I'm thinking of buying a rabbit??

Question

I want to buy a rabbit, because they are really adorable..i understand the responsibility of one (I also have a dog) but i don't know whether i should get one. Also are they hard to train or look after? What kind of responsibilites are involved?
I have a big backyard we i can build a hutch...
What breed would be good? I like the really small ones, maybe a dwarf rabbit...any suggestions? and female of male?
I'll like a bunny who likes being petted and cared for, but doesn't require so much attention that i can't take my eyes on it(sometimes i go out so the rabbit would have to be in the backyard)

How bout them pooping? i heard they poop ALOT...lol, can i toilet train them?

My dog's a little matlese cross terrier, he's small and harmless...i hope it won't be a problem :P

Answer 1

Please don't get a rabbit if you plan on keeping it outside in a hutch. Also, rabbits are social, so it's best to have two. Rabbits are abandoned and given up by unprepared owners all the time; very sad. I'd recommend going to the animal shelter and/or researching local rabbit rescues for adoption options, rather than buying them at pet stores. It's easiest to pick out two rabbits already living in the same cage.

Rabbit owners should research the responsibilities of pet ownership thoroughly. The House Rabbit Society website is a wonderful resource.

Feed rabbits timothy hay and a pellet made for indoor rabbits. Fresh vegetables and fruits only in moderation, and access to clean fresh water at all times. A good online source for hay and feed is Bunny Bytes.

They need to run around for exercise, and really enjoy playing with cat and bird toys. They are easily litter trained, but try to stick with compressed paper litters such as Yesterdays News, for respiratory reasons.

All pet rabbits should be nuetered or spayed, and require visits to the vet as would any cat or dog. You don't need to wash them, but you will need to clip their nails frequently.

A pet rabbit should be just as much a part of your family as the dog. In fact, if you're careful and persistant, your dog and rabbit(s) can even be great friends.

We have a "rabbit condo" from Leith Petwerks, Inc (they have a website). It's very attractive for use indoors, and roomy too.

As for the size, my experience says that the larger rabbits are more personable. Some of the smaller breeds (the really small dwarf rabbits) are more nervous. Lops, in particular, tend to be more social. Of course, every rabbit is different (like cats), and I hate to generalize. One thing to keep in mind is that unlike cats and dogs, rabbits are "prey" animals, and many dislike being picked up and held, even if they really love you and enjoy sitting next to you and being petted.

Answer 2

Rabbits make excellent pets, and offer a wonderful alternative where it may be impossible to keep dogs or cats. Rabbits are clean, docile, and intelligent. However, they still require responsible care and daily attention. Basic needs are a warm, dry hutch, clean, wholesome food, and fresh water to drink. Rabbits may live 10 to 15 years. Since there are over 40 recognized breeds of rabbits, check with a reliable source to determine what type would fit in with your lifestyle. The most popular are the smaller breeds, such as the Dutch, Holland Lop, Mini Lop, Netherland Dwarf, and Polish. Rabbits may be taught to use a litter box, and may be leash trained for trips outside the house.

Answer 3

I raised rabbits for many years but I never potty trained any of them. I don't even know if you can potty train them.

Since you have a dog, I'm not sure whether I recommend you getting a rabbit. A friend's dog came into our backyard and chewed off the head of the female rabbit (we originally bought both a male and a female). They were both in a cage but somehow, this dog got to them. The friend's mother later bought us a dwarf female rabbit.

Some people like feeding them pet store rabbit food and vitamins, but I was raised to feed them grass, fruits (watermelon), slices of bread, lettuce, spinach, etc. If you raise them outdoors, they shouldn't be much trouble. If you want to raise them inside the house, let them run around free when you're watching them. But when you're not, put them in a cage. They poop whenever and wherever they want to, but it's not like a dog's poop. It's small and round. It's 1/3 the size of a marble. Hard to find in and around the house.

Answer 4

If you want to buy a dwarf rabbit go ahead,they're cute and it doesn't matter what breed it is. Rabbits don't need to be taken care of or looked after that much but you must always prepare to give it fruits and vegetables because they eat none stop! Most rabbits are timid so if you pet it often,it will get used to you. As for gender,I suggest male,because males are not so fierce and you don't have to worry that they will have babies.

Answer 5

I highly recommend that if you get a rabbit it should be indoors. If you litter box train it, which is easy, there will be little smell. Indoor rabbits bond very well to you. Outside rabbits face many dangers including predators (dogs, cats, people, raccoons, hawks, foxes, etc), flystrike, fleas, hypothermia, heat stroke and lonliness. Here are some excellent websites. Also read the House Rabbit Handbook.

Answer 6

Rabbits are meant to be indoor pets, just like cats and dog. You can litter train them easily. They require a minimum of 4 hrs. of outside cage excercise time and can live up to 12 years.

If you're going to keep it in a hutch outside, you shouldn't get a rabbit.

Answer 7

We have two, one named Clancy we bought as a baby and another one which wandered to our front door, stayed there for a few days until we figured he was lost, so we took him in. We reported him lost to the council but never heard nothing back. Obviously he escaped from another home nearby but we are unsure why he chose our house and stayed on and around our door step for a few days. Anyway, that gives you some idea on how intelligent they are.

As for keeping them, each one has their own metal cage in our garage to prevent them from being near mosquitos.

They are very clean in that like cats, they tend to clean themselves, but we occasionally give them a bath. They also poop in the one spot.

We let ours run around on the grass and because they know us and their home, they never go too far, mostly follow us around and dig up the garden.

We give them the normal food pellet mix and clean water, change their bedding every day and give them treats such as carrot, celery, grapes and chew toys for their teeth.

Overall, cool pets to own if you don't have the room or backyard to keep a dog or cat.

Answer 8

I used to have a rabbit. Before you want to leave it out in the backyard it has to get used to you. That way I wont run away in a big backyard. And it will in the back yard, but it might get used to getting in the wild, so u have to see it a lot.

Answer 9

come to my house..they are all over the place..regular rabbits ,jack rabbits and coyotes..everywhere..