Some of my friends say that I made a big mistake in getting this bunny, that they stink and are very hard to care for, others say they are a joy, and don't smell, who is right???
2007-09-24 04:13:31 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
We started out with two bunnies about 6 or 7 years ago. Then we decided to let the kids have a chance to breed and experience that new life coming into the world. We now have over 70 rabbits. My girls breed and show competitively.
Having rabbits is a great experience. First they give the kids the opportunity to learn the importance of character. My girls have to feed rabbits when its hot, when its cold, and even when they don't really fell like doing it. If their going to be gone, they will hire one of their sisters or friends to do the work for them.
Honestly, they aren't very hard to care for. Food and water everyday is what they mainly need to survive. Of course, we exercise with, play and groom all of the rabbits. My youngest daughter started when she was 5 with her first bunny.
There are many reasons rabbits can smell. The first is the cage isn't kept clean. Frequent cleanings will keep the smell to a minimum. You can also litter train the rabbit which will reduce the smell.
When rabbits reach sexual maturity, the bucks will have a tendency to spray, this can also carry a strong odor. To avoid this, if you don't plan to breed, have the rabbits spayed and neutered.
Food can also be a contributing factor to the various smells a rabbit can generate. Look for feeds that contain Yucca, which is a supplement that will also reduce odors. You can also add a few drops of vanilla to their water to limit the odors.
I think you made a great choice, and I'm sure you and your children will enjoy having rabbits!
2007-09-24 08:46:23 · answer #1 · answered by ThreeLittleLadiesRabbitry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have two rabbits -- never had a problem with them getting smelly, but you do have to clean the cage regularly. One was a joy, friendly and cuddly, sweet and loving. The other was a holy terror -- biting, scratching, vicious. I got them both together as babies and raised them the same, so it wasn't an issue with a past owner scaring or beating her -- it was just a personality trait.
I've heard that they can be litter trained but I never managed to train mine to do ANYTHING. Be very careful of wires, they'll chew through them. Use a metal cage so he/she can't chew through it, too. And don't get a second bunny unless you're absolutely sure that they're same-sex, or you have your bunny neutered first.
Good luck!
2007-09-24 11:42:42 · answer #2 · answered by goddessdawnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck. Yes they can be smelly but you have to clean the cage regularly (often). They can also be agressive once they reach puberty (just a few months old). Your sweet little bunny can turn into a gremlin and bite and scratch. If you are planning to keep inside they can be litter box trained but they chew on everything so keep lamp cords up and out of reach. If you plan to keep outdoors he must be protected against elements and predators. Kids tend to lose interest so I hope you like bunnies.
2007-09-24 11:21:14 · answer #3 · answered by PRS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits can be trained to use the litter box, and let run free in your house. Mine is litter trained, and I let him have free run of the house...for a while. He decided that I had no authority over him and would hide under the end table beside the couch and chew the lamp cord. That is something you cannot stop...a rabbit from chewing...as they are rodents, you know. My suggestion would be to get a hutch, and keep it in there and just let your kids play with it when they want to. Don't let it out otherwise.
2007-09-24 11:37:31 · answer #4 · answered by skeet monroe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There waste smells just like any other animal would. You have to keep the area cleaned out. Rabbits are like cats and dogs, they scratch and bite every once in a while. It will be a learning experience for all of you. It is not the neighbors who will be taking care of it so don't listen to them.
2007-09-24 11:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by justme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you keep the cage clean, it won't smell bad.. but, that is a bit of work.. The good news is most are easily litter trained, and can be free roaming while you are home.. ( they will chew wires so supervision or rabbit proofing is important).. They can be great pets.
2007-09-24 11:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by kaijawitch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll be fun for the first few weeks, then the realities of cleaning it out, feeding it, petting it....hit. Children get bored of pets easily. They'll love playing with it but there's no chance they'll look after it, so that's all down to you now. Rabbits are lovely, but I'd never give a child under 8 a pet, they tend to treat them like toys, and throw them around, hit them, squeeze them too hard...
All I can say is, good luck.
2007-09-24 11:37:08 · answer #7 · answered by electriclove18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits are a nice pet. I used to have one that was paper-trained. Just let him roam for a few hours a day and don't keep him in a cage 24/7, even after the kids get bored with him. And don't let them scold it or spank it. Rabbits don't learn like dogs.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/training.html
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2007-09-24 11:21:39 · answer #8 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rabbits can be wonderful pets. they can be litter trained easily and you can buy a supplement to help with the smell (which isn't bad compared to other small animals like rats and ferrets) and keep the cage clean with plenty of toys and room to run around about an hour a day.
2007-09-24 11:23:12 · answer #9 · answered by =^..^= kittie_kaat☺ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had an outside rabbit.. it didnt smell. cleaned regularly.. my friend had an indoor loppy and it didnt smell either.. usually its use a matter of cleaning their bedding and waste.. usually 2 or 3 times a week.. maybe less.. make sure you give the bunny time to adjust to the new surroundings..
2007-09-24 11:30:45 · answer #10 · answered by jeselynn_81 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