Getting a bunny real soon…

[Mikayla206]

I am get a holland lop bunny in about 2 weeks. At times I am super excited, but then sometimes i second guess my decision. I have researched bunnies for about 3 months and think its the right pet for me. I live alone in a house near the university I attend, but I do go home for breaks and a few weekends which kinda makes me worry. Also, I am not home from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays, which i will try to make up for me being gone with engaging toys for the bunny, and be in an exercise pen. Since I live alone I really need a companion, but a dog or cat would not work (vet reasons and would not please my animals at my parents house). Any reassurance or ways y’all handle things throughout your week and traveling would be greatly appreciated. 

[BB & Tiny]

Not sure what you mean by vet reasons ?

[Mikayla206]

Sorry I meant on average you will spend more money on dogs and cats vet bills than a bunny, which was a contributing factor for getting a bunny over a dog or cat.

[BB & Tiny]

That’s what I thought you meant

To be honest, if you read a lot of these threads, there are quite serious ailments rabbits can have and they seem quite costly. I have read many stories on here of heroic measures to save their babies. So far I have been fortunate in this regard and hope to continue to be so. It is necessary though as with any animal, to realize that once it is yours you have a duty to care for it the best you can. I have experienced this with my cat, cancer survivor and one eyed, now thyroid problems lifelong but he is family.

Perhaps some other members who have had medical situations with bunnies can enlighten as to the possible financial obligations for bunnies.

It is commendable you have put so much forethought in your research before acquiring your bunny.

I don’t want to scare you off of the idea, but they do seem very delicate in nature.

I don’t work as many hours as you do but I imagine a bunny could survive from 8 – 4 without you home They do love lots of attention though.

[Niamian]

Hi I’m relatively new to bunnies too. Since I have one for bit more than 7 months now.
But I can tell you few things I learned.
First of all BunLuv is right. Bunny may seem like a less work or cheaper than dogs and cats but they are more gentle. And there are less vets that are familiar with dealing with them. And it seems to me that they in general need more vet attention then dog or a cat.
I had almost a really bad time this summer when Redford god some strange reaction to his vacation. Everything was fine soon but it could have been very bad and I would do anything I could to help him.

Second, they do need a lot of attention but they can be ok alone for a while. But if you are not home longer then one day I really think you would need to find bunny sitter.

And again as BunLuv said it’s commendable that you put so much thoughts in everything. When I got my Redford I didn’t know absolutely anything. But we are awsome now and for me he is a perfect pet.

Best of luck to you and searching for your best friend.

[Rhian]

I just have to chime in and agree with a few other posts here. Getting a rabbit specifically because you believe vet care is cheaper (or care in general) is definitely not to the way to go. While you may be correct that the average visit per year would be slightly less, (not by much, mind) if an actual illness does crop up, you’re likely to be spending a lot more on a rabbit than if something similar were to happen to a dog/cat.

For example, I recently had a rabbit with an abscess in his leg. All in all, I still ended up having to have him put to sleep and it cost me well over $2000. A few years back one of my cats got an abscessed anal gland that required a similar amount of care (a vet had to surgically clean and treat the infection) and not only did it heal ridiculously quickly, the entire ordeal cost me less than $400 when all was said and done. Even something considerably rare in cats happened just last year that required overnight hospital care after the surgery, a blocked salivary gland, and that still ended up costing me less than $600 for everything.

I’m not saying any of this to discourage anyone from getting a rabbit, I just think that it’s practical and necessary to be prepared for the worst.

[Author]

Messages