Post subject: Just got first rabbit - help please!
My son aged 8 has got his first pet today - a rex rabbit (Harlequin markings). He is 8 weeks old and gorgeous!! I wanted to bring him into the house to hold and cuddle to get him used to being held etc. Howver - my husband then had a severe allergic reaction!! I now have to keep the poor thing in a hutch in the shed and we will have to go down there to play with him but it isn't big enough for us to sit in with everything that is stored in there. The rabbit is too young to have an outdoor run adn I work all day. What is your advice?
Posted:
Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:06 pm
jabbro TopDog
Joined: Jan 27, 2007 Posts: 1196 Age: 54 No.Of Pets: 3 Pet Types: 1 dog, 2 rabbits, 1 hamster
I'm afraid rabbits are not good childrens pets, in fact they are definetly adult pets despite the general perception they are good with kids. Rabbits can live on average 8-12 years, so they have more in common with a dog than a hamster. They are very nervous animals, being prey animals and you really need to leave him alone for a couple of days as babies can easily become stressed and develop bloat (similar to colic in horses). Sadly this also means they don't like being handled in general and even the most tame bunnies often put up a fight when being lifted.
They are naturally very active animals so need a large accomodation, and sadly most petshops sell tiny prisons. What size is his hutch? Is there anyway you could convert your shed into a bunny home? I have mine in a shed and my dad made a hole which allows them to go out into a run. Also, if you have paint stored in the shed, is there anyway you can store them elsewhere as I'd worry about the fumes which could easily effect a little bunnys lungs.
I don't know how much research you've done, but once hes settled in you need to get him vaccinated against VHD and myxomatosis. These need to be done 2 weeks apart and in some areas myxo jabs need to be done every 6 months if its in the area. Both are awful man made diseases used to control wild rabbit populations and cause totally inhumane deaths. VHD causes convulsions before death and myxo is very slow causing the eyes, nose and gentials to go very scabby and swollen up and the rabbit stops eating and reclusive as it dies. You may also want to look into getting him nuetered as well as some males can spray, hump and bite when they hit sexual maturity, some dont show any difference. Its not vital unless he is a she to prevent cancer, but if you get him neutered it means you could look into getting him a spayed female from a rescue.
Sorry if this sounds all doom and gloom, rabbits are very rewarding animals who love to play, explore and you will laugh at some of their antics. As you have posted on here, I have no doubt you will really enjoy your new pet.
I strongly, strongly recommend you join this forum:
I'm afraid rabbits are not good childrens pets, in fact they are definetly adult pets despite the general perception they are good with kids. Rabbits can live on average 8-12 years, so they have more in common with a dog than a hamster. They are very nervous animals, being prey animals and you really need to leave him alone for a couple of days as babies can easily become stressed and develop bloat (similar to colic in horses). Sadly this also means they don't like being handled in general and even the most tame bunnies often put up a fight when being lifted.
They are naturally very active animals so need a large accomodation, and sadly most petshops sell tiny prisons. What size is his hutch? Is there anyway you could convert your shed into a bunny home? I have mine in a shed and my dad made a hole which allows them to go out into a run. Also, if you have paint stored in the shed, is there anyway you can store them elsewhere as I'd worry about the fumes which could easily effect a little bunnys lungs.
I don't know how much research you've done, but once hes settled in you need to get him vaccinated against VHD and myxomatosis. These need to be done 2 weeks apart and in some areas myxo jabs need to be done every 6 months if its in the area. Both are awful man made diseases used to control wild rabbit populations and cause totally inhumane deaths. VHD causes convulsions before death and myxo is very slow causing the eyes, nose and gentials to go very scabby and swollen up and the rabbit stops eating and reclusive as it dies. You may also want to look into getting him nuetered as well as some males can spray, hump and bite when they hit sexual maturity, some dont show any difference. Its not vital unless he is a she to prevent cancer, but if you get him neutered it means you could look into getting him a spayed female from a rescue.
Sorry if this sounds all doom and gloom, rabbits are very rewarding animals who love to play, explore and you will laugh at some of their antics. As you have posted on here, I have no doubt you will really enjoy your new pet.
I strongly, strongly recommend you join this forum:
Pet Forums
News
Pet Links
Community
Pet Guides
Pet Tools
