Need some advice from someone with pet rabbits or who knows about them?

Question

I am serious about getting a pet rabbit. I would like to raise it from a baby, and I have some questions.

1.) Where can I find a med. sized condo (the 2-story kind) at a reasonable price? This is for inside and I want the bunny to have plenty of room, but it can't be TOO huge.

2.) What breed of rabbit generally makes a gentle pet and tends to have an easier temperament? Are mini rexes good pets? (we want a mini breed, so if you know if any MINI breeds that are good, please let us know!)

3. Where is a good place to find a particular breed of bunny once we've decided on breed?

4. Should we get a companion bunny (another rabbit)?

5. Will the rabbit need to be spayed/neutered? (for temperament reasons)

6. What gender tends to make better pets, if any?

7. What is the best thing to feed my bunny?

8. Anything else I should know?

Thank you in advance. I have spent a lot of time considering getting a bunny/researching some things about their care, but I still have questions.

Answer 1

I will try and answer as many of your questions that I can.

I raise and show Mini Rex rabbits. I have beed breeding for 16 years

1.I do not know about the "condo cages". I do not know if they will use the upper part of a cage much.

2.The breed I like best is the Mini Rex. I have raised different breeds over the years and I like them best.

They have great temprements. Are friendly and not aggressive. They are easy maintenace-wise as they need little grooming. Thay do not and should not be brsushed as it ruins the shaft of their fur. They do best with a wipe down with a baby wipe once a week. All rabbits need to have their nails trimmed about every 4-6 weeks. They stay small, around4-5 pounds.

3. The best place to get a good purbred rabbit is froma reputable breeder. Most breeder belong to an organization called ARBA(American Rabbit Breeders Association) ARBA hold shows every weekend all over the country and you can attend one and talk to breeders. Many times they have stock for sale at the shows. You can find a show near you by going to the ARBA website and clicking on the "Shows" link.

ARBA-  http://www.arba.net

Please DO NOT buy from a petstore!!

4. Rabbits do not need a companion of their own kind. They will bond better to their owners if they are on their own.

5. Rabbits do not need to be altered if they are kept on their own. An unneutered Buck(male) has a fine personality and will do fine.

6. Bucks(male) are better than Does(females) because when the does reach maturity at around 6 months they can become territorial and a little aggressive.

7.Rabbit need a good pellet that contains 5-18% protein. It should also have more fiber than protein. No food with bright bits and other added stuff. Rabbits like a good grass hay(not alfalfa, too rich). Fruits and veggies should be kept as an occasion treat and not amain part of their everyday diet.

fresh, unchlorinated water should be supplied at all times.

8. Rabbits are good pets but do not expect them to be like a dog or cat. thsy cannot be trained they way these animnals can. They do not have the brain capacity for it. Remember rabbits need to chew. they will chew everything to keep their teeth filed down. Always have untreated wood available for them.

9. if you have any other questions you can email me privately

If you live in Ohio. I have 2 litters of weaned rabbits that are ready for new homes.

Answer 2

1.  I found that if you are looking to get something specific it is best to get it made for you.  I looked in many pet shops and couldn't find anything bigger than a large hutch and even those were just the basic metal ones.  I don't know where you live but try locating a company on the internet.  Also, some places that build cubby houses for kids are willing to make something that would suit you.

2.  Not sure on what breed makes a good pet but I think it depends more on how the rabbit was raised at a young age.  Also, my rabbit was a dwarf rabbit (she went missing after I had her for over 5 years) and she was gentle until she was about 9 months.  She started biting and I happen to speak to another rabbit owner who suggested a salt l**k.  She explained that rabbits need salt in their diets and when we put our hands in her cage she can sense the salt on our skin and therefore bites to try and get the salt.  I didn't think it would work but i was willing to try anything.  I was amazed!  My rabbit never bit anyone again - ever!!!  They are fairly cheap and lasts for months as long as they don't get wet.  Also remember to make sure the rabbit has fresh water at all times as it makes them thirsty.

3.  I would really recommend searching pounds and animal shelters for a rabbit as you will be saving a life.  Ypou just keep searching until you find one you bond with.  I don't think breed really matters.  If it is really important to you, look in pet shops as some breeders sell them to pet shops.  Otherwise you should be able to find local breeders in the local paper for your area.  The only problem is I think that companies are better trysted rather than just a person breeding rabbits as pounds and pet shops have their animals checked by vets before selling.  Make sure the breeder has paperwork to verify the pet is well before purchasing.

4. If you want to get a companion for your rabbit you should do so at the same time as buying your first rabbit.  That way the first rabbit won;t be territorial when you put in the second rabbit.  Try and buy them both from  the same place that they have been in the same cage.  that way you can see that they can live together and they are already used to each other.  Maybe get siblings and get them desexed.  Animal siblings shouldn't be bred together.  I have seen it in cats and it is horrible!!!  ome are ok but the others have severe deformities.

5.  They don't have to be spayed/neutered necessarily for their behaviour although I have heard that it could calm them down.  I have read that it is a good idea for the female rabbits as it reduces their risk on getting a certain cancer after a certain age.  Also, it is a good idea in case your rabbit happens to escape from her cage, at least she won't get pregnant!

