperament, an older rabbit or piggy that has had much more experience being handled and isn’t too timid. Just keep weighing up the pros and cons, keep researching through books on both rabbits and piggies, and find the perfect pet for you! Hope this has helped!
 
:)):)):)) You're not getting any further forward with this are you! :)):))malletheadmallethead@)
 
Definately piggies would be my response. I have had both and my bunnies never wanted to be held, would never feed out my hand and the kids lost interest sooooo quickly.

Since having piggies (started off with 2, now have 4 and another 2 coming shortly), the kids have been so involved.

All of my girls started off being timid and skittish but they soon became very tame and now all run to see us when we come near them!

They are very sociable and love being around the family. They require lots of love, time and veggies of course and there is lots to learn about then when it comes to what veg is good, how much, weighing them, being able to spot when they are not right etc but all the time given to them is so worth it - even the hubby likes them now!!

Hope this helps and good luck.
Claire xx
 
Personally, I prefer rabbits, but wouldn't recommend them for your situation. I have 2 bunnies and 3 GP's, and I have found the guineas are better suited to children. I have children come to my house and I will not let them near the rabbits, I cannot trust children with them, and them with children! They kick out, scratch, bite and just do not like children. They love me though, and I find them utterly adorable. But probably not if I had children!

Whereas the guineas are happy to sit and chatter on the knees of children, and munch on some grass or a veggie. The rabbits would be miles away!

Of course it depends on the upbringing of the pet, and the children. My bunnies were mistreated by a child in their previous home, and now hate every child. But my last rabbit I bought at 8 weeks from a breeder, and she still hated children.

You also have to remember, rabbits are also much more expensive to keep. You will usually need to have them neutered, as pairs will often fight (although my girls are not spayed and are fine), and there's also 3 vaccinations per year per rabbit. Averaging £20 per one. So £120ish a year in vaccines for buns. It can be even more depending where you live! A rabbit spay can be anything up to £120ish as well. Sometimes more.
 
If you get a couple of guinea pigs from a good rescue and you do not mind gender or age, you can get some great ones that are not all skittish as soon as they have got their bearings. Many shop/backyard breeder's piggies are usually very skittish because they have virtually not had any contact with humans before.

Sadly, I cannot help you with your dilemma - I have grown up with guinea pigs and have never felt the need to change! Guinea pigs do need a covered run however and they are not as hardy as rabbits.
 
I have both and I find them brilliant in different ways. I'd probably opt for guineas over rabbits if it was for kids, just because they can sit on knees. Although they are much more delicate so not good if kids try and grab them/pick them up incorrectly. I do a fleece/bedding wash once a week, which I don't find too much trouble. Veggie time is a great way of bonding with the piggies. It's lovely when they start shouting at you for their dinner.

However, I wouldn't keep a guinea outdoors all year round. I know people do and go to a lot of effort making hutches warm, I just prefer to know they are inside. They aren't native to this country and extremes of temperature (either hot or cold) can be fatal. I've unfortunately witnessed the death of two piggies due to being left out with inadequate housing over the winter (Yes - I reported the owner).

If you want minimum effort, get a cat :)
 
As much as it is preferable for pigs to be inside during the winter months, they can be quite happy outdoors IF it is done properly. My girls have lived outdoors for the last 2 winters and have been perfectly fine.

A good quality wooden hutch is the best options (Not one of these cheap ply wood ones)

My hutch also have a wind and rain cover protecting it.

The hutch needs to be placed in a sheltered area of the garden preferable up against a wall.

The hutch needs to be insulated with carpets, blankets, bubble wrap etc.

Plenty of hay is needed especially in the sleeping area so that the piggies can snuggle down in it.

You can buy cosy beds which will also help to keep pigs warm.

Snugglesafe heat pads are fantastic.

My OH's friend built us a wooden shelter that the hutch sat under last year.

If you have a shed or unused garage, the hutch could go in there during the winter.

Of course, if my girls did get cold, I would bring them indoors in a make shift cage or something but so far, I haven't had to do this.

Although many people do use fleece as bedding, most people prefer to use woodshavings or megazorb in their outdoor hutches along with hay as fleece may not be warm enough during the winter.

