Dwarf rabbits or guinea pigs?

Question

Here's the deal: My parents own a cat and dog vet clinic. They want to put a caged animal up in the lobby for people to look at, also to give kids something to do. We were first thinking about turtles, but apparently they need a lot more care than we thought. Fish are boring, and we want something....pleasant to look at(no spiders, snakes, lizards, etc...) So, my mom was thinking about dwarf rabbits or guinea pigs. She told me to do some research.

I read rabbits are social with other rabbits and love to see people but don't enjoy being held. I also know guinea pigs are big people interactors. Are these statements true? So, are either of these animals going to crave human attention? They will get soem but most likely there won't anybody holding them everyday, but maybe twice a week or so.

Also, we will get a cage that's suitable but we wondering would a 20-30 gallon tank with a mesh wire lid be suitable for either of these? Don't lecture me, i'm just wondering.

Continued below....

Answer 1

guinea pigs are scared of people especially strangers and you have to keep in mind there will be all kinds of dogs and cats coming in which could make the situation worse. Rabbits cant stay caged up for long they need to run and exercise.

Answer 2

If you get either animal, they will get frightened by everyone talking,walking, and moving.. I would get a guinea pig.. two females preferably for the lobby because they have a slight chance of fighting.. Males sometimes fight.. But males are normally more active..

For guinea pigs, A Tank wont suit them.. Not enough Ventilation.. And Dont put them near doors, windows, or where the AC or heater air comes out.. The changing of temperature is harmful to them..

Heres ideas and tips for the cages..

IMO males are more fun than females..

EDIT: cavycages.com

Answer 3

Well, Rabbits are lovely creatures, as I have two. They love to interact with people, as whenever I have some-one round they love them. You can grow very fond of them, and people love them.

Wheras Guinea Pigs, dont really interact at all. I knew some-one who had guinea pigs, and they just hid away all day, and i'm sure that if they were on display they would become very shy.

In my opinion, I would put up two female rabbits, both lop eared, as they love to play, and are probably the cutest things around!

Answer 4

No, those statements are not true for either animal.

Rabbits are territorial animals but they CAN get along in the right circumstances.  IF you were to get two young females and have them spayed young then I'm sure they would get along just fine.  They do need to be held daily.  Anyone who says they don't like to be held does not know how to properly hold a rabbit.

A glass sided tank is not an appropriate enclosure.  Air circulation is a very improtant consideration when housing rabbits - hence wire sided and roofed cages are sold for them.  Even if you get a wire sided cage for them they are sure to not be held daily and will become wild even if they were started out well by their breeder.  Also, a wire sided cage will be a big attraction for kid's fingers.  Unsocialized rabbits will bite and it's not fun for anyone.

Cavies (guinea pigs) will not thrive in that environment either.  Although you see them in glass fronted enclosures in pet shops it is not appropriate for them.  Air circuation for a cavy is also a very important factor when we're talking enclosure.  They also need a wire sided or low (12") solid walled enclosure with an open or wired top.  They, too, need handling daily in order to keep them friendly.  For a wire sided cage, fingers stuck into the enclosure may be bitten if the cavy is not well socialized and handled.  

Cavies will do well with other cavies.  They are herd animals like goats and cattle.  They enjoy each others company but even then you need to get the right combo for best results.

There is also the issue of these animals being prey animals in an office where predators are frequenting.  Not gonna work.  You'll either have rabbits that are scared stiff and may even die from the stress or you'll have very agressive rabbits that you won't want at all.  Fight or flight.  Those are the rabbits choices when stressed.  

I used to volunteer in a very busy animal shelter and worked exclusively with the loads and loads of rabbits people dumped there.  We constantly had 40 - 60 rabbits at any given time of the year. Rabbits are not a simple pet nor are guinea pigs.  They both need more consideration for their living environment and interaction with people than most people give them.

So, neither of those animals would be in good shape for very long in the environment you described.

I'd go for the fish.  They are not boring.  Both humans and animals find them facinating.  I've been to a vet's office with fish tanks.  They were a huge hit.  As long as you can keep your parents patrons from tapping the glass I think they would do well in the office.  Besides, it's been proven that watching fish is relaxing - hence fish tanks in dentist and doctor's offices.  If the humans that take their pets to your parent's office feel relaxed because of the fish, so will their pets because they'll reflect the vibes of their human.

