My daughter wants a rabbit...help?

Question

My daughter has been beggin us for a rabbit. And when she was playing softball we told her if she hit the ball she could have one. But now I dont think I want to mess with it. I hear they stink and are alot of work. Please tell me how easy/hard they are to take care of.

Answer 1

I don't think they need alot of work at all. I personally have 53 rabbits including Holland Lops, Polish, and Netherland Dwarfs, plus several pregnant ones on the way, ha ha. I clean there pens once a week. They will only smell bad if you don't clean them. I also have 4 in my house. Just keep them clean (once a week) if you are going to have it inside and it shouldn't smell.

If you want a breed with longer fur then you will have more work to do. Those breeds need brushed alot.

I won't take long to feed your bunny at all. For me, well it would take longer than for you, but it usually takes about 20 minutes to feed and give fresh water to all of them. I feed my rabbits Manna Pro. You can get it at Tractor Supply.

If you are looking for a rabbit. I would get it from a breeder rather than a pet store. A breeder would guarantee that the rabbit is healthy, if it is a boy or a girl (pet stores usually get that part wrong), and most of the time it is cheaper to buy from a breeder.

If you are interested in a bunny or have any questions at all e-mail me at [e-mail] . I know many breeders that sell bunnies at reasonable prices. I could give you an e-mail address of someone that lives near you. Also, I love answering questions about bunnies and helping people out with there bunnies, so if you have any questions, no matter how small just e-mail me. I am usually on the computer a few times a week, so I could probably e-mail you back soon.

Hope this is some info that you were looking for,
Jamie

P.s. I personally think that a Holland Lop is the perfect rabbit. I have never had or have seen a mean Holland Lop. Of course all rabbits have different personailities. Holland Lops can only get up to around 4 lbs. Most of mine weigh about 3 1/2 pounds. They go to the bathroom just as much as any other breed does. I think out of the smaller breeds that they are one of the more laid back ones.

Answer 2

Truthfully, though I have never had a rabbit, they are much easier to take care of then, say, a dog. Rabbits generally live in small cages that can be purchased for about $20. Rabbits, like any other pet, need fresh water and food. Special water bottles that hang to the side of the cage are nice, and only need to be filled up every once in a while. Rabbits are gentle creatures, but just like any other pet, they can bite sometimes, so make sure that your rabbit is accustomed to its new home before playing with it.
As for 'smelliness', I don't believe that rabbits are very smelly, but it's their cages. Rabbits need a soft, wood shaving-like 'carpet' on the bottom of their cages that they use like a cat uses a litterbox; these need to be cleaned accordingly. If this is too messy, you can try and attempt teaching your rabbit to use a litterbox-type box as a toilet; I have seen rabbits trained to do so.
Truthfully, if you think that a rabbit is too much work, you may want to look at getting a turle or other reptile.

Answer 3

OK, listen-

You hear a lot lately about how much work rabbits are, blah, blah, blah. But I have been breeding rabbits professionally for years (with many national wins and Best in Shows), and I am an ARBA registrar. Go to any rabbit show (Fairs don't count. A rabbit show is the spiciest salsa, and a fair is watered down ketchup) and any breeder will tell you the same thing- rabbits aren't that much work!

They don't need to go to the vet. They don't need to be walked. All they need is an appropriate sized cage, and fresh food and water daily, and the cage cleaned every few days, depending on how anal you are about smell. They would like some toys and to be played with, but it is not completely necessary. But all my rabbits have a toy, so they don't get bored. Does (female rabbits) smell less because they don't spray,but bucks (male rabbits) make better pets. You can spay or neuter, but in my experience it is absolutely pointless, but it may cut down on spraying.

I would get a Dutch if I were you. They are one of the oldest breeds so they are completely genetically stable, unlike some of the newer and more inbred breeds, like Netherland dwarfs, which seems to be either the nicest rabbit or an absolute witch. But why take a chance? ; )

Answer 4

Rabbits are great animals! Here are their disadavantages and their advantages:

Disadvantages:

they do smell, so trying to keep the cage smell good, could be a problem. u can "spot clean" everyday too!

they are hold to handle, so, make sure that you go over with ur vet and daughter about how to hold a rabbit right!

they chew on EVERYTHING! yes they do, so, making sure that they don't chew on cords is a BIG thing to watch out for!

