Indooor rabbit

[jinglymum]

Hi

My son is desperate for a rabbit, thinking of having an indoor bunny and have a few questions

What does an indoor set up look like?

Do they smell? Our house isn't huge so I imaging they would have to be in the diner but of our kitchen diner.

Are they easily litter trained?

Thanks :)

[FernieB]

Rabbits look cute and fluffy but don't make particularly great kids pets as they're not usually happy to be picked up. Rescues are stuffed with buns cos the kids lost interest, so don't get rabbits unless you want them. Rabbits can live up to 10 years - will your DS still be interested?

You'd need 2 as they really need company of their own kind. They need lots more space than you think, so a very large cage would be required. The ones in the petshops are too small. They also need access to a run daily for exercise. They are prolific chewers and will chew pretty much anything they come across. The hay gets everywhere and there is a bit of a smell. Some littertrain easily. It's easier after neutering (which is advised for health reasons). Rabbits also need annual vaccinations.

You'd need to consider what you'd do when you go away. There are small animal boarding places - I pay about £7-10 per bunny per night.

[jinglymum]

Hi

Thanks for your reply :)

I have looked on some websites and made an appointment to go visit a rescue centre. For some reason I hadn't thought of rabbits being in them.

Thanks

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

Indoor rabbits are great. Will happily use a litter tray to wee in (just don't use clumping litter as they'll eat it - if you can get hold of wood pellets sold for burning such as Stovies or Brites it's much cheaper than buying the same stuff but sold as litter, and put some hay on top as they like to wee whilst they munch). They may leave pellets around the place, however.

One rabbit I had lived in the garage (had a hutch in there, but was never shut in there) and ran round the house when we were at home. Another one made her den under my bed. They will chew things (carpet, wallpaper, wires...) so you need to rabbitproof the place first.

They would jump on the sofas of an evening and watch tv. They'll also have mad spurts of running around madly, and then will collapse with the effort of it all. They are very cute!

Hope you manage to find somebun suitable. Have fun, and don't forget the pictures!

[Sweepingchange]

Echoing what others have said, suggest you buy two rabbits, as they are 'group'' animals. I think it is in Germany where is it illegal to keep a single rabbit alone. (I suppose it is not quite as essential if they are going to be inside, having lots of daily interaction with you and your family, but if you are out at work then I would definitely get a bonded pair.)

How old is your son? Personally, I wouldn't buy a rabbit for a child under nine yrs. As others have said, they are very sensitive animals, they don't particularly like being pursued, or enjoy being picked up. (And some have powerful back legs and a powerful kick.) A child has to be quite mature to understand these issues and just enjoy a rabbit being a rabbit ifyswim.

Litter training no problem. We use this with hay on top. I've only had female rabbits and mine don't smell at all. Hay does smell a bit though, although I like it!

They also need far more space than you might think. Rabbits are athletic and curious creatures. They can jump surprisingly high and twist and "bink". They therefore need daily access to an outside space.

Agree about rabbit proofing everything if they are going to live inside. Our rabbits have eaten through: a fridge cable, the cable to dh's Internet radio, the tv cables, and have knawed our skirting boards. They can't help it as it is instinctive for them in the wild to make tunnels and knaw through overhanging roots not that my dh saw it that way.

I absolutely love and adore my buns but do think carefully before purchasing! They are a big commitment and vet's bills (if rabs have dental issues) can be considerable. Thankfully, a lot of teeth probs can be prevented by providing the right diet and bits of fruit trees to knaw on etc. A constant supply of good quality hay is important too in addition to good quality all-in-one pellets (NOT the mixed muesli variety) and a fresh supply of correct veg (NOT lettuce!). See lists contained in link below.

Loads more info here. Look under 'Advice' section!

Good luck!

[Sweepingchange]

Meant to say, we use a large size cat litter tray for my two with the Cat's best wood pellets and hay in it.