Choose a Pet Rabbit
Rabbits can make great pets. To choose a rabbit, you’ve got to be observant. The main point to take note of prior to buying a rabbit is the health of the rabbit. Here are the steps to evaluate the rabbit before choosing it as your pet.
Contents
Steps
- Visit the breeder that you are getting the rabbit from. Look at the location the rabbits are in and check that it's clean, has water and food, and seems neat and pleasant.
- Look at the rabbits. Find a few you like the appearance of and ask the breeder to separate these from the rest of the bunnies so you can choose one.
- Note that you should bond with the bunny before you make you final pick.
- Check the health of the body and fur. Look over the rabbit’s body for proper weight, and signs swelling, skin disease. Ensure no baldness or inflamed skin as the coat should cover the body evenly, nicely and fully.
- Find the rabbits' personalities. What do you see? Do you see a cuddly, soft rabbit or a wild, crazy rabbit? Consider what kind of personality you want your rabbit to have, and ask the breeder to remove the rabbits whose personalities you don't like.
- Look for sparkling eyes. Make sure the eyes of the rabbit are bright and free from discharge, meaning no crying tears.
- Teeth should meet properly at the front with the upper incisors going over the bottom (much like the human bite). Avoid rabbits with teeth that meet evenly or have an underbite, without curling or excessive overlap. Improper tooth position is a chronic problem that can stop the rabbit from eating and will only get worse without frequent vet visits for trimming.
- Check for clean and dry ears. Be sure there is no waxy discharge in the ear. This is caused by ear mites and is easy to treat, but it can be signs of neglect.
- Ensure the rabbit’s nose is dry without discharge and check the inside of the front legs. Matting there suggests a runny nose because rabbits wipe their noses with their feet. Also, check that the rabbit has clean underparts.
- Calm breathing is very important to ensure the rabbit has no breathing difficulty or cold. Breathing will be very fast, especially if it is scared or hot. The area it lives in should be clean. Droppings of the rabbit should be firm and dry.
- Consider the sex of the rabbit. Do you think you want a girl or a boy? Boys tend to be naturally more cuddly and love the attention. Girls are more outgoing, but less cuddly.
- Talk to the breeder. Breeders understand the nature of the parents and have known the babies for the longest; they understand their rabbits' personalities more than anyone.
- Make sure that the breeder has handled the kits (baby rabbits) from the first weeks they are old enough to do so. This will make it more likely that the rabbits are friendly toward humans and less likely to be scared by people.
Tips
- Make sure to pick out a large enough sized cage for your rabbit to feel comfortable after you bring it home. Also note that rabbits are social animals; they like the company of other rabbits as well as human companions. Consider how much time you can spend with your rabbit.
- If your house your rabbit outdoors and live in a hot summer climate zone,you should also get it a fan because they get hot, and always have plenty of fresh water available for your bunnies.
- It is always better to find a rabbit breeder who can guarantee the health and soundness of your pet rabbit. However, If you must get your rabbit from a pet store, you will need to be sure you know how to tell the sex of the rabbit.
- Rabbits can live 7-10 years. Carefully consider making that kind of commitment before getting a bunny. They are not a toy that can be discarded when the novelty wears off.
- If your time is limited, you might want to think about getting two rabbits, but be sure to give them plenty of room to have their own space too.
- When thinking about getting a rabbit or any other pet, check out local pounds and shelters. Many animals are given as surprise gifts or purchased from pet stores on impulse.
- Males get along very well with other males as long as they are neutered. Additionally, neutering will prevent the males' tendencies to spray urine.
- Females tend to be more territorial, but housed in a large enough enclosure, they should be fine together.
- Rabbits love digging! You can put an old litter tray in the hutch full with fresh soil.
- If you get two rabbits, it is even more important to determine the gender of them! If you get a male and female, it is almost sure that you'll end up with a litter of babies!
- Consider getting a rabbit with a longer nose that isn't as punched in. This could save your rabbit from having teeth issues.
- It is never a good idea to get two males even after they are neutered because they are territorial and may fight.
- If you only want a pet rabbit for the sake of having a pet, obtain it from a shelter. There are probably bunnies there that need homes. But if you want a rabbit for breeding or showing, obtain it from a breeder. Ask for a pedigree(lists the rabbit's ancestry), to be sure the rabbit is a purebred. Another good place to buy rabbits is a fair.
Warnings
- Make sure that the rabbits are at least 8 weeks old, which is when they are able to look after themselves.
- Rabbits can and will bite. Therefore, be careful when handling them.
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