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Barnyard Buddies:  Anyone have bunny advice?  |
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latepmcreations
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
juddaca
high point
north carolina
USA
16 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 22 2011 : 7:06:19 PM
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| My daughter wants a bunny. We live in the suburbs with about 62 acres of woods that back up to our neighborhood, & my backyard. I think we'd have to keep the bunny inside. Everything I've read is that bunnies can be litterbox trained, but between the chewing & scratching, they ruin the house pretty quick. I am a mom of 4 kids w/ no houseplants & no pets except frogs & fish. Tell me what you think. TIA |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1149 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1149 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2011 : 7:39:50 PM
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How old are your kids? I wouldn't recommend a bunny to small kids (say under 7 or 8...depending on your children, too....my oldest had mice at 2 years old, but there's no way that could have happened with my youngest!!!). While some bunnies do cuddle a little, they don't really like to be restrained and also can be hurt by well-meaning children. Their spines are quite long and when they are improperly restrained, they can give a powerful kick which can paralyze the bunny. 'House Rabbit' people recommend getting the bunny altered (spayed/neutered) to make the best housepet.
I love my bunnies, but frankly for smaller kids, I prefer a well socialized guinea pig. We have a lovely Texel who doesn't mind being held in a lap and has never bitten nor scratched. He is an intact male and hasn't ever shown any aggression to anyone. Here again, this will depend on your kiddos. Is your household very active and noisy most of the time? Bunnies and GPs would find such a situation pretty stressful, being a prey animal.
:0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 07:10:13 AM
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I think guinea pigs are the absolute best,my Daughter has eight of them (she breds them) and I raise New Zealand,Californian and Champagne D' Argente rabbits and I recommend rabbits as great 4-H projects,I just don't think they're very great pets for kids as they can deliver a very powerful kick from thier hind legs and inflict some deep scratches.
The babies are great and I pull them out for kids to play with and enjoy but once they get older they tend to want to be left alone and are difficult for kids to hold.
They will chew on everything if left to roam the house,I know people do it and get them litter trained,all of mine are outdoors so I wouldn't know how to litter train a rabbit.
Anyways,guinea pigs are great for kids,they make cute little sounds,they're very personable and they are just plain cute.
I spent a couple years working in a local pet store and when people came in looking for pets for thier kids I would steer them right away from gerbils,hamsters and rabbits and encourage them instead to buy guinea pigs or rats,which are excellent pet animals,even though I'm a snake keeper I just love rats,they are wonderful interactive pets!
Well,good luck to you,if your Daughter really wants a rabbit I would recommend a small breed like mini-lops,himalayans or hotots,they are smaller and even though they can scratch and kick they are more easily handled by young kids.
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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Prairie Gypsy
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Tammy
Wolford
North Dakota
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 07:55:30 AM
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We had pet rabbits for years. Our rabbits had it pretty good and were definately spoiled. We used dog crates for cages that we added a second floor too so they had plenty of room. If I recall the site is called "Rabbit House" and has a ton of information on raising house bunnies. We let ours out to exercise and socialize with us daily. It wasn't uncommon for them to jump up on the couch with us and curl up for a good petting. I've heard a lot of people compare them to cats affection wise - but I think they can be more affectionate. It just takes a lot of physical and social contact. Keeping a bunny in a cage and ignoring it for days or weeks won't get you an affectionate bunny that enjoys socializing.
I agree that they aren't a good pet choice for young children. Males are better then females unless you get the females spayed. They do chew but there are ways to prevent and deal with that. Rabbits have to chew to keep their teeth from growing to long so providing them with chew toys is mandatory. We had all of our rabbits litter trained, its usually pretty instictive. Don't use anything with added scent and clumping type litter. We used cedar shavings. Check and see if there are any rabbit rescues in your area.
