Rabbits

[TwoInTheMourning]

Hi there. My DD aged almost 7 has always adored animals and has been asking for a pet for a really long time. We are thinking that perhaps we will buy her two rabbits for her birthday. I have started doing some reading about how to look after them properly, what sort of equipment we'll need and so on. But I thought perhaps I could get some really straightforward information here too.

I understand that many breeds of rabbits are not friendly and cuddly. Obviously we would like the breed that most gives itself to be a proper pet that are child friendly. What breeds should I be looking at?

The rabbits will live in a hutch in the garden. What type of hutch would be best?

Where should be buy the rabbits? We live in the South East.

What other considerations are there?

Thank you all

Firstly only get animals from a rescue if you can. They do have babies if you want them but actually adults tend to be less skittish and the rescue can tell you about their personalities. You will need as big an enclosure as you can which will need to be fox proof and have access to a large run which will also need to be fox proof and dig proof (bunnies will dig out). You will need to think about how you are going to insulate it in winter and keep it cool in summer. Most hutches in pet shops are not big enough for a rabbits needs.

Rabbits generally do not like being picked up and can scratch and kick if they are held too long. They do, however, love being stroked and will sit happily to be petted so long as their paws are on the ground. If your DD wants a cuddly pet then rabbits are not the way to go - get guinea pigs instead.

You need to think about what you will do when you go away. Do you have someone to care for your pets (including cleaning them out) or will you be putting them in boarding? Also rabbits need (for their health and your sanity) to be neutered (about £50 each) and annual vaccinations. You will need to clip their claws and groom them (this is not easy).

They need to be fed pellets (not the muesli food) and regular cleaning out. They are allowed some veg but there's a lot they can't eat - very sensitive stomachs.

Remember that any pet will be your responsibility - children help but rarely do the full care required. Rabbits can live 5-10 years so it can be a big commitment. Children often lose interest around 13 ish and from then on it's down to you. My DDs were great with our animals when younger but they are now nearly 14 and only give them occasional cuddles. Luckily I'm slightly besotted with the small furry ones so I love taking care of them (2 GPs and a house rabbit) but not everyone feels the same and a lot of animals end up in rescues because the children lost interest.

Really not trying to put you off but I think it's better to be informed before you bring a fluffy into your family.

If you want a cuddly pet GPs are definitely the way to go - they are more interactive than rabbits, chat away, will eat almost anything and will sit on knees for hours (although they will wee on you ). Similar requirements re hutches/runs as rabbits although they don't dig.

Again get from a rescue and they will give you a settled pair and make sure you don't end up with male/female. They don't need vaccinations or neutering but still need claw clipping. They also need bathing which is fun.

We got rabbits in April for my sons who are 7 and 10. They are adorable to watch, but no they are not cuddly. They are prey animals so basically do not like being touched or carried and since I stopped constantly trying to handle them to 'get them used to it' they are now much happier and more trusting! The thing I would want you to realise is how much space rabbits need to be truly happy! Yes lots of people keep them in a hutch in the garden, but that is absolutely not enough space for rabbits to live in unless you are letting them out every day without fail, rain or shine, for at least four to five hours to run around and get exercise. Rabbits left in hutches are basically being seriously neglected and get deeply depressed and ill. We have now turned about a third of our garden over to the bunnies! They now have a gorgeous hutch, two storey, very big etc...but it is left permanently open inside their own shed which is 7' X 5'. This in turn leads via a cat flap into a secure run which is 6' x 6.5' which they have constant access to. This in turn leads to a run on grass which is a bout a third of our garden! It is secure but only when we are there to supervise (just in case a fox came sneaking around). In other words our rabbits have a huge amount of space. I really believe that unless you can provide this kind of set-up, with a secure run that allows them constant safe access to the outside, then it would be seriously unfair and you should consider guinea pigs instead who require less space. For loads of bunny info and to look at photos of other people's suitable bunny housing/run set-ups go to Rabbits United

OP, where in the SE are you - if you are anywhere near Ashford there is a local kids petting farm that sells baby rabbits - I am hoping to get some guineas there soon.

its the south of England rare breeds centre at Woodchurch - about 20 mins from M20 junction 9 or 10

but as pp have said there are rescue centres everywhere

The advantage of using a rescue centre is that if anything ever happens that means you're unable to keep the rabbits, or if you have problems with them (eg. They start fighting) the rescue centre will offer help and advice or take one or both the rabbits back.

Thank you all so much for such useful information. I would definitely buy the largest hutch and run we can afford as we have the space in our garden. The thing for me is, I absolutely want the cuddle factor. I hope you don't think I'm being shallow but I do feel my DC will lose interest quickly if the rabbits are not keen on being cuddled and are not interactive. As for a GP, I know my DC would like it and it would be less work but I find them to be too much of a rodent, well, they are a rodent, aren't they? and I am not sure I would ever grow to not be squeamish about it. As I know I will be doing a lot of the care and clean up, I want to be absolutely sure I can look after it/them as they's deserve.

If the cuddle factor is important then get GPs. They do look a bit rodenty but are so funny it's hard not to become besotted. I was not keen on the idea of them initially (holds hands over GPs ears and also hopes 70 is not reading this ) but love them now.

They chat a lot and love cuddles and being fed - especially being fed. They are excellent mowers of lawns and also fertilise it in their own special way. They squeak to greet you and are much easier to pick up and handle than rabbits. My DH was also not keen but we can spend afternoons watching them in their run - they are bonkers.

Do you know anyone who has some that you can visit and have a cuddle? Definitely try a rescue if you can. IME children love the idea of giving a home to a homeless animal more than they like the idea of babies from a pet shop. The rescue will also give you loads of advice.

BTW - no-one will think you are shallow for wanting the cuddle factor - just honest. Most young children do want the cuddles which is why GPs are great for them.

I agree rabbits need lots of space (much more than you might think). Ours has a whole shed with his hutch inside it which he can jump in and out of, tunnels, toys etc. They need a large run in the garden as well. In winter ours is a house bunny. Ideally they should have a friend too. Ours doesn't but thats because he's an old bun now so he gets lots of fuss to make up for it ;-)
Dont forget rabbits need to be vaccinated each year against myxomatosis and Rabbit (Viral) Haemorrhagic Disease. Teeth need checking too.
They are beautiful creatures but need a lot of time and attention and need to be kept warm in winter, cool in summer.
Also always check their bottoms are clean as fly strike is horrible and distressing.
Sorry dont want to put you off as we adore our bunny but having seen the poor rabbits next door to us shoved in a hutch all day ever day come rain or shine it just breaks my heart.

Rabbits can live for ten years plus by which time most young children lose interest, be prepared to be the one cleaning out and feeding, letting out etc. Rabbits make poor pets for children for all the above reasons everyone is highlighting. They are not cheap either, vets bills inc yearly vaccinations etc. Have a good read of the rwaf website to make sure you have all the information you need. They make great pets for enthusiastic, animal lovers who make time for them and they are very intelligent animals with character believe it or not.

holds hands over GPs ears and hopes 70 is reading this

No, no, I never wander -or binky- onto rabbit threads

Though I did spend an hour reading the A Hutch Is Not Enough site which was informative and heart breaking in equal measure .

Current Bun welcomes you onto rabbit threads 70 - he's hoping to convert you onto a more long eared animal

Thank you Current Bun but I'm sticking to the little non-taileys with the geranium leaf ears