They bite

They can be expensive sometimes!

Their Advantages:

They will eat any un-wanted fresh veggies or fruits!

They get along with other family pets (sometimes!).

They are fun to care for!

They are good with children (but can bite sometimes)!

They are fun to shop for!

They are fun buddies to talk to!

Over all, rabbits are fun, loving pets, but do have their ups and downs! Take the time to read about rabbits before getting one! Remember, getting one at an animal shelter saves a life!

I hope that this helps! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

Rabbits are more work then they appear. Rabbit cage will have to be cleaned daily. You can teach them to use a litter pan which could make this process easier. Even if they are short hair rabbits you will have to use a cat 'slicker' or brush to comb them a couple times a week. Just like cats rabbits CAN get hairballs. Brushing, giving them a 'hairball/supplement gel' and feeding them timothy hay along with fruits and veggies should hopefully avoid them. Nails have to be trimmed every couple of weeks. Most people will say to give your rabbit baths but LOL just try it. Its not easy especially if your rabbit is not hand trained very well. I recommend keeping baby wipes on hand to clean up dirty paws and faces. They need play time. You can buy rabbit play pens and toys and treats and let them have some room to run and jump.

Its a daily job. Remember...they can't take care of themselves...they require their human owner to keep them alive. Good luck on your decision.

Answer 6

depends how conscientiously you care for the animal. people have litter-trained them that I know, mine still will leave pellets on the floor, but she heads to the cage to pee. Their odorous urine is a drawback if you slack off about changing out the litter material, usually pine shavings. They make urine absorbing pads for rabbit cages, too, but cost is an issue there. The bedding\litter material also has bearing on how much odor they'll trap, there;s some made of recycled material that work better than pine shavings. Also, when cleaning the cage, every couple times you do it, spray the bottom thoroughly with pet odor neutralizer, and wash that off after allowing it to soak a few minutes. I do this, and have very little odor problems, unless I get too busy and let my duties go for a day. However, I have three guinea pigs in addition to my bunny, all in my bedroom, and I hate foul odors with a passion. It's all about the time you can happily spend on the animal's upkeep, and only you know that for sure. Bunnies chew, too, wires being a seeming delicacy to them, so out-of-cage time needs supervision, and they require some running around time for their well being. Hope I helped, if only a little, good luck making the right decision for your circumstances. Bunnies are smarter than most people give them credit for, too.

Answer 7

if you have just one or 2 they're easy to take care of
I suggest for a first time rabbit owner to get a DUTCH or a mini lop
if your keeping it in the house, i suggest cleaning the cage once a week, emptying the tray as often as needed

i've raised rabbits for many years, the only time i had problems with them stinking was in the winter when i had them all in the barn, and it was hard to get under thier cages cleaned out ( i layed hay/ straw down on the floor under thier cages and used a pitch fork once a week)

there really isn't much into it they're fairly cheap, Just pellets , and water and a salt ring is really all you need
you can give it twigs from the yard to chew on to keep its teeth filed nicely
and attention you can't just get it and leave it in the cage constanslty it'll be really mean if you do
you can even teach a rabbit to use a litter box like a cat
but i do suggest getting as man books (from ur local library) or doing the reasearch online about rabbits, and thier breeds before you buy one

I started out with 2 netherland dwarfs and when i quit 4 h i had about 10 differnt breeds and some babies :-)

Answer 8

it only stinks if you dont clean it. I have keeped my bunny in my bark yard for years. i just made sure that the she cant get out. she comes and taps on the glass door when she needs any thing. I say give it a try. not to mention you promised her if she hits the ball she gets a bunny. you wouldnt want to give her any reason not to trust your words.

Answer 9

Rabbits do need lots of work. They do stink if you don't clean the cage every day and they require very large cages and exercise.
Look into smaller animals such as gerbils, or rats. They still need lots of care, but the cages don't get as dirty as fast and they'll smell less and eat less.

Answer 10

i have two rabbits, they're actually VERY easy to take care of. when you have indoor rabbits they will almost never get dirty because they're very clean animals and wash daily. and they require almost no attention unless you want to train it to like you however haha. but i put my rabbits outside in a pen and they absolutely love it because they have an area to run around in and i dont have to pay any attention to them except to feed them and give them treats. but yes their cages do tend to get smelly, but its usualy not that bad.