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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to change my mind on pet rabbits?

23 replies

thornyhousewife · 17/03/2020 18:35

I've planned to get pet rabbits. I'm due to collect them in early April and have paid a deposit.

I'm now worried about getting the rabbits and then a lockdown occurring, meaning I wont be able to take them for their injections and later on to be spayed. Or worse still, they need emergency vet treatment and I cant access it.

On the other hand, they might get a really good start with us all being at home and have our undivided attention while they settle. They're going to be house rabbits.

I'm a first time rabbit owner so I might be over thinking this, but my gut feeling is this will be a bad decision now in light of the pandemic.

Will they be better of staying with the breeder in until the situation changes, or will they be better off coming to their new home as planned?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

YABU = get the bunnies.
YANBU = don't get the bunnies.

OP posts:

MrsPerfect12 · 17/03/2020 18:40

I hope you don't mind me saying but please don't follow the feeding advise on the packet. I use an egg cup as a measure and give 2 of these per bunny. I also buy my hay from hay and straw online and it's much better and full strands rather than the rubbish from the supermarket. Hope that helps

BlueGheko · 17/03/2020 18:46

Hi OP, I work in a vets. We're starting to postpone non urgent appointments and spread them out more so we have less people in the building. You'll still be able to access emergency care. I wouldn't worry about vaccines being delayed too much if they're going to be indoors, their risk will be low. Main concern will be neutering if you're getting one of each. You would probably have to physically separate them.

Original poster

thornyhousewife · 17/03/2020 18:51

Thank you! This is really helpful.

They will are two female rabbits, so the future spaying is just to reduce the chance of uterine cancer.

That's great to know about vaccines and staying inside. I was hoping to do a bit of both inside and out so they can run on the grass. If they go outside at all, do they need to be vaccinated? (Going to guess yes)

OP posts:

BlueGheko · 17/03/2020 19:46

Yes, if wildlife can access your garden they would need to be vaccinated. You might still be able to get an appointment, there'll just be a wait of a few weeks.

BeenHereForAges · 17/03/2020 19:49

I'd get them op. They will bring some joy to your family at a difficult time. Just remember to get plenty of hay/sawdust/feed for them and then you can all hunker down together. Sounds like they will have a lovely home with you.

PotsofChoc · 17/03/2020 19:52

Yes, and post a bit. Baby rabbits are the cutest

Iooselipssinkships · 17/03/2020 19:55

We've had an indoor bunny since Xmas. Most of the day he has full roam of the house and seeing him hop around is just amazing. There's something just really lovely about it.
Get the bunnies! Theyll be fine honestly.

Original poster

thornyhousewife · 17/03/2020 20:16

So reassuring, I'm really pleased I started the thread, thank you.

Still welcome all opinions.

OP posts:

Darbs76 · 17/03/2020 20:17

Yes get them, be nice to have a distraction

DimplesToadfoot · 17/03/2020 20:24

I'd suggest you get the food in now, People have started panic buying pet food, so the shelves are empty :-( I get my hay from the farm, it's much nicer than a lot of bagged stuff.

I think they pick up litter tray training easier when they are younger so I'd get them now :-)

Ponoka7 · 17/03/2020 20:32

"They will are two female rabbits, so the future spaying is just to reduce the chance of uterine cancer."

And to stop them getting aggressive and one becoming top rabbit and making the life of the other one miserable.

Rabbits aren't the meek prey animals that they are made out to be. It is literally watershipdown.

If not spayed, female rabbits spray, which i didn't know until i got a female in with the two males by accident. I got the boys done first, because they can be done younger. The female then started spraying to show dominance and to attract a mate. Otherwise they toilet trained themselves.

They aren't easy pets and live for years. Don't get sawdust it's bad for them.

I recommend pet zoflora for around the house (not by the rabbits), because it does help with rabbit smells.

Isithometimeyet0987 · 17/03/2020 20:32

Yes I’d still get them. I’d get food and bedding now for them though, I went last week to get my hamsters food as he was running low and there was none I had to go to another pet shop so I got extra supplies for him.

Ponoka7 · 17/03/2020 20:34

Iooselipssinkships, he needs a friend, it's cruel to have one.

