Guinea Pigs vs. Rabbits - Your Opinion Please

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PingandChipy

PingandChipy

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Hi everyone!

I just wondered if people could give me their opinions as I can't figure it out or decide etc.

I currently have 4 pigs and 2 rabbits. They are housed in an insulated shed windows and it has electricity so I has an oil radiator plugged in. Off Topic, that radiator is the best investment! Thanks to all who recommended it. I used to use heaters with fans and they never worked well enough. This radiator keeps the shed much warmer and I love how it's silent and doesn't blow stuff around.

Okay, back to the real topic...
I'm trying to find the pros and cons between guinea pigs and rabbits. I only want either pigs OR rabbits in the future, not both, I find it too overwhelming. So I'm trying to decide if I should stick to pigs or rabbits?

I've had piggies for 10 years and love them. But because of allergies I have to keep them in the shed. For the most part it works out really good. But this year we had a record breaking cold snap and it went down to -11 degrees celcius. That has made me reevaluate if it was fair to continue with pigs;.
Even though the radiator was working it kept the shed at only 5 degrees and that was on full blast. Now this cold snap has passed and the heater is keeping the shed between 10 and 12 degrees. Of course I could make it higher but if we get another cold snap I don't want the drastic drop in temps to cause more probs.

The rabbits dont care about the cold as they have lovely winter coats. But they moult soooo much twice a year and it really bothers my asthma. It creates a lot of work and I have to vacuum the shed all the time. I also have to be careful to put things up high in the shed so they don't get to them. And block off the heater with a dog pen. I worry my rabbits will find their way in and electricute themselves. I also find rabbits are a lot more work. Some of it very rewarding. They love attention and being petted. My pigs just want veg.

But if I only had pigs I could spend more time socializing them and perhaps, they would become more friendly. With rabbits I don't have time because the rabbits are so demanding of pets and attention. They also need a lot of space to run and are more maintance for my family when we travel.

With the pigs I could just take them to my families place while we travelled and they could stay in their own cages. The rabbits need someone to come here as they are too scared to travel on the ferry, etc. And a new environment upsets them.

But is it fair to keep the pigs with the lack of heat in the cold, bitter winter? I just don't know!

Sorry this is so long! I just keep trying to figure out what to do in the future.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Lynn
 
We have both but only have 1 rabbit and he is hard work due to his health needs, he has to have 6 weekly dentals and I understand what you mean about the moulting, ours moults all year round. He currently lives out in the garden in his hutch until I can get a guard for the heater in the shed as I know he will try to climb on it and it is red hot. He does try to climb on everything on the shelves so food etc needs to be kept way up high too.
We did have 2 rabbits until earlier this year when the other went to live with a relative, both rabbits were meant to go there but we had to keep him due to the commitment of his dentals. I love him to bits but he is really hard work.

My guinea pigs certainly outweigh the rabbit ratio 27:1 so I would say that I'm more of a guinea pig person myself. We bought a shed just to house the guinea pigs and built all of their hutches into it, we knew that the rabbit would be able to live in there if he is ill or the weather is particularly bad so it serves both purposes when the need arises. I have to say that I would choose guinea pigs, we're in the middle of cold weather, it's snowy, icy and very, very cold. Sunday we had -12's and it's due to get worse. We only got the heater on Friday, seems like we were just in time. My guinea pigs are happier in the shed than they were in their outdoor hutches and I find caring for them very rewarding as I love to hear them wheeking and chattering away when they think I've left. They are a lot easier to handle and don't moult as much.
 
I've only had one rabbit that was lovely to have, he was a large long fured ginger rabbit and if I have another one I want one just the same. The others were very aggressive. Every guinea pig I've had has and is amazing, so guinea pigs for me :)
 
It's so hard to decide eh? sigh... but I think I'm better with piggies. Even though I do love interacting with my bunnies and they are very loving. I find guinea pigs easier to care for and I love the noises they make.

Any other opinions? :))
 
I had bunnies when I was a child and never had a good experience! They weren't to great with being handled and digged up half the garden, however now being older and wiser i would love another pair when i have the money for them. :) I do love my pigs they have such personality, and characters, and i love it when they squeek when exploring :))
 
It would be piggies for me, I find them more vocal and I love thier character. I had a rabbit when I was young and they are too quiet for me!rolleyes
 
Personally I prefer guinea pigs. I have indoor piggies and an indoor rabbit though, so the question of heating never arises.

My OH loves the rabbit more I think!
 
I run a rabbit/guinea pig rescue and have taken in hundreds over the years. Given company and space rabbits characters shine through. To watch them binky the length of the garden, snuggle up in a corner together, throw themselves on their side, playing dead, when totally relaxed, is a joy to see. Although they don't vocalise (except the odd grunt!) their actions speak volumes. I do believe, the way most of us keep our rabbits, they are unable to express themselves properly. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, scuttle about only really having anything to do with us when it's food time (well they are called pigs!) and as adorable and vocal as they are, I personally don't think they have the strong personalities that rabbits have.
Having said all that, I do think guinea pigs are easier to look after properly and don't seem to have as many medical issues as rabbits do.
Hope this helps............ :red
 
I have both and if we are talking personality then the winner for me is my skinny pig! Personality by the bucket load!
 
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