Piggies Sold To Be Paired With Rabbits?

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Jennifer D said:
When I was a kid we kept our two guinea pigs together with our mini lop rabbit. This was in the late 80's and they were sold together from the pet store. Although we never had any problems or injuries (the piggies were often found sleeping in a corner with the bunny) it's not a fantastic arrangement. We had a ton of space for them- a 6 foot x 4 foot pen- and I think that was probably one of the reasons as to why we didn't have problems. But it's very true that rabbits could seriously injure a little piggy and it could happen in just a few seconds. Rabbits are feisty little things too and guinea pigs are a bit more docile in my opinion. Just because we didn't have any problems in the past, I wouldn't house them together again. Back then it was "common knowledge" that pigs and rabbits could live together! Thankfully, I haven't seen rabbits and pigs housed together lately here at all. Maybe some people are catching on.
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I had friends who kept rabbits and guinea pigs together in the 80s too... I think it was more commonly recommended as a good idea back then (she was sold it on the idea that male guinea pigs and male rabbits could not be made to get along with other males of their own species, so mixing up the species gave them the option of companionship- weird theory, but it was what the pet shop told her so she went with it.) They did okay, although neither lived as long as the species is capable of living. I can easily see how a rabbit could hurt a guinea pig even without meaning to though. A good friend got a rabbit for Christmas and is very new to rodents and keeps asking me to help clip nails and things like that, and I couldn't believe how strong the legs on that rabbit really are!
 
I did used to have guinea pigs when I was younger (about 4 or 5 maybe) but I didnt take care of them on my own and obviously didnt know anything about them.... all I remember was a sad store bought cage and I think they might not of had hay or fresh veg... Looking back I always feel so terrible about what I did ... but I guess I couldnt help it.
 
I agree with everything. I live in Italy and the needs of guinea pigs are not well known here as they are not a common pet. I had problems pairing my boar with another male and I too was advised to pair it with a rabbit, both by a shopkeeper and by a VET! Luckily I did not follow the advice because I learnt about infections rabbits can give guinea pigs and now my neutered boar lives happily with a sow. Ignorance can lead anyine to big mistakes.
 
PistachioPiggy said:
I did used to have guinea pigs when I was younger (about 4 or 5 maybe) but I didnt take care of them on my own and obviously didnt know anything about them.... all I remember was a sad store bought cage and I think they might not of had hay or fresh veg... Looking back I always feel so terrible about what I did ... but I guess I couldnt help it.
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I had a rabbit when I was a youg girl and I kept it in a cage whichi would be too small even for a pig, but I did't know any better... I saw it was unhappy and rattled at the bars so I put it in a fence outside. After a few months it was gone and we could not find it anymore... I feel guilty everytime I think about it, for not knowing how to take care of it. Now I want to give my piggies the best possible life
 
I was given a baby rabbit and a baby guinea pig as a pair in the 1980s too, I think they were a birthday present. I remember that the rabbit bullied the piggy and we had to rehome her to friends :( it was common practice back then but it does not make it right now :(
 
I recall a story my mum told me that before I was born (by a few years, not many.) that they had a male rabbit and female guinea pig. The male rabbit hurt the female piggie so badly she was screaming and there was blood everywhere. He was agressively humping her. Keep in mind this was the 80s too. My parents gave the rabbit to a neighbour and kept the guinea pig who lived a nice long life until she sadly got a common piggie mite problem that back then wasn't known how to cure.
 
Goth Mummy said:
That's a sad story @Julesie but a common one I would imagine.
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I imagine so. Thankfully we all know far better in this day and age other than that dumb pet store e.e

In fact its how I originally got Romano. Poor boy was in a cage with rabbits huddled in the corner and I couldn't bare to leave him there.
 
I always worry for the online free ads that you see for rabbit/piggy pairings "that must not be separated as they are best friends". I often want to offer them home, but I know how hard rabbits are to keep and whilst an extra piggy could always be welcomed, rabbits require a massive set up :(
 
Wow what a rude woman! @WinnieandBear did you post the conversation on social media? Wow what a bad pet shop and thier website is a bag of lies! :lose::rant::gd::blink::(
:lol!: They do educational talks teaching kids rubbish!:(
 
You are right. I think that rabbits and guinea pigs should be housed seperately. That person who sent you the email was quite rude when you were simply warning him about the dangers. That cage is tiny. And as @piggyfan said I thought that pet shop weren't allowed to sell cats.
 
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I've left a rather sweet message on that post about the cage.

"Would you ever think about getting in a larger cage than this for guinea pigs? My boars need a bit more room and I'd like to get them a larger cage as theirs is currently this size and my vet has adviced me they need a bigger cage so they won't fight as much.
Thank you "

It's a lie of course as my boys are in a huge cage and they have never fought in their lives but I'm hopeful this will make them bring in larger cages if they see people want it.
One can only hope right?
 
I understand that his pet shop has been open for approximately nine months?!

However, I also understand that approximately 50-60% of small businesses fail within five years - Not great odds for survival!

Now, when you consider that this pet shop's main competitor is 'Pets at Home' - I understand that there are at least three 'Pets at Home' stores within a 10-15 minute drive -, I would imagine that this pet shop's chances of survival are extremely slim!

However, I would not be surprised to learn that they are also competing against other small independent pet shops that are within driving distance, and, of course, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular/ should not be underestimated!

Therefore, with questionable experience, knowledge, and qualifications; an unprofessional approach; and poor customer service, it will be interesting to see how long this pet shop survives. . . I also feel that the pet shop lacks an identity/personality, and lacks originality. . .
 
I asked how big the biggest one was for my boars. Going to wait for a reply.

One good thing is they admit guinea pigs need to be in pairs. Just preferably with guinea pigs not rabbits...
 
Jsust had a look on their fb page and someone else mentioned about rabbits and piggies living together and this was the reply (yesterday 2pm)...

"Yes thanks we are, there only one guinea pig in there as we had a housing problem at that point in time. We no longer are housing them together.
However they can happily co exist and they were doing they quite enjoyed eacjothers company, obviously caution is needed as it is advised the species should be housed separately but this was monitored. They were fed separately and excersised separately, the rabbits also previously lived with guinea pigs and and are hand reared.
So thanks for the concern it is appreciated,however it is no longer needed as the housing situation is now different and they were closely monitored. Many people do successfully keep heterospecifics, although we always suggest what is best advised"
 
@piggyfan I was upset to find kittens for sale in a pet shop local to my workplace recently. For some reason it upset me most to find they were housed in pens according to their colour and priced accordingly. It seemed so heartless. I did enquire about the legality of it and apparently they can sell kittens if they have a special licence.

I dont think many people would think it was the best place to buy a cat though? My cats have always been rescues, and all rescues are heaving with kittens, even pedigrees.
 
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