Ponoka7 · 17/03/2020 20:36

If you have children growing cress in a cat litter tray, would be a fun activity.

Have you planned out housing and a digging box?

Evenstar · 17/03/2020 20:38

Second the advice to get what you need now, I collected my regular order from our local feed store this afternoon and I have never seen it so busy. The staff said people were panic buying and not just pet food, one person bought three 25kg sacks of potatoes.

Fr0g · 17/03/2020 20:41

having lots of time to socialise them while they are tiny will be invaluable.

Raver84 · 17/03/2020 20:59

I really regret getting rabbits and I've got dogs and hamsters but the rabbit has been really hard work. Runs fast and doesn't like any kind of human interaction. Very difficult to get to the vets. I love her but would never get another

Wynston · 17/03/2020 21:28

I have 2 rabbits (brothers).
They are gorgeous but they are another life and a big responsibility.
They are castrated and im lucky its worked they dont fight.
They are house rabbits and they will chew anything and everything given the chance......its like having a naughty puppy.
Some many cables have been chewed.
They like to be out in the garden but mine get cold so i am mindful of them outside.
They are my rabbits as i expected the dc lost interest fairly quickly.
Takes me about an hour to clean them out and they have a litter tray which they use.
I feel guilty that they live in a cage and i will be honest i wouldn't have any more.

Original poster

thornyhousewife · 17/03/2020 21:49

I really appreciate these responses, truly. Those who have shared your experience - thank you.

I have started buying in readiness but do not yet have fresh hay. They sell it at my local farm shop so will check with them tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

The rabbits will have their own space cordoned off from the living room, but my intention is that for most of the day they will want to be out and about.

With regards to how hard work they are - they will definitely be my pets. I'm under no illusions that my children (7&9) will be looking after them. I work from home and we've been on holiday once in ten years so I'm always around.

@Ponoka7 when you say a litter tray of cress, do you mean start it sprouting now and the rabbits can eat it?

OP posts:

Bringmewineandcake · 17/03/2020 21:52

I think now is not a good time to be adding extra responsibilities for anyone. Personally I would wait, but you wouldn't be unreasonable if you think you can manage with getting them in April.

buzzwizz619 · 17/03/2020 23:19

Advise - Don't look at their cute little faces and feed them every time they look cute or do something adorable or just because you think it will make them happy. 6 months down the line I've got 2 rabbits who think every time they see me I should feed them (healthy treats ofc) I can't walk without them dancing around my feet, if I'm not paying attention they go sliding across the kitten floor because I've ended up kicking them (unintentionally obviously) it's hard work and driving me insane at times but I live alone so it's fine. With a family and kids honestly think I'd have 2 dead or atleast seriously injured rabbits by now.

Install boundaries from the beginning 🙂

glueandstick · 18/03/2020 08:08

Yeah agreee with the other poster. Do not loook them in the eye when you have tasty food. They’ll do this super cute look and then BAM. You’re at their beck and call for a decade. You think cats have people wrapped around their fingers? Rabbits piss all over that. It takes a single paw or a nudge of your ankle and you’ll be tickling its nose JUST AS IT WANTS WHEN IT WANTS IT.

Enjoy them. They’ll bring great joy. (Protect your cables)

Ponoka7 · 18/03/2020 08:54

@thornyhousewife, yes, if they aren't going out, then try to create something close to grass growing, so they can display usual behaviour.

When you say they will be 'out and about', do you mean around the house? They may or may not fully toilet train. They may spray/wee/poo territorial. As said they need to chew constantly. But they, like other rodents can get into tiny spaces, were they will wee (i swear just to be awkward), so washing machine etc needs to be pulled out and cleaned behind.

Rabbit poo doesn't smell much, it's a great fertiliser, pure nitrogen, but their wee does and so does the spray that they do. It actually bleaches things white. So it needs to be kept on top of and them kept interested. Digging is a natural behaviour and they will dig at furniture etc if they can do it. Mine could jump onto window ledges.

If you're letting them outside, they eat everything, i now know why farmers hate them. Check for toxic plants, although mine ate ivy and it done them no harm.

Lovely animals, but if kept as they should be, they are as much work as a small dog.

They are the most cruelly kept pet after birds.

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