Questions About Buying a Bunny?

[new2buns]

Hi,

I am glad I found this site but I must admit that I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the information!  I hope this is posted in the correct place.  If not, sorry.

A few months ago we rescued from the middle of the road a pet rabbit which we brought into our home for a couple of days while we searched for the owner.  It was a large white and black rabbit with the sweetest temperment.  My 9 yo dd fell in love with it but we were busy moving and could not keep it.  My husband finally took it to a rescue which quickly found a home for it much to my dd’s disapointment.  She has not let us forget the rabbit and how much she loved it, etc.  She really wants a rabbit for Christmas.

So…I have been researching and researching and then asking questions of breeders and pet store employees.  My husband is very wary of having a rabbit becasue he saw what a mess they CAN make.  Of course, the poor rabbit had to go somewhere and we were not set up to care for it and had no idea even what to feed it.  He is concerned that we have been dog people so have never litter trained anythng before and he is worried the carpet in our new house will be ruined.  He has a list of concerns. He had told my daughter she might get one for Christmas, though, and she is holding him to it.  He even tried to bribe her away from the rabbit by offerring her her own puppy.  Didn’t work.  So, I’m trying to make sure we are as prepared as possible before getting the rabbit to minimize the issues that could arise.

I noticed that alot of the rabbits in the pictures on the site seem to be larger rabbits kinda like the one we rescued.  We are actually conisdering a Holland Lop, though.  Do you think that will be ok for an almost 10 yo girl with my help of course?  She really wants it to be her pet but I have told her we have to help with it, too.  Will that type of rabbit likely be freindly and like being cuddly and held? or is that just a chance we take?  If it doesn’t like to be held, we will be in trouble.  She also would like to be able to walk it with a leash and harness.

We have found one that would be about 3.5 months by the time we get it from the breeder.  She is about to start working with it some individually on litter training and clicking.  She says it has been socialized with adults and kidsand is very sweet, although, I’m not sure about with other animals.  She also has lion heads but not that my dd wants. We want to get it spayed but are not sure when that should be done or how much it will cost.  I do know there are several vets here that have been reccommended to take the rabbit to.

I have read about litter training house rabbits and have gotten concerned because it sounds like everything needs to be just so.  I want to litte train them to at least be able to be out and about when we are home but I’m afraid we will not be successful or that dd will not have the patience.  I want to reassure my husband that we can do it.  I am also uncertain as to what type of cage or pen we need.  My daughter wants it to be in her room.  She has some room for a cage or pen but not tons of space.  I saw the section here with all the cool habitats but…wow…I don’t know if I can build one like those.  How do I know where to start?  I guess the question here is…..what do we need to have to start?  I mean when we pick her up from the breeder, what must we have?  Is a small cage best for a while while she is litter training or just for a short time?  I am definitely considering a x-pen but think that a condo type house would be better in my daughters room but probably could not be as large as many i saw on here.  How large of a house does a 4 lb bunny need? and how soon will it need to be built?

We have been very excited, she and I , looking at rabbits and reading about them, but I think I have just gotten a little over loaded.  lol  I read about the rabbit who acts different now since spaying and that worries me.  My daughter will not understand if her bunny turns on her.  She is pretty good with pets but wouldn’t understand if she couldn’t pick it up anymore or if it suddenly bit her. 

We do have a dog but she barely seemed to notice the other rabbit.  She is a sweet sheltie and is 6 years old now and very mellow.

I’m sorry to ask so many questions and I’m sure soome fit other places.  I have lots more but figured this was enough for starts.  I think my biggest concern is that I have never litter trained and my dh seems to be just waiting for us to fail.  I appreciate any thoughts or info.

 

 

[Beka27]

wow! welcome here!

you have a ton of questions, WHICH IS GREAT! so often rabbit ownership is entered into on a whim and people are not prepared for what they will face.

rather than purchasing from a breeder, i would suggest that you rescue an adult rabbit from a local shelter or rabbit rescue. you will be able to pick the bunny on personality and temperament which is much more important than looks, breed or size. they will usually come already spayed/neutered and littertrained. that would solve most of the issues that you seem concerned about.

baby bunnies are cute, but they are messy and destructive, and there is no way (even with frequent handling and socialization) to know what the final adult personality will be like. spaying can cost anywhere from $150 up to 400 dollars depending on where you live and it is necessary for the health and happiness of the bunny and your family.

