Guinea pig of rabbit

Question
We are deciding whether to get a guinea pig or a rabbit.  We have 2 large dogs at home and want this for our daughter.  We are ready for this as we have the dogs and previou other pets, butnone other than the dogs since our child was born.  she is 4.  
Which do you recommend a guinea pig or rabbit?  We heard guinea pigs can be loud at night.  Also heard rabbits do not like to be held, which our daughter loves to hold animals.

Please help in this decision.
Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

First of all, whether you get piggies or bunnies, you will need to have at least 2. Both guinea pigs and rabbits are very social creatures and really do need at least one other friend of their own species.

As you have dogs, you need to consider how safe you can keep the animals you do decide to get. Ideally your piggies/bunnies should live in a busy area of the house, but they need to be very safe and not accessible to the dogs. If you have a room you can block the dogs access to then use this room to keep the animals in. There are some tragic stories of even the gentlest dogs killing small animals despite the small pets being caged on a high surface. Safety first.

I'm sure you already realise that you must be the primary carer for any pets you do get for your daughter. Children can easily grow bored of the endless duties of looking after pets, so whichever animal you get must be able to rely on you 100%. Also bear in mind that both guinea pigs and rabbits can live for 10 years, so they are a long term commitment, just like dogs.

Guinea pigs aren't noisy creatures. They can be relatively noisy, but they are diurnal creatures - they rest at intervals over 24 hours, rather than being awake all night or awake all day. They tend to rest more at night, but they do carry on as normal, getting up to eat and drink and have a little play.
My own guinea pigs live in my bedroom, so I sleep with them just inches away from me every night. The only time I am kept awake by them is when one of the girls is in heat and is being chased and mounted by the other ladies and neutered boy, and this is only a couple of times per month.

Rabbits can be quite hard to handle due to their size. Guinea pigs are generally more advised as a first pet for children than rabbits are - but do not underestimate the cost and dedication that comes with looking after piggies. They require just as much attention, love and time as dogs, and they do need more food than dogs (they require unlimited amounts of grass hay, a suitable plain pellet, plus plenty of different vegetables daily).

The best thing to do is go through some guinea pig websites:

www.cavy-care.com
www.cavycages.com
www.cavyspirit.com
www.guinealynx.info

Then you can see what it entails, being a guinea pig parent.

I hope I was of help.

Best Wishes,

- Laura