How about a little bunny help?

Much like the first thing I did when I got on my own was to buy the ball python my dad wouldn't let me have - I also am ready to get a bunny.

I've been reading a lot of books about the breeds, behaviors, set ups and all that shenanigans but I'd like first hand knowledge from people instead of just book talk.

In your guys opinions - I'd like a small rabbit that is calm and likes to be pet - I know that none of them really like to be picked up but I'd like one that at least likes to sit in my lap and snuggle. Which breed fits this best? I was leaning towards a mini lop or mini rex but that isn't set in stone since I'm still a ways off from obtaining an actual bunny. I work nights and I don't really know anyone around here so I spend all my time at home and I'd love to spend it with a rabbit and get to play with them and train them.

Also, what are the best set ups? What kind of cages are best, outdoor play pens, harnesses, etc?

Any input is greatly appreciated to add to all the book learning I'm doing! :D

I have 2 house rabbits that run around with my dogs (it's a lot like having 4 dogs sometimes). Anyway, One is a dwarf rex (black) and the other is a holland lop. They are both litter trained and have the run of the house when I am home (although the house needs to be rabbit-proofed). At night, or when I am gone, they each have a hutch to chill out in (where I also keep hay for them so they don't drag it all over the house).

For sheer personality, you can't beat the dwarf rex. He is such a character (bosses my mastiff around), but he can also be hyper and enjoys wreaking havoc when he feels he is not getting enough attention.

The lop is much quieter and can be timid. She hides under the coffee table when the dogs are wrestling. She will sit on the couch next to you when she wants to be stroked.

So - If you want personality and a little chaos, go mini rex - if you want quiet companionship, go lop. Either way, devote a LOT of time to training and reinforcing good behaviors when the rabbit is young, it will make life much easier. Both of my rabbits are rescues from a local shelter and both are fixed (so no hormones come into play). Just be patient and flexible when you start out and you'll be fine.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...fattychupa.jpg

Cheers,
Kat

Mini-lops are nice. I'd say to stay away from the angora types, unless you want to spend half your time grooming them. I've always thought rexes were awesome cute. I tend towards bigger rabbits, personal preferance. Haven't had bunnies in years.
Good luck. Your pet will be as good as the time you invest in training. Be aware of the CHEWING. They love to chew, baseboards, cords, furniture..

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Mini-lops are nice. I'd say to stay away from the angora types, unless you want to spend half your time grooming them. I've always thought rexes were awesome cute. I tend towards bigger rabbits, personal preferance. Haven't had bunnies in years.
Good luck. Your pet will be as good as the time you invest in training. Be aware of the CHEWING. They love to chew, baseboards, cords, furniture..

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Yea, I'm looking for one with short fur, as I'm not too keen on spending the time neccesary to brush out the ones with long fur.

I was actually leaning towards a mini lop until I saw the picture of the mini rex on here - what a bundle full of cuteness - and I kind of like that they have a more adventurous personality. I was also looking at English Spot because I thought they looked pretty cute and on the sites on I looked at it said they were relatively calm as well.

We had a bunny when I was very little and I remember that my parents never let us bring it in the house (it lived in the garage) because it chewed, I always felt so bad. His name was bunny foo foo, but he died when I was only 6.

Rabbits kind of got pushed to the back of my mind for awhile because my dad said absolutely no when I lived with him, but now that I have my ball python and he's settled I'm looking that way. And I saw a bunny on that animal planet animal talent show and I always thought they were cute but I had no idea you could teach them tricks and all that - I was amazed when I started doing my research and I'm really excited.

I have 2 Netherland dwarf bunnies and they are the absolute cutest things ever. They are small, well behaved, friendly and like to snuggle up with me. I got them when they were just weaned and really it was no problem at all to litter box train them and teach them some basic manners and to be snuggle bunnies. :P

We have our small dining room area penned off so that they have space to romp around. In this area is their cage, which stays open so that they can come and go as they please, a litter box, a wooden hide box type thing (mostly they like to sit on top of it), toys, food and water, and a cardboard box (this is a must!). The cardboard box is pretty much a favorite because they can chew on it and hide it in and I like it because I can just replace it when necessary. They WILL chew on things if they are bored or just because they can, so make sure to bunny proof the areas that your bunny will be living in.

Also, rabbits need other rabbit companions and should not live in single rabbit homes. Even the best human interaction cannot replace the companionship of another rabbit. We had our first rabbit for several weeks before the second one was ready to be weaned and even though we handled her and played with her everyday it was obvious how much happier it was once she had another bunny to spend time with.

I would also HIGHLY recommend spaying or neutering your rabbit. This greatly prolongs their life as it eliminates the chance of certain cancers and tumors. This also guarantees that you won't end up with baby bunnies if you have more than one, because they can be hard to sex (ours were both sexed wrong by two different breeders). Males will also spray like crazy if they are not neutered which is obviously not preffered.

Rabbits......not just retic food.....LOL

Any advice concerning gender too? I have always had male pets until I got my female mice and I was debating for my bunny. I've heard there is a bad problem with males spraying - I'd be getting the bunny fixed no matter what, so will that help with spraying if I get a male?

