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Pet combos you shouldn’t try at home

The animal pairings that don’t get along. - by Laura Barry
  • 15 Mar 2019
 Pet combos you shouldn’t try at home
Getty

There are countless videos shared via social media that capture unlikely friendships between animals. However, there are some animals that, generally speaking, don’t always get along when forced to live together.

 

Here are some animal combinations that you shouldn’t try at home – or at least test-run first!

1. Don’t mix your farmyard animals

It turns out ducks and chicken generally don’t get along so well. Ducks and chickens each require vastly different living conditions, and approach living with other animals differently

2. Avoid pairing predator with prey

You may find that cats and dogs don’t always play well with rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits. If you have a cat with a strong predator streak, avoid getting a prey animal as a second pet. However, if you introduce your cat to your guinea-pigs when it’s a kitten – they’re more likely to get along. Although, don’t push to cat-bird relationships.

cat looking at mouse
Getty

3. Give retiles their space

Reptiles should be keep separately from other animals. Not only can larger animals injure reptiles, but reptiles carry some diseases, such as salmonella, which can be transferred to other pets. And if you have a pet snake, depending what species it is, you might find it looking hungrily at your rodents or small cats.

4. Pick fish that like communities

It may surprise you to learn that some fish are aggressive, some are friendly, and others are semi-aggressive, depending what day you catch them on! If you want a tank full of different fish, it’s important to take the time to research fish that share similar habitats and lifestyles, and purchase fish that are happy to live in communities – you’re local fish or aquarium store should be able to advise you.

multi-coloured fish in tank
Getty

5. Female and male pets that haven’t been desexed

Unless you’re a breeder, you should always get your animals desexed, as not doing so can result in behavioural problems and unwanted kittens, puppies, bunnies or other furry babies.

6. Not all birds get along

It’s unwise to mix different types of birds in one enclosure. Traditionally, large birds and small birds don’t get along. Keep your budgies in one cage, canaries in another, and give your parrot some space.

parrots sitting on branch
Getty

7. Some animals can bully others

While guinea pigs and rabbits will sometimes live in harmony together, the RSPCA says that rabbits can sometimes bully guinea pigs or harm them because the two species have different ways of communicating.

8. Hunting dogs and cats

Some dogs and cats will always live harmoniously; however you might want to re-think adding a cat to your household if you have a hunting breed of dog. Even if the action is limited to the chase, you might find your dog harasses your new cat to no end.

rabbit and guinea pig in barn
Getty

Tips for getting your pets to live together in peace

  • Introduce them at a young age
  • Understand their relationship (such as predator-prey or large-small) and watch for signs of distress or aggression, and know when to intervene
  • Always supervise play times
  • Remember that accidents can happen between large and small pets

You might also like:

New research finds dogs aren't as smart as you think they are 

What you need to know about owning a rabbit 

This is how much a new pet will cost you 

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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