Pet shops and piggies in with rabbits etc

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hellsbells82

hellsbells82

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I went into a local pet shop yesterday, I've never been in before but was running out of food and popped in to see if they sold the nuggets, I didn't realise but they sell lots of small furries in the top part of the shop, my 3 year old went running up to look and I didn't really go up as didn't want to see and get wound up, but from where I was I could see they had indoor cages that were either 80cm/100cm with rabbits and piggies in together, on straw with no hideys etc, the one cage nearest the bottom of the shop where I was had 3 young rabbits and a piggie in (at least) in a 80/100 cm cage. Will the RSPCA etc do anything about piggies and rabbits being kept together in small cages or not?
 
I wouldn't think so as the play fine together when they're piglets/kitts. I have kept buns/piggies for years in the same hutch with no problems. ;)
 
The Highway Man said:
I wouldn't think so as the play fine together when they're piglets/kitts. I have kept buns/piggies for years in the same hutch with no problems. ;)
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Have you really? or is that cheeky winky smiley meaning you are fibbing. Cos if you have done, then its not recommended, and its not a good idea (thats to anyone else reading this and thinking they might do the same) x
 
Look, it's more of the sooner or later, just because nothing happens NOW doesn't mean something won't happen the next second. No one should take the risks, nor tell someone else: "I've done it for years without a problem". This is certainly misleading with the fact that there are already so many accidents with rabbits and guineapigs, and all it takes is just a second. @)
 
I know it's most definitely not recommended, aside from the injury aspect they need different diets, I know the RSPCA advise against keeping them together, as well as keeping either in such a teeny cage, which is why I wondered if it was worth telling the local branch or not?
 
probably worth a mention to them...
but i wouldnt be too disappointed if nothing comes of it... its a shame services such as the rspca are over worked to such an extent...

this is from the animal welfare act...
Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare
(1) A person commits an offence if he does not take such steps as are reasonable in
all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which he is
responsible are met to the extent required by good practice.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, an animal’s needs shall be taken to include—
(a) its need for a suitable environment,
(b) its need for a suitable diet,
(c) its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
(d) any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and
(e) its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
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x
 
I'm not fibbing, look at my welcome post. I know it is said they shouldn't live together, mine have always lived together, mine has always been a doe with a boar. That way, the doe mothers the boar and there are no humping problems. My pets have always been inseperable and lived to ripe old ages. They have all their dietary requirements attended to and would never be left together if there was a problem. Just because it's not recommended, doesn't mean it's not possible. ;)
 
And just because it doesn't happen now, doesn't mean it won't happen anywhere down the road. It's not whether it's recommended, or not, but really, all it takes is an accident. Does you, or me know when an accident's going to happen? No.

And that's why preventive measures should be done. Just because you're willing to take the risk with your pets' life doesn't mean you should encourage others to, too.
 
hellsbells82 said:
I went into a local pet shop yesterday, I've never been in before but was running out of food and popped in to see if they sold the nuggets, I didn't realise but they sell lots of small furries in the top part of the shop, my 3 year old went running up to look and I didn't really go up as didn't want to see and get wound up, but from where I was I could see they had indoor cages that were either 80cm/100cm with rabbits and piggies in together, on straw with no hideys etc, the one cage nearest the bottom of the shop where I was had 3 young rabbits and a piggie in (at least) in a 80/100 cm cage. Will the RSPCA etc do anything about piggies and rabbits being kept together in small cages or not?
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You are never going to stop things like this happening and the RSPCA have far to many cases on their hands to be drawn into a case like this. As long as the animals are being fed and watered there is nothing that the RSPCA could do. Just because they were on straw and didnt have hideys isnt a crime. Although it may not be ideal and we may not agree with it, there does not appear to be a crime. :(
 
Rilenceny said:
And just because it doesn't happen now, doesn't mean it won't happen anywhere down the road. It's not whether it's recommended, or not, but really, all it takes is an accident. Does you, or me know when an accident's going to happen? No.

And that's why preventive measures should be done. Just because you're willing to take the risk with your pets' life doesn't mean you should encourage others to, too.
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I would never encourage anyone to do something they're unsure of. I've just been extremely lucky that my piggies and buns have lived together harmoniously. My current 2 are only half a pound difference in weight, he's a big piggie and she's a small bun. ;)
 
They have Guinea pig and Rabbits in the same cage here ALL the TIME at the pet store. Was just there yesterday and saw some!

I really don't think anyone would do anything about it.
 
Rilenceny said:
Look, it's more of the sooner or later, just because nothing happens NOW doesn't mean something won't happen the next second. No one should take the risks, nor tell someone else: "I've done it for years without a problem". This is certainly misleading with the fact that there are already so many accidents with rabbits and guineapigs, and all it takes is just a second. @)
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Mine have lived together harmoniously for nearly 10 years. I would never put a buck and sow together as that's asking for trouble. I've always had a doe and a boar together and they've got along very well. Just because it works for me, it may not work for others. I removed my doe from the guinea cage for a couple of days, the guineas went off their food and the rabbit started plucking all her fur out. I put them back together and the first thing they did, was licked the faces off each other before all tucking into a bowl and fruit and veg.
 
