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Can rabbits and guinea pigs live together? What about respiratory bacteria?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male | 7 months and 11 days old

I received reply earlier in that guinea pig can be housed safely together with rabbit but from what I read online,they mentioned about there's some kind of bacteria that often carried by rabbit which can cause respiratory disease for the guinea pig.Is it true?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Juliana, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 3rd, 2018

Julius- what a great bunny name. Yes one concern with housing rabbits together with guinea pigs is the bacteria Bordatella bronchispetica. This bacteria is a common cause of respiratory infections in guinea pigs and when living in close quarters, can be spread from a bunny carrier to the guinea pig. Because of this, and because of their different nutritional needs, modes of communication, and risk of injury I would not house rabbits and Guinea pigs together myself.

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