If, however, you already have a guinea pig and rabbit living together quite happily, it is best not to separate them as this could cause them both unnecessary stress and cause more problems than if they’re kept together. Guinea pigs should never be housed with rabbits, mainly because they both have different dietary requirements, rabbits may injure a guinea pig unintentionally by kicking, a rabbit might bully a guinea pig, and both species communicate in different ways so they won’t necessarily ‘understand’ each other! Groups of guinea pigs may stampede in a circle, often trampling the younger residents within the enclosure. Guinea pigs have 2 types of reactions when startled by a loud noise or sudden movement or when placed in a strange environment, they may “freeze” completely motionless (for up to 20 minutes), or they may panic panic involves erratic running and leaping, often accompanied by shrill squealing. Sudden movement should also be prevented. Guinea pigs seem most comfortable when they are spared exposure to excessive noise, needless excitement and other stresses. Plastic topped cages are not ideal as they do not provide adequate ventilation and can cause ammonia build up within the enclosure, leading to respiratory problems. They should be easy to clean, well-lit and adequately ventilated. Fleeing is hard-wired into the guinea pig’s psyche, and for good reason. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and it is their natural instinct to hide. Don’t take it personally if your guinea pig runs away from you when you attempt to pick them up. Enclosures that provide solid flooring and an adequate supply of a preferred bedding are best for guinea pigs. Here are some common guinea pig behaviors explained, so you know what you are likely to come across when sharing your home with these popular pets. The enclosure can be open at the top, provided the sides are at least 7-8 inches high to prevent escape, but care should be taken to provide safety from other household pets such as cats and dogs. The minimum space required for two guinea pigs as advised by the RSPCA is 120 x 60 cm (4 x 2 ft), but more space is ideal. Wire mesh floored cages are not suitable to use of guinea pigs due to their delicate feet and can cause bumble foot and injuries to their legs. A custom made house made from a plastic base and metal sides – many guinea pig enthusiasts have these now (see pic above).Wooden hutch with a wire front and/or sides with or without a connected run.Alternatively, you can purchase them from most good pet shops.Guinea pigs can be housed within several different designed enclosures, the most suitable being: These come free with our Eglu Go Guinea Pig Hutches, and are securely attached to the back panel of the hutch for easy access. Each guinea pig will munch on quite a bit of hay per day, and if you’ve bought some special enriched hay that you want kept separate from their normal bedding and fibre, then you might want to purchase a hay rack. Some really useful hutch accessories are those that keep your pets fit and healthy. We stock chew tubes for guinea pigs to race through, as well as wooden toys for you to hide your guinea pigs’ favourite treats in at our online toy shop. Examples of toys range from simple newspaper forts all the way up to fun hay dispensers or puzzles for your pets to play with. This action is one of pure excitement and happiness. It’s not unusual to see a guinea pig popcorn for glee when they get a treat. Toys are a great addition to any guinea pig run, and your pets will really appreciate the stimulation. If you get your little one out for playtime, you might notice them popping up in the air like little kernels of corn hence the cute nickname popcorning. Once you’ve bought a hutch, a run, a water bottle and a food bowl, (or have received all of these free with your Eglu Go you might want to think about purchasing some accessories for your pets’ new home.
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