Things to consider.

Note:  I disagree with the idea of putting finches or any other kind of bird in the office.  Again, it is a prey/predator situation.  Not so good for the bird, not so good for the patient.  They'll both get riled up.

You could try adding a resident cat or two.  Our vet's have always had them.  They are real mellow cats that live in the office full time and greet patients.  They are fine with dogs.  The cats that come in with patrons are kept in carriers so health issues are not what one might think they'd be.  Office cats are a good thing.  Everyone likes them.  Our vet has great big, mellow Maine Coons.

Answer 5

Rabbits and guinea pigs will be freaked out by all the strangers running in and out.  Remember, people will have dogs and cats with them.

Being surrounded by (sometimes loud) predators will make them hide.  Pointless for what you want them for.

Both rabbits and guinea pigs appreciate company of their own kind.  Do get at least 2.  I recommend a neutered male and a female.  Less chance for fighting.

Better choices:

Get a flock of finch.

4-5 individuals (of the same type) will be perfectly content with each other and won't need much human interaction, or a lot of space.  They're absolutely hysterical to watch and make a very soothing "murmer" sort of sound.  Not loud at all.

They aren't expensive (well some varieties are) and very easy to maintain.

Parakeets would work too.  They'll need more space, of course, but they won't require human interaction as long as they have bird buddies.

Google them.  There are hundreds of care sheets that will tell you all you need to know about finch and parakeets.

Answer 6

Rabbits are lovely and little kids love them. But they need to have a run around the garden once a day. This could be hard. And is a child came in with their dog and mum then they would see an empty cage LOL. Guinea pigs are funny looking, and not everyone likes them. I dont like them that much. They are easier to look after though. Rabbits are more sociable and playful and l**k you and have a good expression and look happy. Pigs are a tad easier, but funny looking LOL. Your choice :)

Answer 7

...............................rabits are cool lol

Answer 8

Don't get either. Both need to be in a HOME and will not do well in that environment. They need hours of out-of-cage time each day, and they really do need to be interacted with every day as well.

And no, a 20-30 gallon tank won't work for either.

Please reconsider! My dwarf rabbit has access to the whole upstairs of my house, and he loves being around the family. I can't imagine ever confining him to a cage all day.

Also, the constant coming and going of people and animals will TERRIFY them.

Check out these sites...they can explain a lot more about guinea pigs and rabbits than anyone can in a Yahoo Answer.

http://www.rabbit.org/

http://www.cavyspirit.com/

There isn't any "furry" animal that will be happy in a waiting room. There's a reason the most common "waiting room animals" are fish - they're pretty much the only thing suitable.

EDIT: I noticed another poster recommended finches...I second that! They don't require the sort of human interaction that some other birds do, and they're definitely pleasant to look at.

Answer 9

I would get a rabbit. Not necessarily a dwarf but a rabbit. You could keep him in a cage during the night, and keep him in a play pen during the day with hay, water and a hideaway.

They like to throw small stuffed animals over their heads, and toilet paper rolls.

They are good with kids. Guinea pigs and rabbits are not huge fans of being held, especially by kids because they are loud and make sharp movements But they can be held with the proper technique.

Answer 10

1. Guinea Pigs in my experience are kind of skittish even when you do play with them.

2. Rabbits are friendly but do require a lot of out of cage time to be satisfied.

3. A tank is not suitable for either of those, especially 20-30 gallons. Think of it this way. A 20 gallon tank would hold 2 rats (although it is not good for them) so guinea pigs and rabbits wouldn't do well in there.

4. Guinea pigs require large cages and 2 rabbits do too so I don't think you will be saving any space by getting them over turtles.

5. They would be a liability risk in my opinion. Animals can bite and may bite little kids sticking sticky fingers in there. Plus it will be stressful with screaming kids.

6. I don't think it is a good idea. Animals are supposed to be loved cherished pets-not some display.

Answer 11

Fish are very pretty in a clean tank .. they are calming and in a waiting room would be perfect.  Parents keep their kids away from the tank because of salmonella and so nobody is going to mess with it all you need to do is take care of it , feed them and wipe the marks off the glass each day.

You don't have to keep fish you could put in apple snails or some other type of slow moving crustacean.. hermit crabs even.

You have to watch for the guinea pigs cause kids can hold them too hard and kill them.