This article invites a seasoned rabbit enthusiast to share insights through personal experience. It all began one spring day in 2006, when I unexpectedly met "Shy-Shy," a little gray rabbit who changed my life. That encounter set the stage for my ongoing "zoo life." Back then, I had just left home for school and longed for a pet companion. Because I was renting, I worried that cats or dogs might disturb the neighbors, so I decided to adopt a quiet rabbit — though I later learned that rabbits can indeed make various sounds when stressed or angry!
Rabbits, I soon discovered, are adorable with angelic faces but mischievous hearts. Shy-Shy could gnaw on the cage, toss furniture, dig the floor, and create all sorts of noises. Even more impressively, she was clever enough to know which humans she could manipulate!
Discovering Guinea Pigs
In my second year of rabbit care, I stumbled upon guinea pigs and was fascinated by these small creatures. I learned that their diet is quite similar to a rabbit's, except for one key difference: guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so they need supplements. That year, I adopted my first guinea pig, "Oli."
Initially, I worried whether Shy-Shy would get along with Oli, especially since she had always been aggressive toward other rabbits. To my surprise, she was gentle with this quiet, slow-moving guinea pig — perhaps because Oli seemed too harmless to provoke. While rabbits and guinea pigs can coexist peacefully, their nutritional needs differ, so I don't recommend housing them in the same cage.
Welcoming Cats into the Family
In the third year of raising rabbits, my experience expanded again when a friend introduced me to cats. Eventually, I adopted two of my own. I still clearly remember their first encounter with Shy-Shy — surprisingly, the cats were the ones who ran away in fear! From that moment, Shy-Shy became the undisputed queen of the house. One of the cats, "Buddy," even came to treat her with a kind of reverence, as if she were a sacred being.
Cats are, after all, highly social animals. New cats that joined our home followed Buddy's lead — they all knew that the rabbit was never to be offended. I still recall "Bobo," who would sneak into the rabbit's enclosure during playtime, and "Dot," who pretended not to notice the guinea pig at all.
Of "Cats and Mice"
People often ask how my cats get along with guinea pigs. It's an interesting topic! Although "guinea pig" sounds similar to "mouse," guinea pigs actually belong to the cavy family and can weigh between 800 g to 1.3 kg — much larger than what cats consider "playable prey." Because guinea pigs move slowly and aren't very stimulating to a cat's hunting instinct, my cats usually ignore them completely — which always makes me laugh.
The Fearless Bunny, Bambi
One of my favorite stories involves a rabbit named "Bambi," who once stayed with us before becoming the shop rabbit at "No. 80 Pet Store." Bambi was so lively and curious that whenever it was his turn to roam free, he would immediately go after the cats — yes, you read that right: the rabbit chased the cats! The sight of terrified cats leaping onto high shelves to avoid a tiny bunny never failed to make me laugh.
Coexisting Peacefully
Of course, living with so many species brings challenges. Cats, for instance, are drawn to string-like objects, which means they sometimes chew on the rabbits' or guinea pigs' hay. This can lead to vomiting or digestive trouble, as cats' bodies aren't built to process plant fibers. I've learned to keep the hay tidily stored away every day to avoid accidental snacking.
Just as every person has a unique personality, so does every pet. While the cats and rabbits at home live peacefully side by side, the ones at my workplace — the No. 80 Pet Store — behave differently. There, the shop rabbit Bambi and shop cat Haji share a wonderful friendship: they play, nap, and even cuddle together.
Reflections
Life in a multi-species household is always full of surprises and joy. I've learned that the key to harmony lies in truly understanding each animal's temperament and needs. When every pet feels safe and comfortable, they can all share a peaceful and happy home — and that, to me, is the most rewarding part of being a pet parent.
The Power of Words and Compassion
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