Understanding rabbit and guinea pig behavior

Understanding rabbit and guinea pig behavior sets the foundation for a lifelong relationship with your pets. And when you take cues from your bunnies and cavies, you’ll know how to help them live long, healthy, and fulfilled lives. Here’s everything you need to successfully keep rabbits and guinea pigs, and how these elements help foster their natural behaviors. 

Rabbit and guinea pig basics 

Keeping rabbits and guinea pigs should be enjoyable, so choosing products that speak to their natural behaviors while being easy on your workload are a win-win. Here’s everything you need to foster a relationship with either rabbits or guinea pigs. 

A safe hutch and run 

As prey animals, rabbits and guinea pigs need to feel safe in their home. Both species need quiet, insulated, enclosed hutches to get a reprieve from the stimulating outside world and to keep them safe from predators and the elements. Providing a safe Rabbit and Guinea Pig Hutch is vital for their happiness and health. But what constitutes safety? A safe rabbit and guinea pig hutch will effectively protect your pets from all threats, from the weather to predators like hawks and raccoons. This refuge will be where your rabbits go to retire for the day, and what your guinea pigs will gravitate toward. 

Quality food and fresh water 

Both bunnies and cavies have teeth that continuously grow, and their diet helps them keep them in check. Quality pellets made from Timothy hay, and fresh Timothy hay offered free-choice will help keep their teeth filed down, as well as help their digestive tract move smoothly. 

Guinea pigs also need vitamin C fortified feed, as they cannot manufacture their own. Bunny and cavy-safe treats like lettuce or other fresh fruits and vegetables can be offered in a Caddi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Treat Holder to supplement their diet in a nutritious and engaging way. 

Bedding 

Soft bedding should be provided to rabbits and guinea pigs to rest and nest in. Think of your bun or cavy’s bedding as a mattress topper and duvet for you — something soft to sink into at the end of the day. In the warmer months, pine shavings or pellets are a nice choice, as they don’t trap much heat. During the winter, opt for a thick layer of straw to help bolster their hutch insulation. Recycled paper pulp bedding also offers comfort year-round. Bedding also absorbs moisture and odors, helping to keep your pets’ hutch and their coats clean and fresh. 

Bonus elements 

With the essentials on hand, you’ll provide your rabbits and guinea pigs with what they need in order to be healthy and happy in their home. But there are some additional elements to add to elevate ordinary life to an extraordinary level. These accessories might not be essential to the health of your bunnies and cavies, but they will do wonders for their minds and bodies — and for your own enjoyment. 

Above-ground burrows 

In the wild, rabbits build extensive tunnels, known as burrows, to form a large network called a warren. Multiple rabbits share a warren, and use the connected burrows to relay messages, access the above-ground world, as well as for sleeping, eating, and shelter during times of danger or weather events. And while they may not dig their own, wild guinea pigs will find abandoned burrows or dens dug by other animals for the same purposes. 

Investing in some Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Tunnels simulates this type of burrowing network, and makes it easy for you to create new routes and pathways to explore. Having these above-ground burrows channels their natural instinct and provides a sense of safety and shelter, whilst making their home more exciting.

Platforms for prime viewing 

Being animals of prey, rabbits and guinea pigs often seek a higher vantage point to get a better view of the world around them. Rabbit and Guinea Pig Platforms give your pets this space to get a glimpse of their surroundings, while also offering a shaded space below. The ramp exercises their leg and back muscles, and the elevated surface helps you interact with your pets on a whole new level. 

Spacious playpens for epic play sessions 

Rabbit and Guinea Pig Playpens are the perfect space to hangout with your pets, or for conducting training sessions, grooming, or playtime. Connect multiple playpens together to create the ultimate warren, or opt for a fully-enclosed Walk In Rabbit and Guinea Pig Run for all-around safety and comfort. The more space you can provide your bunnies and guinea pigs with, the better it is for their minds and bodies. 

Other considerations 

While these might not be tangible goods, there are some other angles to consider when keeping rabbits or guinea pigs. These provisions will ensure that your bunnies or cavies are being supported in aspects beyond their housing and enrichment. They include: 

• Veterinary care for if your rabbit or guinea pig experiences illness or injury. Be sure to research veterinarians that treat rabbits and guinea pigs specifically, as they aren’t part of every small animal veterinarian’s realm of expertise. A veterinarian can also spay or neuter your rabbits or guinea pigs if needed. 

• Choose a pet sitter for when you need to go out of town. Bunnies and cavies should be fed daily, so someone will need to care for them while you’re away. Keep an updated list of care instructions to provide, and invite your designated pet sitter over to introduce them to your pets ahead of time.
• Set expectations for you and your pets. Part of understanding rabbit and guinea pig behavior is observing them and recognizing when they’re being pushed out of the comfort zone. Always make sure to interact in a place and at a pace that your pets are comfortable with, being sure to make each interaction as positive as possible. 

With these things in mind, along with a supportive setup, your bunnies and cavies will be equipped to share a lifetime of experiences with you.  

Omlet and your rabbits and guinea pigs  

All over the world, pet parents of rabbits and guinea pigs choose Omlet to house and provide for their furry family members. From ultra-strong and supportive Rabbit and Guinea Pig Hutches and secure Rabbit and Guinea Pig Playpens, to unique Zippi Rabbit and Guinea Pig Tunnels  and Rabbit and Guinea Pig Platforms, you’ll appeal to your bunnies’ and cavies’ natural behaviors and foster the bond forged between pet and owner with our ingenious pet products. 

This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs