Hi, I’m Amy and I am thinking of getting a bunny

[munchkin76]

Hi there!

I’m Amy, and I’m thinking of getting a bunny for a pet. A relative of mine had one and loved her very much, I think that I would enjoy having a bunny.  My landlord approved my having a bunny and my downstairs neighbor who owns a business said she would bunny sit if I were away.  I think I know of someone who may be free to bunny sit if I went away overnight too.  I am also minutes away from a local vet whose staff seems very nice on the phone and my downstairs neighbor takes her pets there and likes them.

So, I know that there is a lot of info on this great site, which is awesome but I do have some questions.

1) What type of breed is the calmest, most affectionate and would tolerate heat in the summers and cold in the winters?  I have AC and heat.  

2) Do bunnies typically do well on a halter and leash to go for short walks outdoors?  A relative said that she took hers outside and I live in a small town, maybe the bunny would enjoy it but I hope he/she wouldn’t be too shy or nervous or scared.

3) For a first time bunny owner,is it best to get a male or a female?  Are most bunnies spayed or neutered when adopting?

4) That leads to my next question, is it better to adopt/rescue or buy from a pet store?  I am thinking of rescuing but I don’t know much about what the bunny will be like as far as prior environment.

5) Is it important to get a vet check for the bunny when adopting/rescuing?  What type of routine vet care is required?

Thank you so much!

Amy

[Tessie]

Hi Amy!
I’m just going to dive straight into your questions.

1) Rabbits are individuals and their breed really doesn’t determine their temperament. They aren’t like some animals where different breeds have different personalities, it really depends on the individual bun. So if you go to a rescue you can pick a rabbit that has the sort of personality you are hoping for. As for coping with different temperatures, apart from long haired breeds, I think most rabbits adjust to temperatures much the same way. They can tolerate cold much better than heat, but you can find lots of tips on the site for how to help keep them warm/cool.

2) Bunnies do not typically do well on a lead or harness. Indoor buns don’t need any time outdoors, although a secure run is a good option if you’d like them to spend some time outdoors. Harnesses and leads are dangerous for rabbits and not recommended because if they are startled the restraint can cause them to break their backs. 

3) Similar to question 1, a bunny’s personality depends on the individual rather than it’s sex. If you adopt a rabbit from a shelter they will most likely be neutered, if you buy them from a pet shop they most likely will not be. 

4) I think almost everyone here will agree that it is better to get your pet from a rescue rather than a pet store or breeder. A bun from a shelter will cost less, will have been medically checked, and probably neutered which saves you a lot of money. Also, if you adopt an adult rabbit their personality has already developed so you can see what sort of bunny you’re getting. Whereas if you were to buy a baby rabbit from a breeder or a shop then their personality can change dramatically over puberty and so it’s hard to predict what sort of bun the adult will turn out to be. If you are concerned that a bun from a shelter will have been mistreated and will behave badly or not be friendly because of this, then that is unlikely – the shelter will know the rabbits personality and can advise you. Lastly, there are thousands of rabbits abandoned and living in rescues so giving one of them a chance to have a happy life is a real miracle.

5) A bun from a rescue will have been medically checked. I think it’s advisable to get your bun registered at a vet and checked over once you have adopted him/her anyway. Most people take their rabbits to the vet once a year for a check up if there are no other problems. I will also mention how important it is to find a good exotics vet for your rabbit as most regular vets know very little about buns – they are not the most common pet.

Well done for thoroughly researching before buying a bunny!
I hope we can be helpful to you.

[Beka27]

Tessie did a fantastic job of addressing your questions… I don’t really have much to add beyond what she said. If you have any other questions, or if what she said made you think of something else, please ask!

Welcome here!

[AnnaW]

Hey Amy! Welcome to Binky Bunny I agree that Tessie did an awesome job of answering your questions, I have two rescue buns myself and they are so lovely, and it is SO rewarding to give them a happy home knowing they were disadvantaged xx

[tanlover14]

Tessie did an awesome job of answering your questions – and I thought I’d add a little of my own experience since you were curious about the rescue, pet store, or breeder option.

