Does anyone have a house rabbit?

[SunnySnowdrop]

I've been thinking about it for ages. I know they can be litter box trained but how do you keep wires and cables out the way and will it try and nibble the furniture?

Do they still need outdoor runs? We have a lot of cats in the neighbourhood that visit the garden.

Anything else I should be thinking about?

My parents used to have two! Honestly they were dreamy and so easy but that is not to say yours will be.

You can get cable covers and you basically baby proof the house for them. So make everything hard to access. They do chew a LOT so if you have beloved furniture get unattached now.

My parents rabbit proofed the garden so they could go out and would leave the doors open, but they preferred inside tbh. You can also get rabbit harnesses so they can go out on a long line.

I would personally get a bonded pair, but they can live very happily alone for yonks. And yes they are easy to toilet train. Mum’s only went in their litter box never had any accidents.

I had two rabbits that became house rabbits; they were brothers. They weren't brilliantly litter box trained but it sounds like if you start them off young they will do it. They did chew things like table legs, despite me putting mustard, chilli and anything else I heard of that would put them off. I ended up keeping them out of some rooms, or put guards round.
I started with a big wire run that I made - bamboo canes and chicken wire but my garden was almost rabbit proof so they mostly ran around there. they could get through the hedge, but even if they did get next door they couldn't get anywhere else. They used to love the cardboard box castles we made for them - lots of interconnecting boxes on different levels.
They are definitely social and would follow me around the house.

I used to have two house rabbits. They were trained to use litter trays (lined with newspapers and Timothy hay). We did have to put plastic covers over all cables because they are super tasty. We had occasional furniture nibbles, but we got good at spotting things that might be tempting. And they had toys and lots of things to munch on.

Supervision is key. Our bunnies had a big indoor cage each as their "safe space", where they mostly slept and groomed while we were at work. When we were home they could roam free downstairs and go out in the garden when we were there. They had a huge flower pot of soil that they loved to dig in.

I have a house rabbit, he’s a minilop.

I love my bunny more than anything in the world. He has free roam of the whole downstairs + garden. We got him before the dog and while we were toilet training the dog the rabbit got accidentally trained as well and now only goes to the toilet in the garden

we’ve blocked off access to the back of the tv unit and have very few wires he could access. Any wires that are exposed we have wrapped in hard plastic wire covers from Amazon. Very cheap and very effective he doesn’t go near them, has no interest at all.

I’ve had them, they’re amazing
But rabbits shouldn’t be kept solo, so you need two (I’m such an enabler, sorry 🤣)

rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/think-you-want-a-rabbit/

Yep! I had also been thinking of getting a rabbit for years, assumed they would be hutched but was soon happy to learn about them and their suitability as house pets. My bun is literally the perfect pet. She is so sweet, loves strokes and affection, quiet, litter trained, playful, no smelly poo or loud noises.

We started her off in a cage and single room, opened the cage from day 2, and then when she was a few weeks older and fair bit bigger she got the run of the house. Literally the best pets available IMO.

We have house rabbits - a bonded brother and sister. Now 2.5 years old and both have recently forgotten their litter training and are weeing and pooing everywhere. No idea what has changed but we now have to shut them in the utility room 😥

Ah I will say though, don't underestimate the costs. Spaying is £110 where I live, insurance £7 per month, care plan with yearly vaccinations £6 per month, good quality hay can be fairly expensive and bear in minimise people keep rabbits in pairs, you can double that .

I have a bonded pair. Theyre easier to litter train once they're neutered. Mine are fully free roam of my entire house and garden. Yes they chew the odd wire (I have armoured cable protectors on most things but they still manage to get the odd phone charger or headphone cable) and they've had a good chew on some of my skirting boards but they are truly wonderful pets and bring me so much joy. They aren't cheap though, the food, hay, vet bills. They cost me a fortune!

