Did You Know? A Thing or Two About Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

• Guinea pigs are aslo called cavies
• Rabbits are in heat every 3 days and only take 32 days to have their babies (called kits).
• Rabbits and guinea pigs can be spayed & neutered
• Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C and must be supplemented and also be fed a good quality pellet specifically for guinea pigs. They also love citrus!
• Rabbits are not rodents, they are lagamorphs and have a second set of incissirs behind their 2 large upper teeth.
• Rabbits should be fed a good quality rabbit pellet in limited amounts and hay (preferably grass) daily as a source of fiber to help them from getting hair balls.
• Guinea pigs must have their 1st litter by 9 -12 months of age or else their pelvis will fuse and they will not be able to have the babies without a c-section.
• Guinea pig babies are born with their eyes eyes open and fully furred.
• Rabbits are intolerant of temps above 90 degrees and guinea pigs don't do well in the cold.
• No vaccines are necessary  for rabbits and guinea pigs.
• Rabbits can be easliy litter box trained.
• Guinea pigs should never be given any antibiotics related to penicillin.
• There are 47 breeds of domestic rabbits and 13 breeds of guinea pigs.
• If rabbits teeth don't align properly they may need regular tooth trimmings.

By Dr. Kristin Bell