How to Choose the Perfect Rabbit
Before you choose, here are a few things to
remember
Yes, the baby is adorable -- and hard to resist like all
babies, they make them that way so we’ll care for them. But, just like all
babies,THEY ARE A LOT OF WORK, and there are many adult rabbits
that are cute, sweet and are socialized and ready to make you a great
pet. Another thing to keep in mind is that rabbits are only babies for a very
short time (3 months or so)
Another pit-fall is the sickly rabbit, even if it is tears
at your heart. You really need to realize you will be playing
nurse-maid, which is to say you need to be prepared for the
possible sleepless nights and medicines etc., no matter how you
look at it -- a lot of work.
So, if you are a first time bunny parent, you will be
happiest and more successful with a young adult that has been socialized and is
ready to join you in learning all about rabbits. Then you’ll be
ready for the baby or bunny that needs a supportive home – Next
time..jpg)
Where to Get Your Bunny
Pet Shop
Although pet shops are probably the first a place you think
of when you considered getting a rabbit and this may be the
easiest place to get one, you will be limiting
yourself. First of all, they may or may not have the breed you
have researched and decided best fits your lifestyle. Yes,
they probably will have
all the general supplies you will need which is convenient but. what you more than
likely won’t find is very important, and obviously important to
you because you have starting your search for your new bunny by information
gathering. So, getting your bunny from a person who is an
expert in all things rabbit is a immeasurable benefit.
So why would you want to get your bunny from a place that knows
very little about your specific bunny or anything about bunnies
in general? Most likely you will find a high-school kid behind
the counter who answered the help wanted ads – there are just
too many animals in a pet shop for most employees to know much
about any of them. If you choose to get your rabbit from a pet
shop make sure you use the checklist LINK - RABBIT CHECKLIST
Hobby Breeder
In my opinion this is one of the best places to find a well
socialized, healthy bunny, from someone who knows each bunny
individually and can tell you all about the bunny you choose.
They may even be able to help you choose the bunny that best
suits your needs. A bonus with a hobby breeder is they love
bunnies and have put time into learning and raising bunnies so
they are a wealth of information. You will also be able to see
the parents and maybe even the grandparents of the bunnies you
are considering. Small breeders usually focus on one or two
breeds of rabbit, so you will need to find a breeder specific
to the breed you have decided on, either go online or call your
local chapter of the American Rabbit Breeders Association -
http://www.arba.net
Rescue
Organizations or Shelters
The benefit of getting a rabbit from a shelter or rescue
organization is that you will be giving a home to a homeless
animal, always a good thing to do when you are bringing a new
pet into your home. Another advantage is that the rabbit is
probably already spayed or neutered, vaccinated (outside the
US*)and health
checked. You may need to pay a small fee, but it is usually
less than the actual services cost. Usually these organizations
have behavioral tested your bunny (as much as you can a bunny)
and will know his temperament etc. And you may even luck out
and find a bunny that is already litter trained.
You will probably have to go through a evaluation process
that can include filling out an application and paying your fee
or may include a “home visit.” You can usually call and find
out if they shelter has bunnies available for adoption and they
will be more than happy to explain their adoption process. Most
shelters have a clause that if the match between you and your
bunny doesn’t work, they will take her back and find her another
home. Hopefully, you will have done enough research before you
bring a rabbit home so that you know what your are getting
yourself into, because you don’t want to put an animal through
“revolving homes” if you can avoid it.
Who is the bunny for?
Different breeds are known for different overall
temperaments and personality traits. For example, a bunny that is
a food match for a child (8 years of older) is a Holland Lop (actually smaller than a
Mini Lop), they are the smallest of the Lops, gentle by nature
and small in size (adults are usually about 3 lbs) making them
easier for small arms to hold. The Netherland Dwarf on the other hand may be small
(around 2lbs) they are more “high-strung” so don’t make a good
pet for a child under about 13 years of age.
.jpg) Children’s Pet
Just like any other pet, rabbits need daily care and
attention, so if you are getting a bunny for a child under about
25 years – just kidding, really as a mother of five, I am not
sure any child is completely responsible for a pet – but you
know your child. Just keep in mind that if the child doesn’t
provide the care, and attention, you will need to play that
role. Even if you have an extremely responsible child, you will
still need to oversee the care. Plus, keep in mind any
child under 7 or 8 will need to be supervised constantly while
handling the rabbit.
It is always good to remind children even very little kids
that pets are not temporary or “throw-away” that they are a
living breathing animal that will need their care and attention
through out the life of the pet.
Indoor or Outdoor?
Again, different breeds, different physical needs. Certain
breeds are better suited to being a house rabbit, the French Lop
for example is a good bunny for indoor life (which includes
housetraining) but a Netherland Dwarf does much better outdoors
in a hutch and enclosure.
