Rabbit getting over-amorous with Guinea pigs

onestep

hi

I've had my male rabbit for 2 and a bit years, and have always housed him with 2 male guinea pigs. This spring he seems to have got a bit, well, over-excited :eek: and keeps trying to mount one in particular. Obviously the g.pig doesn't like it, but the rabbit is VERY persistant. I've got them separated at the moment. Is this behaviour likely to continue? The rabbit is sulking, and not eating now that he's separated.

Any ideas? Am I going to have to keep them separate from now on?

redrufus

I would personally keep them seperate from now on, I have known rabbits in the past to accidently kill quinea pigs by being a bit 'too friendly'. Could you seperate them in a way that your rabbit can still see the guinea pigs through the wire? If you have taken the rabbit out of the original cage you could try putting some of the original bedding in with him so it has his sent on?

;)x

Nimeth

Please keep your rabbit and guinea pigs in seperate hutches. As redrufus said, your rabbit may unintentionally hurt or kill the pigs by mounting them. Even a kick from the rabbit could do serious harm. If you can seperate them but they can still see each other it may help solve both your problems of humping and not eating.:)

Is your fella neutered? If not, it may calm a large portion of his humping.

amy104

I agree with the previous advice re keeping them seperate but wanted to add that if bunny is not eating that is an emergancy and he needs to see a vet asap.

onestep

thanks everyone.. I've got them separated, but they can see each other through the wire. The rabbit has been eating today, so all is well - apart from the very large scratches I got while trying to separate them

autumngirl

Good news - glad bunny has perked up!

I hope that you decide to keep them separated for good now, as I have to agree very strongly with everyone else about the big (and very real) dangers in keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together. I know it used to be very common practise, years ago, but now is considered to be a big no no and the RSPCA advise very strongly against it.

As well as the dangers already mentioned, rabbits and guinea pigs also have slightly different nutritional needs as well, so it's important for them to stick to only their own food, which isn't easy when housed together. In particular, guinea pigs might not get enough Vitamin C if they eat dry food designed for rabbits, as it doesn't usually have extra Vit C added, whereas dry guinea pig food usually does, because it's so crucial to their diet and health. (In theory guinea pigs can get all their Vit C from their daily veg, if it's well balanced, but it's usually best not to rely on them getting their correct daily intake from just their veg alone.)

Hope all your furries stay happy and healthy and don't sulk any more!