As a new bunny parent - what do you wish you had been told?

[RandomWiktor]

1. I wish I'd known about the importance of hay and fresh foods when I first started keeping rabbits as a child. Most advice you get is "pellets, ad libitum!" and most people go with it because that's what they do for their dogs and cats. I reckon a lot of the reason that our childhood rabbits had short lifespans was their diet.

2. The importance of spay/neuter, and especially, what questions to ask your vet to make sure they are rabbit-savvy and doing it correctly, and how to care for your rabbit pre-and-post operatively. When our rabbit died after her spay, I attribute it largely to the vet's methods and our lack of post-op care knowledge.

3. Enrichment needs. I am glad to see commercial rabbit toys available but I don't think most new rabbit owners realize that rabbits are very intelligent and need their behavioral needs AS RABBITS met. That means not just sitting there and holding your rabbit, which most rabbits don't even like, but addressing its various rabbity instincts. I've met so many rabbit owners who think that as long as the rabbit gets attention (even unwanted), everything's fine. Uhm. No. Rabbits need to express their natural behaviors, not be dressed up and toted around the house by your kid.

 

[cheryl]

Cabrissi wrote:

3.) How freaking addictive they are. Seriously.

Oh boy.. yes!

 

[Never2ManyBunnies]

3.) How freaking addictive they are. Seriously. I should have known since I suffer potato chip syndrome with all my other critters too...:dutch

YES!!! And just like chips, the more you have, the more you want. . .:bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance:



In addition to all the other excellent suggestions made by everyone, I also would have liked to knownthat for litter boxes:

1)It is best to use large litter boxes, such as cat litter boxes rather than the small ones sold for rabbits.

2) Use horse stall bedding/wood pellets for litter as it is inexpensive compared to other litters. (And now I'm afraid to switch my trained rabbits over to this as it is unfamiliar for them and my cause them to stop using the litter box!?!?)

 

[1CuteBunny]

I never had bunnies, but I ALWAYS wanted one. I've had cats, dogs and birds. My wish came true on Boxing Day.

My bf had bunnies as a child. He had reservations about buying me one because of the work involved in taking care of them.

I've had Mia, my cat, for the last 10 years and never had an issue with taking care of her. I was totally prepared for this new addition in my life.

When I bought Pepper, I really had no advice on how to take care of them. There's nothing different I would want to know. He's such a good pet.

 

[Brandy456]

I wish someone would've told me that Rabbits are NOT dogs and do NOT behave like dogs.

I remember saying " Babii, go lay in bed" and her just looking at me like i'm stupid.
or "Roll over and i'll give you a craisin!"
.. I was twelve, I didn't know squat about Buns until my moms friend told me all this stuff not long after getting her.