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Are You Ready For A
Rabbit?
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Maybe we should talk about it first
You are considering getting a rabbit because
you have heard that they make good pets, they can
be house trained (who knew?) and they are adorable.
Before you go and get a pet rabbit here are a few things
you might want to consider first.
Cute & Cuddly
Rabbits can be affectionate, sweet, animals. Full of
personality and make wonderful house pets. With
proper handling and training they can be an excellent addition
to your family but they aren't the stuffed bunny that came in
your Easter basket, they are living, breathing, demanding
creatures and if you decide to bring one home you need to be
prepared for the care they will need. You also can't just
put them in a hutch and throw a few carrots and some hay at them
once-in-awhile. The need and deserve more from the humans
that have made it a pet. So what else do you need to
consider?
Children
If you have small children in the house a rabbit
may not be the best choice for a pet. There are
many considerations as you will see as you continue
to read that should be considered if you have children
but the main consideration is that rabbit must
be handled carefully, the are easily injured and they
are not very patient when mishandled - they bite.
Although rabbits will bond to the humans in their lives,
they are not at all like dogs or cats. It takes lots of quiet
patience to get them comfortable around people. Noise
and their surroundings. Much more like a cat than a dog,
they won't fetch a ball or enjoy a game of chase.
Young children's enthusiasm can overwhelm a rabbit and
a fearful rabbit isn't a safe pet for small children.
Chewers
Your pet rabbit is a natural chewer and doesn't know the
difference between your table legs, books and
electrical cords and the items that are safe and
appropriate to chew on. Your rabbit needs exercise
and cannot be kept in a cage all the time. This wiil
require "rabbit proofing" whatever space you decide is
to use for exercising. Also, your pet rabbit will need to
be provided with variety of proper chewing toys LINK -
APPROPRIATE
CHEW TOYS FOR RABBITS and other constructive ways to keep them
occupied and busy.
Territorial Marking
Unneutered and/or un-spayed rabbits will display the typical
behaviors of most intact animals. They
will mark their territory, which means that they
will spray urine on vertical surfaces, "marking" or leaving
a notice to any other rabbits that is is their territory and to
stay out ! It is more likely that a male will do the
spraying but females will also mark there territory especially
if there are other animals about.
LINK - SPAYING AND NEUTERING RABBITS
Time Commitment
Your pet rabbit will need attention. They cannot be simply
provided
a cage and given food and water and a treat now and again. It
isn't fair the to rabbit and if this is your plan, then you
probably should consider a pet that will need or want less
attention - a gold fish perhaps - Rabbits
need to be provided supervised exercise unless they have a safe
area that they can come and go as they choose. They are social
and
do not do well without interaction with humans or other rabbits.
They will require a clean cage, grooming and a proper diet that
consists of
not only rabbit pellets and alfalfa but also fresh fruits and
vegetables
daily. Even if this is a pet for your child, you and I both
know, you will
be required to put in time caring for this pet, even if nothing
else you will need to be the overseer - making sure the rabbit
is properly cared for and not forgotten, you will need to make
runs to the pet-food store and to the vet if necessary. So
when considering time, and you are a parent keep this in mind as
you consider whether your family is ready for a rabbit.
And finally in considering the time commitment, you
should know that a well cared for rabbit can live well into
their
teens.
socialization
An important time commitment that can make a large difference in
you and
your rabbit's experience together is how well he or she is
socialized. This early socialization is an important
thing to look at when checking out breeders - whether they
socialize the young bunnies before they are sent to their new
homes. What I mean by socialization is your
rabbit will have its own personality and whether you have a
well-socialized, bunny who like people or a skittish, fearful
bunny will largely be determined by how he or she is
handled and
cared for early on. Although breed and size etc. will have some
effect on personality, the biggest influence on will be on
whether you handle and talk to them frequently and how much time
they spend with humans..
Health Concerns
Just like any other pet, your rabbit will require regular
veterinary visits. Not just when they are sick or
injured but "well-bunny" visits also. Because they can have problems with overgrown teeth (rabbits teeth grown
continually)
digestive problems, including hairballs and from eating the
wrong thing they should see a vet at least once a year after the
initial visit or two. (if you live outside the United States you
will need to get them immunized**) On occasion they may suffer
from sore feet and legs from a variety of causes and urinary
tract infections, ear mites and fleas they need to be seen by a
veterinarian. Most things can be managed easily if you are
monitoring your rabbit so you know when they aren't quite acting
as they usually do (again this is were a parent's attention will
be vital) and you provide them with preventative care.
Cost
As with any pet, there are start up costs and then ongoing costs
that
will continue throughout the life of your rabbit.
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Cage
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Nesting Box for sleeping
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Litter box,
scoop,
litter, incluing cleaning supplies (If you are planning on
a indoor/House bunny)
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Small vacuum or broom & dustpan
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Fenced outdoor play area
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Indoor exercise run (for bad weather days)
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Food dishes (un-chewable, heavy like ceramic)
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Bedding
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Toys (chewing and activity)
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Grooming items
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Flea Preventative
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Food, including fresh alfalfa pellets, hay, fresh veggies and
fruit,treats.
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Travel or carrying box for trips to the vet etc.
So this bit of information should at least help you
begin the process of choosing a rabbit and whether
or not you want to consider further the choice of a rabbit
for you family. Check out the other articles
that will provide you with more information.
** LINK TO MYTSOTOSIS ARTILCE
LINK TO ALL OTHER RABBIT ARTICLES
Tame
That Wild Thing!
has the information you will need to help you in choosing a pet
that is right for your family. Check the menu for animal
specific information and checklists to help you get ready.
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