A decorative rabbit or a guinea pig, who is better to have at home?
Rodents

A decorative rabbit or a guinea pig, who is better to have at home?

A decorative rabbit or a guinea pig, who is better to have at home?

One of the best ways to teach a child to take care of someone, or teach him to take responsibility, is to take a pet into the house. For a novice owner, small animals that do not require constant monitoring and complex care are better suited. One of the choices: guinea pig or decorative rabbit.

Which is better, a rabbit or a guinea pig?

To make a final decision, it is important to first evaluate the pros and cons of both pets and understand how they differ. The table clearly demonstrates the difference between animals.

Comparison criterionDecorative rabbitGuinea pigs
Lifespan Usually 8-12 years old

 Lives 5 to 8 years

Food plant food
DietGranules are purchased at pet stores and greengrocers.Require several types of food, there are nutritional restrictions
BehaviorAggression is absent, not able to scare kidsThey are calm in nature, shy in the early days.
Relationship with the ownerCapable of demonstrating a positive attitude  Gentle to the owners, recognize the name, able to sit on their hands for hours
The need for attention Does not require constant attentionSocial animals require attention when kept alone
Veterinary control Frequent vaccinations are not required, however, not all clinics work with rabbits susceptible to cold Do not require vaccination, prone to disease
Uncontrolled movement around the houseNeeded to maintain physical activity, harm furniture and decor, can be poisoned by ornamental plantsRegular walking outside the cage is necessary, you can limit yourself to enclosures
“Catchability”The kid does not always manage to catch the rabbit to play with.Not characterized by increased agility or “cruising” speed
Restroom They are toilet trained, but may not control urination on their hands.Difficulty in toilet training or not toilet training at all
SmellMay emit an unpleasant odorDo not have their own unpleasant odor
TrainingAmenable, but badKnow the name, follow simple commands
NoiseMost of the time they are quiet.Noisy, although the sounds are pleasing to the ear
dimensionsBigger than guinea pigsEasily fits in the hands of a preschooler
Dwelling placeRequires regular and thorough cleaning
ReproductionIn the presence of a heterosexual couple, fast and regular

Who will be the best pet for a child?

When deciding who is better to have at home, one should also pay attention to the character of the son or daughter. Guinea pigs are easier to care for, so if a schoolboy or preschooler is ready to spend a couple of hours a day on an animal, and go about his business the rest of the time, then the “overseas” pig is an unambiguous choice.

A decorative rabbit or a guinea pig, who is better to have at home?
A guinea pig is a more passive animal than a rabbit, loves to sit on its hands

When a child needs a friend to whom he is ready to give all his attention, and parents support him and help in care, which also unites the family, then buying a decorative rabbit can be a great way out. An added bonus is that an exotic pet will interest the owner’s friends and allow him to build new social relationships.

A decorative rabbit or a guinea pig, who is better to have at home?
The rabbit is larger than the guinea pig and more active

Sometimes, when thinking about who to choose, future owners rely on such a parameter as “mind”. But you need to understand that each animal is individual and can demonstrate completely unexpected skills, therefore, the “smarter” criterion is not always justified.

Opinion about the possibility of cohabitation of rabbits and pigs is ambivalent. In a number of literature you can find information about the safe cohabitation of the two species, however, experienced breeders recommend separating animals into cages: rabbits can harm their harmless neighbors.

For a comparison between a chinchilla and a guinea pig, read our article “Which is better: a chinchilla or a guinea pig?”

Video: rabbit and guinea pig

Who is better: a decorative rabbit or a guinea pig?

3.1 (61.33%) 30 votes

Leave a Reply