6.  I had a female rabbit and my friend had a male - they were both fine.  

7.  Rabbits should be mostly fed rabbit food.  Occassionally they can be given fresh fruit and vegetables.  You know if a rabbit has had too much fresh fruit or vegetables by their poo.  It should be small round balls but if it become runny you need to cut back.  Feed only rabbit food until back to normal and then introduce the fresh fruit and vegetables - but less this time and see how that goes.

8.  Everything you need to know is in this website   www.rabbit.org

If you have anymore questions anytime - feel free to email me.

Answer 3

any pet shop really!

Rabbits are cheap

i got mine for £10

it was a albino rabbit called fluffy but a cat ate him

Answer 4

I suggest you get a book instead of asking individual questions on here.There is loads to know about keeping rabbits

Are you keeping your rabbit/s indoors or outdoors?

I do have a book i have written on my site if you are interested in PDF format that has all the answers in total detail

Answer 5

i have a rex and i suggest getting one

a good place to get rabbits from is seapets

you should get 2 bunnies so they dont get lonely

a boy rabbits tend to get grumpy when they arnt near a girl i suggest a girl rabbit

the best food to give to a bunny is excel it is £12.99 for 10kg from seapets

you should only get a rabbit if you live near vets my rabbits have had to go to the vets alot (it costs alot of money)i have 3 rabbits and have had to soend over £100.00 in vet bills and £200.00 in food and ivehad them for about 2 years so rabbits are quite expensive but you can bread them and then sell the bunnies to get some money back

Answer 6

1. I have seen a good looking 2 story or even 3 story condo on ebay that come from a guy who sends you the parts you need and instructions and then you have to assemble it. There is a very nice one story house at petco, but it is on up off the ground I have heard that's not good. whatever you buy make sure there is enough room for the bunny to stretch up on his hind legs(they love to do this) and not hit the top of the cage.

2. As for breed-there are many good ones. I would highly reccomend going to a rabbit shelter/rescue. Look it up online. There are tons of unwanted bunnies that have no problems and are just looking for a loving home. THey have all ages from babies to seniors. I would not suggest buying form a pet store. 90% of rabbits purchased end up in shelters because owners buy them wihtout understanding how much care they actully take.

3. ONce again....PLEASE!!!!! go to a rabbit rescue and check out the rabbits

4. I would say yes. Rabbits are very social and complex creatures. Some people get one and have it for a month to make sure they are okay wiht it and then take their bunnies into a shelter and the people there can help you match a good companion bunny for yours based on personality. They can put them together for a few min. to see if they get along.

5. Yes you will need to spay or neuter your bunny. If you don't they cannot be litter box trained and will spray urine everywhere to mark their territory. They also have much better temprements after being spayed/nuetered.

6. I don't think it matters but if you have 2 i don't beleive that males get along that well.

7. This depends on the age. Adult bunnies should eat a variety of dark leafy vegetables. Check out this site. It is the best one for up to date and CORRECT bunny care

http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html

baby bunnies have a dif diet, but I don't know the details fo it

8.As for aything bunnies need LOTS of play time and time spent outside of their cage. It's best to start in a confined area like the kitchen or wherever the cage is. Open the door to the cage(OH yeah I forgot to mention they need to have a door in the cage that they can get out of) and let them come out on their own. They also LOVE toys like toliet paper tubes, towels, and more.Check out the website i gave you for more toys and litter box trainning.

I hoped I helped. Just make sure you are ready for a bunny. They require as much care as having a cat

:)

Answer 7

1. As for your condo, check on ebay.  Otherwise you may have to build it yourself.

2. I have all breeds of rabbits.  Mixed breeds are just as friendly as purebreds.  Rabbits are just like people.  Some have a lot of personality, some do not.

3. Look in the newspaper, or go online and locate a rabbit rescue in your area.  If you get one from a pet shop you're still doing a good thing.  At least it won't be snake food.

4. Unless you have a really big cage, the rabbit will probably be pretty happy alone.  They do not share territory well.

5.  You don't have to get them spayed or neutered, if you just have one, but if you get companions, you at least need to have the male neutered.  Contact your local Humane Society for low cost procedures with certain vets.

6. Males are much more laid back than females.  Females get very moody and snippy.  Males can get aggressive.  If you want two bunnies you must start out with two from the the very beginning.  Otherwise, you can bring a male into a female's territory easier than the other way around.

7. They need pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and timothy hay for digestion.  

8. Bunnies are funny little creatures.  They are often hard to get to know, but worth the effort.  The best thing is just to be quiet.  Sit on the couch and open up their cage.  Don't move or say anything.  Eventually they'll come out and explore.  They like to play in baskets and boxes.

Females like to dig, preferably in sand or dirt, but blankets will do.  All bunnies like to chew.  Watch your electrical cords.

When interacting with your bunny, always remember that he or she is always thinking that you are going to eat it.  It is just the way the little bunny brain works.  They will relax, but only so much.  Be grateful for affection and be gentle and patient.  Good for you for putting so much time and consideration into this decision.