Rabbits.. anyone have them?

[WashingtonYankee]

So, I just adopted two rabbits yesterday. My roommates and I are getting them on Monday. I'm excited but nervous.

I was just wondering if anyone had pet rabbits and if anyone can give me advice. We're reading books so we know what to feed them and went to Petco and went on Craigslist to get the cage but I was just curious.

[Sam18]

I spent two months last fall cutting one up. I have pictures if you're interested.

[Steve Dalkowski]

My sister basically collected them as a kid. She got two and they just kept breeding. One cold Autumn morning after a new litter was birthed I was asked to go out and feed them and found the babies frozen solid. Clearly their mother was careless.

[xenochimera]

lettuce and carrots all you need, well that and water. rabbits poop all over the place so if you let it out plan to clean after it continuously, also, they like to chew on cotton, don't put any cloth around them.

[Steve Dalkowski]

lettuce and carrots all you need, well that and water. rabbits poop all over the place so if you let it out plan to clean after it continuously, also, they like to chew on cotton, don't put any cloth around them.

Don't forget alfalfa.

[Sam18]

lettuce and carrots all you need, well that and water. rabbits poop all over the place so if you let it out plan to clean after it continuously, also, they like to chew on cotton, don't put any cloth around them.

You should probably mention that one must skin it before throwing it into the boiling water. Soup isn't very good when there's hair involved.

[xenadanielle]

My ex best friend had them and really liked them. You can train them to go potty in a litter box.

[4bronxbombers]

My sister basically collected them as a kid. She got two and they just kept breeding. One cold Autumn morning after a new litter was birthed I was asked to go out and feed them and found the babies frozen solid. Clearly their mother was careless.

How sad.

[4bronxbombers]

Two of my friends have pet rabbits Brooke. My son is feeding one of the rabbits tomorrow for a week while our friends are in FL. What do you want to know? I hear they are fairly low maintenance....

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

My sister basically collected them as a kid. She got two and they just kept breeding. One cold Autumn morning after a new litter was birthed I was asked to go out and feed them and found the babies frozen solid. Clearly their mother was careless.

[Stupid Flanders]

Me ex got one when we lived together. Just remember that they don't really like to be held - they're ground animals. You can litter box train them.

See if there's a HRS - House Rabbit Society - in your vicinity. They'll have everything you need. I'd suggest picking up a book or two that the HRS recommends.

Be prepared for them to chew through every wire and plug in your home.

[Trish]

Like some people have mentioned, if you let them out, they will chew through wires, destroy furniture, etc. I had a rabbit as a kid, and I can't tell you how many album covers got destroyed.

Their poop is just like little pellets so it is easy enough to clean up, but you have to keep on top of things or it will smell.

They can be litter box trained as well. They don't really do all that much, and I'd never have one again. Cute to look at, but that's about it.

[Jersey Yankee]

So, I just adopted two rabbits yesterday. My roommates and I are getting them on Monday. I'm excited but nervous.

I was just wondering if anyone had pet rabbits and if anyone can give me advice. We're reading books so we know what to feed them and went to Petco and went on Craigslist to get the cage but I was just curious.

Are you doing this for Easter, or is this a long-time thing, Brooke? I think that the ASPCA, Humane Society and others will be overwhelmed with unwanted rabbits in about 2 weeks.

From the Humane Society:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/ra...r_rabbits.html

If all else fails, learn to make hosenfeffer.

[WashingtonYankee]

Are you doing this for Easter, or is this a long-time thing, Brooke? I think that the ASPCA, Humane Society and others will be overwhelmed with unwanted rabbits in about 2 weeks.

From the Humane Society:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/ra...r_rabbits.html

If all else fails, learn to make hosenfeffer.

My roommate and I got them from the Humane Society. We're doing it for a long-time thing. I want an animal, not a dog because rabbits are more less maintence than them.

What's the best way on setting up a cage?

[Stupid Flanders]

You should have a multi level cage with room for them to climb and move around. I'm telling you, go to the HRS.

here's a link from rabbit.org to the WA state HRS
http://www.rabbitrodentferret.org

[Jersey Yankee]

My roommate and I got them from the Humane Society. We're doing it for a long-time thing. I want an animal, not a dog because rabbits are more less maintence than them.

What's the best way on setting up a cage?

Well, cats don't need to go outside to be walked, but dogs do. According to the link I posted, rabbits should be kept indoors. Of course, they'll multiply faster than if you had a TI calculator.

Rabbits poop all over the place. If you're going to clean that stuff up, fine.

http://www.rabbitweb.net/

I'd suggest you just sit down in front of your computer and go to a few websites. Print out what you find, and speak to a vet. There are discussion forums for everything and anything, so please speak to someone who's cared for rabbits before.

I guess you didn't notice my cutesy joke. "Hosenfeffer" is braised rabbit stew. That's what you could do if they get out of hand. So long as you have two of them, you'll always have a long supply of hosenfeffer.