to make sure the bun is viewed as a “family” pet (and since you’d be responsible for it’s care, clean-up, and maintenance) i’d recommend he be penned in a family area like a living or family room. this will guarantee that if she loses interest it will still have attention. also, your daughter should be supervised when with the rabbit as they can get injured very easily if handled or lifted incorrectly.

here is a link about rabbits and children from the House Rabbit Society (rabbit.org)
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/children.html

now i want to say that i am NOT trying to discourage you or poo-poo on rabbits. obviously, i adore them, they are my life and i devote a lot of time to the care of my two lil’ furballs. but you need to do thorough research (like you are doing) and really evaluate the needs of your family and what a rabbit needs to be healthy and happy. they can be the best pet ever for the right person, and a disaster for the wrong person. there are countless rabbits in shelters (and euthanised) everyday, so i would hate for you to go into this blindly and then not be able to fulfill the commitment you made…

my personal opinion is that rabbits are not pets for children OR teenagers. that being said, there is always the exception to the rule. for example, we have a few “under-18ers” on this site that are very mature and can care for their rabbits properly. they are all older teenagers tho (15-16+)

rabbits don’t like to be held or carried. they can be territorial (which can result in biting) even post-altering. if you and your husband both want a rabbit, then i would say to go ahead and adopt one for yourselves, and you can always tell her that it’s “her rabbit”. that’s what we did with my son (who is 5 now). it was a bunny for him, even tho i am obsessed with house rabbits and everyone else all knew she was for me. lol. another thing to consider is the average lifespan of a house rabbit (anywhere from 8-12 years, and 15 years is not unheard of.) will she still want this rabbit at 16 or 18? she won’t be able to take it to college so expect for it to be yours for a few years after she’s gone.

another factor is cost. vet care is more expensive than for dogs b/c buns are considered exotic pets. housing will cost upwards of $100. hay, pellets, and veggies, all fed in the proper amounts, can easily cost 50-75 dollars a month for one rabbit… i’ve had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, an iguana, and the list goes on… rabbits are the most expensive and the most difficult (or is the word demanding? ;o) of them all.

i got a hamster when i was about ten, and i loved her, she lived for about 3 years. have you considered that?

[BinkyBunny]

EDITED:Well it looks like when Beka was writing her response, I was writing my novel at the same time.  Now you’ll be doubley prepared!

 

I wish more people were like you and really took a real in-depth look at what having a rabbit is about.  It’s important to check out all avenues, especially one that isn’t going to sell you a rabbit.   Rabbits can make wonderful companions for the completely “aware of what I am getting into” person or family.  So again, I am very happy you are searching out answers   .So WELCOME!

 

 I think it’s  important to focus on the “eh…not so great things” first so that you don’t get swooned in by the good stuff.   So here’s all the stuff that many find “challenging” when considering a rabbit

Do Rabbits like to be held?  Rabbits can learn to tolerate but MOST do not like to be held. They are prey animals, and therefore feel much more comfortable with all four on the floor.  There ARE the rare few that actually enjoy  being held, but out of the hundreds of rabbits I have seen over the years, I can only remember two that enjoyed it.  And you won’t be able to tell this if you get a “baby”.    Many people make the mistake of thinking if I get him/her as a baby, then that will make the difference.  It can make a difference between “tolerating” as opposed to fighting, biting and kicking to put down, but to actually enjoy it, it is in the temperment of that individual rabbit, and there is no way to know for sure about this at such a young age.

They are much easier when they are younger, but once they reach sexual maturity, their “true personalities” come out, and that’s when many things change. My first rabbit, I got from a breeder who made sure to handle them and socialize them.  He was a very good rabbit -very friendly, but once he reached 3 months, he was no longer “cuddly” in my arms.  And even after he was neutered, he was only ever “tolerant”.    The reason for this is that they are prey animals, and especially as they reach adulthood, their instincts kick in even stronger -  Being held feels like “being caught” to many.  

Their skeletal structure is also very fragile, and even a accidental wiggle out of 10 year old’s arms can cause serious injury.

Most of us find joy in hanging out on the floor with them, letting them come and go as they please.  If you chase or force, they learn not to trust.  My rabbits will come over to be pet, (but on the floor), so I usually grab a pillow and hang out.

