Rabbits have recently grown in popularity as a domestic pet. There are many different breeds and sizes of rabbits. Some examples are:

Netherland Dwarf
Angora
Rex
French Lop

Rabbits can make very good pets and have an average lifespan of 5-8 years Rabbits are traditionally kept outdoors in a hutch but are increasingly being kept indoors as a house pet.
Hutches should be as large as possible and have a dry, draught free secluded nest area. There should be enough room for the rabbit to stretch up fully on its hind legs and to stretch out. If kept outside, hutches should be raised off the ground and have a felted roof sloping towards the back. The hutch should not be in direct sunlight and should have good ventilation but be draught free.Bedding should be straw or straw and wood shavings not sawdust.

It is very important that an exercise area is provided. This should have protection from predators e.g. wire meshing over the top of a run and protection from escape. It may be necessary to dig wire meshing into the ground around the edges of the pen. Boltholes should also be provided in case the rabbit is alarmed e.g. cardboard boxes.House rabbits should have a secure indoor cage area for when the owner is away. They should be encouraged to exercise around the house daily and can easily be trained to use a litter tray. Wood or paper based litter should be used and the rabbit can be encouraged to use the tray by repeatedly placing the rabbit in the tray and putting some of their own droppings in it.

Ideally, where possible, rabbits should have another rabbit as a companion.

Feeding

Rabbits are essentially herbivores and spend the majority of their time in the wild grazing. This situation is not reproduced in the domestic situation.
The best diet for a rabbit is grass and good quality hay

Diets consisting principally of concentrate predispose to boredom, obesity and dental problems.
Fresh vegetables and small amounts of fruit can also be fed.

The most important thing to remember about rabbits diet is that hay should always be available.

Water should be freely available. Drinking bottles are better than bowls as they are easier to keep clean and tend to avoiding making the rabbits dewlap (skin below the chin) wet.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs are a popular children's pet with an average lifespan of 4-8 years. There are three main breeds seen in the UK:

English - these are the commonest and have short, fine hair
Abyssinian, which have a rough, wiry coat in rosettes
Peruvian which are longhaired

Most guinea pigs are kept in hutches. A separate nesting area is not essential but plenty of bedding should be provided so the guinea pig can hide if startled. Outdoor hutches should have a felt roof sloping backwards and be out of direct sunlight and draughts. During the winter months it is preferable to move the hutch into an outbuilding or garage.

An outdoor run can be provided in summer and should be at least 25cm high and covered with wire meshing to keep predators e.g. cats out.

Bedding can either be wood shavings or wood shavings and straw. Hay can also be used and this doubles as a feed supplement but must be dry and fresh. Guinea pigs should never be fed on rabbit food although rabbits can be fed on guinea pig food. Guinea pigs have a higher requirement for vitamin C than rabbits and their diets take account of this. Prolonged storage of guinea pig food, particularly under poor conditions, can lead to a reduction in the vitamin C content.Guinea pigs can also be fed fruit high in vitamin C e.g. tomatoes and oranges. If introducing different foods to a diet, do so gradually to avoid digestive upsets.

Female guinea pigs rereach sexual maturity at 4-6 weeks of age and male guinea pigs at 9-10 weeks of age so it is important you know the sex of your guinea pigs before they live together!