Most the rescues have adoptable bunnies on petfinder.com. Humane Societies also take bunnies so it would be another option. Stay away from pet stores as they tend to have rabbits more prone to genetic issues and they also don't socialize them. Check out the 4H fair and frequently if you check out the rabbit barns and ask around you'll find someone to answer questions and who has the breed you might be interested in.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 1:34:30 PM
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I've had both a rabbit and a guinea pig, and I can say that a rabbit without a companion is a lonely animal. A guinea pig not so much. My guinea pig would cuddle and lick me and make purring noises. He was never aggressive and if I let him out, he would use a litterbox under the TV (his chosen spot). The rabbit was friendly but I could tell she knew that something in her life was missing--another rabbit. She also had a bad habit of peeing over the edge of her litterbox. I'd recommend a guinea pig. Rabbits can also get hair balls stuck in their gut and then you have vet bills.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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latepmcreations
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
juddaca
high point
north carolina
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 4:33:41 PM
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| This has been most helpful. My daughter who wants the rabbit is 9. I have 12, 15, & 17, as well. Thank you so much for the advice! |
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 8:32:16 PM
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Hello! I had a pet mini-lop rabbit once. Got him when he was 8 weeks old. Lived to the ripe old age of 6(which is very old for a rabbit). Carried him around in my sweatshirt pocket until he was too heavy, then trained him to walk on a leash. Also trained him to "litterbox". He went a lot of places with me. Loved to take rides in my pick-up. He'd hop up on the back of the seat, sprawl out and look out the window as we were 'toolin' down the road. He loved to hug, too. He'd put one paw on one side of my neck the other paw on the other side of the neck then put his head on my shoulder. The vet said he'd never seen a rabbit with so much personality. I took him to a rabbit farm to "socialize" him. He wanted nothing to do with any of the rabbits and the owner of the farm told me my bunny didn't realize he was a bunny! Just goes to show that when you spend a lot of time with a rabbit and treat it like a part of the family instead of "just a rabbit", wonders will happen. I miss him very much.
#8206;"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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ladylace
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Donna
Duluth
Georgia
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 06:27:36 AM
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| I have bunnies. I love them. My rabbits are very social creatures. it is true that bunnies do not liked to be picked up. But they love to get in your lap on their own. Teaching a child that an animal is not a stuffed toy is a good thing. My rabbits play with toys. They are quiet. And very entertaining. But with that said, let me tell yout he other side. Bunnies are chewers. So pay attention to cords, furniture. Yes you give them things to chew on. But they always like what they cant have the best. They need to have a clean cage about once a week. litter train your bunny and life will be much easier. I love my bunnies. I have one that is a lion's head lop eared. He is a rescue. And has the best personality. Rabbits need to be brushed. Made sure their diet is good. And their nails clipped . It's $10 at the vets. 30 second job. Dont try to do it yourself. I groom other animals we have. And I so welcomed when the vet did it. If I could only have one animal, I would keep my rabbit Toby. He doesnt walk on a leash at all. Other rabbits that we have do. Teaching a child the way of the animal is very important. I have cats, ferrets, birds, hamester, and Toby. None of my animals are for pick up unless they ask. But trust me, if you sit down, the cats will be in your lap. or in the ferret room, they will be all over you to pick me pick me. The hamester loves to be held. And toby will greet you as you come in the front door. Animals give us unconditional love. |
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Victoria Ashley
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Victoria
Plains
Montana
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 07:00:58 AM
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If you're a gardener, this is an important note:
Bunny droppings are black gold! A friend of mine has had great success planting directly in pots of bunny poop. You can also experiment with composting them and using them mixed in with your usual potting medium.
You can collect the droppings easily if your hutch has a grated bottom. The droppings will fall through the rabbit's bedding into a pan.
I should mention that these bunny droppings were from grass fed bunnies--I can't speak for the usefulness of droppings from rabbits on other diets!
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ladyfarmer29
Farmgirl in Training
15 Posts
Tina
Delta
OH
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 10:14:48 AM
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Guinea pigs are awesome. I have a couple friends who breed and show them. Hubby is alergic so we can't get them. :( Other good beginner bunnies are dutch, holland lops, or mini rex. My son started off with a dutch and she was the sweetest thing.
Oh yes, bunny poo is great stuff! My daughter dumps hers in my garden when she cleans the shed. :-D
"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." |
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Oggie
True Blue Farmgirl
526 Posts
Ginny
Machias
Maine
USA
526 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2011 : 5:17:40 PM
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Left this on a different thread, meant it for here.
I don't want you to think I'm being preachy, I'm just going to tell you what I have observed over five years of having an indoor pet mini lop who's name is Oggie, which is also my user name on here. After rescuing him, so to speak, from my daughter in college, I was trying to learn about indoor bunnies and ended up creating a mini business called The Dew Hop Inn. You can go to my website and meet other bunny owners ( www.thedewhopinn.com) You will have to be accepted but just tell Randy I sent you.