NOTE: Larger rabbits tend to be less skittish than small.  Holland Lops – I’ve seen wonderful sweet ones, and I’ve seen skittish grumpy ones!  Rexes are generally thought of as gentle breed.   I suggest actually finding an adult bunny – one that has been spayed, the personality has been developed and you can find one that fits your family’s lifestyle better.  I’ll talk more about this later.

Your “daughter’s pet” with your help: Rabbits can live to be over 10 years old and so your daughter, as she gets into her teens in just a few years, and then off to college may not have the time to pay as much attention as she is now. (However, you know her, so only you can answer that) but that is the reason that they should really be considered, in my opinion, a family pet, not one of the chidren’s pets.

I also don’t recommend having the rabbit in your daughters room due the fact that they can hide illness very well. You have to pay close attention to their behavior, noticing subtle changes and paying close attention to the size and shape and amount  of poops.  All which can signal health issues.   The rabbit should be somewhere where an observant adult can notice these changes.   It’s a matter of life and death, because if a rabbit stops eating and/or pooping, they can die within 24 hours if not treated properly. 

Spay/Neutering and vet care:  Depending on where you live the average is $150 – 200.  It’s extremely important to find a rabbit savvy vet though.  Rabbits are actually considered exotics.  I know that sounds odd. but it’s because they don’t react to anesthesia the same way cats and dogs do, and some meds that are fine for cats and dogs, are toxic to rabbits.  Things like this put them in the “exotics” category and not all vets have “exotics” training.    Which also brings me to another note.   Rabbits may be rather inexpensive to get, but they are not cheap to keep especially if you have to take your bunny to the vet.   And almost everyone has had to do it AT LEAST once because rabbits have a very sensitive digestive tract which can sometimes lead to problems.   I always say you pay for the vet, not the pet, because it’s pricey.

Pen/Exercise:  Rabbits need a minimum of three hours a day to exercise and even more if their pen/cage is small.  This means you have to house proof your home as they can get into trouble. Check out the House Proofing section.  Many people think a rabbit is fine in small cage, but because rabbits don’t vocalize displeasure, their demeanor can be mistaken for “contentment”.    A happy rabbit is one that has room to play and stretch and exercise. If you allow that kind of freedom, you will see the true personality come out, otherwise, you will experience a bored rabbit. 

Littertraining: If you get a baby bunny – Be prepared for some hard smelly times.  I will never get a baby bunny again because as cute as they are they are very messy, and when they reach sexual maturity…WOW!  Watch out.  They leave pungent urine, and smelly pills and many rabbits will spray.  With males you can usually neuter as soon as the testicles drop, but with females, you usually have to wait a bit longer and endure.

This is when many people decide their bunny has gone nuts and give them up. It is a very challenging time becuase they are extremely difficult to littertrain prior and during this time.

And yes, they can show territorial aggression. Not all do but is common for them to display this behavior.

There is a way to get around this though.  Find a local rabbit rescue near you.  Most have spayed/neutered ADULT rabbits (which are ten times easier to train if they are not already).    This saves you from going through the  smelly transition messy times and saves you money since usually the adoption fee is less than the cost of spay or neuter.   Also, if you are looking for a “type” of personality and one that fits your family, the person at the rescue will know their bunnies and will be able to help you find a match.   It’s better than “hoping” for a match with a baby.

So, it all sound so miserable right?   So why in the world do we love rabbits so much?

Because they are cute, smart and funny, and if allowed enough freedom and if you love them on “their” terms, they are alot of fun.   Rabbits do interact, but not in such overt ways that many people expect them too, and many become disenchanted with the subtle form of communication that seems “boring”.   But if you have a patient observant daughter and a family that doesn’t mind hanging out on the floor than it’s a good start.

 If think your daughter is looking for a cuddly pet that will interact more like dog, then you may want to steer away from a rabbit.   A few days of cuteness is not the same as a 10 year commitment, so it’s definitely something to think about.

 

Well, I know I haven’t covered everything, but it’s all I can muster in one big breath! 

I just think it is a great thing that you are making sure that this is the “right” decision before you jump in.

Either way, let us know what you decide and if there is anything else we can further help you with.