[jlw1980]

I used to show rabbits for 4-H. I loved them! I had a Holland Lop and her name was Bun-Bun. She was beautiful and sweet. Pretty, mixed colored coat, floppy ears, and gentle as could be. She did like to chew wires if you let her out and didn't watch her closely, so we started putting up a little fence in the living room where she could run around but couldn't get to wires. They actually have cool "playpens" you can set up now, so that they have room to get some exercise but can't get out and get to cords and stuff. They also have cord protectors, in case you want to let them roam.
http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...Code=2Playpens

The best thing to feed your pet is rabbit pellets, which you can get at any pet store, or even Wal-Mart. About 80% of their diet should consist of pellets. Giving them a bit of hay from time to time is good too, as it helps their digestive systems, but don't give too much. Mine loved lettuce as an occasional treat. Most pet stores also have rabbit "treats" that you can give them from time-to-time, but not frequently.

Having a water bottle hooked up to the cage is very important. I don't recommend water bowls, because rabbits will tip them over, unless you have a heavy one. You do not want your rabbits water bowls to tip over, because if you didn't recognize it soon enough, they could die of thirst. Also, if you have a water bottle instead of a bowl, MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY. If it is not, the rabbit can quickly die of dehydration.
http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...=2WaterBottles

Look for a feeder like this, which hooks up to the inside of the cage and can hold up to a 5-day supply of pellets. A heavy stoneware bowl works well, too, as it is difficult to tip over. Also, they can't chew it up.
http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...eedersHayRacks
http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...e=2BowlsCrocks

Rabbits do like to play, just like other animals, so I'd recommend getting a couple toys for your new pets.
http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...ory_Code=2Toys

Rabbits need to be groomed and cleaned, too, so be sure to take good care of them in this regard. They are gentle and delicate creatures, so take it easy on them. Wash them very gently with some special shampoo. Keep the shampoo out of their eyes. Also keep a brush on hand, and brush them every couple days. They enjoy it and it keeps their coat looking shiny. Occasionally, you'll need to clean up the icky stuff that builds up in their eyes and ears. There are cheap solutions you can buy to gently rinse their eyes and ears, to prevent build-up. You should buy a bottle of the eye care solution, to prevent them from getting itchy, red eyes. (Wash their eyes before you shampoo them for their baths.) Also, buy a bottle of ear cleaner. You can ask a vet tech how best to clean their ears. This stuff is really cheap and helps your pet stay health and clean.
Shampoos: http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...pooDeodorizers
Brushes: http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...lickersBrushes
Eye/Ear/Dental Care: http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...rEyeDentalCare

You also will need to keep their toenails clipped, as they can get long very quickly and unintentionally scratch you as you pick them up. I was clawed by rabbits with long toenails a few times (not the rabbits' fault, of course), and it can break the skin. However, BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU CUT THEIR TOENAILS. I cannot emphasize this enough. The ends of their toenails are white, and that is what you need to cut. Below that, they are pink, and that is called the quick. If you accidentally cut that part or get too close to it, it will cause your bunny lots of pain and probably will bleed. They may cry if this happens, as it is very painful for them, and it will rip your heart out.
Get something like this. http://www.rabbitstop.com/mm5/mercha...Code=2NailCare

If you are afraid of hurting your rabbits, you can take them to the groomer to have their toenails cut. I hated cutting my rabbits' toenails because I was so scared of hurting them. I got too close once or twice and made them bleed, and they jumped, and it made me feel so terrible that I cried.

You said you already got a cage, right? I highly recommend one that has a tray that you can pull out to easily clean the urine and droppings. We would put newspaper in the tray, and pull it out and clean it daily. It made things very easy. Not at all nasty and messy like a cat box. If you ever need to take your rabbit anywhere, you can find small animal carriers at any store such as Wal-Mart and Target.

PLEASE be sure to keep your bunnies away from dogs and cats, as dogs and cats may attack and kill them!!

As I said, I absolutely loved my rabbit, and I think you will enjoy it, too. They are sweet, delicate, and loving little creatures if you are good to them. I wouldn't mind getting another one as a pet some day. Have fun! Be good to your bunnies, and they will love you in return!

[JDPNYY]

My advice would be to fully research everything about any animal long before you make the decision to get the animal. All supplies, food etc. should be purchased prior to bringing the animal home. You should know what to expect and how much the animal could cost you in advance.

[YankeePride1967]

Vicious creatures.

[gdn]

Heh. I thought the title was "rabbis...anyone have them?"

[Trish]

Heh. I thought the title was "rabbis...anyone have them?"

I thought it said, "Rabbits.. anyone hate them?"

[Jersey Yankee]

Heh. I thought the title was "rabbis...anyone have them?"

I've heard of this guy named Hugh in California who always has quite a few at his mansion and stuff. He even has lots of rabbit t-shirts, and always feeds 'em, treats 'em real nice and stuff.

[Sam18]

I've heard of this guy named Hugh in California who always has quite a few at his mansion and stuff. He even has lots of rabbit t-shirts, and always feeds 'em, treats 'em real nice and stuff.

What does this have to do with rabbis?

[Jersey Yankee]

What does this have to do with rabbis?

Rabbis? Who's talkin' 'bout rabbis? I was joking about Hefner but nobody caught on.

Wot-evah, dude.

[Stupid Flanders]

Rabbis? Who's talkin' 'bout rabbis? I was joking about Hefner but nobody caught on.

Wot-evah, dude.

Maybe people got confused when you said he feeds them

[JL25and3]

I spent two months last fall cutting one up. I have pictures if you're interested.

Fried wabbit? Mmm-mm! Love it, love it, looove it!

[PalmerGA]

I've had 'em... pretty tastey.