Looking for advice and info on Rabbits...

pops5588

My OH just phoned me, it's my birthday tomorrow and the other day we were discussing the fact that I have always had a pet growing up and now that we are in our own house there feels like there's a bit of a hole. Although I LOVE cats, our new house has a train line that runs at the back of it and I wouldn't even want to risk it. It wouldn't be fair to get a dog as we both work full time and they would be on their own a lot.

So he has suggested a Rabbit.

They're beautiful and I love the idea, but I know nothing about Rabbits!! If anyone has any advice or information you would be happy to share with me it would be much appreciated. I would want to know a bit more before making a decision.

Angelicdevil

Are you going to keep him/her indoors?

I love my rabbit, he's a house rabbit but he's very territorial and can be a grumpy so and so.

I got him from a rescue centre, he loves being stroked but hates being picked up and doesn't come up on to the sofa to be stroked or anything.

To me, he's like a grumpy, silent cat.

Guess what I'm saying with the above is that it's very difficult to tell what kind of rabbit you're going to get, like with any animal but I'd say more so.

If you get a baby, once they've had the chop their personalities change and you just don't know how they will turn out.

A few basics: they eat their own "first" poops (Cecotropes); these are the soft ones coming through their system for the first time, full of nutrients.

If you let your rabbit get too fat, he won't be able to get the Cecotropes properly and ends up with a messy bottom.

They can be toilet trained! Mine uses a small litter tray in the corner of his hutch.

They can get fly strike in summer - this is when flies lay their eggs around the rabbit's anus, so that's something to keep an eye out for.

They need a lot of space. Mine has free access to the hall way (where his hutch is) and the lounge.

They need hay to eat, every day. Mine eats his hay and poops at the same time, so it's best to have the hay rack near to the litter tray.

Straw for bedding and of course, fresh water at all times. Mine loves carrots and celery as treats and when I can get some, fresh dandelions - they're a massive hit.

They chew.....EVERYTHING! I've come home to ethernet cables chewed, telephone wires, aerial cables etc where he's got in behind covers/furniture etc.

So make sure your property is bunny proof.

Sorry for the huge post.

krlyr

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk is a great place to start

Some keys points, especially going by a few things that stick out in your post

- please don't be tempted to pop out and buy from a petshop tomorrow. Petshops generally source their small animals from the equivelant of puppy farms and backyard breeders - this keeps their costs down and allows them to buy for a large demand. Most, if not all, reputable breeders wouldn't even think about selling to a petshop as they'd want to speak to and sound out potential new owners themselves.

- you mention one rabbit. They are social animals, who'd live in burrows with their families, spend a lot of time around other rabbits. I would recommend a pair, to keep each other company. Even if you were around all day (which most people aren't), that's no substitute for the interaction between two same species animals - mutual grooming, playing, snuggling to sleep, etc.

- they're not easy pets. They shouldn't just be plonked in a hutch in the garden and fed supermarket food. They require a large area of space to get adequate exercise (most commercial hutches are far too small), a good diet (mostly hay and grass, a good quality pellet food, and small amounts of fresh veg), vet care (vaccinations for myxamatosis and VHD are essential, neutering and spaying holds lots of health benefits, they can be prone to dental and digestive issues, like malloclusion of the teeth, molar spurs, GI stasis where their gut shuts down and so on).

But they can be very rewarding pets. If you can give them space in the houes, you get much more daily interaction than if they're in the garden, and I feel you learn their personalities and quirks much more quickly. They're similar to cats in a way - and some traits like a dog. You can even teach them tricks, and some people do rabbit agility! Some aren't so cuddly, but some are.

My recommendation, don't rush the decision just because it's your birthday. Take at least a week to do research, find your local rabbit/small animal rescue (the main rabbit rehome page may help too - http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk), make sure you buy the appropriate equipment and then think about perhaps adopting a pair of bunnies in need. Rescues do struggle to rehome pairs - most people don't learn about rabbit rescue until they've bought their first rabbit, and then they only want to adopt one more as company, so homes for a bonded pair are very much appreciated!

pops5588

Thanks very much for all the info! I looked around a bit and yes I saw the main thing that stuck out was the fact they tend to like having a partner (one male neutered and one female spayed I think most places suggest?) so I would get two if we decided to go ahead.

Definitely not going out tomorrow to buy one just because it's the actual day I take having a pet very seriously, it's a big responsibility and just because it feels like there's a bit of a gap in the house doesn't mean it should be filled if we can't commit to a pet the way we should.

Thank you again for all the helpful tips and pointers about things to look out for health-wise.

Person_one

I'm no expert on rabbits so I won't try to add to the excellent advice above.

Just wanted to add that friends of mine who both work pretty long hours have a pair of house rabbits and they are absolutely lovely. They're so tame and friendly they're like little dogs, litter trained like cats and they hop about the house freely whenever there's someone at home. I was so taken with them hopping on the spare bed for a nap I'd have been tempted myself if it wasn't for my dogs!

Spudsey

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

Read Read Read!!!!!

Two bunnies are better than one unless its going to be a house bunny and you can give it lots of attention.

Rescue centre not a pet shop.

And I too can second www.rabbitrehome.org.uk

Angelicdevil

Spudsey wrote: »

And I too can second www.rabbitrehome.org.uk

That's where I got my grumpy Oreo from They're great, although they advised that he couldn't be paired up with another rabbit and wouldn't be able to be socialised with other animals but I've proved them wrong, although not another rabbit, he is getting on brilliantly with my new kitten. Let's Ash sleep all cuddled up to him and clean him.

paddypaws101

I have never had a pet rabbit myself but several of my friends have.....and I don't think they are the easiest of pets, although they are gorgeous.
My impression is that they can be quite delicate healthwise and that veterinary intervention is not always successful. Also I think that if one half of a bonded pair dies then the other half can easily pine and fall ill too.
Apologies to experienced owners if this information seems negative or is in fact inaccurate, I am just going on what I have seen my friends deal with.
You could still consider a cat despite the rail line.....plenty of cats, especially most pedigrees, do well as indoor cats. The other option which i personally favour is giving access to a cat proofed garden if that is an option.

pops5588

Well we went and had a chat with our new neighbours as we noticed a rabbit run in their backgarden and they also gave us lots of good advice we are still deliberating. Thanks for the link to the rabbitrehome.org.uk!!

Sadly we got home last night and saw our neighbour, they took both their bunnies to be neutered yesterday and one of them died so I do now also feel a bit nervous about them being "delicate healthwise" as paddypaws says. I know I would be devastated!

Dovah_diva

Rabbit hutches are horrible to clean out and can be smelly. You have to be aware and on guard for foxes. You also have to be aware of the risk of them getting fly strike in the summer. They can dig for England. They can be expensive if they 'go wrong'. I had two and loved them dearly but they really are surprisingly time consuming, in comparison to a cat, for example.

paddypaws101

popps5588....oh, that is really sad about your neighbour's rabbit, but it really does bear out my understanding about them being really quite delicate creatures.