Getting A Rabbit - my first as an adult!

[LuvSmallDogs]

Hi, I’m going to get DS1 (5) a rabbit. Don’t worry, it’s really going to be mine, he’s just going to name it and stroke it (when he can pry it off me)!

I had rabbits as a child, but I don’t want to keep it the same way in a hutch outside. I want to keep it in a cage in the lounge and have it out in the house supervised. We have a small, old chihuahua who shouldn’t be any trouble but you never know 100%. I also want it to have an enclosed run for when the weather’s nice as there are cats who come through our garden.

Any advice on what to look for in cages/toys etc? My childhood bunnies just had hides and apple branches for their teeth. Local garden centre has those cereals you scoop out and pay for by the kilo, those are ok still?

Hi LuvSmallDogs

I'm a long-time rabbit owner. Some people will say they are hard pets to keep, but we love our bunnies - they are fantastic with our DC.

There are a few things you need to think about though.

It's really much much kinder to keep rabbits in neutered pairs. They are social animals and likely to be unhappy/destructive/aggressive if kept alone. There are lots of rabbit rescues around the country that would help you find the perfect bonded pair.

As far as space goes, the more the better. Probably about 6ft square with plenty of headroom as a minimum, with access to a larger run and/or supervised free reign as much as possible.They can be very destructive in the house - chewing wires and furniture, digging carpets etc.

The rabbit mix (museli style with different cereals etc. in) isn't recommended these days. Pellets are much better. You can buy them in most pet shops in big sacks. Plus unlimited fresh hay and some bits of veg, grass etc.

Toys, tunnels, hiding places, things to dig in and throw around usually go well.

They need to be neutered (even if not keeping more than one) and also need to be vaccinated.

It's quite a big commitment, but I wouldn't be without ours.

Please do ask if I can help x

Our bunnies have a puppy pen in the living room that they call home. It's not pretty but it is big. We had intended to remove it once we trusted them fully but we've got a bit of a cable chewer so they stay in it during the day.

We found that the high backed triangular litter tray didn't work out so we've just got a shallow 'really useful' box under the hay rack. Touch wood both bunnies are peeing where they are supposed to at the moment but they've each had spates of choosing an unauthorised piddle place (a new rug for the doe and my husband for the buck!)
They are amazingly affectionate pets but always on their own terms. They are also very highly strung and can hold a grudge for ages!
I would recommend looking into insurance too. When they get poorly it needs dealing with fast so taking financial considerations out of the equation is a bit of a stress buster too.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll love it!

Hmm, we can’t spare a lot a lot of space in the lounge, so I’m now planning on the main “base” being in the kitchen as we have a big bit of space that can’t quite be used for a table and chairs as a built in cupboard and the door swings into it IYSWIM. But it should work for toys and a cage w/ litter box that can be left open and bunny can be put in when I need to cook if no one is around to have it in the lounge. Also accidents won’t matter as it’s on vinyl, so toilet training will be a bit easier - I know it’ll pee all over the carpet anyway, that’s pets for you!

We’re just getting the one rabbit as it’s all that’s left of a neighbour’s sister’s litter. It’s part dwarf so very fluffy with stub ears. I’m surprised they’re less happy alone as the two I had as a child were singletons and very nice. Reiko was a bit nippy at first as his old owners neglected him, but he came round bit by bit. I suppose I can see how this one goes by itself.

Thanks for the advice on food, I don’t think I’ve seen pellets, but there’s always Amazon! So just pellets w/ hay, outside grazing and veggy cut offs to supplement?

Good call on neuter/spay and insurance, my vets like PetPlan which Ddog is on.

It's cruel to kep them on their own. Animal welfare has increased since you were a child and rabbits are still the most neglected pets.

The space that they live in should allow at least three hops and be at least two foot high.

They don't just wee, they spray because they become sexually active before you can get them done.

They stink. For an indoor rabbit you are looking at as much work as a small dog. They need cleaning daily.

I buy Pets at home pellets, they were rated good, on the rabbit welfare site.

I've dedicated a room for my three over Winter. They are noisy.

What is the cupboard painted with? Some paints are toxic to rabbits.

Luckily mine aren't chewers, otherwise going behind the washing machine etc would be dangerous.

If I use plastic bowls, mine just tip the water/pellets out and throw them around the room. I have to use heavy stoneware.

