Thinking of getting a baby rabbit.

[Nats Chickens]

Hi everyone, my parents are thinking of letting me and my younger siblings get a baby, male rabbit. Possibly a lop or mini lop or something. So I wanted to ask what is good for rabbits? He will probably live with our 5 female guinea pigs and so I thought I would start a thread about him. It started because we are pet sitting Dads work friends rabbit and he is lovely and we all love him (we have had him for like 5 weeks) we will have him for another week or so, so we will probably get our own rabbit (if we get him, which is highly likely because Mum was ringing the vet yesterday to find out how much it costs to vaccinate a rabbit per year) in the next week or two. So what are some good ways to look after rabbits?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

All I have to say is,they stink.Cute and stinky.He will need fix and I don’t suggest putting him with your guinea pigs not with the other male rabbit.

 

[Nats Chickens]

It's okay, we will get him after the other rabbit goes home.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

Hi!

I've never actually dealt with baby rabbits--how old do you think you will get? The youngest I've dealt with is about a year or two old, but I know a bit about taking care of younger buns.

I also don't know how he will do with the guinea pigs. If they start fighting, you should probably keep them separate.

Like TheTwoRoos said before me, you're going to want to have him fixed.

Do you have feeding and housing planned out, yet? Not only for him as a baby, but as an adult?

When he's a year or two old or younger you can give him alfalfa, but stay away from it when he gets older. I suggest giving unlimited timothy hay and a timothy hay based pellet, but that's just me. You can give them other grasses as well, and a timothy hay based pellet isn't needed. But that's what I give my buns.

I view pellets as more of a supplement rather than an actual food source. I give them one scoop every morning once a day. (Especially since I have a 10 year old rabbit who's digestive system can't handle too many pellets anymore. But that's not your problem)

Also on the note of pellets: don't buy the grain-based pellets that also have the weird dyed stuff in them. Grain is bad for bunnies.

You'll also want to give him safe, cheweable toys. I'd personally stay away from all the dyed and 'commercial' stuff commonly sold in the pet stores, and try to find the more natural things like wood or undyed items like grass mats.

I notice a lot of people will give their buns greens daily. I don't. I give them more as a treat, but again, that's mostly because my older bun can't really have a lot anymore. Even when he was younger, it doesn't make a crucial difference if you do or don't give daily greens.

Will you be keeping your bun inside or outside? With inside you'll not only have to litter train him, but change out his litter box every few days. Like TheTwoRoos said before, again, it does get stinky! (I now have my buns outside in a hutch--we both love the change a lot better, lol)

If you keep him outside, you'll have to make sure you keep him cool during the summer and warm during the winter.

Also, make sure your bun gets exercise. Whether it's letting him run around your house or buying a pen (I suggest a dog pen--it works great) to set up in your yard, they need a chance to stretch their legs.

Also don't forget grooming and nail trimming. I have a rubber cat brush that works great on my buns, so you could look into something similar. I also have either a dog or cat nail trimmer? That works fine for me. You usually need a partner for clipping nails, unless your bun is good about it and you can handle it yourself.

Well, that was very long, but those are the basics. Hope I didn't repeat anything you already know. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer!

 

[cassie]

I confess I don't know much about pet rabbits. However, in my experience rabbits stink only if their quarters are not clean and dry. I don't understand why neutering him would be necessary unless he is living with other rabbits. Enlighten me please. My pet rabbit was a big New Zealand buck and I never considered having him neutered. He did live in a hutch outside but he was frequently allowed to hop around the yard. He was tame and docile and he didn't object to being petted and picked up.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Rabbits will get a urinary cancer if not neutered,it also keeps crashing them form being overly aggressive and helps them live a happier longer life

 

[Nats Chickens]

Our friends aggressive (?) Rabbit is fine in with the guinea pigs. We would feed him rabbit and guinea pig mix and we have a massive exercise pen. He would be very spoilled and we would get whatever age is available when we want to get him. He would definitely be an outside rabbit. He would get lots of greens and love.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

Our friends aggressive (?) Rabbit is fine in with the guinea pigs. We would feed him rabbit and guinea pig mix and we have a massive exercise pen. He would be very spoilled and we would get whatever age is available when we want to get him. He would definitely be an outside rabbit. He would get lots of greens and love.

Sounds like your future bun is gonna be living the good life!

Are you going to rescue?

 

[Nats Chickens]

No. We are going to get him off gumtree. (Remember; if we get him )

 

[Nats Chickens]

And yes, with five of us 13 and under [plus Mum] he will be very loved!