Guinea pigs and rabbits are both herbivores and eat very much of the same food.
If you have a guinea pig and rabbit but run out of rabbit food, you can feed your rabbit guinea pig pellets.
However, it is only essential for a quick fix, as it’s not good to feed your rabbit guinea pig food permanently.
Is Guinea Pig Food Safe for Rabbits?
Guinea pig pellets have synthesized vitamin C added because guineas can not produce vitamin C as rabbits can.
If rabbits consume guinea pig food regularly, they will quickly become accustomed to the vitamin C and quit producing it independently.
Guinea pigs and rabbits have different dietary needs. So, although guinea food may be a quick fix, it is unsafe to feed rabbits guinea pig food daily.
Rabbits need less fiber, vitamin C, and protein than guinea pigs. Because each domestic pet food is specifically formulated for the species, it is not wise to continue feeding your rabbit guinea food.
In short, if you run out of rabbit food, you can give them some guinea pig food, but you will still need to get rabbit food for them.
Also read: Can Rabbits Eat Pistachios?
Similarities and Differences Between Rabbit and Guinea Pig Pellets
The main difference between rabbit pellets and guinea pig pellets is that guinea pellets have high-concentrated vitamin C and more protein.
However, both mammals need a sufficient amount of hay for dental reasons.
Rabbit Food
While both rodents need fresh fruits and vegetables once a day, you should stay away from high-citrus fruits and high-vitamin C for rabbits.
The best nutrition to follow for rabbits are:
- High fibre – 15% – 17% (broccoli, swiss chard, and carrots)
- Low protein – 12% (asparagus, broccoli, and tomatoes)
- Low fat – 3% (cruciferous vegetables)
- Low vitamin C – 2% (seaweed)
- Hay – Alfalfa hay is only for young rabbits under seven months old
When feeding your rabbit vegetables, ensure that you give them a minimum amount for a light snack once or twice a day.
Guinea Pig Food
The best nutrition and difference in pellet food for guinea pigs include:
- High vitamin C content
- Protein higher than 14%
- Fiber higher than 25%
- Fat no less than 2%
- Hay (absolutely no alfalfa)
As you can see, guinea pig food and rabbit food are quite different.
However, if you are low on bunny food and are trying to make it till payday, you can give your rabbit guinea food if necessary.
Will Guinea Pig Food Kill Rabbits?
No, guinea pig food will not immediately kill your rabbit.
Nevertheless, feeding your bunny guinea pig food daily will cause your bunny to become obese over time, and they will not live as long.
So while guinea pig food is not immediately fatal for a rabbit, it’s not an ideal diet that can lead to multiple health issues over time.
Keeping Guinea Pigs and Rabbits Together
While rabbits can eat guinea pig food as a quick fix, guinea pigs cannot survive eating rabbit food.
If your guinea pigs and rabbits are contained in the same cage together, there is no sure way you will tell if your pets are eating their proper food.
Since rabbit food does not contain much vitamin C, your guinea pig will quickly become sick and won’t fight the illness as their bodies don’t produce enough vitamin C to stay healthy.
If you own both mammals, keep them in separate cages. However, if you need to clean one of the pens, it is okay to put them in the same enclosure or open area for roaming while you do so.
On the other hand, if one of your pocket pets becomes sick, they can transmit the disease to the other one.
Before placing your rabbit and guinea pig together, ensure they are both healthy.
Please do not allow your guinea and rabbit to play together unless they have already formed a bond or have known each other from birth.
Bunnies are larger and much stronger, so your guinea can get hurt even with friendly play.
What Are the Main Foods a Rabbit Eats?
Rabbits eat a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and pellet food.
Whichever foods you introduce to your bunny, ensure you get them on a regular feeding routine right from the start.
Rabbits are picky eaters when new food is introduced, and if consumed too quickly, many complications may arise, such as gastrointestinal problems and death.
Rabbits can eat almost anything, but mainly their diet consists of:
- Rabbit pellets (do not rely solely on pellet food)
- Bok Choy
- Fennel
- Cilantro, oregano, rosemary, parsley, and other herbs
- Wheatgrass
- Lettuce, cabbage, leafy greens
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Carrot tops
While you can feed these foods to your bunny regularly, you need to monitor other foods for dietary reasons.
For example, too many carrots can cause digestive issues, so refrain from giving your rabbit the entire carrot.
Bunny Treats
For a tasty snack or delicious dessert, you can feed your bunny these fruits once to twice a week.
Treats should be given in moderation and never daily.
- Seedless apples
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Watermelon
- Seedless cherries
- All berries
- Plums
Vegetables should not be a substitute for bunny food but instead combined with their pellet food.
Remember, rabbits are not compost eaters, so do not give them spoiled food or non-fresh ingredients.
A good rule-of-thumb is to wait to feed your rabbit vegetables until your dinner time, and then provide them the vegetables you don’t use, such as carrot peels, celery heads, and zucchini peels.
What Foods Can a Rabbit NOT Eat?
You should keep any seed from fruit or grain away from your rabbit as it will cause severe health problems.
Eggs and other dairy products are very toxic to bunnies and also should be avoided.
While vegetables and fruit are healthy for rabbits, there are some fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices that you must avoid at all costs:
- Iceberg lettuce
- Legumes
- Mustard greens
- Beans
- Cauliflower
- Nuts
- Potatoes
- Rhubarb
- Turnip greens
- Corn
- Cabbage
- Beet greens
- Leeks
- Garlic and onions
Avocados and mushrooms, along with other household foods, are toxic to rabbits and should be avoided as well.
How Much Food Should You Give to Rabbits Daily?
It is known that rabbits are picky eaters, but with a consistent meal plan and nutritional balance starting from a young age, you can kick this habit in the butt.
Water
Rabbits should have a consistent flow of fresh-water daily (changed in the morning and at night).
Stagnant water can be harmful, especially if the household temperature is warm.
Hay
Hay is not just for sleeping but also grazing and needs to be available at all times.
It’s a good idea to keep wheatgrass growing in your bunnies’ cage to ensure they have an unlimited supply.
Vegetables
When it comes to vegetables, ensure your rabbit gets various greens to sustain its nutritional minimum.
If you are introducing new greens or vegetables, do this slowly until they are used to it to avoid future health problems and stomach upset.
Bunny Food
You can measure pellet food based on your bunny’s weight—precisely ½ cup per 2 pounds.
For example, if your bunny is 4 pounds, you’ll measure one cup of pellet food daily.
When giving them treats, ensure it’s no more than two times a week and only seedless fruits such as cored apples and seedless watermelon.
Bottom Line
So, can rabbits eat guinea pig food? While small mammals consume close to the same fruits, vegetables, and diet, their nutritional needs significantly differ.
A healthy bunny requires the right amount of food daily according to its size and weight.
While some foods are highly toxic to bunnies, other foods are great in moderation.
It is not a good idea to feed your rabbit guinea pig food daily as their food consists of effective vitamin C content.
However, if you’re stuck, waiting for payday, or can’t get to the store, a small handful of guinea pig food will do in a pinch.
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