 

 

 

[Beka27]

^whoa Jennifer… longer than mine… lol!

in rereading your post, a few things i missed…

breeders and pet store emplyees are not the best sources of information. the breeders treat buns more like livestock than housepets and they are (maybe unwittingly?) contributing to the many that are abandoned and killed everyday. most pet store employees will tell you that the bunny will mow the lawn and do your taxes if it means a sale…

bunnies are very destructive, some of them are even after spay/neutering. it’s in their nature to chew and dig and shred. we have to bunny-proof the best we can, and beyond that, it’s just the price you pay for the love of buns. i think if you are comfortable getting a dog and you already know how to train one, that sounds like it might be a better fit for your family.

again about the holding. it is kind of a myth that buns like to be held and cuddled. they don’t. the occasional bun will be okay with it for short amounts of time, but at ten years old, she’s too small to do it correctly and they are better dealt with at ground level anyways… you ask about the 3.5 month old bunny. that bun will reach sexual maturity as soon as 4 months or as late as 8 months. so right around xmas you might be having an entirely different, homonal bun on your hands. like i said in my first post, i would go for an altered adult if you were to do this. you can pick one that is more mellow, maybe is okay with being held for short time periods.

[new2buns]

Thanks for the info.  I did not realize they would cost that much per month.  That is quite alot.  I did figure it would be my pet…but don’t tell her.  SSHhh.  We were given a hamster once.  That was awful!  It slept all day and made noise all night…and didn’t “do” anything.  We were military and passed it along to another family when we moved.  I think she would enjoy a guinea pig if she were not so set on a rabbit.  The one we found allowed her to carry it all around, sat by her on the floor to watch tv or play and never scratched her or anything.  I guess it was probably a baby, though, it was quite large.  She remembers that and really wants something to love that will love her and still be cute.  lol  It has to be cute. 

My son had wanted a guinea pig but w will probably get him a small dog that can sleep with him.  He is ADHD and could really use a pet of his own to care for with help and sleep with and bond with and we don’t want anything to fragile for him.  We also don’t won’t to be fussing at him all th time to clean a cage, etc.  I have learned alot about cavies, too.  I think she could train it to some degree and even walk it when it’s bigger.  I had hoped when we told her she could choose a color or whatever, she would get excited.  But she wants a rabbit.

We have to make decisisons soon.  I do like the rescue rabbit idea.    She was set on a baby but a “small” one would be the same to her, I think.  My dh found an angora rabbit online at a resuce that is litter trained, etc, just needs lots of hair care.  I still can’t gt over the monthly cost for a rabbit, though.  That was just for 1?!  lol 

 

 

[Beka27]

yes, that cost was for one.

when i had one i spent in a month:

40-50 on veggies

maybe 20-30 on hay/pellets

25 on litter (there are very specific litters that they can and cannot use due to health issues)

16 for nail trims at the vet

this is not counting toys and chew things (which i purchase from this site)

guinea pigs are a little easier… they do need a large flat cage. petstore cages are not large enough for animals that cannot do vertical… at least with buns you can do a multi-level condo in relatively small floorspace…

some reading material…

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-5/like-a-rabbit.html

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/firstrabbit.html

binkybunny.com/Default.aspx

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html

 

if you have not seen the House Rabbit Society in your research, please spend some time on that page.  it has excellent articles about every aspect of care and behavior…  http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html

[BinkyBunny]

So does that mean you will be also getting a small dog and a rabbit?

Also, one thing I forgot to mention. Just want to make sure you know, many people take their bunnies on a harness, but it is completely different than walking a dog. It’s sort of like having a cat on harness without the hysterics. You also have to make sure to be careful with this because if a bunny, who is easily startled, bolts and reaches the end of the leash at a fast speed,  he could injure himself. It goes back to their more delicate bone structure.

The rabbit you had for a few days, you rescued from the middle of street yes?  That bunny could have been completely docile, tolerated or even been the rare kind that enjoys being held, but if it had been a stray, it more likely he may have been a bit dehydrated and more tired than a normal energetic rabbit. So just something to keep in mind.

Many times rabbits when they first come to the shelter or into a foster home are just figuring things out and finding the “safe” place to hang, but in time once they become confident in their space, they explore more and their personalities including mischievous characters come out.

I am glad that you like the rescue idea. I have found the most wonderful rabbits this way as well. My bunnies Jack and Rucy are rescues. And not only that when you go to the rescue, you actually save two rabbits. The one you are giving a forever home to and the one that will take it’s place. Since most rabbit rescues save the 11th hour bunnies, you are literally allowing them to save a life by freeing up space.

I know we have given you alot to think about and that darn “CUTE” factor is sooo hard to overcome.

Good luck with making the decision that is right for your family and the animals.