It is true that guinea pigs do not need as much space as rabbits but the recommended size for a pair of guinea pigs is 4ft by 2ft. Of course, the bigger the better especially if you have a pair of boars.

There are many threads in our housing section that give tips and advise on keeping guinea pigs warm during the winter.

At the end of the day, it is all down to personal choice. I had a rabbit as a teenage and he was the most lovable rabbit ever. I now have 4 guinea pigs and can honestly say that I do not favour one over the other.
 
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Personally to me I don't think Guineas are for you.

All the negatives you put in your post just seem like it isn't the right thing for you and your family.

I love guineas and would pick them over rabbits any day but it's about what's right for you.

JMO

x
 
As Claire W has said, piggies can be outside if you do as she has done. Yours sounds great Claire! I worry that people get a hutch and put a bit of hay in and think that will suffice all year round. I have nothing against people who keep them outside as long as they put the work in that you have to ensure they are warm.
 
Oh, and yes, guineas can be out all year round, mine are! Like you, I cannot stand C&C cubes, I think they are very ugly looking personally. I also hate fleece, yuck! Mine are bedded on hay, and straw, and are very happy and warm.

However, re-reading your post, it seems like you do not really want guinea pigs, so go with what you actually want. No point in getting what you don't want. Just remember, you could end up with unfriendly rabbits as well, your best bet would be getting rescues, so you can see the temprement you are getting.
 
In my opinion I think its down to the person and the animals. I'm very fortunate that 5 out of my 6 pigs are very tame but it is all down to the pig and all pigs will run when you wish to pick them up! One of my pigs though will follow me about the other will jump on my lap to have a look around. No one can say a piggy is more work than rabbit if you are looking after both correctly they both need as much done as each other. Rabbits are maybe hardier than pigs but personally I find rabbits to be quite vicious but maybe they just dislike me!
 
I find guinea pigs are harder to keep clean than rabbits. I find GP's very messy compared to my bunnies, who are spotless!
 
I have a rabbit and two guinea pigs and a child.

I would say that it would depend upon the age of your children and how much you are prepared to handle the animals and how much you go into your garden.

We have our animals in the house. Our house rabbit is very friendly and lets us pick her up. The piggies, on the other hand, are skittish and take a lot of patience. It will probably take months before they are happy being handled by your children.

I would suggest you go and visit a rescue that has both rabbits and guinea pigs and ask if you could try fostering a pair of each, one after the other, to see which you prefer and if your children are likely to lose interest.
 
Well done for doing you research. You have to be 110% committed to your animals and by re reading your post, you do seem unsure on if you actually want a pair of rabbits or guinea pigs. It would be very unfair on both you and the animals if you took them on and then realised you had made a mistake.
 
I'm a guinea pig person. Always have been. Sounds like you're a rabbit person, in which case get rabbits. Pets are a long-term commitment so it needs to be right. As long as you have the time, space and finances available I'm sure you can make it work. Lots of people have rabbits and children so I guess it's a case of choosing the right rabbits (as it's more difficult to change your children at this point). Have you been on the Rabbits United forum to get some advice? :)
 
flips said:
I'm a guinea pig person. Always have been. Sounds like you're a rabbit person, in which case get rabbits. Pets are a long-term commitment so it needs to be right. As long as you have the time, space and finances available I'm sure you can make it work. Lots of people have rabbits and children so I guess it's a case of choosing the right rabbits (as it's more difficult to change your children at this point). Have you been on the Rabbits United forum to get some advice? :)
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Yes i have been on the Rabbit forum-have actually posted the same question over there too!:))
I joined there first as we were set on Rabbits but i have been reading lots of conflicting advice.
I think at the end of the day we will know when we see the right Buns or Guinea Pigs...Think i could actually be researching too much!-if that's possible@)
 
perhaps you should go to a shelter/rescue place and go and have a look, see if any of them catch your heart :)
 
Rachel I have e mailed you tonight..we have a selection of piggies looking for homes..and also a nice pair of rabbits..sent you details

and as said it really depends on YOUR commitment as you will be caring for them :)
 
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