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Original poster

Rabbits -anyone have one?

42 replies

oxocube · 29/03/2004 12:24

For the last few months, my kids have been pestering me to buy a rabbit. We already have 3 elderly cats and despite the kids' protests, I have resisted buying them a dog because I am convinced that I would end up looking after it/walking it. A rabbit is a possible compromise! I know nothing about keeping rabbits, however. Do they make good pets? I have read they live for about 5 or 6 years. Are they high maintenance. What do rabbit owners do if they go on holiday? Could a rabbit handle the attention of a 2 year old or would it be cruel to the rabbit to be handled or pestered all the time?

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to go down the route of buying a pet and regretting it! Also, would our cats freak a rabbit out or can they get on together?

TIA

OP posts:
M2T · 30/03/2004 15:42

Beetroot - I agree they are a very boring pet if they are stuck away in a hutch at the bottom of the garden, but our house rabbit is definitely NOT boring. We have a rat too, in fact I've had mice/gerbils/hamsters and even budgies.... this rabbit is by far the most interesting of them all.

He is such a character! Rabbits kept indoors tame very quickly. He likes to jump up beside me when I lie on the sofa and he nudges my hands until I stroke him!

fio2 · 30/03/2004 15:44

well i prefer dogs, but i thought this was about rabbits

M2T · 30/03/2004 15:46

??? Fio2 - You've lost me.

iota · 30/03/2004 16:08

My cat terrorises next door's rabbit - sits on his hutch and intimidates him.

My friend has a menagerie, but the cats and rabbits get on fine (too well, as on big buck keeps trying to have his way with one of the cats)

M2T · 30/03/2004 16:15

lol Iota!

I had 5 small dogs and a big white rabbit when I lived with my parents. The rabbit used to sit with all the dogs at feeding time. It was comical to see. They would get their dog food and the rabbit would hop away with a slice of bread.

fio2 · 30/03/2004 16:20

male rabbits are much friendlier

sorry I lost you M2T

M2T · 30/03/2004 16:27

I agree Iota.
And my DS doesn't pick the rabbit up so there is no risk of being scratched by it's hind legs.
He sits on the carpet and the rabbit goes to him coz he knows he'll get his back scratched and perhaps a wee rabbit yoghurt drop. I actually caught DS eating them!! YUCK!

M2T · 30/03/2004 16:28

Oops! I mean I agree FIO2! Oh dear...time to go home I think.

fio2 · 30/03/2004 16:29

we have always kept our dogs and rabbits seperate but our youngest dog has often climbed into the pen and ate the rabbit food!!! They dont care about eating the rabbit

I love how rabbits sunbathe and how they climb stairs

fio2 · 30/03/2004 16:30

I also meant to say yuck about the yogurts drops and I am home,oh dear....

happy1 · 30/03/2004 16:37

I used to breed rabbits and guinea-pigs, at the time my younger siblings were 2, 5 and 6, and I have to say the children got on better with the guinea-pigs. Rabbits are fine if they are handled everyday for a reasonable amount of time, otherwise they can get vicious. Also, guinea-pigs are easier to catch if they escape!!

fio2 · 30/03/2004 16:42

oh no guinea pigs are a nightmare to catch, mine used to burrow. Miy rabbits are clkever and if they escapoe they wait under the patio table if its raining to be rescued, very clever I think!

happy1 · 30/03/2004 17:08

my guinea pigs were so tame they would follow me round the garden! One rabbit in particular used to hide in the bushes and I had to enlist the help of my mum, dad and sister on a regular basis to catch her!

dinosaur · 30/03/2004 17:19

I've been avoiding looking at this thread because I'm at work! We sure do need that embarrassed icon!

Good thread though as I am considering whether we should get a pet for the kids, and I know I can't cope with a dog, or even a cat.

beetroot · 31/03/2004 11:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

M2T · 31/03/2004 11:18

Very true Beety about the wires! They are all neatly tucked away now, and he can't get behind the TV.

Did you all know that you can house train a rabbit to use a Cat Litter tray???

As for looking after, he is in a large plastic 'house hutch' which is very light (cost £35). To clean him out we literally tip it into the bin and give it a wipe with hutch clean pet disinfectant once a week. Line it with newspaper and saw dust. No need for loads of straw bedding as he is nice and warm in the house anyway.

fio2 · 31/03/2004 11:20

we have a big pen like you beety so our rabbit tends not to have much handling either. She comes up for a love when I get in to clean her out though!

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