I would love to have a bunny as a pet, and I was wondering if they can become a house pet? Can you train them to use a litter box? Would they chew cords and baseboards? Would my cat kill it because of instinct?
2007-03-04 05:58:34 · 13 answers · asked by Chetney W 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
any trusted websites? experience? Can I only have one in my home?
2007-03-04 06:03:38 · update #1
I actually only want one in my home.
2007-03-04 06:04:53 · update #2
Bunnies can be housepets. If anything, they should be house pets. In fact, many responsible bunny rescues will not adopt out to homes that will leave the rabbit in the garage or outside alone. Rabbits are social animals, they need company, and furthermore, if they're outside, they can be in danger from other animals. So kudos for you to want a house bunny.
As for litter box, yes, it's entirely probable. It just takes longer for some to learn than others. For example, it took my cousin's bunny about a week to learn, but while mine knows to pee in the litter box, it will poop everywhere. Which, I think, is the lesser of the two evils. I'm working with him now, and the key is consistency.
Will they chew? Yes. My rabbit will not chew wires or anything unless they are directly annoying him, but he will chew paper and scratch at fabric. For the wires, you buy this cheap tubing thing that goes around it. Sorry... I forgot what it's called, but you can simply google it. As for other stuff you don't want the rabbit to get into, simply put it out of its reach.
Concerning rabbits and cats, from what I've seen/heard, (usually indoor) cats and rabbits get along fabulously for the most part. Of course, you can't simply throw them together, but you have to go through the introduction process slowly. Is your cat solely indoors or does it go outdoors? If it goes outdoors, does it kill other animals? If so, maybe you could try confining one or the other to one room while you let the other out. Rotate.
www.rabbit.org is THE site for all things rabbity. It has all the expanded and detailed answers to the questions you asked. If you have more personal questions, there are yahoo groups and forums that can help.
It is, of course, suggested for your rabbit to have a rabbit friend, but it's not necessary. I only have one rabbit, but since I play with him daily for lots of time, he's fine. It's the same with my cousin's rabbit. Also, if your rabbit and the cat get along, well, that's good!
Hopes this helps!
*Edit: just wanted to add... for bedding or litter, DO NOT use cedar or pine, as bunnies can become seriously allergic. Not good. Try using recycled paper: Carefresh for bedding and Yesterday's News is great for the litterbox. Absolutely no clay for the litter, as rabbits can/will eat it and it'll cause problems.
2007-03-04 06:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by welonheadmoo 3 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we had "house bunnies" when my children were little, and they will do all of the above except use a litter box. If you don't mind rabbit pellets (poop) all over the house, they are funny, intelligent pets. But they will chew cords, baseboards, wiring, etc. My dogs and cats hated them, and we had to choose between keeping the bunnies in the house or our normal house pets. The house pets won and the bunnies went into their cages outside or in the garage.
2007-03-04 06:03:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes a bunny can be a house pet. I had a friend with 2 of them and she trained them to go in a litterbox ( i think she did the same way you would teach a cat, but I've never had a kitten so I'm not sure how you do it) but as for the cat issue... I've had a dog and a bunny be frineds with no problem.... you just have to introduce them ( I always said "be careful, it's a baby" to our dog and she understood) so you just have to watch the 2 of them at first and after a few weeks after daily interaction you should be able to let the bunny roam around :) but make sure the first couple of times you watch you cat closely, just to be safe and close any gaps the bunny might get stuck in.... GL and I hope it works out ;o)
2007-03-04 06:01:49 · answer #3 · answered by Christina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes bunny can be great house pets. Yes they can but will need the litter box cleaned more offer then a cat. They do chew cords and wood. (note rabbits and Bunny's teeth never stop growing) I never owned a cat But I don't truth it.
2007-03-04 06:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by Karama 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can keep a rabbit as a house pet, they are easily litter trained and very clean. im afraid you will have to keep all cables etc out of reach cos they will chew them but if you provide it with its own chew block then this will deter it from chewing anything else. I doubt your cat will kill it, introduce them slowly and gently and if the rabbit is a baby then dont leave them alone at first. Once the rabbit is grown it will be pretty strong unless it is a dwarf breed and your cat wont dare mess with it.I had a rabbit and my two cats adored it they were all great mates.
2007-03-04 06:05:32 · answer #5 · answered by pinkkittenliverpool 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They can be decent house pets... maybe even GREAT ones for a select few. But Ive had a number of rabbits throughout my life. And while they are very cute and enjoyable they do NOT use any thing but the carpet to do their business in. And they DO chew cords, and their urine is at least as potent as a cat's.
However, if you have a LOT of time, a ton of patience, and a magic wand (lol) you may be able to train one to use cedar chips or something. Not "littler" per se.
2007-03-04 06:08:49 · answer #6 · answered by Ari 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can be a house pet. I had a pet bunny for years.
HOWEVER....there are drawbacks. They love to chew sheetrock as I found out. They are natural born chewers. If you leave, you need to confine them to a crate. They are not good snugglers in bed.
Mine was in fact litterbox trained. She also lived nicely with 6 cats.
Depending on the age of your cat, it may take to the rabbit. Also depending on many other factors ....territorial issues being one.
It takes a LOT of diligence to integrate a non-feline with a feline. Think long and hard BEFORE you get one.
2007-03-04 06:07:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure they can be house pets - I don't know if you can train them to use a litterbox though. My grandmother had lop-earred rabbits and cats living in the house...the rabbits had a room with newspaper on the floor though! I'm sure they chew as much as any animal!
2007-03-04 06:02:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES.
my friend ashley has a rabbit and she has trained it to use a litter box, but beware it is STINKY. Worse than a cat sometimes,and dogs like to eat the poop.
You could goodle : "rabbit litterbox"
;]
good luck!!
2007-03-04 06:05:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you can have house bunnys.
i wouldn't if you had a cat though...unless you get a LARGE rabbit.
and they WILL chew, you'd have to bunny-proof your house.
2007-03-04 06:03:56 · answer #10 · answered by catx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