[BinkyBunny]

Beka – that reminds me I HAVE to get the “cost” page going so that people can really see the breakdown fully. It is amazing how much they cost! That is true!

[new2buns]

Well, ya’ll do have a way of making them seem like miserable pets.  lol  My poor hubby will have a heart attack if he reads any of this.  The cost will probably be the thing that finishes him off.  When you consider we can feed our 25# dog for 6 months for $40 and grooming is about $40/year ( we get a great deal) and she gets her shots at the military base for about $60/year.  yeah…uh huh…he will have a stroke.

I know she wants a pet she can hold.  Maybe if she hears she can’t hold it, she will change her mind.  Although, I doubt she will believe me since she has met a couple of kids whose families have rabbits.  I will keep reading.  Thanks.

[BinkyBunny]

I volunteered as an adoption counselor for a summer at the Humane Society, and I remember that every once in a while a few people would come in, pick up the rabbit and say “see, the rabbit is totally fine with being held” but what they were seeing was a rabbit that didn’t fight not to be held. It’s not the same thing. When I showed them the “silent” body language – the ear position, the heart rate, and eye movements, I explained that these were displays of “stress”. The same thing goes for “trancing”. Many people think that trancing is a relaxed position, when it’s actually just the opposite – it’s a prey response – sort of a play dead thing – Which can be very helpful in trimming nails, but I don’t recommend trancing for fun.

Rabbit body language is actually more complex than people think. Rabbits even have hierarchies like dogs, and have a “role” to settle into. Some are more dominant than others, and there is body language that will indicate that. There’s another really great site that explains what ear positions, body positions and movements mean. It’s really informative. http://language.rabbitspeak.com/ This will help you to if and when you decide to choose a bunny.

So I know we sure are making them sound miserable, but…well….they can be IF a person’s expectations are different than what may actually happen Most people really think these are low maintenance animals because they are not aware of the complexity of their needs and because a rabbit is not vocal like a cat or dog, then too many rabbits are stuck in situations that are not ideal even though they “seem” content.

So it’s best to prepare you for the common challenges. And who better can tell you what they are than forum leaders and long-time members, who help people with these very challenges day after day, year after year. It really isn’t to say you can’t deal with a rabbit, or you shouldn’t have one, it’s just to tell you what we know causes the biggest problems and lay it all out there for you. Many people will go on and on about how great they are and fail to mention these very important issues, and I feel that if you know the worst and accept the worst, then you’re ready to deal with that and enjoy best. If you only hear the best, you may not be ready for the worst.

With that said, rabbits can make wonderful fuzzy companions. The joys that most of us get from them is not from holding but just watching their antics, having them come over and give us nose bumps, and requests for grooming, and/or watching the bunny500 or seing their goofy dances (binkies). Seeing their flops of contentment, and watching their cute bunny tails head down the hallway. Watching TV or reading a book on the floor and petting them. All of those are fun and make us love them. But we all know the challenges and for those of us that choose rabbits, it’s worth it. For other’s it’s not. So that’s the only reason we’re showing you the hard stuff.

It’s also a good idea to look through the forum. You’ll read what people go through – the good and the bad. That will be eye-opening too.

[jerseygirl]

Just a quick question; You are still military? Reason I ask is there may be an issue if you are in Military housing. We have a member who posted recently about discovering that rabbits are not allowed in military housing and she was having to rehome their beloved pet. Here’s the link if you want to read further: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/3/postid/76467/view/topic/Default.aspx

Most of us here are rabbit advocates and usually promote rabbits as pets. But it is important to be well aware of the issues that may arise. Many people will get rabbits then surrender them to shelters when they discover things they weren’t prepared for. Sadly, these rabbits then get euthanised if they aren’t rehomed. So although what Beka and BinkyBunny have written may seem heavy on the problematic things, it’s because they see too much of rabbits being mishandled or given up and want to break this cycle. There are many, many wonderful things about rabbits as pets and these things are usually revealed over time once you have a bond with them.

Once that happens – it’s the best! Hope you reach your decision and I must say – Well done for researching first!!!

[new2buns]

My hubby retired from the military in 2005 and we just bought a new home that we should be in indefinitely.  I know military housing is very limiting.  We had the problem even with our dog, that when we moved to Guam, it could not go without a long quarantine.  It was like a baby and would never have been the same aganin.  So my parents took him in, he adapted to them and we never got him back.  So no.  We wouldn’t even consider this if we were military still.