The rabbit might go for the dog, which might not end well. I've got three cats, my rabbits love one of them, tolerates the other, but they bully the other one.

I love them. But they are hard work amd will live for another 8-10 years.

Have you got help if you want to go on holiday?

I had one rabbit and once he was neutered I went to a rescue and adopted a single female. They give advice about bonding them. Rabbits really are happier in pairs.

As pp have said you really should get a pair, to not consider doing so shows that you’re not ready to take on the responsibility of owning rabbits. Will you listen to the people on this thread telling you it’s in the rabbit’s best interest or ignore us and go ahead anyway thinking you know better?

Ok, so I can get one rabbit then another? That’s ok, then. I’ve already promised to take the baby rabbit and DS5 has seen photos of it.

I don’t like the local rescue, there is however a local rabbit and cavy club that dad reckons the breeders may sell non show quality rabbits cheaper than their “good” ones as well as a few local pet shops that get rabbits in including rehomes. I know they spray, I am not a crazy clean freak and have cleaned up after dogs and cats before.

Holidays are a way off, but I would always put the care of animals before a holiday and if I couldn’t arrange help would obviously not go rather than do something dumb like throw a bag of food on the floor and leave them to it. There are several house/pet sitting services some I have connections with, as well as some pet lovers in my family/social circle who I would trust to do as instructed with my animals.

Another one with experience of rabbit ownership here; both as a child and an adult.

Had a lone rabbit as a child, didn't feed her much hay, fed her the 'museli mix' etc. She lived until a very old age, BUT

As an adult wanting rabbits again, I thoroughly researched before getting any. They live in my utility room (no cages, just open carriers/boxes) over winter, with access to the lounge and kitchen when I'm in. In summer they live in a two tier hutch with permanent (and safe) 6ft run attached, still come in for the evening when I'm in.

They do require a lot of effort though, and can be so costly. My doe does not eat hay, so the dentals are very costly, not to mention treatments to prevent fly strike. She's worth it, but please be aware of potential costs.

Hi OP, sorry for being a bit snippy in my last response - it would be completely fine to have yours as a singleton until it’s been neutered (males about 4 months, females 5/6), then allow two weeks for recovery before getting another bunny to bond with him/her. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t get on right away, the bonding process can be tricky! Happy to PM you some more info if that would help, even though you’re still a ways off that.

Other posters have already covered the basics - plenty of space (minimum 6x2x2 feet), annual vaccinations for Myxo and RHD2, constant supply of hay, good quality nuggets (burgess, science selective) and you’re good to go

Agree with everyone else. Comparing having a rabbit as a child is similar to comparing car safety. I was unbuckled in a carry cot in a car and I'm fine but I wouldn't do the same for my children. Things have changed so much. My only advice is that rabbits are really expensive, two vacs yearly plus insurance and the upfront cost of housing. They shouldnt be in a hutch and rabbit proofing is expensive and costs a fortune

No problem MyPuppy, sometimes a bit of straight talking is necessary and it’s good you take pet welfare seriously.

Crockof, I figured as much, hence the thread to find out the differences. Even before coming here I cringed in retrospect at the size of my poor bunny’s hutches and runs.

I'd highly recommend having a read through the care advice from the Rabbit Welfare Association.

They really do need a lot of space, the RWA recommends a minimum area of 3m x 2m x 1m for a pair of rabbits whether they're living inside or outside. Most, if not all, cages sold as suitable for indoor rabbits are way too small to use as anything other than a bed area the rabbits can choose to use at will.

Also bear in mind that dwarf rabbits are more prone to dental issues due to the shape of their heads. It might be worth looking into insurance that will cover dental work as it can get fairly expensive.

As well as the good advice you've already had, it's worth checking none of you have allergies to either rabbits or hay before you bring anybun home. This is one of the most common reasons for rabbits to end up in rescue - adults or children developing allergies.

My two are free range and have an entire bedroom to themselves. They are young (about 2 years old), only been bonded for about a month now and little terrors but they're cute so they get away with it!

People underestimate rabbit temperaments. They have strong personalities, are more likely to bully your dog than visa versa, and won't be shy about telling adults or children when they've had enough, especially if they are confined. My guys as free range just hop off when they're done with human time.

But yes, check for allergies first!!!