We have a male American fuzzy lop. He's a wonderful bunny, although I would steer clear of the long hair were I to do it again. He was neutered as soon as it was possible to do so and he has never sprayed. It only took him a couple days to learn to use the litter box - and he's very good about using it.

Once fixed, males don't spray. :)

I have a male Satin, neutered, and he's a sweetheart. :) Big guy, and still nervous about being held (rescued from the Humane Soc.), but a great bun.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...dburyinbox.jpg

Either sex, or even one of each, works out when they're fixed. The biggest problems come with the hormones, and once those are out both sexes calm down a lot.
Just look for a rabbit you like, that's the most important factor. :)

Okay, I MUST kiss that nose! :P

Rabbits make excellent pets...you're in for a lot of fun!

The best online resource site for everything bunny is, www.rabbit.org. Their articles are all great, and definitely worth following them on everything (literally, they are always right! ;))

Here's my rabbit. He's a himalayan, wonderful breed! If you are getting a rabbit as a pet- I would rescue one instead of buying a baby. Rescued rabbits are already fixed (save you $$), litter-trained, and your saving a life! And you can get one that matches your personality, since breeds don't make that much difference. Make sure you keep your rabbit inside too, a hutch is no place for them. My guy spends his whole day outside his cage and lives in the house like a cat. He is litter-trained, generally lies on the dog's bed or under the table. He's super-smart, and a lot of fun. Make sure you definitely fix your rabbit regardless of where you get it. It eliminates SOO many behavioral problems. They will be less aggressive, tempermental, messy, and smelly....an all around better pet! :gj:


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...DSC_0055-1.jpg

I adore my rabbit (if you can't tell)....I wish you the best with yours, keep us updated!

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Originally Posted by janeothejungle

So - If you want personality and a little chaos, go mini rex - if you want quiet companionship, go lop. Either way, devote a LOT of time to training and reinforcing good behaviors when the rabbit is young, it will make life much easier.

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I have to second that on the mini rex... personally i've never had a pure bred lop - well i may i just dont know her background.

my mini rex is AWESOME... he has such personality.
i'd be lucky if my mom lets me take him when i move out... because he is just like a dog...
i keep him outside (mom is allergic) , but he comes in atleast once a day for 30 or more mins to romp around my living room... :)
he is potty trained, when his cage was inside he'd run into it and pee when he had too... i reccomend mini rexes to anyone i meet that wants a bunny... because they are awesome.

as for gender - i have a male mini rex, he is a bundle of fun, my females have gotten territorial with me. and anyone i have talked to said they like the males - and they normally get theirs fixed... (keep in mind none of mine are fixed)

:)

hope that helped a tad...
i would have him running around with me right now... but im cleaning snake cages :) lol

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Originally Posted by cassandra

Okay, I MUST kiss that nose! :P

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:D I know... and he actually doesn't mind that. His nose is most kissable. :P

That Himalayan is a Beauty! Very very nice.

The only comment I would add to the hutch thing, is that an outdoor hutch is not a good ONLY home. I have a big indoor cage for extreme temp times, and I just got a nice big hutch for the enclosed porch. Since there's not much room in the apartment, and I can't just let him run around, his main home will be the porch. As I said, the porch is enclosed and I'll be screening the whole front to make it totally secure. I also have an outdoor heat mat especially for small mammals for colder days, and a big fan that will be out there on warmer days. He comes inside whenever the temps are out of bunny comfort range.

It is, of course, preferable to be able to have a rabbit indoors all the time and have the run of the house (or at least a good portion of it). But when that's not possible, a good combination of in and out can work just as well.

And yes, personality is very important. Much like with cats, you have to find a good match or all the great looks in the world won't help. :)

I will be fixing the bunny no matter what. I live in an apartment and the bunny will have a cage in there - but I really intend for the bunny to have run of the apartment when I'm home and would like to pen him off in the kitchen area (easiest to bunny proof and a good amount of room) with his cage at night when I'm at work.

I'd like to get an outdoor "playpen" for him when I take him outside, and get a harness for walks. I've seen people let them run around free outside but I'd be terrified he/she would just run away.

Yeah, i got a chihuahua harness for my bunny... it fits him for now but im going to have to up it...

i would deff reccomend a mini rex. mine is a really really cuddley bunny, when im in my room on my laptop he normally lays on my chest all streached out.
he is a doll. and he has his own blanket on my bed that he digs into :) spoiled bunn he is.

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Originally Posted by ChicaPiton519

Yeah, i got a chihuahua harness for my bunny... it fits him for now but im going to have to up it...

i would deff reccomend a mini rex. mine is a really really cuddley bunny, when im in my room on my laptop he normally lays on my chest all streached out.
he is a doll. and he has his own blanket on my bed that he digs into :) spoiled bunn he is.

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I actually saw your mini rex in your posting and thought he was adorable - that was when I started lookin them up.

emily said it all perfectly. i have two house rabbits. abbie is my english lop and rain is my dwarf mix, they are both spayed and make GREAT pets!!! We use NIC cages you make yourself, if you google NIC cage you can find lots and lots of different layouts.