Pet Rabbit Guide

Rabbits are popular pets amongst children. However, the care of pet rabbits is harder than it seems, and many end up in

rescue centers or back to the pet shops. You must read a pet rabbit guide to know more.

Can Rabbits Make Good Pets?

Rabbits can, and do, make good pets as long as you understand them. Many people buy rabbits because they look cute. Some people like rabbits as pets because they are quiet. There is no barking, hissing, meowing or squawking and that can be a really good thing. They communicate through slight noises such as grunting when they are irritated or clicking their teeth when they are happy. They also communicate physically for example, lying low to the ground and bowing his/her head down low when they want to be stroked.

Rabbits can also be extremely affectionate animals. They need to be at least 2-3 hours out of their cage socializing with members of the family. It doesn't take long to build a bond with a pet rabbit as long as you give it the right amount of attention each day.

If you are into recycling, you may be surprised to know that a rabbit is a very good pet. Things such as toilet roll tubes can be given as toys and old towels can be used for bedding. Their waste can be used as compost and they eat green vegetables. You can even buy recycled litter for your rabbit.

If you are looking for an animal to live in the house, a rabbit is ideal. They can get on with other animals too. You should be careful when introducing an animal to another animal. Not all dog breeds will get on with a house rabbit as they may have hunting tendencies which will cause them to attack the rabbit. All other animals, if introduced slowly, should eventually accept the rabbit as another member of the family.

Early evening and early morning are the most active hours for a rabbit. They can be very playful and they will race and leap around, providing plenty of entertainment.

What to Look Out For When Choosing a Rabbit

When buying rabbits, there are certain factors you should take into account:

Is the cage and surrounding areas clean?
Are rabbits alert and active?
Age
Are their eyes clear and bright?
Are there any signs of diarrhea, sneezing or itching?

You should always perform mini health checks to see that they are healthy. There should be no sign of anything wrong such as diarrhea around their cage or around their rear end. Their eyes should also be clear and bright and depending on the time of day they should be alert and active. If a rabbit is just lying there, it may be a sign that something is wrong.

The best age to get a rabbit is when it is six to ten weeks old. This helps to get the rabbit used to you and it is late enough to take them away from their mothers.

You should also keep a lookout for behavioral problems that might be already showing. Things such as abnormal aggression towards littermates could be a sign that the rabbit is dominant and it could prove difficult to handle. If you are unsure about anything you should ask the breeder or the pet shop staff and they should be able to provide you with sufficient and clear answers. If they can't it may be best to shop around as you really want somebody who knows what they are talking about.

Some breeders give their rabbits a mini check up in front of you just to show you how healthy they are. This is a sign of a good breeder.

Where to Buy a Rabbit

Pet rabbits can be bought in three different places. These are:

A Rescue Organization
A Pet Shop
A Breeder

A Rescue Organization

It may be surprising but a lot of pet rabbits are taken to an animal shelter when they can no longer cope with it. There are a large number of rabbits abandoned each year. They are in desperate need of a new home.

They are cheap to purchase from an animal shelter and the staff there can provide you with plenty of information on the care of pet rabbits.

A Pet Shop

Most people buy their rabbits from a pet shop, and while this may be the easiest, most convenient way to buy a rabbit, they aren't necessarily the best ones you can get. Not all pet shop staff socializes their animals and so you may not end up with a tame rabbit.

An advantage of buying from a pet shop is that you can buy all the bits and pieces you need while you are there, saving time in the long run. Overall pet shops are ok, but breeders are usually the best option to go with.

Breeders

Breeders know what they are doing most of the time and they breed good quality, friendly rabbits.

Usually living in a home environment, the rabbits get plenty of handling and attention .The breeder also knows everything about baby bunnies and they should be able to answer any questions you may have.

While they may be a little more expensive, buying from a breeder gives you a better piece of mind and it is always best to ask as many questions as possible before purchasing your chosen animal.

Overall, rabbits can make good pets providing you know what you are getting yourself into. They can be great for children as long as you supervise them and they can make great house pets. So grab a pet rabbit guide if you really are interested in owning a rabbit.

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