Bear in mind* stupid autocorrect

House rabbits are ace, we used to have one (I know one is frowned upon these days). He used to charge around happily all day - his favourite thing was to skid on the wooden floors and then zoom behind the sofa. A rabbit with the zoomies is a brilliant thing to behold - they leap and kick their legs out as an expression of pure joy. He particularly loved Christmas because it resulted in piles of wrapping paper to rush around in!
He did chew anything he could get his face round though.

I'm afraid I only have one too... That was actually circumstantial as only one bun was available, though I do work from home so she always had company, snuggles and treats

I have two house bunnies - my girl is shy but my boy is basically like a tiny dog. He is my little fluffy best friend

Things to consider:

They need a friend - my boy was initially a loner but became very depressed, which prompted me to adopt her & the problem was immediately rectified

They are destructive when bored - think wires, wood, buttons on remote controls. Mine have lots of toys (think baby stacking cups) and if they've had plenty stimulation they tend not to get up to as much mischief

80% of their diet should be good quality hay. The rest is pellets/veg - never any of the muesli type food they sell in pet shops

They need to be vaccinated & neutered/spayed. Even my soft boy became a menace to society in his teenage stage, until he was neutered. 80% of un-spayed females will develop uterine cancer. Nearly all rescues spay and neuter before rehoming.

They're considered exotics! So vet bills are expensive - I have pet insurance for both of mine and 100% would recommend. Mine was unwell last year & the vet bill came to £1200

Rabbits are very sensitive little creatures. They can become unwell & go downhill very fast.. so be prepared to take them to the vet as soon as you notice something is off. You get to know when they're not quite themselves like you would a dog. Research stasis & know the signs

In terms of breed, generally the larger the breed the more calm and easy to handle. Dwarf breeds (Netherland dwarf etc) can be quite skittish. I have two lion/lops - male with excellent temperament, female not so much. Think it's because I had the male from a baby & handled him lots - the key is building up their trust in you.

A lot to consider but they're really special little souls. I don't think I will ever be without one now

We had a lovey house rabbit when I was growing up. My mum had promised me a cat when we moved house but then decided it would live beyond me leaving home (I was 12) so we'd get a rabbit instead.

He was such a character and a right bugger. He did all the things others have said eating furniture and spraying my mum and brother constantly with wee as he felt they were bellow him in the bunny hierarchy. Chewed wires and Xmas trees. Used to leap up on to my mums lap to nick her toast and marmalade. He'd go out in the garden and a couple of times got lost or shut in sheds and nearly killed by a fox.

He lived lonnnnnng after I left home.

Cats (I've had loads since) are far less hassle and much more loving and cuddly. He lived in our kitchen but would have supervised access to the front room or upstairs which he'd be delighted by and skippety hoppety with his back legs.

Awww thanks for all the fond memories

I had two house bunnies, now just one. They are amazing pets but v destructive. Wallpaper/paint/ skirting board:boxes etc - anything will be chewed. We have everything covered but I’ve still had to pay for new cables (I was lax with my laptop cable and it was chewed through within 24hrs)

also - one of my bunnies (the non-chewing one) has a v sensitive tummy so when I come downstairs often there is diarrhoea all over the floor/carpet. And I mean All Over. It’s apparently v common. My bunny is 8 and has been doing this for a few years:

and before anyone comes @me I have spoken to vets, changed food, done what they need - but to no avail: her bunny partner died suddenly last year and the diarrhoea was waaaay before then

We have two house bunnies - they are lovely.
They do chew things but we're vigilant.
They have a room of their own downstairs which we shut them in at night. They are really well trained though, we use the base of a hooded cat litter tray with puppy training mats underneath then absorbent litter and hay.

I have two female house rabbits, now just over a year old. Do not under estimate the things they will chew and destroy ! Luckily mine have calmed down in that sense.
They really are great pets but do your research first and rabbit proof the house.

I couldn't imagine either of mine living alone , they definitely look after each other & make each other happy. As a PP said the rabbit zoomies are amazing to watch and all of the naughty antics they get up to. Ours don't like being handled much but will be straight on our knee for treats 🤦😂