Looking for advice and info on Rabbits...

Spudsey

That is very sad about your neighbours rabbit.....I was extremely nervous when my female rabbit went to be neutered, especially as she is a hand reared wildie so more nervous than most rabbits. Thankfully she was absolutely fine.

pops5588

Well, after much deliberation and research, we went ahead and found a beautiful little Lionhead at a local shelter she is still quite young (not even spayed yet) and apparently just didn't cope well with the kids of the family that got her. They said she is quite territorial and seems to cope fine without a rabbit partner but we are keeping an eye on it. Took her to the vets over the weekend to check all is well and she behaved beautifully.

Thanks again for everyone's invaluable help and advice Cassie the rabbit has truly filled the little hole we had in our home and we are thrilled with her.

krlyr

Being unspayed will be a major (if not the only) cause of her territorial behaviour.

It is pretty easy to bond most rabbits, so out of the norm to get a rabbit that absolutely can't be bonded with another. Also, I would say a single rabbit can be OK without company but generally would be much happier with company

Spudsey

krlyr wrote: »

Being unspayed will be a major (if not the only) cause of her territorial behaviour.

It is pretty easy to bond most rabbits, so out of the norm to get a rabbit that absolutely can't be bonded with another. Also, I would say a single rabbit can be OK without company but generally would be much happier with company

I agree. I have a highly territorial spayed wild rabbit (I hand reared her from 2 days old), and she has been bonded three times now. The first time was when she was much younger so wasn't quite as fiesty as she is now, so the second time bonded was more difficult. We were not sure whether to leave her on her own the third time (sadly the other two died), but I got the rescue to do it and success! They are SO much happier in a pair! I just couldn't have a single rabbit personally not when you see how they behave together, another rabbit to groom, nose rub, play with......

pops5588

We can't get her spayed for another month or so as she is still quite young and the Vet recommended 6 months old when she reaches sexual maturity so will probably come back to getting a second once she isn't as territorial

Spudsey

Hope all goes well for you x

CharlieRabbit01

pops5588 wrote: »

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!

I used to breed rabbits and as long as you check them for good health when you buy one you should be ok.

The main issue with operations etc is they can struggle to come round from anaesthetic they tend to come round quicker when they are young, the older they are the harder it is.

That said my little bunny had to have his teeth filled he's 8 years old never had any problems but he came round quite well from his anaesthetic though he took a little longer than normal but he's back to his normal self now.

CharlieRabbit01

pops5588 wrote: »

Well, after much deliberation and research, we went ahead and found a beautiful little Lionhead at a local shelter she is still quite young (not even spayed yet) and apparently just didn't cope well with the kids of the family that got her. They said she is quite territorial and seems to cope fine without a rabbit partner but we are keeping an eye on it. Took her to the vets over the weekend to check all is well and she behaved beautifully.

Thanks again for everyone's invaluable help and advice Cassie the rabbit has truly filled the little hole we had in our home and we are thrilled with her.

My little boy bunny lives on his own, he isn't overly keen on being fussed or other company, but he will come and sit in the same room as you even when you go to use the toilet.

He is also quite territorial and will chase the birds and cats out of the garden.

They are (generally) very easy to litter train rabbits by nature are tidy animals and will go to the toilet in the same place, so find where she goes then put a few of her droppings in the litter tray along with some hay (bunnies like to eat whilst on the toilet) and she should learn to use it, occasionally she may have a little accident but my boy has never wee'd on the carpet. once trained you can try to move the tray somewhere more convenient.

I'd definitely recommend getting her vaccinated every 6-12 months your vet will know which ones she will need and how often depending on the area you live in.

Personally I wouldn't bother with insurance but make sure you have some savings just in case.

Keep an eye out for changes in behaviour and this is their way of telling you something is wrong.

When my boy suddenly stopped coming out of his house and wouldnt take treats I guessed there might be somethign wrong so I monitored him and noticed he had weeping eyes and was pulling tufts of fur out.

I took him to the vets and he had developed spurs on his back teeth so had to have an operation.

pops5588

Vet said once every 12 months will be fine for vaccinations and they will send a reminder when we need to book her in.

We did actually take out insurance, is there a particular reason why you recommend not bothering? :S

The only thing I'm worried about at the moment is she doesn't appear to be gnawing much, and I know it's important to keep their teeth healthy...

Spudsey

pops5588 wrote: »

Vet said once every 12 months will be fine for vaccinations and they will send a reminder when we need to book her in.

We did actually take out insurance, is there a particular reason why you recommend not bothering? :S

The only thing I'm worried about at the moment is she doesn't appear to be gnawing much, and I know it's important to keep their teeth healthy...

I didn't get insurance for my rabbits, though I do with my cats. I have spent quite a bit on one of my rabbits in the past for teeth problems, but although expensive it didn't cost me so much that I felt like I should have taken out insurance. Though with my cats, one had a problem which could have been something that could potentially cost me thousands so I took insurance out for them. I save regularly so if I did suddenly need to spend some money at the vets I would hopefully have it.

What are you feeding her at the moment? Mine have meadow hay from the farm, and burns green oat hay which they love, plus I give them apple sticks to gnaw on.