Well, I have had all three. And hands down, adopting from a rescue was the best decision I ever made. As Tessie pointed out, you really won’t know their personalities at all as babies (even if the breeder says they do). My babies have grown to be SO much different than they were as babies. Breeders usually sell babies or un-spayed/un-neutered rabbits which if you’re not prepared for can be time consuming and extremely frustrating. After having four babies, I make a note to encourage anyone getting a first bunny to NOT get a baby, as cute as they may seem. I have two that came from a rescue and watching them run, binky, and play after living such hard lives is extremely rewarding. It’s quite funny because my most loveable bunnies are my rescues while my breeder buns are the ones who hate to be held or snuggled! My last one was a pet store bunny who we got when we noticed she wasn’t being fed. Needless to say, you have NO idea what you’re getting when you get a pet store bunny. Even if they seem healthy quite a few people on BB have lost new baby pet store buns. Mine cost me a couple hundred dollars in vet bills after bringing her home. The rescues come spayed/neutered, you know their personalities before hand, and you are able to interact with them as much as you want before committing to adopt, and they come with wellness vet checks before being sent home with you!

Welcome to BB and good luck bun-searching!

[Cochin]

*personally* I opt for breeders. Maybe it’s because we rarely have bunnies for adoption so feeling guilty is hard (like, 1 a month. And they get adopted on a week, tops). That and your so much less likely to get bunnies with genetically comprimised immune systems, and less likely to have genetic health issues. From good breeders, any who.
That, and I think intact bucks are the most entertaining rabbits there are. I love Silver – my buck – but after getting neutered… He’s not the same. Honestly, I kinda regret getting him neutered. He never sprayed, and was fine litter box wise (for me, I don’t mind vacuuming bunny poop. Once he learned that the entire place smelled like him, he stopped peeing as well), and he was so personable. He’d come up to you, groom you, murmur at your feet, push your arm.. Very cute. After being neutered – not the same. Doesn’t really care about people any more, unless he has food.

Of course, keeping an Intact buck can cause a bunch of issues, but I found after they’ve marked their territory, they don’t feel a need to pee everywhere, and are pretty cute. That and he used to LOVE chin rubs. Not any more. And you can’t really keep an intact buck with other rabbits.
Now, if where you live outdoors is an option (ie, you have a lawn, it doesn’t get *too* cold, doesn’t get very hot) then that makes an intact buck much more bearable. Of course, indoors & outdoors is the best. So they have a permanent cage inside and outside.

[tanlover14]

Cochin does have good points – however – these breeders are also the same people who cull their bunnies to make them high quality. Which is again, a controversial topic. NOT to start anything, Cochin, as I have three breeder buns and I would buy every single one of them again in a heartbeat! But like Cochin said, good breeders. So if you DO opt for a breeder for your own reasons, I urge you to find a good, reputable one. All three of my Tans came from a breeder that I would buy from again if for some reason I ever drifted that way. She legitimately cares about her rabbits, they get veggies and proper nutrition and have huge areas to run in. And her rabbits were friendly, not skittish and scared. All things you want to watch out for if you’re purchasing from a rabbitry. They all have outdoor runs to hang in but are all housed in a massive barn outside of play time.

Side Topic: Have you ever considered (or do you have the ability) to get him a friend, Cochin? Perhaps an older rabbit (1+) who has a personality already established that you can connect with?? One of my rabbits was very anti-social but REALLY came out of her shell after seeing how much fun the other rabbits had interacting with us! Haha!

[Zombie-Sue]

I would buy from a breeder myself. I haven’t, but if I was looking for something specific in a rabbit, a breeder is the best bet.

I think that if you let someone scare you away from adopting a rabbit, that would be an extremely sad, sad thing to happen. Rabbits that are sitting in shelters are perfectly good pets and most are absolutely healthy.

