I NEED INFO plzzzz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

hi im trying to convince my parents to allow me to get a rabbit and well its working pretty good but my mom still says no but she was happy when i cleaned the house she still doesnt know that i did it to get the rabbit thats why right now im just trying to show her im responsible.......anywayz i need all the info on rabbits i can get i already know alot but better sage than sorry so all you animal specialist or even rabbit or rodent owner plzz help i REALLY want a rabbit so plzz help thx !!!!!!!!!!!

sorry i meant ** better safe than sorry **

Answer 1

Ok here is some info on rabbits:
Rabbits are best kept indoors. If you are going to keep your rabbit indoors, you should keep it in a cage and let it run around in an enclosed area such as a room some of the time.
If your going to keep an outdoor rabbit, you should keep the hutch in a shed to protect it from the sun and cold weather. This should start in spring to allow your rabbit to get used to the weather. Rabbits are heat sensitive, and get heatstroke easily, so keep your bunny out of direct sunlight.

Also, if you would like to let your rabbit run around and nibble on fresh grass, you should buy a rabbit run. Make sure and keep the run on grass that has not been treated with weed killer.

With whichever cage or hutch you may buy, make sure it is big enough for the rabbit that you are going to put in it. The bigger cage the better! If you have a relitvly small cage, get a small rabbit such as a netherland dwarf to go in it.
Litter training is easier than it may sound. Spayed or neutered rabbits are more easily litter trained, since they dont leave waste in any other areas to mark their territory. Your rabbit will start to leave most of its waste in one corner of its cage. Put a litterbox in that corner, and fill it with dustfree, unscented cat litter. Then place some of its wast inside the box to show the rabbit what it is for. Litter training should always begin inside the cage. Multiple litterboxes are sometimes needed when your letting your rabbit run around in the house.

Unless you are planning on using your rabbit for breeding purposes, you should get it spayed or neutered. This can help your rabbit to prevent certain diseases, but also is expensive.

Make sure and find a good vetrinarian for your pet! You will need to take your bunny to the vet for check ups monthly, also to get its nails clipped regulary, and to neuter/spay your rabbit. Find a vetrinarian who specializes in exotics, because they are the ones who will be able to help your rabbit the most.

Pet shops usually sell rabbits, but they are often healthier when you buy them from a breeder. When you are buying a bunny, look for these signs to show you that it is healthy:
1. Looks Attentive
2. Unclouded, wide open eyes
3. Healthy coat with unmatted fur
4. Strong, equal teeth
5. No stains on the fur around the anal area

Feed your rabbit pellets, but stay away from the cheap department store brands. It will also need fresh hay at all times, as well as fresh water. It is important that you keep a water bowl in its cage as well as a water bottle, until you see that your rabbit knows how to drink from the bottle.

Your bunny will need 1 cup of greens per 4 lbs of body weight. Here is a list of plants that are safe to feed your rabbit, with a link to a picture to show you what they look like, and also of some poisonous plants that you should not feed your rabbit.
SAFE to feed:
- Dandelion Leaves
http://www.hormel.com/kitchen/images/refimages/seasonedinsight/fruit_veggies/greens/greens_dandelion.jpg
-Parsley
http://health.learninginfo.org/images/parsley.jpg
-Romaine luttuce
http://z.about.com/d/nutrition/1/8/K/A/istockromaine.jpg
-Thornless Bramble
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/pictures/a197.jpg
-Clover
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/graphics/taxonomy/plants/spermatophyta/angiosperms/dicotyledonae/leguminosae/red%20clover/JSC%20970702%20Red%20Clover%202.jpg
-Chickweed
http://www.healin-hollers.com/images/chickweed.gif
-Shepherd’s purse
http://www.jochenlueg.freeuk.com/wildflowers/shepherd.jpg
-Coltsfoot
http://www.rivernen.ca/colts_ft.jpg
-Groundsel
http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/groundsel-1.jpg
-Mallow
http://www.humeseeds.com/mallow1.jpg
-Plaintain
http://indianspringherbs.com/Images/Plantain_plantago-major3.jpg


Remember, the fresh greens I have mentioned above should be fed in moderation, because too much could make your guinea pig sick. If you are not sure whether somthing is good to feed or not, DONT feed it because it could be poisonous.
Here are some plants that are POISONOUS and SHOULD NOT be fed, so that if you see them you know to avoid them.
-- Buttercup
http://z.about.com/d/healing/1/0/r/R/feg_buttercup.jpg
-Hemlock
http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/wildflower/hemlock.jpg
-Foxglove
http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/foxglove-1.jpg
-Nightshade
http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/woody-nightshade-3.jpg

There are also certain fruits safe to feed your rabbit. Feed about the equivenint of half a pear per four lbs of body weight per week. Rabbits love apples, raisons, pears, grapes, and peaches best in my experience. Raisins are altime favorites. Bunnys will do almost anything for these, and are an ideal treat when training them. Only feed natural raisins though - rabbits prefer these over ones with sugar and other ingredients added, plus the natural ones are a healthier choice.


You will also need to give your rabbit wooden chews to keep its teeth down, since they are constantly growing. My rabbits enjoy fresh maple twigs, which are safe to give. You can also buy wooden chew toys from a pet store.

Rabbits also need to be groomed often, especially the longhaired ones. Grooming helps to remove old, dead hairs, and helps knew ones to grow. This is important because rabbits, unlike cats, do not have the ability to throw up, so the hairballs can sometimes block their breathing path. I have a shorthaired rabbit and use a soft baby brush to groom her. If ever you think that too much hair has gotten into your bunny’s mouth, then feed i a laxative such as a dandelion leaf which should help to clear the throat.

You should probably do some research before buying one to learn how to care for it. You can get this from library books. Here are a few internet sources that I have found:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit_horse_and_other_pet_care/how_to_care_for_rabbits.html
http://www.vrra.org/r101-care.htm
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/a/rabbitsfeeding.htm

Answer 2

First be sure you're ready for a pet! This animal is going to need care and attention, regardless of what you have planned or how you're feeling at the time.

Also try helping out around the house. Not just for as long as you want the rabbit, but for the rest of the time you live there. A few minutes here and there every day make a BIG difference. I'm saying this not only as somebody who was a "kid" not too long ago, but as a parent as well. =)

Answer 3

My rabbit chews everything and has ruined carpet and furniture so when you let your rabbit out to play be sure it is some place where he/she can't ruin anything good. They need to run around and play everyday. Also, if you get a boy I think it will be better to have him neutered. When my rabbit, Tucker was growing up he would spray urine everywhere and started urinating out of his litter box. We got him neutered and he was calmer and clean again. He is so loving. I am sure you will be happy with your bunny.

Answer 4

Try going to http:// www.rabbit.org. They have a lot of useful information on there that you can read. Good luck.

Answer 5

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit
Rabbits.org -
BEHAVIOR - http://www.rabbit.org/behavior/index.html
CARE - http://www.rabbit.org/care/index.html
HEALTH - http://www.rabbit.org/health/index.html