Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit - advice needed please

MrsStepford

I've had dogs, geese, ducks, goldfish, a budgerigar and a ring-collared dove as pets and worked with horses. DH has had dogs, a cat, a goose. Jointly, we've had two budgerigars. Although my dog died 10 years ago, DH is still too upset to get another labrador but we'd like a pet. We wanted something completely different, so I suggested a rabbit. 

So far, I've located some registered breeders and a nearby vet who handles rabbits. There's a rabbit club, so for 10.99 pcm you get vaccinations, unlimited nail trimming, 10% off products, a bag of feed or hay per month, 20% off neutering and more. I've bought Rabbits for Dummies from Amazon, which arrives tomorrow. 

Am a bit worried by the conflicting advice on food. Makes them sound really fragile. We always have plenty of organic veggies and herbs and we garden organically. Also, any other real life advice please would be GREAT. 

CocoM2020

Are you getting more than one? And if so are they the same sex?

MrsStepford

Not got that far yet. Would be indoor rabbit(s) as we both work from home. Toying with the idea of a shaded playpen/fruit cage idea under supervision, in the summer.

I have looked at hay and seen some outrageous prices for stuff with herbs. Wondering whether to get some organic dried herbs and add to plain hay. Anyone done this ? Waitrose boxes are averagely 1.80 for 10g. Would that be enough to do 2kg of hay? 
Have grown dandelions in a grow bag for salad so could do that again. Rabbits would eat the flowers, as well. probably. 

I've seen YouTube videos of bunnies (a) eating hay from loo roll innards and (b) chewing Amazon boxes. Is that okay ? Are cat scratching posts without platforms okay ?

Aranyani

You can't keep just one rabbit, its cruel.  They are social animals and need to be with other rabbits.  They also need a lot more space than most people think.

theoretica

You will want a freshish apple log & twigs or equivalent for gnawing - they need something tough for tooth care.  Mine got a combination of dry pellets and grass and other greenery from the garden or pulled on the walk back from the bus stop, only needed a little hay in winter when there really wasn't anything or it was all covered in snow. 

Silvertabby

Aranyani said:

You can't keep just one rabbit, its cruel.  They are social animals and need to be with other rabbits.  They also need a lot more space than most people think.

A male and a female normally get on better than 2 of the same sex - just be sure to take the little boy for his operation before nature does what nature does !

Brambling

Just be warned with indoor rabbits that they will chew - cables, leather (shoes and handbags) and house plants (so be careful of anything toxic) my sister had one for years and it could also get on the table and raid the fruit bowl.  Theirs was house trained using a hay filled enclosed cat litter tray and would have supervised time in a run on the lawn during the summer, it would also curl up and sleep on top of their Jack Russell! 

AstroSarah

From experience, yes they will chew everything  - my daughter was furious when our rabbit took out the internet! The rabbit also took a dislike to sofa cushions & bit holes in every one. Much better behaved after we rehomed a second rabbit as companion for her. They get everywhere - even the windowsill ! Look at her face though  - everything forgiven!

GBNI

Mine lives outside in a large run so has access to grass constantly, plentiful hay (I just purchase normal sized hay bales from a local feed merchant, the ones out of petshops are ridiculously overpriced!) I buy pellets as the mixes can create fussy eaters but you only need a small amount of pellets per day. Keep treats to a minimum as they can be prone to weight gain! There are a number of veg that have no nutritional content so you shouldn't feed - eg lettuce. The most important thing really is access to hay at all times. Also,, I hate those silly bottles petshops sell, a bowl is fine but make it a ceramic one so they don't tip it over! They're also very playful and will like toys they can lift and throw around.

lcc86

Definitely need more than one as they are incredibly social, and can become destructive if bored (particularly relevant if you are considering having them indoors!). Have you looked at any local rescues? There are loads of unwanted bunnies out there, rescue centres always neuter and vaccinate before rehoming and generally will rehome in pairs. If buying from a breeder, make sure you check the place out for yourself - avoid pet shops etc. Boys can be neutered from 3 months so you could consider a male and then once his hormones have died down post-op (about 6 weeks) you could get him a female friend (although best to neutered her too at about 6 months to avoid uterine cancer, which is very common).

Hay is the most important thing for a bunny. You can buy in bulk online (e.g. timothyhay.co.uk) - I spend £20 every other month on hay for my two which is infinitely cheaper than pet shop hay! And it's good quality (you'd be surprised how fussy rabbits can be). They only need roughly an egg cup of pellets a day, a small amount of veg and then mainly hay. Really important that they have access to toys (cardboard or wood is fine, some like plastic toys, mine don't).

Rabbitproof EVERYTHING before you get them. Cover up wires with trunking or similar, move anything chewable from low down and decide what rooms they are/aren't allowed in. I wipe citronella oil over furniture legs as apparently they hate the taste. Better to over rabbitproof than under. They are easily litter trained, they take a while to settle and work it out but overall they are clean animals. Mine aren't really into chewing furniture, they have chewed a bit of carpet but then a dog or cat could do the same so no real difference. They are most active early morning and in the evening and tend sleep most of the day. 

Most importantly get insurance! You'd be surprised how high the vet bills can get! Insurance for bunnies is relatively cheap (£10-20 a month depending on age). The plan you have already seen sounds good too but I'd get this alongside insurance. 

They can be fragile but they're also great fun and underrated as pets. I compare them a bit to puppies that don't grow up, they're sweet animals that get neglected way too often. They learn to recognise their routine and can be taught tricks!

eve824

Rabbits aren’t the cheap and easy pets people think they are. I have 7 rescue bunnies now but used to board + foster for the RSPCA. 

Some quick pointers;

80% of their diet should be good quality meadow or Timothy hay. Timothyhay.co.uk is by far the best quality I have found. If you ensure they eat the correct ratio of hay from the start it will save money in dental vet bills later in life. 

They need to live in pairs or groups - they need to be neutered and carefully bonded. Rabbit bonding is an absolute nightmare even for experienced people so I would highly recommend getting a pair from a rescue. They will already be neutered, vaccinated and bonded. 

They need annual vaccinations at around £60 a pop

They can cost a lot of money in vet bills. If they stop eating it’s an emergency and whether it’s 2pm in the afternoon or 11pm at night they need to go to the vet. You can get insurance to help with the cost (usually at least £250 just to walk through the door of an emergency vet) 

They need at least 60sq ft of space available 24/7. Mark it out - that’s a lot! Mine live in converted sheds with attached walk in aviaries. If you’re having them inside you are braver than I am - they can be very destructive. 

All mine are toilet trained - they  will naturally go in a litter box if one is offered. I hang their hay racks over their litter trays. By far the best litter trays are 32l underbed storage boxes. 

They don’t like being picked up but most love nose rubs on their level. I say most - some absolutely don’t and that’s another reason to rescue - they will know their adult temperament and how partial they are to human attention!! 

They are quite hard work but very rewarding little things. I adore them (as you can probably tell). I love giants best for their temperaments although the downside is they need even more space! 

ETA they live for 8-12 years. My oldest was 13 when he passed away.