Ideally, in my opinion, all first-time rabbit owners would adopt. Having a shelter staff’s support could make a really big difference should you have any problems, and I think that intact rabbits are generally better left to people who already have an idea of what to expect. Adopting from a shelter would make owning an altered rabbit a lot cheaper.

Actually, today on AOL I was surprised to see pets listed on “ten things you should never buy new” LOL.

Besides that, when I first decided I wanted a rabbit, I was so sure I had to have a dwarf or lop of some sort, but once I got to the shelter, I quickly realized that I had absolutely no idea what I wanted. But they helped me find it, even though I didn’t know. x)

[Cochin]

He is actually living with 2 other buns, hehe. Rosa not sure on age – we got her (and Charlie) free of craigslist labeled as Rex mixes. We were told they were both 2 years old, and Rex mixes. Rosa looks like a Rex, but Charlie certainly isn’t. In fact, I posted her tattoo # on a local bunny group, and turns out she’s a 4 year old, purebred, SQ thrianta! Her name WAS Willow (lol, she has a much more butch name now), and a litter mate of hers won Best of Breed at ARBA 2010 show. I’m looking if I can buy her pedigree – I kinda want to show her, lol. She’s long past her prime, but she’s still pretty cute, and I’ve never shown a bun. Might have to show Rosa, too.
So anyways, once Silver was neutered, he moved in with these 2 does. They’re bonded, groom, etc. and have been that way since getting them. I actually haven’t spayed them yet – dont have the funds. But all boys here have their parts gone, so aside from them hating my other doe ~ Cali ~ its all good.

Cali ~ My other doe ~ lives with Tuka ~ my other buck ~
Haha. In total I own 5 rabbits. Rosa and Charlie, like I said, I got off craigslist. Most rabbits for sale here on either on FB groups (there was this ADORB Rex buck for sale.. Broken black.. I was SO tempted to get him.. Sadly, no room here), the shelter (and like I said, they’re RARELY here. I actually can’t remember the last time I saw one at the shelter…) and craigslist. So craigslist & FB is what I’m limited to.
Silver used to be a pet, but never nuetered, was a breeder (proud boy had 3 litters), I got him and that was the end of his siring days.
Cali & Tuka came from a good breeder. Over priced, but worth it. Tuka is scared of everything, but Cali is pretty sweet.

Ok I’m done rambling… LOL.

[Cochin]

(Editing post is frustrating :~|)

long story short – play it by the ear! If there’s a lot of buns In the shelter near you, of course, try to get one of those! But personally, I think if I had only one rabbit, I’d choose an intact Buck. My friend has a buck she also regretted neutering. Some people won’t know a difference – some will. It’s a gradual thing, not a sudden ‘OMG where did my boy go’
obviously for a beginner, an altered rabbit is best.

[Monkeybun]

I don’t regret neutering my boys at all. Squirrel is still a love bug, and his litter box habits are impecable. He doesn’t spray, he runs, he binkies, he makes buzzing noises.. he’s so much fun. No regrets!

Moose actually came to me neutered. I’d hate to have seen him before.. he’s still VERY territorial. HATES the other buns with a passion. If he wasn’t neutered, you can be sure he’s be very aggressive, just based on how he is now. It’s been 4 years since we got him, and only now is he more allowing of us in his space.

I am all for rescues. Visit with them all, see who clicks with you. Some bunnies are cared for in foster homes, and talking with their fosterer can give you lots of insight into their personalities.

[tanlover14]

Oh, wow! I didn’t realize you had so many! Hahahah! Nothing I love more than a house full of buns!

Lucky you for having a positive experience with your intact bun, ha! I used to get sprayed (head to toe) from my one male and one of my females was the most miserable creature you ever did meet! LOL. It of course varies rabbit to rabbit though!

