What Is the Difference Between Guinea Pig Pellets and Rabbit Pellets?

Guinea pigs and rabbits are both skittish rodents that can bond with their owners. Many people keep their guinea pigs and rabbits together because of the similar housing requirements of the two species. Guinea pig and rabbit foods are similar in many ways, and rabbits can safely eat guinea pig food. However, there are minor differences between the two foods, and the additional nutritional requirements of guinea pigs mean that they should not eat rabbit food.

  1. Vitamin C

    • In her book "Guinea Pigs," Virginia Parker Guidry points out that guinea pigs need 15 to 20 milligrams of Vitamin C each day. Like humans, guinea pigs cannot make Vitamin C on their own, but rabbits can. Therefore, an important ingredient in all guinea pig foods is Vitamin C. Most rabbit foods do not contain Vitamin C or contain it in small doses.

    Antibiotics

    • Some commercial rabbit foods contain antibiotics, which can cause health problems in both rabbits and guinea pigs. Rabbits' immunity to infections may decrease, and they may develop antibiotic-resistant illnesses. For guinea pigs, the risks are even greater because some rabbit antibiotics are toxic to guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should never be fed medicated rabbit food, even on a short-term basis or in an emergency.

    Hay Differences

    • Both guinea pigs and rabbits subsist primarily on hay and vegetables. Quality rabbit pellets should contain alfalfa hay. Guinea pigs thrive on alfalfa when they are pregnant or lactating and until they're six months old. After that time, however, alfalfa hay contains too much protein and calcium to be beneficial to guinea pigs. Some guinea pigs are susceptible to kidney stones and other renal problems, and alfalfa hay can worsen them. Timothy hay is a more appropriate choice for adult guinea pigs, and good guinea pig foods should consist primarily of this variety of hay.

    Food Similarities

    • The superficial similarities of guinea pig and rabbit foods can make it easy for an owner to confuse the two. Both contain hay and pellets, usually made from compressed hay. Many also contain seeds, corn and rice. These ingredients are fillers and are not good for either guinea pigs or rabbits. Some prepackaged foods for guinea pigs and rabbits may also contain dehydrated fruits and vegetables. The vegetable and fruit needs of guinea pigs and rabbits are similar, and both animals should be fed more vegetables than fruits.