Rabbit Cove

Bonding Rabbits or Guinea Pigs: Step by Step

Bonding is one of those topics where pet store advice is often wildly optimistic. “Just put them together and they will work it out” is how you end up separating a fur tornado or treating bite wounds at midnight. The good news: with the right prep and a calm, step-by-step approach, many rabbits and...

Taming a Shy Rabbit or Guinea Pig

Shy small pets are not “being dramatic.” They are prey animals doing their job: scanning for danger, protecting their bodies, and keeping an exit plan. The good news is that trust is absolutely something you can build on purpose, with a few predictable routines and the right kind of patience. This...

How to Pick Up and Hold Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Safely

Many rabbits and guinea pigs do not enjoy being picked up. That does not mean you are doing something wrong. It means they are prey animals with bodies built for quick escapes, not cuddles in midair. The goal is not to force snuggles. The goal is safe, confident handling for necessary moments like...

Spotting Mites, Lice, and Fleas in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

If your rabbit or guinea pig is suddenly scratchy, flaky, or acting a little "don’t touch me" about being handled, external parasites are high on my list of suspects. I see it often in rescue intakes because stress, poor nutrition, and cramped housing make it easier for mites and lice to take...

Cleaning Rabbit Scent Glands and Guinea Pig Grease Glands

Some grooming jobs are glamorous, like brushing out a fluffy coat. Others are… not. Rabbit scent glands and guinea pig grease glands fall firmly into the “thank you for your service” category. The good news is that with the right setup and a little patience, you can keep these areas clean without...

Why You Shouldn’t Bathe Rabbits or Guinea Pigs

I get why people reach for the sink. A bunny steps in a cecotrope. A guinea pig sits in a damp corner and suddenly smells like a sock. We humans are wired to think water plus soap equals clean, and pet store advice has not always helped. But rabbits and guinea pigs are not tiny dogs. A traditional...

5-Minute Weekly Health Check for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Most rabbit and guinea pig illnesses do not start with a dramatic symptom. They start with tiny changes: a slightly wetter eye corner, a little crust in an ear, a new hesitation to chew, a slow drift in weight. The good news is you do not need a vet clinic setup to catch those early signs. You just...

Emergency First Aid Kit for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

When a rabbit or guinea pig takes a sudden turn, it rarely happens at a convenient time. One minute everyone is happily munching hay, and the next you are staring at a pet who will not eat, is breathing fast, or is bleeding from a torn nail. I have learned (sometimes the hard way) that the best...

Upper Respiratory Infections in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

If you have ever heard a bunny do a tiny “snick” or watched a guinea pig pause mid-squeak to breathe a little harder, you know the feeling. Respiratory illness in small pets is scary because it can go from “maybe allergies?” to “we need a vet today” in a hurry. Rabbits and guinea pigs have small...

Dental Care for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Teeth are the quiet make-or-break issue for rabbits and guinea pigs. Their incisors and cheek teeth are continuously growing , and they are very good at hiding discomfort until they are truly miserable. The good news is you do not need special tools or a veterinary degree to catch many problems...

Grooming Molting Rabbits and Long-Haired Guinea Pigs

Molting season has a way of sneaking up on you. One day your rabbit looks perfectly normal, and the next they are wearing a patchy “sweater” of loose tufts. Or your long-haired guinea pig goes from silky to tangled basically overnight. The good news is that grooming does not have to be a wrestling...

Designing a Shared Room for a Rabbit and a Guinea Pig

Rabbits and guinea pigs are both gentle little herbivores, so it is tempting to assume they will make perfect roommates. In real life, the safest and kindest setup is separate homes in the same room , with enough distance and barriers that nobody can nip toes through bars or steal the other...

Build a C&C Cage for Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

A C&C cage is my favorite kind of “weekend project” because your pets feel the upgrade instantly. More room to zoom, more space to stretch out, and a layout you can actually customize around your home. C&C stands for Cubes and Coroplast: wire storage grids form the walls, and a coroplast...

How to Trim Rabbit and Guinea Pig Nails Safely

Nail trims are one of those little “grown-up pet care” tasks that feel intimidating until you do them a few times. Rabbits and guinea pigs have tiny feet, big feelings, and a talent for yanking a paw away at the exact moment you line up the clippers. The good news: you can absolutely learn to trim...

Recognizing GI Stasis in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

GI stasis (gastrointestinal stasis) is one of those phrases that makes experienced rabbit and guinea pig people go quiet, fast. It is not “a tummy ache.” It is a dangerous slowdown or shutdown of the gut that can spiral into dehydration, severe pain, shock, and death. The tricky part is that the...

Indoor Playpen Setup for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Daily floor time is where the magic happens. A good indoor playpen is not just “more space.” It is a mini world that invites running laps, binkies, popcorning, sniffing, digging, and that very serious work of rearranging toys to their exact standards. The goal is simple: a safe area that makes...

Heatwave Prep for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

When temperatures spike, rabbits and guinea pigs do not just get “a little uncomfortable” the way we do. They can overheat fast, and heatstroke is a true emergency. The good news is that with a little prep, you can turn a stuffy room or outdoor setup into a much safer, cooler habitat. I have...

Litter Box Setup for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

If you want reliable litter box habits, your setup has to match what rabbits and guinea pigs already do naturally: graze and poop at the same time, usually in a preferred corner. The good news is you don't need fancy gadgets or harsh training. You need the right pan, safe litter, easy hay access,...

Keep Your Rabbit or Guinea Pig Enclosure Fresh Longer

If you have ever walked past your rabbit or guinea pig enclosure and thought, How can something so small create a smell so big? you are not alone. Odor is usually not a “your pet is gross” problem. It is almost always a moisture + ammonia + not-quite-right setup problem. The goal is not to perfume...

Best Flooring to Prevent Sore Hocks in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Sore hocks are one of those problems that can sneak up on you. One day your rabbit or guinea pig is binkying or popcorn hopping (a happy hop) like normal, and the next you notice a tender, thinning patch on the back of the heel area (the hock) or a little red spot that was not there last week. The...