I think we will check at our rescue.  Maybe go out there one day.  They do seem to have quite a few bunnies of different makes and models.  I have a feeling we may not go this route for a pet, though.  My daughter is going to be so upset,.  I know how badly she wants a pet.  She does not consdier our Sheltie her pet at all.  It really loves my husband, much to my dismay, and me.  She has never played with toys or done any of the things kids want her to do and she is too big to sit in their laps much.  She is a wonderful, sweet, loyal pet but not really endearing to a child.  I read about guinea pigs some more.  Of course, all the forums are resuce forums and seem to hate kids.  I know that sounds weird, but you know what I mean.  Some of them would not even let me adopt one and there doesn’t seem to be a rescue here anyway.  So…I’m not sure what the answer is. 

Thanks for all the info.  I do think, eventually, we would love to have a rabbit.  It may just be when dd is older and more understanding of what to expect.

 

[Beka27]

^absolutely. if she still feels strongly at 15 or 16, and you guys are willing to keep the bunny during her college years, i think you could make it work.

please stick around on the forum and continue to do some research. if you have any other questions, please ask!

as far as the pig rescues… it’s probably b/c they see what can happen when a child is left solely in charge of an animal. they can become neglected (anything can from a dog, a rabbit or a goldfish if the child gets bored). just b/c they tolerate carrying (like BinkyBunny said) does not mean they actually ENJOY it, and they can squirm and fall and get badly injured. rescues have seen it all, so they try to minimize the cycle of adopting and returning, just b/c “it didn’t work out”.

[Sage Cat]

Getting a pet sure can be an overwhelming decision – especially when you realize how long they live. And the money involved.

All of us have had loads of questions answered here. In return we love to be able to share what we have learned.
So, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The shelter I got my bunny’s from (Colorado HRS) is very strict and will Not adopt out buns to a family unless the parents realize that the buns are their responsibility, Not the kids.

I also recommend adult bunny’s. And a shelter will have a good idea of their adult buns personalities & which ones will get along with kids and other pets.

When I got my 2 buns i spent about $100 on getting ready to bring them home: pen, carrier, litter boxes, toys, etc. i now spend between $45 – 75 a month on litter, hay, pellets, & toys. Since the buns & I eat all the same veggies, I don’t really keep track of how much their veggies cost.

[ScooterandAnnette]

I think most of us have been in the same situation at first.

When we got our first bunny, Bailey, we thought we were prepared. We’d done some research and thought we knew what we were getting into, even though actually getting Bailey was a very spur of the moment thing (saw him at a pet store and couldn’t resist, just knew he was THE one). Boy, were we wrong on being prepared!

Please dont misunderstand, we all love our bunnies and wouldn’t give them up for anything. But they are a lot more work than most people realize, and I’m willing to be more work than most of us imagined before we became bunny parents. They require exercise every day. They can’t eat just anything, and it’s not like you can just go into 7-11 and buy a bag of bunny pellets if you run out. And some of the less expensive stuff they have out there for pellets is just awful for them. They do need hay and fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to the pellets – unlike cats and dogs where you can just buy a big bag of food at Costco and you’re set for quite a while. GOOD vet care can be difficult it find. At least in the US you can buy pet insurance for bunnies, we still haven’t been able to find any place that will provide that in Canada. As far as little is concerned on the recommendation of folks on here we switched to wood stove pellets and omg that’s saved us so much money! They’re 1/3 of the cost of the yesterdays news litter.

We’ve got a dog, 3 cats, and 6 bunnies. The bunnies are definitely the most time-intensive of the lot, and the most expensive in terms of everyday care. But they also provide a lot of joy – I’m willing to bet we’ve got 10x the number of pictures and video of the bunnies than the other pets!
– Annette

[BinkyBunny]

You could also try and “foster” for a rescue.  You’ll learn alot through that and that may help you decide if you want to make a “long-term” commitment.  You do have to be prepared though that IF you’re not ready adopt and someone else is ready to adopt your foster before you want to make a decision, you will have to say “goodbye” to that bunny.   That can be bitter sweet, because you know the foster bunny will go to a forever home, but it can still be sad.  However, there is always another bunny that could use a foster home and the cycle of care and love starts over.

[Beka27]

oooh. great idea BB!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW

Welcome here! Hope we aren’t scaring you off

As jerseygirl pointed out-just so you aren’t stuck breaking hearts, check with your place first, as someone recently on here was rehoming as they found the military did not allow rabbits. Really for anyone they should check this, ALOT of rabbits end up in shelters because of finding out they can’t have one or moving somewhere they can’t. So a huge concern.

