Do you own a dog alongside your guinea pigs?

MichelleM

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My husband and I are looking to adopt a small dog soon and we were wondering if anyone on here owns a dog alongside their guinea pigs? If so, how do you keep your pigs safe? How did you teach your dog to behave around them? Any tips, or advice?

Thank you muchly!
 
If you’re adopting a dog from a rescue, they can usually tell you if it gets on with small furries as this is one of the rehabilitation tests they do (well, most of them do). Other than that, I don’t currently have a dog but will be getting one in the future once my old cat has crossed the rainbow bridge, so I’ll be interested in any answers too!
 
I have had dogs with guinea pigs for about 20 years and also volunteer for a local dog rescue so I can confirm that rescues will take into account all factors when matching the right dog, e.g. they may recommend that a sighthound or terrier would not be a good match for your circumstances.

Having said that, breed-wise there are always exceptions to the rule. I have fostered a lurcher who was scared of them and my previous dog was a whippet cross who was laid back and couldn’t care less about other animals. She never tried to go near them and was only interested in the poops on the floor around the cage, which she saw as a very tasty snack! However my current dog is very much stereotype-she is an ex-traveller’s Jack Russell who has likely been used for hunting and sees all small things as prey.

To maintain safety for all, the pigs’ cages are raised on tables with no nearby furniture/clutter so dog can clamber up and gain access, they are never left in the same room alone and when the pigs have run time, the dog is shut outside the garden (I have garden/patio areas separated by secure wrought iron fence/gate). I also use a secure carrier to transport, rather than carry them and never handle the pigs when the dog is near-a wriggle and fall would be disastrous! However, she has become much calmer around them over the years and although I would never trust her with them, she will now ignore the exciting noises of their popcorns (which used to stir her to a frenzy) and sit calmly on the sofa watching through the baby gate whilst I am carrying out my guinea duties.

Having dogs and other animals is entirely possible as long as consideration goes into the matches and precautions are taken. Over the years I have had mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs and rabbits with my dogs. I love my small furries but I also love being in the great outdoors and wouldn’t be without a dog either. The combination of animals is the best of both worlds. Good luck x

Ps. attached is a pic of my indoor dog-safe set up.
 

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We had our dogs before the guinea pigs, it's not ideal as they are terriers, but we just manage. Our girls live outside so maybe that's easier than if they were in, they have a purpose built enclosed area outside that the dogs can't get in and when they go into the big run for grass time the dogs are kept in. We just have to be extra aware of what we are doing.
It can be done but you just have to be extra vigilant.
 
I have a Patterdale Terrier and two Chihuahuas. They don't pay any attention to the pigs and know not to go anywhere near them, but they have grown up knowing this and I still always make sure there is a fence between the two so the dogs can never get to the pigs anyway.
 
I have a jack russell terrier who is scared of the guinea pigs. Saying that he always checks any pet carriers that leave the house (vet trips etc) and checks them again when i bring them back to make sure they're all there. I keep them safe by having them on a folding craft table in their own room. If Max was interested in them i would have got a dog gate on their door for added security so he wouldn't get in unsupervised.
 
Hi, you can certainly own a dog (and cat) as well as Guinea pigs so long as you take the right precautions. Don't let them interact or ever leave them alone together.

I would have the cage up off the ground to lessen the dogs prey drive from seeing them scampering about as well as to help stop the piggies becoming spooked. If the cage nust go on the floor or is low down, try to keep in a room the dog does not or will not frequent much - if at all.

My eldest dog Molly is fine with all furries and actually plays with our rabbit very well (explained in a thread yonks ago). She has sniffed the pigs if they are outside grazing but is not fussed. However my newly adopted JRT is crazy with his prey drive and I keep him away from the cage at all times.

So just be cautious.
 
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