Spike has decided he wants a pet rabbit. Unlike Fang’s and Squeaky’s perpetual petition to their mother for a cat, this request has a chance to be granted. Mrs Magill owned a rabbit when she was younger and has indicated an openness to owning another one.
Before we grant Spike’s request for his tenth birthday next month, I would like to make sure he fully understands the responsibility of owning a pet.
I would also like to make sure I know how to take care of the animal, as I’m likely to end up as primary care giver.
Can anyone recommend a good book about rabbit ownership? I’m looking for something that will cover care, feeding and socializing. I don’t want it to spend all iys time up in a hutch in a bedroom. That just seems cruel to me.
Your local USDA extension office might have some literature. I recall some booklets from my 4H days. If not, they may have recommendations. IME these folks are thrilled to be contacted.
I can’t give you specific titles, as I gave away my books some time back, but the big name pet stores will have books, so will your library, and you might try the House Rabbit Society.
Wabbits are wonderful pets; they’re intelligent, social critters and easy to spoil rotten.
Spike’s at a good age for bunny ownership. If your other two are much younger (say 3 - 6 YO), they’ll need to be supervised.
Another vote for the House Rabbit Handbook. I think the fifth edition is the newest one. Pet stores have rabbit magazines that are good, too. Rabbits are awesome. They really are much more friendly if you interact with them a lot. If you’re keeping your bunny in a cage, let it out for a few hours every day for exercise and companionship (but make sure your house is bunny-proofed first–they will eat cords, and books that are left on the floor. You don’t want to have to explain that to the library.).
Rabbits don’t need to eat a lot of pellets. If they’re young you can feed them regular pellets, but I usually ended up switching to Oxbow Bunny Basics Timothy pellets when they got older. Give them a lot of fresh greens (romaine lettuce, not iceberg–it has no nutritional value), dandelion greens, cilantro, Italian parsley. They will also eat strawberry tops (and of course a little piece of strawberry. And bananas. I’ve never met a rabbit that didn’t like bananas. Just small bits, because too much sugar can make them sick.) It’s more fun to make a salad when you can share it with the bunnies!
My bun turned his nose up at Oxbow pellets; he’s a garbage gut!
A piece of FRESH pineapple (roughly the size of your thumbnail and 1/4" thick) every night will keep them from developing hairballs. Rabbits cannot vomit, so a hairball will get stuck at the stomach exit and cause all sorts of trouble. Pineapple dissolves the hair pre-ball stage.
No seed sticks. They will eat them in one sitting and have gastric and bowel distress which could be fatal.
Re: bananas: it’s a good thing my bun does not have a gun.
I see that HRS and The House Rabbit Handbook have already been linked, so those are your best resources. Rabbits are great, intelligent pets but I’ve said for years that they are **not **appropriate for children. Rabbits are nervous, ground-loving critters and most do not like being picked up, wagged around like a doll, or snuggled. Their backs are very delicate and they can be injured or killed from improper handling or drops. They need exercise and a specific diet, and as much attention and veterinary care as a cat or dog. Without regular social interaction and playtime they will become withdrawn and even aggressive. A frightened one will bite and scratch and can do real damage.
Rabbits are not casual or temporary pets, such as gerbils or goldfish; they can live as long as a dog and I’m not exaggerating. My current rabbit is 11 years old, so if your kid is ten he could potentially still have this rabbit when he’s 20 or older. As the current adult in this situation it will ultimately be your responsibility to make sure this animal is cared for, so consider seriously whether a decade is a commitment you want to make.
PS, I’ve never been a fan of Oxbow. My rabbits eat Kaytee Timothy Complete pellets, along with loose timothy hay and green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and cilantro. American Pet Diner has good hay, less hard pieces and more soft green stuff.
Thanks for mentioning the longevity factor starwarsfreek; the last thing I read (better than 20 years ago) said pet rabbits could go 15 years and I’d bet my last yogurt drop that’s easily up to 20 now.
Yep, Kaytee knows their stuff. A tip: put the hay in a manger as close to the top of his house as possible and suspend veggies from the crossbars on the ceiling, so they have to work for it–every little bit of exercise is beneficial.
If you do that, make sure your rabbit is big enough to actually reach the top of the cage. Mine isn’t, he’s a wee little thing at 3 pounds and he lives in a tall double-sided hutch. He would never reach.
I’ve never known one to live to 20, but with modern veterinary care I can see it happening. My 11 year old is as perky as he ever was, not graying at all. The only thing that gives away his age is his yellowed teeth. My previous bun, a lovely black mini rex, died of liver cancer at age nine. He showed no symptoms at all until about two days before his death, so I consider that a successfully healthy life.
If you do get a rabbit, litter box train it right away and your life will be much easier. Mine took to it right away. Never use cat litter, only compressed paper or non-aromatic wood shavings (aspen, for example, not cedar) because clay and aromatic oils can irritate their lungs and lead to pneumonia. Also, investing in a high end cage with removable trays makes cleaning a lot easier. Tiny frozen banana slices make great treats. Cilantro will help eliminate urine odor. Too much spinach can cause bladder sand from the high calcium, so don’t feed it as your only vegetable.
I’m going to stop rambling now. My point is, rabbits are not “starter” pets, as an unfortunate number of people think. They are complex and high-maintenance. Think this over carefully, because you may still be making bunny salad and clipping toenails in 2027.
Be careful, bunnies aren’t just cute like everybody supposes,
They got ten hoppy legs and twitchy little noses,
And what’s with all the carrots?
What do they need good eyesight anyway?
Bunnies, bunnies, it must be bunnies
Don’t forget those ever-growing teeth! Lots of hard food with the green leafyies. I’ve had a number of quite awesome rabbits. I dont know if they’re still in print but the old “Know Your___” series had a decent one on rabbits which I assume and hope, would be updated fairly often. You can find it at most pet stores.