Rabbit Guinea
My son wants either a rabbit or Guinea Pig but which one?
I used to have a female lone rabbit for 5 years, and never had Guinea Pigs. Is it cruel to keep 1 rabbit or 1 guinea pig, or can you keep 2 of the same sex, if so, will they fight. Advice on whether to get 1 rabbit or 2 guinea pigs?
If you are interested in rabbits, it's best you learn all you can about them. Rabbits need care that is exactly pinpointed to their needs. They can be a challenge to care for, but also an absolute joy.
Rabbits can easily be litter-trained, and hardly smell at all if it is routinely changed. They can make a mess, but normally this is from the hay they are required to eat. Timothy Hay or another grass hay should be fed as a main food source, as it is the best food nutritionally to keep their gut "happy" and healthy, and it wears down their back molars. People assume that rabbits only have four teeth (the front ones) but they actually have twenty four. There is a gap between the molars and the front teeth that probably causes the confusion. Anyways, their teeth always grow and if the molars aren't worn down properly, they can impact (grow down into the jaw bone rather than up), cause molar spurs, develop abcesses, etc. A rabbit could be in so much pain it can stop eating and die. (Rabbits are prey animals and mask pain easily, so you need to always be on the lookout for a sign of abnormal behaviour that hints at illness or injury). Molar and dental issues can be very difficult and costly to treat. Talking about food, pellets should be limited and restricted; no more than 1/2 cup per DAY. Fresh vegetables should offered daily, about 1 cup per five pounds of rabbit. Carrots and fruit contain a lot of sugar, and the maximum offered per day should be no bigger than the rabbit's front paw.
You need to clean the litterbox once a day. (Don't use clay cat litter; the clumping stuff can cause internal blockages and the dust can cause eye irritation and respiratory illness). If you do this, the cage can be cleaned once a week. A great housing option is an X-pen. This can be vacuumed once a week. If cleaned accordingly they have virtually no odour.
Rabbits can and do bite, and this can be very painful. Spaying and neutering can reduce the risk of biting, plus unspayed females have an 80% chance of developping ovarian/uterine cancer. Male rabbits will want to mark territory, spray urine and breed if left unneutered.
Rabbits are very intellegent animals, and require mental and physical stimulation to thrive. You can't keep a rabbit in a cage and expect it to be happy. They need at least four hours running around inside in a rabbit-proofed room. Younger rabbits will want to get into everything. An older rabbit will have less a chance of wreaking havoc on the place. 
You also need to provide toys for the rabbit to play with. These need not be expensive, an old phone book with the cover removed is fun to shred, a paper bag stuffed with hay and a couple treats gives them a challenge.
Rabbits can grow at a fast rate; people tend to loose interest when their sweet baby bunny starts to become aggressive. This is because of hormones, and people often give them up. Rabbits like 8-12 years, so a three year old rabbit rescued from a shelter makes a wonderful friend. They are very affectionate, curious, and overflowing with personality. They love to explore.
If you keep two rabbits, a neutered male and spayed female tend to get along best. Even when neutered, male vs. males and females vs. females can still be territorial.
Good luck!
US $5.90
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
 |
Living World Ergonomic Dish
 |
Description61681 Size: Large (2.5"H x 5" W x 5" D), Color: Green Pictured in Green Pictured in Large Features: -Dish.-Material: Ceramic.-Non-porous.-Bacteria safe.-Ergonomically slanted for easy reach to food.-Base heavy... |
 |
Christ and Mary Magdalene by Jan the Elder Brueghel - Mug - Standard Size
|
DescriptionThis mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit. Features
|
 |
Christ and Mary Magdalene by Jan the Elder.. - 3x2 inch Fridge Magnet - large magnetic button - Magnet
|
DescriptionRectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2x3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or 'buttons' as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only... Features
|
![Hamsters/Rabbits/Gerbils/Guinea Pigs [VHS]](http://www.birdhousesguide.com/media/images/i/71DGSATDGYL._SL75_.gif) |
Hamsters/Rabbits/Gerbils/Guinea Pigs [VHS]
List Price: |
 |
Pest Offense POBD-I-01 Original Electronic Pest Repeller
List Price: |
DescriptionThe Original Pesticide Free Pest Control Features
|
 |
Whitmor 6071-1723 Four Storage Cubes, White
List Price: |
DescriptionWhitmor 6071-1723 4 Storage Cubes, WhiteWhitmor 6071-1723 4 Storage Cubes, White Features:; Assembled dimensions: 14.25x14.5x14.5 Inches; Can be creative with the assembly; See thru wire cubes; Easy To Use; Easy Assembly Features
|
 |
Farm Innovators Heated Water Bottle for Small Animals - 32-Ounce Model HRB-20, 20-Watt
List Price: |
Description32oz Heated Water Bottle for Rabbits and other Small AnimalsThermostatically controlled to operate only when necessary. 20 Watts of Power. 32 ounce capacity. Keeps water from freezing in sub-zero temperatures... Features
|
 |
Second Star to the Left - A Christmas Tale
List Price: |
Bat House
Garden Bird
Recyled Art
Cage Habitat
Degu Cage
House Wood
Cage Cages
Ferret Rat
Crafted Wren
Hand Crafted