Baby rabbit, what do I need and what do I need to know?

[IvyLovesWales]

My daughter (13) wants a rabbit and has really set her heart on it. I've not said yes or no yet.

I've never had a pet rabbit before so before I say yes to her, what do we need to get, are they expensive, time consuming, what food and what type of breed. I don't want it to be a big rabbit so would prefer a smaller one.

Do we need pet insurance, vaccinations etc

I've told her it will need cleaning out every week and she swears she will do this (no doubt it will be me)!

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Rabbits are not as easy to keep as you might think. They are much happier in pairs for a start and you need to be able to give them a lot of space. I’d do your research and see if you still feel it’s a suitable choice. Also, they can live a fair while - are you happy that the rabbit/s will most likely become your responsibility when she goes off to uni in 5 years?

Hutch (indoor or outdoor?), food and water bowls/bottle, pellets, straw for bedding, wood shavings, hay for eating, greens. An enclosed run for time out of the hutch.

Vaccinations and health check annually, insurance definitely advisable.

They are better in pairs, not solitary, but that needs to be managed carefully.

Neutering recommended for both sexes.

Not especially time consuming - depends how much time you spend playing with them - initial outlay is more about the equipment than the rabbit. They are quite sociable and may get nippy/fearful without regular handling. Regular hutch cleaning essential as they can get flies.

We had a dwarf breed, now have a Dutch which is a pretty, medium sized breed and ours is a placid gentle girl.

They are a bit boring though.

Rabbits are more complicated than most people think. They are social animals so should be in a pair at least (both neutered of course). You can't just put 2 rabbits together though, they need to bond and some rabbits just don't get on, it's like picking someone to be your partner.
They need a huge amount of space, including a sheltered area which you can find the size for online. They sleep a lot during the day and are more active at night. They need fresh hay everyday and clean water everyday and cleaned out regularly (they like to be clean). They need annual vaccinations and nails clipped 2/3 times a week. They get very bored so need toys and things to new on to ensure their teeth wear down naturally. Their diet should be mainly hay, with a small amount of pellets and a fresh bowl of safe veggies/herbs 2/3 times a week.
Would definitely get insurance. They can suffer from blockages and need vet care very very quickly. If they stop pooping then they can die quite quickly. I've had vet bills that have been hundreds so definitely get insurance. They're very intelligent and can be brilliant pets if well looked after. I have 4, 2 are really shy and don't like much interaction and 2 are rather naughty and love to have attention. Generally rabbits don't like being picked up but love a nice head rub.

Sorry - a lot of think about!

Rabbits are good but messy. They bang about and play in their cage so be prepared to clean up straw and hay from the floor! We had an indoor rabbit for years. We let her out of her pen in the evenings to roam about and be played with. You will more likely have to empty out the toilet tray every night. We have a large cage. Toilet tray. Water feeder. Food bowl. And of course toys! You will need hay and straw and rabbit food. Mine was partial to dried banana! She learned the routine and at 8pm she would start thumping her foot to get out to play. Rabbits make lots of noise! They bang and thump and roam around. Made quite a bit of noise chasing her ball about as well. They are loving and wonderful but they are not low maintenance. You will need to clean out and replace beddin at least once a week. Mine used to upend her toilet tray frequently so we maybe had to clear out more often than that. Some people let them roam around freely but we have a dog so we couldn’t. Watch for chewed and gnawed furniture shoes wires etc. If they are out playing they will just toilet everywhere. Good luck!

I've kept guinea-pigs for many years (from when I was 9-22 myself , then when my DD we got her first pigs which ran into a period of 8 over 8 years)

I know enough about rabbits to know I couldn't give them the care they need .

Some people describe rabbits as "Vegan Cats"
I pretend to myself that our two cats are "Carniverous Rabbits"

My last vet visit 2 weeks ago after my rescue girl had a bout of stasis and bloat, was £550. Thankfully she's insured and they paid out.

They have to have vaccinations, there's a new one out and cost will vary vet to vet.

They also shouldn't live alone.

I adore my rabbits, but the whole family needs to be dedicated to their long term care. A baby rabbit could still be around when your daughter is moving out - I lost my last pair at 12 and 13 years old and they are high maintenance when they're old and wobbly.

My current pair are 2/3 year old rescue rabbits (one a stray and one abused as a baby). Clever and very active. They live outdoors in a custom made shed/aviary set up that cost about £1k in total (but bought at different times). It's extremely solid as we live in a very foxy area. Any garden time is under strict supervision.

Rabbits are high maintenance. Awesome, but high maintenance! They are also bossy, demanding, not afraid to put humans in their place with teeth and claws if cornered and slippery as eels when you need to catch them for health checks and vet visits!

@Foxesinsockses they're not boring if kept right. My girl knows tricks, they both make us laugh every single day.

I share a lot of their antics on my Instagram account:
www.instagram.com/catxxy/

Have a look at the rabbit welfare website

Rabbits should be kept in pairs and the best bet is to go to a rescue where they will have bonded pairs already neutered and vaccinated for a lot cheaper than that would all cost from a pet shop.

Outdoor rabbits - a hutch is not enough. Get a wooden kids playhouse or small shed, insulate and create layers. They will need free access to a run too. If this doesn't sound good have a look at runaround products, you build a warren in your garden with them and they are fab if pricey.

Rabbits should be cleaned out at least every other day, not once a week! 😊 You need pet insurance/ be able to pay for vet fees and yearly vaccinations. You will also need a rabbit to be spade/ neutered. Rabbits live for around 10 years+ so you have to be able to commit.

Also excluding vet care rabbits cost around £1000 per year! Excluding the initial housing cost. They are very expensive. Mine have cost £2k so far this year in medical bills and upkeep. They also take up a lot of time.