Funny you mentioned getting their papers – we have the pedigrees for two of my Tans (the third one she never made, I don’t believe she thought he was quality enough). They were both in a show or two before we bought them. I had forgotten all about that until you mentioned that and reminded me!

[Cochin]

Haha yeah, I’m up with you in terms of numbers Ive actually been looking at the shelter a tad bit obsessively *hide* there was recently a bun there, but it only said the name (which is usual) but no pic, and I couldn’t get over there to check ’em out. There’s a lot of bunnies sold on CL (like I said before) so seeing one at the shelter was kinda exciting. I think they’ve been adopted out, though tone honest not sure if I have the room or time to bond a rabbit! I need to get my 2 groups together 😕

Lol! Yep. I’ve read about buns spraying, but gaah, it sounds awful. At one point Rosa and Cali were on the couch, I left the room and came back to find the couch COVERED in white, marking urine (assuming what they use to mark / fight with is different then different urine – I’ve never checked). Can’t imagine being SPRAYED.

That’s cool. I was actually pretty surprised – I got her free off craigslist! Despite age, she’s actually a pretty valuable rabbit. Pretty funny.
I love your tans btw, they’re VERY cute

[Hazel]

Cochin: I’m sorry you have regrets about neutering your boy. I understand how nice it must have been when he was so attentive and interested in you. What we experienced with our Oscar was similar. Just keep in mind that most of that affection was just hormone driven, “fake” if you will. So you really didn’t lose anything precious, you just allowed him to develop into his true self, without all the hormone craziness.

I think it’s a good thing to neuter, for both the pet and the owner.

[munchkin76]

Thank you for the replies, I greatly appreciate it!

So, some other questions that I have are:

Are there spay/neuter clinics for bunnies?  I checked with local vets and it’s pretty expensive for a spay or neuter.

Where are some good places to get cages/homes for buns?  I looked at the pet store and they were also pretty expensive.

Do most landlords allow buns?  Mine does but I am thinking of moving in the summer and I am wondering if they usually accept them.

Thank you so much and happy new year!

Amy

[LongEaredLions]

Lots of spay/neuter clinics will do bunnies the problem is many non-exotics vets do not know exactly what they are doing. I would find a good exotics vet and use them, the money is worth it. You DO NOT want a dog or cat vet operating on your bunny. Here is an info page on finding a good vet. http://rabbit.org/faq-how-to-find-a-good-rabbit-vet/
The other option would be to adopt a pre-fixed rabbit from a rescue or shelter.

Pet store cages are not suitable at all for rabbits. Some good ideas for rabbit cages are: xl dog dog crates, dog xpens, and nic cube condos. See the Habitats and Toys forum for cage ideas.

Many landlords to not allow rabbits because they think they are destructive, messy, and pee/poop everywhere. If you talk to your landlord and explain that your bunny is fixed, uses a litterbox, and will be contained when you are away, they might allow bunnies. You could put down a “bunny destruction deposit” just in case your rabbit does chew anything. Money always helps.

[munchkin76]

Thank you Lions,

I have looked in the area and there are a few vets who work in general veterinary practices but work with exotics. I will check out the link you posted, thank you.

I appreciate the rabbit cage ideas, but how do you litter train a bunny?

Thank you!

Amy

[Tessie]

Hi again Amy!

Litter training a rabbit is fairly easy, assuming they are neutered/spayed.
A litterbox is usually a large cat litter box (large enough for the bun to lie down in) filled with litter and hay.

Rabbits will naturally pick a corner of their home to use as a toilet, so all you have to do is make that corner the litterbox!
Buns eat while they poop, which is why the hay makes a litterbox more appealing.
If a bun takes a while to get used to the litterbox, you can mop up any messes with tissue and then put the tissue into the box so they learn.

Hope this helps!

[munchkin76]

Thank you to everyone who replied, this has been a very helpful site, unfortunately at this time I don’t think a rabbit is for me, I am considering a smaller and more low maintenance pet. Thanks again.

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