Pet Rabbit?

Question

I'm thinking about getting a rabbit, can someone tell me a little about them? Do they bit all the time? Do they carry any diseases or germs? I have a 2 yr old daughter so I want to get a pet thats safe for her, and we have a apartment so I really don't want a dog. Any info would be great! Thanks!

I appreciate your concern, but I am not an idiot nor do I need parenting tips.. Of course my daughter will be supervised around all animals at all times. Thanks for answering my question montreaux1991!

Answer 1

If you get any, get one that was just born. Then, it will have a lot of time to get used to it's new home. Mini Lop Bunnies are great with kids. I have a Mini Lop and they are one of the most calm types of bunnies. I do not think they carry any diseases or germs, but I am pretty sure they don't. They do not bite very much, and when they are just born without sharp teeth, their bites do not hurt at all, but a grown up rabbit bite hurts like a cat bite, which is not too bad. Here are a list of things you need to get for a bunny:
-They need a water bottle and a food dish. They sell food dishes that attach to the metal bars on the cage. The water bottles cost around $4. The food dishes that attach to the metal bars cost around $3
-Bunnies need rabbit food, which are rabit pellets. They come in a bag (usually) and you can buy them at most pet stores. The rabbit pellets cost around $4 for a 10 pound bag.
-You can buy a litter box for your bunny and litter box train it. For more information on litter box training, go here-->http://www.willasark.com/bunlitter.cfm. Litter boxes for small pets cost around $8.
-You will also need to buy a cage. Rabbit cages for one bunny will cost around $50.
-You can buy bedding to put in the litter box, but do not use cat litter in your bunny's litter box. Bedding costs around $3 - $6.
-You can buy Timothy Hay for them to sleep in and eat as a snack. Timothy Hay costs around $3.

That is usually the only items you need for your bunny to stay alive. Here are more tips on bringing your bunny out of the cage:
-Bring your bunny out of their cage for excercise in a spare room that has no carpeting. If bunnies chew carpet, it can ruin their teeth, and you probably do not want your bunny to go to the bathroom on the carpet. Let it excercise for at least 20 minutes. Remember to always take the bunny's litter box everywhere you go with your bunny, especially when it's excercising.
-You can buy rabbit harnesses for your rabbit and when your rabbit is wearing it, you can take it for walks outside. Make sure the harness is tight enough before going outside. Let your bunny run free, but do not let it eat fertilized grass.
That is really all you can do to make your bunny healthier with excercise. Here are some Don'ts when you have a bunny:
-Do not feed your bunny veggies at all. Most lettuce can be bad for the bunny. Although they do like veggies and you can give them to your bunny, I do not suggest it because there are many ways your bunny could choke on it. And, if your bunny was just born, you have to wait about 6 months if you do want to give it veggies, but please don't because some of the veggies can even kill the rabbit or give it a disease of some sort. Thank you!
-Do not let it go in any rugs or carpets in your home. If bunnies chew carpets, it can ruin their teeth.
-Do not leave your bunny out of it's cage unattended.
-Do not leave your bunny's cage dirty and full of pee and poop.
-Do not forget to feed and give fresh water to your bunny at least once a day.
-Do not forget to excercise your bunny 20 minutes everyday.
-Do not leave small objects where your bunny could reach them.
Those are about all the Don'ts!
Oh, and, I forget two more things! Most Mini Lop Bunnies cost $30 - $40. And, remember to clean the whole cage out once a week.
Good luck with your new bunny and thanks for the two points!

Answer 2

I wouldn't really advise a rabbit as a 2 year old's pet either - they can be pretty difficult to hold properly even for an adult. They're not always the cuddliest of pets - they're not really biters, but they can scratch something awful with their claws when they struggle. You do get some that are really cuddly, but only if they're held right!

If you still want to go ahead, know that healthy rabbits do not carry diseases harmful to humans - if they are ever going to go outside however they need vaccinating against myxomatosis ad VHD, and worming to prevent against e cuniculi. None of these diseases are transmissable to humans.

Rabbits can be litter trained to an extent - just put their tray where they poo most, and pick up their pellets and put them in the tray so they get the idea.

Please feed your rabbit an appropriate diet - very important for digestive and dental health. This should be 75% hay, and proper rabbit pellets. Here's a list of suitable veg:
http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html

Here's the petsathome website with all the info you could need - there are care leaflets to download here too:
http://www.petsathome.com/pcat/rabbit

Chalice

Answer 3

im 17 and i'v had rabbits for as long as i can remember, if its ur first rabbit i sugest you have a dutch dwalf they're known for their gentel nature and you shouldn't have a problem with your two year old. the dutch dwalf is small enough for your child to hold without any difficulty, as with all animals there is always a danger they will bite but most of the time its only in self defence. As for them carrying diseases, if the animal is bought from a recognised pet shop, breader, or animal dealer the animal should be completly free of any diseases, but if you choose one form a background you can't trace i suggest you give them a wide berth. also (some people may disagree) but i'd stay away from rabbits with pink or red eyes as they do tend to be more aggresive this is only because i believe they have something wrong with their eye sight due to genetics not illness. Also when and if you buy a rabbit take your little girl with you and ask the seller if you can handle the animal and even let you girl hold it, of corse it will wriggle its not used to you but if it settles quite quikly thats the one for you, if you live in an apartment are you planning to keep the rabbit inside or outside?

Answer 4

I had a rabbit, he was great, you want to take her to check them out when you go to pick out the rabbit, so that you can see how she reacts with them, you can see which one will be best for her to get. I don't think they carry diseases, but ask the pet store operator if they have ever had any concerns with where the rabbits come from. They don't bite all the time, but can at certain times. When they are hungry, especially or if your toddler is pulling its ears, they are sensitive to that. But if your daughter can learn to be gentle and sweet with it, you shouldn't have to worry too much. I had mine for over 8 months and he only bit me once.

Answer 5

A rabbit is not going to be a great pet for a two-year old. Rabbits don't like to be picked up and can be shy. They are fragile and improper handling by a rambunctious child can lead to serious injuries. They can nip or bite if they feel threatened or want to get you to stop doing something. The also need out of cage time for exercise and can be destructive if not taight to chew proper items.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

First of all, bunnies are not good pets for small children.
I know they are cute an fuzzy, but they require a bit of care, and do not like all the grabbing, squeezing and tugging a toddler will do. They can bite and scratch if annoyed enough.

If you still insist on getting one for your daughter, you must daily enforce the fact that the bunny is not a toy. And be prepared to do all of the feeding, grooming and cleaning up for it!

Answer 7

Hi ... I hope you choose to go to your local shelter to see about a rabbit rescue as opposed to buying one from a pet store.

For basic answers on pet care, including an estimate of your investment, check out:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_rabbitcare

For info on the types of health issues a rabbit owner may have to address for their pet, check out:
http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-diseases/7/RABBIT/

Good luck, good health and God Bless!

Answer 8

They are great for children and providing they are taken to the vets for their annual injections they will not carry disease.

Answer 9

rabbit.org has all different info on rabbits. It might help you with rabbit info.Good luck!