I think you’ve got lots of great advice here already so I really won’t add anything else- just want to let you know that although there is lots to learn, it really isn’t that bad and they are incredible pets!! Extremely rewarding and clearly adorable. This coming from a dog person! They aren’t easy keepers but you find the time for them Also we’re always here as a resource to help you prob-solve as you go along!

Good luck !!

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Oh, I think the fostering Idea is a great Idea! You could try to see if you can handle having a bunny and then if you do like it you can make it permanent. If you want a bunny with a specific personality then I would definitely get a shelter one. It really depends if your daughter will be a good bunny caretaker, I am one of those “under-18ers” on this site, but I think I make a pretty good bunny caretaker. I do EVERYTHING by myself, cleaning, making cages, searching for the right vets on the web, the only thing I don’t do myself is drive places to buy things… *I can’t drive yet* which is extremely annoying! I have always been a animal lover, I love all animals (except bugs and arachnids) I have had gerbils and birds and frogs, but overall my bunny is my faverite. My bunny lives in my room in a condo that is attached to a big x-pen. I cannot let her free roam becuase if she did my mom would have a caniption, she does not want anything to get chewed and she does not approve of my bunny proofing skills, so I did the next best thing, I gave her a big enclosure to exercize in! I do wish my room was bigger so I could have more space to move around and so it would look less cluttered, (my mom currently hates my room! LOL!) Personally I do not spend that much a month on my bunny, she gets hay, pellets and veggies every day, but she only gets about 2 cups of veggies a day, and it is all romane lettuce, which is not particularly expensive. I go the low budget route because my mom does not want to spend tons of money and I do not personally get a steady income, I don’t have a job. I’d say you have to find high quality things for low prices, thats what I do! I do buy Oxbow pellets, which are fairly expensive. (I am currently trying my mom to see if she would agree to buy oxbow hay as well…. After the vet reccomended it, saying it was really good hay, she has been swaying my way….
Overall I think it is a good Idea to get a bunny, if you can care for him/her right. I was luckey and my rabbit is pretty mellow. I can’t carry her around but she does tolerate me holding her and she loves to be petted and cuddled. Spaying is pretty expensive, I am geting my bunny spayed for around 150-200, the appointmet was 130 (that included the bloodwork which was most of the cost)
I find that bunny cages are easyer to clean then my gerbils cage, That is just because Fern (my rabbit) is litter trained.
I think bunnies make great pets and can be very affectionate and friendly, I love my rabbit.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Here is a picture of just  my condo.

 

 

 

And this one is of my whole setup, I am standing on my bed taking this picture.

 

 

 

[KatnipCrzy]

Wow, Fern is a lucky bunny!  What did you make the run out of?  How do you get out of your room?  LOL

It is funny how we can differ from our parents!  My Mom also never would have allowed a cage of any sort or NIC in the living room- but I have a dog crate (always empty now) and my parrots cage in our living room.  Not to mention the bedroom that was converted to the “cat’s room” and also has some more parrot cages with breeder parrots.

While it is important the house is still functional, etc- I tend to cater to my pets comfort and if that means having a dog bed in the living room..oh, well.  I bet you will be the same way once you get your own place!

Julie

[BinkyBunny]

Moonlight Wolf – You are the perfect example of a responsible under 18ish animal caregiver! Awesome job!

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Thanks guys!
Katnipcrazy,The floor of the run is just an outdoor carpet, I wanted something with no or small fibers so that Fern would not chew it. At the left side is a runner carpet that I got cheap at the Christmas tree shop. The X-pen I got at Dr’s foster and smith. and the big tube I got from home depot! I go everywhere to buy stuff for my bun!

I get out of my room by just stepping over the pen, I got used to it over time. I could open it because I have dogclips keeping it closed, but that takes too long and Fern is always waiting at the gate, it you opened it she would get out and I would have to shoo her back in.

Yes if I had my own place then I would have animals in almost every room! I would have to give the dogs and bunnies different sections of the house because I would not trust them together…

[Alicia Conklin]

Wow…I must make sure Mike never sees this post…LOL with the cost per month..I mean obviously we’ve been doing it but I know I never really thought about it and figured out how much it’s costing us and so I KNOW he hasn’t.  I don’t think ours is THAT much though.. so I think it can be done cheaper.