If you are going to have an indoor bunny, remember to bunny proof one room you keep him/her in. We put plastic down on the wood floor, then an area rug over it, then built him a "cage" that is made of NIC cubes. He can go in and out of it freely. He can roam the entire house freely but he doesn't because he hates walking on the wood, laminate flooring, and tile floors we have so he follows the carpet "trails" we have made for him. This is great for us because then we only worry about his room. But in his "room" we put all cords out of reach or in those holders that run across the baseboards. We tied up tightly all lamp cords and don't forget the telephone! They see cords as roots and will chew them like crazy. Also you need to make sure they have lots of chew toys and/or wood and cardboard they can chew on and then they won't chew up the house. Rabbits MUST CHEW in order to keep their teeth short or they get absess's in their teeth & gums and it's very costly. But if they are next to a baseboard they will chew it!
They are easily trained to use a litter box but don't use cat litter as it's toxic to them. We use cedar shavings too that we buy at the feed store but most folks use hay. Oggie just hates hay, which some rabbits do. Most bunnies however love to chew hay and tend to sit in their litter boxes and chew hay at one end while pooping out the other. I've seen buns who sleep in their litter boxes! While he loves being "free" he tends to stay in his area because he isn't as social as most rabbits. We have two cats, and one of them and he, do not get along at all.
Rabbits are very social animals with other rabbits but when it comes to humans they really hate to be held, picked up, carried, etc... unless you train them as babies and even that might not work. But if you have more than one bunny make sure you get them as a pair otherwise you have to bond them which may or may not work and can take months of keeping them seperate. Two from the same litter or two already bonded is best. If two bunnies don't like each other it's very hard to break up a fight and rabbits fight to the death.
Also, bunnies are not really good pets for kids. Because they hate being held, chased, etc... they will bite if picked on. Their nature is to but your kids are all older so that should be fine. They can be skittish since they are prey to most other animals. They are very sensitive animals and have long memories. They break bones easily and don't even know it. Kids want to pick them up and cuddle them and chase them and rabbits hate all of those things. For Oggie to get use to us, we would sit quietly near him and read a book, ignoring him, and soon he would come to us. Or we would lay down and eventually he would come to us and jump on us and check us out. But even today he hates being picked up!
Hope this helps you some. The best place to learn about them is the House Rabbit Society, just google it. They have chapters all over the US. If you are raising them, that's a different world altogether and normally they are in smaller cages outdoors. But as a family pet, you really do need to know all about them before getting one and if you do get one, please get it from a shelter. Also, keeping them in a small cage you normally buy at the pet store when you get the rabbit is really cruel to the rabbit. They will be completely bored. They love to play, they love to "redecorate" their area's (move the litter box, the food bowl, etc...), and they love to be left alone. They are very smart too. We call their destruction by chewing "bunstruction".
Oggie comes under our table when we eat dinner and starts nudging my foot which is his way of telling me he wants a treat so I give him a treat. If he hears me feeding the cats, he runs to where I can see him so I don't forget about him. If I haven't fed him on time he takes the plate his greens were on and bangs it around. He will also come running into our livingroom from his room when we are watching TV and jump on the couch and expect to be scratched or brushed because his skin is dry. But you try and hold him he runs off.
Here's a picture of him meeting one of our chickens last summer.
His cage has two stories and we often see him sitting on the top floor. He has cardboard cement forms you can buy at Home Depot placed behind chairs which he hides in and sleeps in. Bunnies always need places to go and the moment you change things around they are there to figure out how to move around in case of danger. he has a foot stool he hides under too. They always need a place to hide in every room he's allowed in.
Sorry, I could write a book on bunnies I think they are great pets!
If you haven't figured it out, I'm a bunny lover! I'd have a bunny now before any other pet except I'd have two so they have company and they would have been bonded when I got them. Trying to bond them later in life is very hard.
Ginny
Farmgirl #2343
www.thedewhopinn.com
"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with."
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Both by Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) in the Movie Harvey
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latepmcreations
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
juddaca
high point
north carolina
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2011 : 12:06:32 PM
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| Very thorough & helpful, Ginny! We are not getting a bunny - she wants something to hold & cuddle, of course. We have friends that say the guinee pig route is smelly & they bite too? She has switched to an archery set! Ha! She did it in Girl Scouts & wants to do it in the backyard. Thanks again, everyone |
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BalancingAct
True Blue Farmgirl
297 Posts
Jackie
Hoosierville
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 10:36:00 PM
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Ginny, I just visited your Dewhopinn and just love some of the pictures. I am missing my mini lop so much.
#8206;"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Barnyard Buddies: Anyone have bunny advice? |
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Anyone have bunny advice?
