Who has rabbits?

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Who on the forum has rabbits? If you do, please post pictures! Also, What's your daily care routine like? What are their personalities like? Etc.

I really want a rabbit. Of course my #1 choice would be a ferret, but I'm not allowed until I move out, so my 2nd small animal love are rabbits. I'm hoping to get one sometime soon. I asked for one for Christmas, and I kind of thought my dad might let me get one, due to something he said, but then he said "no". HOWEVER he did say that once I get a job, he may let me get one. So...until then, I'll have to live vicariously through you all.

I owned rabbits all my life growing up, but we were pretty uneducated. They were happy and healthy, but I'm sure we didn't do everything right. So I'd like to know how chazzers care for their bunnies/what their routines are like, etc.

Thanks!


I really want a mini lop. AWWWW!

[SarahHound]

I have 3! Two 2 year old Lop girls (one Dwarf Lop, one Lionhead Lop) called Islay and Jura and a 3 year old Netherland Dwarf boy called Arran. All are rescues.

Rabbits are not easy or cheap pets (the basics like food, hay, veggies etc are cheap, but vet bills can easily reach thousands as they are classed as 'exotics' by most vets). If you get a baby from a breeder (please avoid pet shops, for the same reason you shouldn't get a puppy or kitten from one), you will need to have him or her neutered around 6 months or so. Unspayed does have an 80% chance of dying from uterine cancer by the age of four. Males are at risk of testicular cancer if entire, not to mention an entire bunny of any sex will usually be grumpy, territorial and very different to housetrain.

Are you wanting indoor or outdoor bunnies? Rabbits are very social animals, they do best in pairs or more (male/female tends to work best, but other combo's can be done). It's quite unfair to keep a single rabbit outdoors, indoors is OK, but they will still appreciate company for when you are not there. Outdoor bunnies should always have a companion. It's recommended they have accomodation of 6ft x 2ft x 2ft for a pair here in the UK, I'm not sure what/if you have recommdations in the USA, but I wouldn't keep a rabbit in anything smaller than 6ft. A large dog cage with an attached puppy pen makes an excellent bunny home! If you are keeping it outdoors, you need an attached run so they don't get bored.

Hmm...what else...they should have good quality pellet food, diet should be 80% hay, 10% pellets and 10% fresh veg (fruit can be given sparingly, just a treat, as its too sugary).

What I would recommend is looking at rescues for rabbits, you can usually find a spayed/neutered and bonded pair there. In the UK rabbits need 3 vaccinations a year, but I don't think you need those in the USA.

I hope this helps My trio live outside in a 10ft x 6ft shed, with a hutch as a bed (the door is always left open).

Islay, Jura and Arran's new shed by Niseag, on Flickr


Islay, Jura and Arran's new shed by Niseag, on Flickr

[SarahHound]

Some photos of my bunnehs

Islay by Niseag, on Flickr


My bunnies by Niseag, on Flickr


Islay by Niseag, on Flickr


Islay by Niseag, on Flickr

[SarahHound]

Jura

056 copy by Niseag, on Flickr


Jura tossing her toy by Niseag, on Flickr


Jura by Niseag, on Flickr


Toys and treats for the small critters by Niseag, on Flickr

[SarahHound]

Arran - he is pale in the Summer and dark in the Winter!

Arran's first time in the garden by Niseag, on Flickr


Arran's first time in the garden by Niseag, on Flickr


Arran by Niseag, on Flickr


Toys and treats for the small critters by Niseag, on Flickr

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thank you so much for all the info! That's interesting about spaying/neutering. I've never heard of spaying/neutering rabbits being so important. So it effects their temperament? About how much is it to have them fixed?

Ahhh, your buns are ADORABLE! <3

[SarahHound]

Originally Posted by ~Dixie's_Mom~

Thank you so much for all the info! That's interesting about spaying/neutering. I've never heard of spaying/neutering rabbits being so important. So it effects their temperament? About how much is it to have them fixed?

Ahhh, your buns are ADORABLE! <3

Here's some links...
http://www.rabbit.org/health/spay.html

Reasons why you should have your rabbit spayed or neutered

• Male and female rabbits that are not spayed or neutered can start spraying urine to mark their territory when they start becoming hormonal at about four months old.
• Approximately 80% of unspayed rabbits get uterine cancer at an early age.
• Spayed or neutered rabbits that live in the house on the proper diet have a life span of ten to thirteen years.
• Unspayed/unneutered rabbits that live outside have an average life span of three years.
• Many behavioral problems are a result of a rabbit not being spayed or neutered. Such as lunging, boxing, grunting, biting, not using the litter box, not wanting to be held, trying to escape from their living quarters.
• Spayed or neutered rabbits are much more likely to use their litter box.
• There are many rabbit knowledgeable veterinarians that perform spay and neuter on rabbits. Check our vet referral list.
• Rabbits should always live with at least one other rabbit. Rabbits that are spayed or neutered are much easier to bond, plus there will be no unwanted litters.
• Your relationship with your rabbit will be a happy, healthy one.
• Every day rabbits are killed at shelters due to the huge overpopulation. By spaying or neutering you rabbit you are helping to put an end to this.

http://www.bunnybunch.org/spayneuter2.html

My girls cost me £69 each to be done, my boy was done when I adopted him (this is the easy/cheaper route!). So I think £69 works out at $107 US. But like I said, if you get some from a shelter/rescue, they will often already be done, or they sometimes give you a money off voucher.

[SarahHound]

I don't know where you are in Tenessee, but I found this...
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TN559.html & http://www.hopsandlops.org/

and http://rabbit.rescueme.org/Tennessee

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thanks for the links! I'm not sure where Kingston is, but I'll check it out.

The only thing I worry about is the hay, as we had to rehome our guinea pigs due to what we thought were hay allergies. So we'd have to figure out how to get around that if possible. We're in a new home now though, so it wouldn't be hard to keep the rabbit separate from my mom/brother who were effected most.

Thanks again for all the info, it's greatly appreciated.

[SarahHound]

Oh no, that wouldn't be too good! I hope you aren't allergic, they are lovely little pets