Interesting how you say does 'mother' the babies...seeing as I have seen several does reject and even eat their young...myself and other members on here will tell you what it does to a guinea living with a rabbit, they basically learn the wrong language and don't behave like a true guinea pig, and that's just the start of it. Some of the rescues can show you injury images if you like gory stuff.

I also find it very interesting how you say both of their dietary needs are catered for, when both species should have access to pellets/dry feed at all times as they are trickle feeders/grazers, but both species have different compositions to their dry feed. What do you do if they guineas eat all the rabbit food you presumably leave in a bowl 24/7, and vice versa?

But then, you can tell some people smoking will kill you and yet they still don't stop...clearly you are one of these people who know better than the hundreds of vets and zoologists who actually research animal behaviour and welfare.

Helen, I would speak to your local council if anyone as they will grant the petshop their licence to trade. They may not care a jot, but if you contact anyone this is the avenue to go down AFAIK. The cage size may also be an issue they would look at, depends on how conscientious they are tbh xx
 
If the pet shops gets reported to the RSPCA a number of times for reasons on inadequacy, then the pet shop will most probably shut down.
The first time they get a call, they will check out the place, and then tell them what is wrong, and what they expect etc. If nothing changes, call again, and then they'll repeat. If they still don't change, they can shut the place down.

I'd say it's worth a shot! :)

Btw, I'm exactly the same. Whenever I go a pet shop, I can't look at the animals. I feel so bad for them, and guilty for not helping them. :(

___

Best regards,
Isabella, Tallulah, Penelope & Lily.
x
 
I don't know better than the vets, but I do know my animals, the guineas cuddle up to the rabbit and the rabbit washes them and vice versa. They get the correct food and never had any health problems. I appreciate that rabbits can cause injury to guinea pigs, but mine never have, like i've said, when the were separated for a short amount of time they went quiet and off their food but once reunited, they all perked up, is that the sign of an animal that would cause injury to the other? Mine get on, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Oh, and I've never smoked. ;)
 
Still didn't answer the food logistics question which I am genuinely interested to know, seeing as I can't stop one of my guineas eating rhodedendron let alone rabbit food.

And a lot of rabbit to guinea injuries are completely accidental not malicious at all, so it doesn't matter at all if they look all snuggly, bunny could still suddenly hop off with a leg flip just as guinea runs behind her...complete accident but oh dear, dead or severely injured guinea. Ah well, she didn't mean to do it, so it must be ok.

Fairly sure if you got your rabbit (who I presume is spayed to prevent health issues) an neutered male, she would stop yanking her hair out.
 
The Highway Man said:
Mine have lived together harmoniously for nearly 10 years. I would never put a buck and sow together as that's asking for trouble. I've always had a doe and a boar together and they've got along very well. Just because it works for me, it may not work for others. I removed my doe from the guinea cage for a couple of days, the guineas went off their food and the rabbit started plucking all her fur out. I put them back together and the first thing they did, was licked the faces off each other before all tucking into a bowl and fruit and veg.
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I don't mean to sound rude, but there's a reason it's not recommended.
1) Guinea Pig's and Rabbits are two different animals - totally different with nothing in common. It's like you having to live with a Spanish man for the rest of your life, not understanding a word they say.
They also learn to do what the other animal does, and forget how to eat their own species.

2) Rabbits kick. Not in a nasty way, but when they do, it is so powerful it could kill a Guinea Pig.
Even if you haven't experienced this, it's always a possibility.

3) As I said, the animals are totally different - and their foods are totally different to cater to the specific animals needs. How on earth are they getting their correct vitamins? If the Guinea Pig only eats the Rabbit food, and the Rabbit only eats the Guinea Pig food, how would you ever know? They would have very big problems.
Like you said in your other post, all of your pets have lived for a long time, but just because it hasn't occurred yet, doesn't mean it will? And then you could probably put it down to heart-failure or something, not even considering that they lived eating the wrong food!

4) Rabbit's can be nasty. End of. Don't get me wrong, I love rabbits! But they have big teeth, and can be very naughty with them. If the Guinea Pig goes to eat a carrot, that the rabbit is next to, the Rabbit could kick, and maybe even bite the Guinea Pig.

I understand that you say you've had Rabbits and Guinea Pig's together for years.. but it's just not right. It's like putting a lion and a tiger together, a mouse and a hamster, a chinchilla and a rat... it's not recommended, which means it's not supposed to happen.
And if you choose to ignore all of this information and advice people are throwing at you, then that shows that you are ignorant, and oblivious to what is best for the animal!