House Bunny
Yes, believe it or not a rabbit can live in your home much
like a cat or dog. They can be litter trained and will
even follow you from room to room. Of course, you will need to bunny proof your home much like you would
for a baby or a puppy. Which means electrical cords up or in
protective covers, small places blocked and anything else that
could cause harm to your little chewing, curious busy baby.
Another important thing will be to house train your bunny if he
isn’t already. Check out House/Litter Train Your Bunny for easy to
follow instructions. LINK
Outdoor Bunny
If you are planning on an outdoor rabbit you need to keep
in mind your weather, you cannot expect your domestic rabbit to
do well in temperature extremes, snow and frozen temperatures or
high heat and humidity or even just rain are not weather a
rabbit can cope with, even if they have a place to get out of
the weather. and you already have a hutch and
run/enclosure you already have a hutch or a run/enclosure you
will need to match it to the breed size, although the larger the
hutch the better.
As a rule of thumb, most breeds need at least
a 5 foot hutch, although a dwarf rabbit can get along with a 4ft
x 18 in. hutch. Keep in mind that too small space can not only
make your bunny uncomfortable, but can cause problems because of
the lack of space to exercise muscles, which can then lead to
respiratory and digestive problems. Your bunny is going to need
a large area/enclosure to run, regardless of the size of the
hutch. You absolutely cannot simply keep your bunny in a hutch,
taking it out for a cuddle or two once in awhile. A rabbit must
have exercise – whether the run of your house, a large
run/enclosure or daily walks.
Walking Your Bunny on a Lead
Yes, if you have a larger bunny like a larger Rex, French
Lop, or Giant, they can be lead trained and taken for walks, or
course not like you would your dog, remember they are little and
they don’t do well off grass on pavement. But,if you just
think about what fun it will be to take you bunny for a walk in
the park – of course it must always be in a safe place and
always on a lead, but you will attract all kinds of attention
with your cute little fellow out for a stroll.
** If you live outside the United States --- You will need
to wait until they are completely vaccinated if you are walking
them in fields where wild bunnies run. SEE Info on
Myxomotatosis and VHD LINK
So, now let’s talk about what to look for in a bunny’s
condition
Overall Body
Look at the
rabbit(s) in the cage or enclosure, before you even pick him
up. How do all of the rabbits look, generally healthy, not too
fat or too skinny, coats smooth and clean, eyes clear. This is
just an overall impression, you’ll get more specific after you
get past this stage and pick up the bunny that you are
considering. Look to see how she moves around; you are looking
to make sure she doesn’t show signs of lameness, or limping,
stiffness or any avoidance of movement. If she seems frightened
it may point to the fact that she hasn’t been socialized and
that adds something to consider – do you want a bunny you have
to work to socialized or that may never socialize enough to like
human handling.
Eyes
There should not be any staining around the eyes, dampness
(tearing or discharge) If the rabbit isn’t bright eyed then
the rabbit may be ill.
Nose
Just like with the eyes, if there is a discharge from the
nose, or signs of discharge it is most likely a sign that the
bunny is sick.
Ears
Again, no discharge, and the ears should be pink not red.
If there is damage it could mean that there was a birth defeat
or that the rabbit has been fighting. If either of these is
true you need move on or to ask more questions. A birth defect
would mean you are bringing home a bunny who will have medical
needs *. If the rabbit has been fighting, you should find out
why – is the cage overcrowded, or is the rabbit under any other
stress that would case fighting that could change with a change
of homes.
Breathing
The rabbit’s breathing should be easy and not labored.
When you pick her up you shouldn’t be able to feel or hear a
“rattle” in her chest. Put your hands on her chest, if you feel
the rattle the bunny is sick.
Coat
It should look well groomed and smooth, no bare patches –
it should just look healthy. And make sure you look at her
bottom, if there are signs of soil, it means she has diarrhea
and is ill.
Personality
What you are looking for here is whether she has been
properly socialized or not. How does she react to you and
others? When you picked her up was she comfortable with you
holding her? Does she like being petted and cuddled?
So, there is a brief look at what you need to look for when
choosing a bunny. There is much more to consider when choosing
your bunny - For more in-depth, complete information read more
*A shelter should have had the rabbit checked by a
veterinarian, if you are getting the bunny from a breeder, and
the bunnies haven’t been vet checked, but you have your heart
set on the bunny with a possible health problem, get a health
guarantee (if the bunny doesn’t either check out with a vet or
gets sick or has a birth defect you can bring the bunny back –
but then you need to be willing to return the bunny) If not you
should probably look for your bunny elsewhere.
.
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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