Pet Rabbit Question???

Question

Should I get a Netherland Dwarf rabbit?

It will be my first rabbit and I really want one but I've heard some people say that they are cranky and bite a lot? Is this true? I am going to have it spayed/neutered and I will get a doe or a buck (don't care).

Answer 1

i had a n. dwarf and she was the sweetest thing. i currently have a rabbit who is a mix, including a quarter wild.

rabbits are really only cranky if they dont get enough attention. and no one ever gives them enough that they need ...so they get crabby. rabbits are one of the hardest animals to own. just a warning.

Answer 2

Hello! First off, if you're ever tentative about adopting pet, you can check into a Foster-to-Adopt program; most rabbit shelters offer this.

I have no experience with that specific breed, but many dwarf rabbits are very delicate/cranky, and if you adopt a young  rabbit they will undoubtedly go through a "bratty phase" comparative to a human adolescent. You can avoid this by adopting an adult rabbit whose personality is already developed and, preferrably, already altered. Thank you for planning to alter the rabbit, by the way.

Just as a general note, consider getting two rabbits--rabbits really are social creatures and in few instances are people able to give them enough attention to satisfy their intense social cravings--and join an online rabbit forum!

http://binkybunny.com/

is a great website/message board where you can ask all your rabbit-related questions and just be generally inspired. Best wishes.

Answer 3

I've only ever had one, and it was pretty cantankorous.  He never actually bit me, just scratched like crazy.  Go with Mini-Rexs.  They are almost as small as Netherlands but I've never seen a mean Mini-Rex.

Answer 4

It all depends on the individual rabbit. I know Netherlands that have never bitten anyone and are the most cuddly rabbits in the world. But then I know some who will bite you just because you are there. I have always preferred male rabbits because they are more laid back and not as hyper (not always the case). Spaying/Neutering will help a lot with aggression and territorial issues as well and if you plan to litter train it will make it a whole lot easier. The age thing I am not sure of. I would do a lot of research if you haven't already.

Answer 5

First of all don't let people discourage you,next netherland dwarf rabbits are smaller than most rabbits. im sure you can handle its size second their really cute. it's true netherland dwarf rabbits can bite people but iits cus their very curious rabbits.if you do get one buy some toys or a scratching post since they love touching stuff so much.figure out were the rabbit likes to nibble the most on and put the scratching post close there so it can be distracted by the scratching post instead of its favorite spot.like i said dwarf rabbits are very curious so im sure it would be wondering what that scratching post is doing there.another thing i might not get a dwarf rabbit if you have little kids in your house or if you are a little kid.Netherland dwarf rabbits are very fragile so be carefull with it.

If you do want a netherland dwarf rabbit i

recommend that you keep it in an all wire cage with a drop pan. They're much easier to clean than solid bottom hutches and guinea pig cages(although those will both work fine if that's all you have available, they just need to be cleaned more often). Netherland Dwarf breeders usually keep their rabbits in 18x24 or 24x24 inch cages. If you get them any larger, it can be harder to get your rabbit out if it doesn't wait at the door for you. If you keep your bunny outside, you should provide it with a wood box with a hole on one or two sides to give it shade in the summer, and help keep in body heat in the winter. Be careful when keeping your bunny in a garage. If you leave your car running in the garage, the rabbit could get carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dishes, etc.

Your rabbit will need 2 dishes; one for food, and one for water. Heavy crocks, water bottles and metal dishes work well, as well as the hard plastic black cups you can find at many equipment dealers. One disadvantage to water bottes is that they can freeze up in the winter if your rabbit is kept outside.

It also helps to prevent sore hocks if you keep a piece of wood, cardboard, or even an ice cream pail lid in the cage, although care should be taken so that the rabbit doesn't chew on it.

Food/Water

The main staple in a rabbit's diet is rabbit pellets. They contain many vitamins, etc. that your bunny needs to stay healthy. Your rabbit should be fed about one ounce of food per pound of rabbit. I generally feed my rabbits 1/3 of a cup through the summer, and 1/3-1/2 cup in the winter. Pregnant Does and ones with kits get free fed, as do most of my juniors. You should also feed timothy or grass hay at least a couple times a week. I usually feed my rabbits pellets in the morning, and give them a little hay at night. Many rabbits also enjoy other treats such as carrots, bananas, romaine lettuce, etc. These should be fed in moderation to prevent health problems. Rabbits should have fresh water available to it at all times.

When you get your new bunny, make sure you switch it's pellets from one brand to another graduallyc(over about a week) so their system can get used to the change.

Weather

In hot weather, make especially sure that your bunny ALWAYS has water. They drink more when it's hot out. Make sure that your bunny's cage is in the shade. A fan is also a nice addition to your "rabbit barn" in the summer. Just set it up so it s blowing through a corner of your rabbit's cage. I also like to freeze water in pop bottles (cap on) and give it to them to lay next to/on.. Make sure your rabbit has a way to keep warm in the winter (ie a box,a handful of hay, etc).

Maintanence

Rabbits toenails need trimming at least every other month. If you are a beginner, have a breeder show you how to trim your rabbits nails at the time of purchase. Rabbits may need to be brushed during a molt to keep them from injesting too much fur. Otherwise, they are a fairly easy animal to maintain.

Health

If your rabbit has matter around it's nose/eyes, and on the insides of it's front paws I recommend that you either take it to the vet, or put it down. Respiratory infections are potentially fatal in rabbits, and highly contagious. Questionable rabbits should be quarantined ASAP.

Sore hocks are somewhat common in rabbits- Preventative Medicine: put something in the cage for the rabbit to rest on(as noted previously). I've only had to treat it once, and I put the rabbit in a solid bottom cage till it's foot pads (fur) grew back. Then I put it back in a wire cage and made sure that it always had something to sit on.  With some things you can simply call the vet or a breeder for advice.

Answer 6

get a mini rex. I have one and they're about the same size as a Netherland dwarf but like ten times nicer.

My mini rex is like the nicest rabbit you would meet, she's very loving and she gives me kisses all the time, i would go with a mini rex.

Answer 7

I have had a few Neatherland dwarfs an dI have always prefered males because they are less tempermental but if you have them spayed or neutered then I dont think you will have any issues. My first rabbit was incredibly sweet and very happy. They are a great breed. I would suggest trying to find a breeder in your area rather then buyin gfrom a pet store because you dont know the age or anyhtin gabout the parents. Check out arba.net to find a breeder near you.