my first pet, rabbit, please help

chocdonuty

Out of the two, i would say guinea pigs are the better pet, they very rarely scratch or bite and are quite easy to handle once they are used to you.
Rescue centres are always looking for help and some have open days where you can pop along to assist in the caring of the animals or just have a cuddle, Hopper Haven in Redditch is a great place for this and they are so helpful there

SadBunny

chocdonuty wrote: »

Out of the two, i would say guinea pigs are the better pet,

Ahem - excuse me!
Don't you mean guinea pigs are the easier pet?

I kept guinea pigs in my teens, so I know they are definitely easier than rabbits.
They were adorable.
If you chose guinea pigs, I strongly hold that you should get more than one - they need company all the time.
Good source of info here.

Rabbits can be complicated, I am so glad you are finding out everything first.
"Prevention is better than cure"
If only all would-be rabbit keepers were like you!

A rabbit could wear a harness for short periods, but not a collar.
Do not walk it on a street - you could never protect it from possible attack.
Even if you could, rabbits are easily frightened and might die of shock.

You've had such very good advice from others here.
I might add that if you decide on a rabbit, a single rabbit will need a lot of extra attention from you, otherwise it will be sad and lonely.
Sounds like it would be a house rabbit - that's much easier, and very rewarding.
If you treat it right, you should have a super affectionate pet.

Guinea pigs are fun, sweet and very friendly. You'll soon discover that they are not at all frightening.
Rabbits and guinea pigs do not like being picked up - a necessary evil that they must learn to accept. (You have to learn to do it properly)
They would much rather you got down to their level - or gave them access to yours.
I spend a lot of time down on the floor, and we have steps so she can sit on the desk when I'm using using the laptop.
She will also jump up on the sofa to sit beside me or on my lap.

Take your time and chose wisely.

dustinjames

thankyou all for the great advice, ive decided im not ready for a rabbit yet, maybe ill work up to it.
also found a rabbit centre who offer free workshops to children, will do that.

ive decided on hamster, ive got a cage already. might start a new thread about it.

cheers.

ihateyes

Elle7 wrote: »

Costs are difficult to estimate. I pay £20 a month in hay, £30 in rabbit food, £60 every 6 months for vaccinations, £45 if he needs to see a vet, maybe £20 a month on toys/treats. They do like rabbit toys...things like hay tubes and balls.

.

Wow i currently have 5 rabbits..... mum dad, a sister who now lives with mum, and 2 brothers who live together!! the other 3 babies went to good homes.

I would spend about £11.50 every 6 weeks on a bag of Sweet Muesli, i also buy an additional bag pellets to mix through. They eat hay as well ( bale for £5 ), and when we hit this time of year, and last yrs hay is gone, and the new hay isnt ready, i give them dried grass.
I also bug a big bag of shavings for their hutches £7 does me about 6mths.

bagginslover

I thought that seemed high too, though it will vary depending on where you live I suppose.

I get free hay from the local farmer (Boyfriends dad does freebie jobs for him, so he can just help himself), food was costing £4 a month, but just switched to a senior diet for my elderly girl, so now its £12. The don't have any bedding other than the hay (TONS of it) and treats and veg cost £20 max a month. Vaccinations are the biggest expense, but they are one off costs, and I usually pay for them from my penny jar so I don't count those so much.

Malicia_Crass

dustinjames wrote: »

ive decided on hamster, ive got a cage already. might start a new thread about it.

cheers.

If you are scared of animals, nervous about holding them and don't want to be bitten, why are you getting a hamster?? They need to be handled confidently and every day, and if they are scared, yes they might bite!

Could you not atleast visit a rescue, a pet zoo (some farm shops have small animals) or something to atleast make sure you will be able to handle your pet? Otherwise you are more than likely going to end up with a nervous, unhandled pet which you are scared of!

dustinjames

Malicia_Crass wrote: »

If you are scared of animals, nervous about holding them and don't want to be bitten, why are you getting a hamster?? They need to be handled confidently and every day, and if they are scared, yes they might bite!

Could you not atleast visit a rescue, a pet zoo (some farm shops have small animals) or something to atleast make sure you will be able to handle your pet? Otherwise you are more than likely going to end up with a nervous, unhandled pet which you are scared of!

because i want to overcome my fear, know what it feels like to have and care for a pet. just been to pets at home. planning on taking a mate when i buy maybe, hell help me hold it etc, and if anything happens, he can take charge.
im gonna wear gloves first when holding hamster. It will be fine, day by day ill grow more confidant of it. true?

Person_one

Please please don't get a pet to overcome your fear.

You need to overcome your fear another way, and then decide if you want a pet or not. Its ok if you don't.

This is a recipe for an unhappy stressed out pet and an unhappy nervous owner.

dustinjames

Person_one wrote: »

Please please don't get a pet to overcome your fear.

You need to overcome your fear another way, and then decide if you want a pet or not. Its ok if you don't.

This is a recipe for an unhappy stressed out pet and an unhappy nervous owner.

lol
i want a pet, i am scared and nervous, but this will only be at beginning, its a learnt skill/behaviour, im gonna cure myself.
if it doesnt work out, ive a pet loving friend who will take it off me.

MsBlonde

dustinjames wrote: »

ive decided on hamster, ive got a cage already. might start a new thread about it.

Hamsters only like to come out at night, and can get grumpy and bite. If you do get a hamster, please do handle it, even by wearing a pair of gloves if you fear getting bitten

My first ever pet was a rat when i was 6, i loved him to pieces enjoyed training him, they are such intelligent critters.

Good luck and hope you overcome your fear, after all pets are wonderful things and can bring you so much happiness