For our two we spend..

about $7.00 a week on veggies..we buy a pack of romaine (three heads), a thing of parsley and a thing of cilantro plus a head of endive.   That lasts our buns between 1-2 weeks actually, we go back for the things that we run out of..usually the parsley and cilantro but they’re only .79 for big bunches at our super walmart!  So that’s about…. 28.00 a month for veggies for two bunnies..and one of those is a veggie-holic

Then we spend about $30 a month on hay for our two.  We buy a bale and it is about 15.00 and lasts about two weeks..maybe three.  So roughty 30.00 a month on hay. 

Pellets- $20.00 a month, but again..that’s for two buns. 

And..I don’t use litter anymore but I change my litter boxes once or twice a day..I just use the free military newspaper that they have around here and change it once or twice a day depending on how it’s needed and put new hay in there.  But..that’s definitely not an option to use if you’re not going to change it that often and it’s something that CANNOT be missed…ever LOL.  So,  it’d definitely be easier to use litter but just more costly. 

 

so…$78.00 a month for my two.  That’s not including toys though..and rabbits need toys to keep them occupied.  I use a lot of cardboard boxes and toilet paper tubes but they also like things taht they can toss and chew and munch on too..

And the cages…wow..mine is huge.  But I think if mine were smaller my bunnies would just not be happy.   Each one has a cage that’s 5 feet tall, (4 levels) and about 3 feet long by 2.5 feet deep.  They get between 3-8 hours of out time a day.  Bunnies active times don’t always coincide with what is convienent for their people so they need to be able to entertain themselves in their enclosures even if you’re busy when they feel active. 

I definitely love my bunnies and after having bunnies I don’t know if I’d ever even want another dog lol..just because they’re just so interactive.  But..they are a lot of work and definitely it goes much smoother if everyone in the house is fully onboard!!

 

[Beka27]

Tucker: MY MIKE TOO!

i don’t think he realizes EXACTLY how much we spend b/c we buy veggies at the same time as we get our groceries usually, so what’s an extra 20 bucks? the times i have to go by myself tho, to JUST buy veggies, that’s when i really realize how much we spend every 5 days… lol…

[Alicia Conklin]

LOL Yea, see when mine goes to get me the extra veggies he just picks up the fill in veggies, the rest are bought on our bi-weekly shopping trips.  So it’s only like 3 bucks, so it really doesn’t seem like much.  Honestly it’s the hay and pellet store visits that really hurt.  I try not to let him see the total there LOL.  Usually I just go alone and don’t mention how much it came to   Hehehe 

But..really I mean our dogs are expensive too..you’ve got the dry food like..7 bucks, then the wet food..like 14 bucks…so that’s 21  for two weeks for them so per month they are 42 dollars.  Oh and then bones…so like….50 or so?

Honestly our cats are the cheap ones!  Hehe a 3.00 bag of meow mix and a 6.00 box of clumping cat litter and they’re good to go for the two weeks!!  

Ok wait no..I take that back…our fish..he’s the cheapest.  We have a little beta fish and we haven’t had to buy more food since we got him..and that was a year ago..he’s definitely the cheap pet hehe

 

Wow..I’m now feeling very anxiety ridden about how much we spend on our pets per month…  like 160 a month…   wow.. 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ok, here’s how I cheapened things up a bit!!!

I bought wood stove pellets for litter, they are six dollars per bag, one bag lasting at least a month for three bunnies with approx ten litter boxes;

I buy bulk rabbit pellets (just started this and the guaranteed analysis is right where oxbow pellets are -and I can’t get oxbow) 15.95$ for 55 KG!!!!!! That’ll last 2-3 months with three rabbits (I do toss out pellets that are in bowls once a week when I sanitize).

I buy large bags of locally grown hay at a feedstore, 7$ a month. I am hoping to pick up a bale of hay this week, which will mean 3$ for three months.

I buy veggies at walmart and the buns share their veggies with mom, twenty dollars twice a month, but they share so I’d say 20$/month

.-.-.-.-.–..-.-.-..-

So my costs (minus vet stuff of course!) are 38.31$/month for three bunnies

[ScooterandAnnette]

OMG K&K where did you get the bulk pellets from?!
– Annette

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

G&E pharmacy on Whyte…But I”m sure any feed store would carry them. I was hesitant until I checked the analysis-and all my guys love them!

[Author]

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