___

Best regards,
Isabella, Tallulah, Penelope & Lily.
x
 
The Highway Man said:
I would never encourage anyone to do something they're unsure of. I've just been extremely lucky that my piggies and buns have lived together harmoniously. My current 2 are only half a pound difference in weight, he's a big piggie and she's a small bun. ;)
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No matter how small a bunny is and how large it's cavy companion is, the risk is there. Even a baby rabbit kicks hard, and I've got bruised even from baby rabbits before, let alone a Guineapig whom might get kicked by it anytimes, anywhere when you're not looking.

Kind of pointless explaining to someone like you I guess, if you're so stuck up on your own opinion when the fact is there. Just don't go around telling people about how peaceful your pair works - Because it's never right, right from the start.

And yeah, you could kind of tell us how you feed your rabbit and guineapig pair? Since you're so confident they're getting the right and best diet out there?
 
I'm not saying rabbits and guinea pigs should be together, but I definitely think it's possible for them to be fine. Obviously there are risks, but there are risks with other things too.

I know that rabbits could injure guinea pigs but so could cats and dogs and they're often kept together. I've had a dog that accidentally hurt a kitten that had to be put to sleep, but I'm not going to separate my dogs and cats over that . . . you even see people on this forum taking photos of their cats and dogs with guinea pigs, cuddled up or whatever, and nobody gives out to them for it. Even though a dog could easily step on a guinea pig or something.

I think if you do it right then it's definitely possible. Afterall, wild animals live around other wild animals. And lots of domestic animals are kept in the same environment.

But I definitely think guinea pigs are happier with guinea pig company and rabbits with rabbit company, because they can communicate better with each other . . .

And if I was gonna have bunnies and guinea pigs together I'd have a huge enclosure and lots of hidey houses and all. The diet can work because neither of them need pellets/dry food, that's not even natural or necessary. So if they have grass/hay/veggies and some dry food if you like, then they'd be fine.

I personally wouldn't bother/risk keeping them together, but if someone keeps them together and they are trying their best to look after them properly and all, then that's up to them.
 
Pretty much everything I would say has been covered. At the moment I have a guinea pig in that didn't have a clue that he was a pig when he came in. When he came in he stamped his feet, jumped up on ledges without a ramp, dug in his bedding and perescoped! Thankfully now that he is in with another guinea pig he's learning how to speak pig.

A rabbit can break a pigs back just by binkying, and I've never seen a happy bunny that doesn't binky.

There is no way that you could possibly be catering for the diets properly. Either the pig is getting the correct diet and the bun the wrong diet or vise versa.

The best life you could give your animals is to seperate and give each a friend of their own species.

Education is key, and hopefully you will go off and confirm everything that has been said to you and reconsider your animals future health and happiness.

Back to the original topic, as they aren't breaking any laws I doubt the council will do anything, but you could possibly contact the rspca main centre and see if they will look into it. Again, education is key, perhaps you could give the petshop owners some website links on the info as sometimes it's only things in black and white that people listen to.
 
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CiaraPatricia said:
I know that rabbits could injure guinea pigs but so could cats and dogs and they're often kept together. I've had a dog that accidentally hurt a kitten that had to be put to sleep, but I'm not going to separate my dogs and cats over that . . . you even see people on this forum taking photos of their cats and dogs with guinea pigs, cuddled up or whatever, and nobody gives out to them for it. Even though a dog could easily step on a guinea pig or something.

I think if you do it right then it's definitely possible. Afterall, wild animals live around other wild animals. And lots of domestic animals are kept in the same environment.

But I definitely think guinea pigs are happier with guinea pig company and rabbits with rabbit company, because they can communicate better with each other . . .

And if I was gonna have bunnies and guinea pigs together I'd have a huge enclosure and lots of hidey houses and all. The diet can work because neither of them need pellets/dry food, that's not even natural or necessary. So if they have grass/hay/veggies and some dry food if you like, then they'd be fine.

I personally wouldn't bother/risk keeping them together, but if someone keeps them together and they are trying their best to look after them properly and all, then that's up to them.
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Yes, but there are risks with cats and dogs, to. But personally, I think it's because Rabbits and Guinea Pig's are much more "active" animals than cats, and perhaps even dogs? I know for sure my cats sleep for most of the day, so would be out of a dogs way. But still, I wouldn't want a dog and a cat to live with eachother 24/7 with no one else, like a rabbit and guinea pig would have.

I agree with you that they live around other animals in the wild, but then they aren't confined in a small hutch, as most guinea pigs and rabbits are. They have enough room to run away if intimidated by the other animal, where as in a domesticated situation, do not.

I know that some guinea pigs and rabbits can live together, if they have stupidly been brought up that way - like my friend. She brought her rabbit and guinea pig together at an auction, when both were around 2 years old, so she saw no need in separating them if they had been together for so long. They had a strong bond - but, saying that, an accident still could have occurred.

I think it is best if people can prevent rabbits and guinea pigs mixing, but if it can't be helped, it isn't worth putting the animals through the anxiety of separation. Although, if the animals weren't so closely attached, I would say it's worth a shot at separating them.

___

Best regards,
Isabella, Tallulah, Penelope & Lily.
x
 
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