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grannygoo
Oct 20, 2010, 08:45 PM
We have a female rabbit and a male guinea pig living together in a 3 story cage. All has been great for about three months but now I notice they are each pulling out patches of each others hair? Are they fighting for the domain or maybe the femaile rabbit is in heat and the male pig senses this? We really are puzzled by this behavior... We have seen no blood or any other injuries except bald spots. They seem to get along great. Could it be we don't spend as much time with them and they are loney? Please help..

Alty
Oct 21, 2010, 03:04 PM
How old are the rabbit and guinea pig? Is the rabbit over 6 months of age?

It is molting season, so your rabbit will shed more than normal at this time of year, but that wouldn't lead to them both pulling eachothers hair out. Rabbits usually only pull their own hair out when they're nesting.

It could be she's in heat. Rabbits need to mate, it's their one and only goal in life, to reproduce. If she's in heat and not able to mate, it can cause problems, not only for her health but her personality.

Have you considered getting the rabbit spayed? It will not only prolong her life, it will also stop her going into heat and will probably stop this behavior.

As a final note. Guinea pigs and rabbits don't always live well together. They can, it has happened, but it may be that you have a pair that don't get along (which is the norm for these two very different animals).

Keep an eye out. If this continues, or if a fight ensues and blood is drawn, you may have to separate them.

Good luck. :)