I really want a pet rabbit but I have no idea how to take care of one....?

Question

I haven't had a pet before besides fish.

I plan on adopting one from the local animal shelter. Will the people there tell me how to do everything?

Answer 1

Visit this site http://www.rabbitweb.net/beg.asp

Answer 2

You're far better to research beforehand, look at rabbit care websites and read books if you can.  Some shelter staff may not know much about rabbits so don't rely on someone else to tell you what you need to know.  It is also far more responsible to know what you're letting yourself in for, you can't expect other people to do your work for you.

I would personally recommend pet rabbits, especially house rabbits as I have found them to be very affectionate and very straightforward to care for, if you know what you're doing!

One of the other answers recommends getting a hay rack, please don't, one of my rabbits became trapped underneath her hay rack and unfortunately died.  

Answer 3

You should REALLY first research about them and then decide if it's safe to get one. Here's a website I always recommend:

http://petwebsite.com/rabbits.asp

A rabbit is a big responsibility. Be sure you can handle it

Good luck

Answer 4

I had a rabbit. It eats carrots, lettuce, hay tomatoes, and other vegetables, remember to not put it in the sun, if its on sun movie it away to the shade, Rabbit bottle you can buy at petco. Go to a pet store and buy a cage for your rabbit. Water and food remember. Let your pet run around. Put newspaper on the cage so it will be easier taking the p**p off, remember every 2-3 days change the newspaper. also you have to make sure the water is in room temperature, and once a week you should wash the bottle

Answer 5

You can't expect them to.  Most don't know squat about how to care for rabbits or they just repeat stuff they've heard, whether true or not (kinda like here).  I volunteered in a shelter for 2 years working exclusively with the rabbits and training volunteers.  Even those that had pet rabbits for years still needed to learn a lot and I often had opportunity to dispel myths and propaganda.

Get a good book and read up, first.  I highly recommend Your Rabbit - A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing by Nancy Searle if you're a young person.  

Read Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett if you're older and can handle a book with not so many pictures.  

Both books are very complete, well, written, and explain a LOT.  Even though the words "raising" and "showing" are in their titles, they are fabulous books for the pet rabbit owner that does not show or breed.  After you read one of those, you'll be answering rabbit questions here.  

Either that or, if you're between 5 and 19 years of age, join your local 4H club (Google 4H and your county's name).  They have a fabulous ciriculum for learning about how to prepare for, choose, care for, handle, and play with your pet rabbit.  You don't have to have a rabbit to join.  A lot of kids join that project (course of study) to decide whether or not a rabbit is for them.

Answer 6

my cuzin used to hav one but then it escaped so keep an eye on it

Answer 7

thats a nice idea adopting one form an animal shelter. They should give som advice to. Im getting a rabbit tomorrow and I did lots of reasearch before I chose one. Here's a care sheet on rabbits from animates.com.

Use this check list to make sure that a rabbit is right for you and your family.

I have the appropiate chew proof housing

for this pet.

I understand that it is best to keep rabbits

seperated unless they are neautered.

I can commit to taking appropiate care for my

rabbit.

Feeding

It is best to feed a good quality pellet that is

specifically designed for rabbits.

Small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables and a

consistant supply of hay are also diet staples.

Treats should not exceed 10% of the total food intake.

Food and fresh water should always be avalible and

fruits and vegetables not eaten within 24 hours should

be discarded.

Hay

Hay is a very important part of your rabbist diet, as

it provides a good scource of roughage- to mantain

digestive health. Hay is also essential for bedding.

This should be freshened up daily.

Fruit and Vegetables

Rabbits enjoy carrots, sweet patatoes, turnips, apples

(deeseeded) and broccoli. Do not feed lettuce as the

high water content will often lead to diarrhoea. Fresh

grass is also acceptable as long as it has not been

sprayed with any chemicles (never lawn clippings).

Water

Fresh clean water should always be avalible and

changes every day. It is best to use a water bottle or

a heavy bowl to avoid contamination and spillage.

The following is a list DANGEROUS plants and substances for your rabbit: (It may not be complete)

Deadly nighshade

Woody nightshade

Hemlock

Fools Parsley (They do love fresh parsley from the garden though)

Bindweed

Convovulus

Patato Tops

Foxglove

Spurge

Buttercup

Caladine

Cowslip

Ferns

Tamato (Laves/Stalks)

Geraniums

Holly

Ivy

Mistletoe

Privet

Chocolate/Caggeine/Alcohol

If in doubt DO NOT FEED. When trying new feed, introduce it gradually over a few days mixd with the original feeed.

Housing

Your are best to provide your rabbit with the largest

enclosure you can affors and it may be at least four

times the size of a adult rabbit. The enclosure should

be escape proof and have an area with a solid surface.

Keep your hutch in and area where there are no great

extremes of temperature or drafts. If your rabbit is

to be housed in an outdoor hutch, make sure there is

shelter from the wind and direct sunlight.

Rabbits can tolerate cold weather is properly

acclimatised and sheltered, but rabbits must be put

under shelter in winter. Rabbist can not tolerate

high temperatures.

Place 3 to 5cm of bedding in the bottom of your rabbits

cage using harwood shavings (cedar bases are not

recommended) and hay.

For playtime, an outdoor play arena can be used or a

rabbits house while allowing your rabbits to explore.

