A guide for rabbits?

Question

I find myself the single parent of two nasty rabbits.

What is a good book about taking care of them so that they don't die on me and hopefully they'll become less mean with people?

I don't want to dump them in the animal shelter because they are so mean that they have zero chance of being adopted.

Answer 1

Thank you for keeping these rabbits despite their ornery behavior. The world needs more people like you! For suggestions on dealing with rabbit misbehavior, I highly recommend the House Rabbit Society's FAQ on aggression at http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggression.html .

For general information on rabbit care, there's nothing better than "The House Rabbit Handbook", which can be ordered from http://www.rabbit.org/care/drollery.html and is also available from Borders and many other book stores. The House Rabbit Society, which wrote the House Rabbit Handbook and the aggression FAQ linked to above, sends out a quarterly journal to its members that's also chock full of helpful information. You can join the House Rabbit Society at http://www.rabbit.org/hrs-info/joining.html (only $18 per year if you're in the United States and $25 per year if you live anywhere else).

While waiting for The House Rabbit Handbook and the House Rabbit Journal to arrive in your mail box, you may want to read some of the House Rabbit Society's excellent articles online at http://www.rabbit.org/care/index.html .

One of the most important things you can do for your rabbits is have them spayed or neutered. This reduces hormonally-based aggressive behavior and assists with litter box training. There are also health benefits. HOWEVER, it's essential that the surgery be done by a veterinarian who has experience with rabbits. A list of rabbit-savvy vets in the United States can be found at http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html . If you're in any other country, use this link instead: http://www.rabbitvet.net/ .

Good luck, and please feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Raising Better Rabbits and Cavies is a good book. I also recommend joining the ARBA they have many good articles on rabbits in their magazine Domestic Rabbits.

http://www.arba.net/pubs.htm

As far as feeding, it's best to stick to just the rabbit pellets and water and maybe a little timothy hay. Feed them just what they'll barely clean up in 24 hours and remove any stale feed.

As far as handling, you'll have better luck handling them after you get the rabbit out of the cage and set on a carpet on a table. Rabbit's are more territorial in their own cage.

Don't use too big of a cage. If the cage is too big they can become mean if they can get in a corner where you can't reach them. A 24" wide x 24" deep x 18" tall or 32" wide x 24" deep x 18" tall cage will work for most rabbit breeds except for the few largest breeds likc Checkered Giants, French Lops, and Flemish Giants.

Don't ever hit a rabbit. It only makes them meaner. Calm them by petting them on the forehead between the eyes. It helps put them in kind of a trance. It even calms really mean rabbits.

Make sure to keep the rabbit balanced when you pick it up. If the rabbit doesn't feel balanced it will scratch in and effort trying to gain balance. Also give the rabbit a place to hide by placing its head in your armpit when carrying it.

If you have more questions feel free to write me. I've been raising and showing rabbits for 25 years.

Answer 3

Rabbits for Dummies is a great book
http://www.amazon.com/Rabbits-Dummies-Audrey-Pavia/dp/076450861X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-9957212-6879069?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186970458&sr=8-1

The House Rabbit Society also puts out a great book. If you have a House Rabbit Society in your state, they can be a great resource. Most will hold free rabbit parenting classes which are very informative.

Try http://www.rabbit.org for some great info online.

Good Luck