Any problems raising a rabbit in an apartment?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a rabbit for a 4-year old? Any problems with possible allergies, such as skin irritation or asthma? How often would the cage and apartment need to be cleaned? Do rabbits need to be bathed? Do they need to be taken outside like dogs or can they be raised strictly at home (in an apartment)? One last item: if the family goes away for the weekend, can we just leave food out for the rabbit for three days?

Answer 1

http://www.oink.demon.co.uk/pets/rabbits.htm


http://lala.essortment.com/howtotakecare_rcqn.htm


click on the links...

Answer 2

The allergies will depend if your 4 year old is allergic to rabbits. That can only be done through allergy testing or seeing how the 4 year old reacts around rabbits. The cage would need to be cleaned once to twice a week. I recommend getting a cage with a wire floor that has a pan that fits under the cage. It is a lot easier to keep a rabbit clean with a wire bottom cage. Here are some sites for cages:

www.bassequipment.com
www.kwcages.com
www.damars.com
www.klubertanz.com

Rabbits are not supposed to be bathed. They clean themselves like a cat does by licking their fur. Bathing them could give them pneumonia and it also takes the natural oils out of their fur, which isn't good for it. If the rabbit gets stained, use a lightly damp cloth soaked in white vinegar to work out the stain, then work the same area over with a lightly damp cloth soaked in water to help remove the vinegar. Finally, rub dry with a dry cloth.

They do not need to be taken outside and they can be litter trained like a cat can. Tobasco or hot sauce can be rubbed on stuff to keep the rabbit from chewing stuff like electric chords or furniture legs.

I don't recommend leaving food out for the rabbit for three days. Rabbits are good at turning their food or water bowls over and the rabbit could be out of food for most of the three days. Also, rabbits don't like to eat food that's been in the feeder for more than one day because it tends to get stale. If you are going to go on vacation for a couple days or more, hire someone to feed the rabbit.

Also, when feeding the rabbit it's best to stick to just the rabbit pellets and water. Giving the rabbits snacks such as lettuce, carrots, grass, fruits, and vegetables can give the rabbit diahrrea and make it sick if given too much. Snacks should only be given in very small amounts. When feeding a rabbit give it just what it will eat in 24 hours. By the end of 24 hours it should barely have cleaned up all the food you have given it. Rabbits need fed once a day and watered twice a day, with completely fresh water at least once a day.

I started raising rabbits when I was 5 years old. So I don't think rabbits are a bad thing for a 4 year old. However, I would recommend that you watch how your four year old handles them and instruct the 4 year old how to properly handle and pet them. It is probably a good idea to have a local rabbit breeder show you how the rabbits should be properly handled. I recommend getting a rabbit from a local rabbit breeder instead of a pet store. A rabbit breeder will know much more about rabbits than the people at the pet store do. Your local county 4-H extension office could give you a list of people that raise rabbits or you could contact the American Rabbit Breeders Association at www.arba.net. They put out a great rabbit magazine called Domestic Rabbits and they sanction all of the rabbit shows across the US.

Answer 3

If the apartment is smoke-free you don't really have to worry about additional health problems but some are allergic and the allergy goes away within a month or so sometimes. Cages need to be cleaned 2-3 times a week or before if completely soiled. Rabbits bathe themselves regularly but you can wash it in you bathtub with a special bunny shampoo if it gets really dirty from mud or something similar. They can be raised strictly in the apartment but there is the option of litter-training so the bunny can run around the apartment so it doesn't feel cramped up in a cage. If the family goes away for the weekend have SOMEBODY who cares about your bunny to check on food and water every so often during each day you are out. Here's a site for more bunny information:

Answer 4

Oh absolutely, a rabbit can be kept in an apartment if you toilet train it like dogs, to crap in a cat litter tray. Perhaps bring the 4-yr old to the pet shop and see if the child sneezes or gets itchy skin while choosing a bunny for the child! Rabbits are very clean creatures and likes to have their cage quite clean, so i would say clean the cage out at least every 2-3 days. (depends how much they crap as well). Rabbits don't really need baths because they wash their own faces and groom themselves(watch them, you'll see what i mean) but it would be nice to give them a bath once a month or two to make it smell like lavender. Yup, living strictly at home is fine, make sure it doesn't get bored and chews the cables in your house! Let it run around the house like 3 times a week for exercise. The rabbit may even know how to come home itself when it wants, hehe
Ahh, yes, it is possible to leave HEAPS of veggies and dry mix in the cage for 3 days. However it may get sick if the veggies become not fresh! So perhaps give the rabbit to be looked after by a trust worthy pal of yours.

Answer 5

I have a three year old bun who was really aggressive and had a lot of traits that you stated above. Honestly, she's not 100% "cured", but these methods have really helped her lighten up a lot. When rabbits live in packs, the submissive rabbits will hold their heads flat to the ground while the dominant rabbit grooms them. Since your human and cannot groom the same way, by taking your hand and gently pushing your bunnies head to the ground will/should reinforce your dominance and show him where his place is in your "pack". Also, carry a spray bottle around and every time he sprays you or poops without using his litter box, spray him on the tip of his ear or his nose. It will cause him to drop everything he's doing and bathe. Also, spray him whenever he attacks you. Keep this up for about a month and he will learn that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. This is my preferred method for punishing a bun! Mince up some of his favorite treats (I use fresh papaya) and every time he does something good, reward him. That way he'll learn that good behavior is rewarded, while bad behavior gets him sprayed. I know that you do not want to neuter, but it really does help in the spraying/humping department. It won't help in the dominance department because of his age, but the spraying/humping seems to be a big issue. Get Rabbits For Dummies 1 & 2 - especially the second one as it deals with behavior issues! It has a lot of other good ideas in it. I really hope that these ideas work for you. I have four bunnies of all different ages and these methods work wonders for me. You won't see changes over night, but with diligence, you will see improvement! Good luck! :-)

Answer 6

I had a rabbit as a child (15yrs ago); of course all children are different, but I was allergic to it, I had red bumps all over my arms every time I held it. I remember it being pretty smelly, I think we changed the cage every week at least. The one thing I remember not liking about it was that it had very sharp claws. Because I was allergic to it, we ended up moving the cage outdoors, so I'm not sure as far as asthema.
I think as long as it has a water bottle and a bowl of food, it would be fine for a few days.

Answer 7

Rabbits are not a recommend pet for kids. Kids tend to want to play and snuggle their pet. Because rabbits are prey animals they do not want to be picked up. rabbits do love people but on their own terms so you need to learn how to understand what your rabbit is saying to you. No you cannot leave food out for three days and go on vacation. Would you do that for a dog? You will need to bunny-proof your apartment. You will need to wrap wires in split loom cable and make sure anything else you don't want them to eat is off the floor.

Answer 8

hi, rabbits can live in apartment too, but try to make a nice cage not very tight for it. and every 2,3, months show it 2 the doctor, but i dont think rabbits r good for a 4 year old baby, cause in this age he is ready 2 catch every disease so fast,
but try to talk about it 2 the vet...they will kindly guide u...
no need for rabbits to go out like dogs and cats...
and if ur planning to go away for weekends and leave food, its not good ,cause maybe he will eat the spoiled food and become badly sick .