Rabbits can be taught to use a litter tray by providing

one & placing the rabbit droppings into a tray over a

period of five days.

Housing maintenance

Remove the wet spots daily and clean the entire

bedding weekly or more frequently as required. Clean

the food and water vessels daily and top up fresh hay.

Reccomended supplies

Good sized hutch

High quality food

Water Bottle

Bedding

Vitamins

Litter box/litter

Hay

Food bowl

Chew toys

Books about care.

Handle With Care

Your rabbit should be handled frquently to keep it

tame and maintain a bond between the two of you.

Lift gently out of cage with both hands and hold

close to your body. It is important to remember to

always support their hind legs.

Rabbits shopuld never be lifted by their ears or by the

scruff of their necm and should not be allowed to 'jump'

down or be held facing the ground as this may cause

them to struggle and can secerly damage their legs.

Health

Rabits hsould be seen by upur vet at least once per

year and checked for ear and fur mites, general body

condition, nail lenght, and dental problems. With the

presence of the calici virus in New Zealand this check up

can be linked in with an annual vaccination. Any halth

problems that occur between regular check ups should

be reffered to your vet.

The signs of a HEALTHY RABBIT are:

Active, alert and socible

Healthy fur

Clear bright eyes

Eats and drinks reguarly

Communicates by making soft noises

Hops normally

The signs of an UNHEALTHEY RABBIT are:

Diarrhoea or a dirty bottom

Over grown teeth

Heat stroke-panting, a loss of

conciousness or seizures

Skin lesions

If you notice any of these signs please conatct

your Vetanarrian immediatly.

Chew Toys

Rabbits need chew toys as their teeth continually gorw; it

is essential that they gnaw on hard safe, obkects in oder

to keep their teeth at a managable length. Ocergrown

teeth can cause serious health problems and need to be

assessed by our vetanarian.

Grooming

Rabbits generally stay clean but can be bathed using a

small animal shampoo. Some long coated rabbits require

regular (twice a week) but more frequent in summer brushing.  

Answer 8

make sure it has a really big cage. you also may want to buy some toys to play with. Make sure you give it a lot of love and attention. you should also look into buying a book about rabbits. Blue Seal is a great store wear you can buy toys food and bedding for them. Good luck with your rabbit!  

Answer 9

Rabbits take a lot of care. If you haven't had pets before I would suggest you didn't get a rabbit. If you do decide to get one research it a lot. It would take me forever to tell you everything. The animal shelter would most likely answer your questions but then again things would be different at your house. If you do decide to get a rabbit then you can email from my profile if you need help with anything but once again I would not recommend getting a rabbit as your first pet because they take a lot more care and time then you would think.

Answer 10

Yes, people in the shelter will be happy to help you and give you any advice. They just want the pet to go to a great home, and will help you in whatever way they can.

Rabbits can make great pets, and are quite simple to look after ..

but guinea pigs tend to be more hardy and a little friendlier.

Also, Rabbits live for about 7-10 years and need your care and attention every day otherwise can get lonely and unfriendly,

Whereas although guinea pigs need the same amount of attention, they live for 4-6 years, so unless your sure you are ready for such a big commitment, guinea pigs may be better.

Also, males tend to be a bit friendlier then females, especially when neutered.

Before getting your new bunny, you will need to be prepared for when it comes ..

so here's a list of things you should hav ready;;

A hutch (or indoors cage) 5ft x 2ft at the smallest

Also a 'hutch hugger' can help protect your pet from bad weather, so if its cold where you live, you may want to consider one.

Rabbits require plenty of clean and dry bedding which should be replaced when soiled and changed completely at least once a week. Wood shavings and straw provide a good base, as well as hay, which is also important as a food supplement . Recycled shredded paper also provides good bedding especially for indoor rabbits.

Also, putting extra hay in the sleeping compartment will make your pets bed time cosier and they will make a little nest for themselves. =)

A ceramic food bowl for dry food

A hay rack (optional )

Water bottle (one of the hangyup kinds that is attached to the side of the cage)

A chew/knawing bored, to keep your bunnys teeth from overgrowing and to keep them entertained whilst your away .. you can get different flavoured ones too!!

Also, getting a toilet roll and stuffing it with hay can make a virtualy free entertaining toy, you could also stuff it with some tasy treats!

Food  a mixture of rabbit food  (the bagged stuff) and some fresh fruit and veg.

They will probably also eat some of their bedding.. so make sure not to use anything toxic.

Also, some muslie cereal can be used,

Another free toy, is a cardboard box, and just cut some different 'doors' and peep holes. Your rabbit will love it!!

Have fuin and good luck.

And well done from adopting rather then buying!

Answer 11

I have had quite a few rabbits before and they're really not as fun as they sound. You have to clean out the cage at least 2-3 times a week or its really hard to do after you let it go for like a week. You HAVE to thoroughly clean out their water bottle with really hot water every time you refill it. I forgot one time to clean it out for like two weeks, and two or three of them died.  Its too much bacteria. I think you should get books on them or research pet care for them for a while before you decide to actually get one.

Answer 12

the people there should tell u the basics

theres a lot of info here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

if need anymore advice/help then feel free to send me a message!

Answer 13

Check out this site...

www.rabbit.org - it has lots of info on keeping bunnies!!

And thank you for adopting!! :D