Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok, I am seroiusly thinking about getting a rabbit, but i have a few questions, that I don't know where to get answered.

1) I read somewhere that it is better to keep your rabbit indoors, but I have a few friends who keep them outdoors. Which is better?

2) What kind of hutch do I need? Does it need to be super big, do I need to have a special sleeping section, or can I just get them a house.

3) Are rabbits better in a pair, or by themselves.

4) What kind of rabbits are best, dwarf or regular?

Thanks in advance,
Casina

1) I would definitely reccommend an indoor house rabbit. Rabbits are social animals and typically like to be where the people are and in the mix of things, so it's best to put them where they can be around people a lot. Also, rabbits can be very much like any other "regular" housepet, such as a cat. Many people treat rabbits like cats and let them have the run of the house (but rabbits must be supervised at all times out of a cage. This way too, your rabbit wont get cold in the winter, or too hot in the summer.

2) As for a hutch, I would reccomend not really a hutch, but more of a cage/ kennel. Most rabbits can be fairly easily litter boxed trained, and a wire grated bottom of a cage is very harsh on little rabbits' feet, so it's best to avoid these kinds. Instead, I use an extra large dog kennel, that had openings on the side, but has a plastic bottom, which makes for easy cleaning. As for a "sleeping area" as you called it, I've never really heard of such a thing. My rabbit enjoys sleeping in her litter box, so I don't know about that.

3) As for a pair of rabbits or solo, often rabbits would prefer the company of other rabbits to that of none, especially if you will not be able to let your rabbit out a lot. I was planning on getting a rabbit to bond with my Dutch rabbit when I got her, but she ended up hating all rabbits and just loving people. She probably doesn't know she's a rabbit. But if that works for you, go for it. It really just depends on you and the rabbit(s).

4) As for your question of "dwarf or regular" I had to laugh a little. There are many different breeds of rabbits, and dwarf rabbits are just one breed. I guess "regular" would mean anything else than, which includes a lot of breeds. All breeds have their ups and downs, since you at least know about dwarfs, then you should know they tend to be a little more energetic, and since they're smaller, many people feel more uncomfortable handling them. I have a Dutch rabbit as said earlier who is about 4 lbs. They're a good breed for beginners I think, because they're a good size, generally friendly and layed back. Just make sure to research different breeds, and you'll find just how many there really are!

Good luck, and make sure to do some more research on your own. Don't make the mistake of thinking a rabbit is an "easy beginner" pet either, because they're really kind of high maintenance to keep them happy and healthy anyway. I hope I helped out some, also a great website is the House Rabbit Society Website, whose address I think is www.rabbit.org .

Good luck, and keep us updated on if you do end up getting a rabbit!

Ok, I will have to keep my rabbit outside, unfortuanatly (sp). My mom said that she does not want a rabbit inside. I will take it out every day, and might be able to let me get it another cage to keep it inside on hot or cold days, though.

Also, I have found a hutch thingy. It is one of those patios things. The one with an area for sleeping, that is covered, and and open area, to get sun, or whatever.

I know, there are a lot of breeds of rabbits. When I read that I hadn't done research on the breeds, really. Another question though, are the Rex a good choice? They seem to be the breed pet stores carry.

I also have 1 last question. I know you have to feed it 2 time a day, but when I go on vacation and am not home to feed it, could it be feed only once, with more food? If I can't I could have a friend who has rabbits watch it.

-Casina

i don't really know much about Rexes, sorry, but I'm sure someone else may.

And as for the feeding twice daily thing, I don't think it's necessary for a rabbit to be fed twice daily, I do, but only because my rabbit is always anxious and hungary in the morning when she sees me feeding my dog. When I go on vacation, I've had a friend feed once daily before, so it's probably okay, as long as the rabbit is still getting enough food daily. Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions if you want/need to.

BTW, this is my 6 or 7-year-old Dutch rabbit named Oreo, sorry, she's really big in this pic.

I have two mini-rex myself and they are very soft and sweet, but somewhat independant at times. Please, if you can avoid it, DO NOT BUY A RABBIT FROM A PET STORE!!!

Rabbits in pet stores are usually the result of mass breeding...rabbit mills, if you want to call it that. They are poorly cared for, often have maloclussion of the teeth, are ill, have sore hocks, or simply have not been properly treated because most pet stores either don't know how or don't care. Also, most pet store employees have NO idea how to sex a bunny, and will sell you a female calling it male and vice versa. This usually means that females and males are kept in mixed company, and any female that you get could surprise you with a litter of up to fourteen buns!

There are plenty of rabbits in shelters just waiting for a home. You get the chance to save a life in most cases, and in return get a rabbit that has been thoroughly vetted, is healthy and well-fed, is usually bonded already to another (adopt them both and don't worry about getting your bun a companion and doing introductions later!), and is usually fix, both extending the life of your bunny drastically (esp if female) and halting such unwanted behaviors such as territorial spraying and aggressiveness.

Yes, i have done lots of research since my last post. I am going to get bunny from a breeder, who breeds for shows, but the rabbit has hairs out of place. They seem to be selling them, in PA, for really cheap, with papers (don't know if that really matters). Just know that it means, that they come from a good background, I guess. Looking at dwarfs, mini-rex, mini-lop, and dutch. Not quite sure which is best though. If anyone has any suggestions, I am open for ideas.

-Casina

I don't know much about the other two breeds, but like I said before, I have a 6 or 7-year-old Dutch rabbit. She at least is very sweet to me, but doesn't like other rabbits much. And she LOVES to be pet, and will sit there for hours if you will pet her for that long. The only thing I've really noticed with her though, is she's really bonded just to me, and doesn't like others taking care of her while I'm away on vacation or whatever. This may just be her, or her age, but just thought I'd tell you a little bit about my Dutch anyways. Good luck, and yes, I would also strongly urge you to look at shelter bunnies. That's where I got my girlie, and I love her to death!

Yes, I have found an excellent place to get Dutch bunnies !

-Casina