Hi, I'm new here too and need your opinions

[kylett]

Hi, we are thinking of getting my 3 year old a floppy eared bunny. I have no idea on what is needed to keep a bunny or how to do it. I do know that it will be much loved by all family members. We do have 2 big dogs, but theyfenced off in another section of the yard. Any information would be much appreciated

 

[TreasuredFriend]

HI to you in Australia! welcome to RO. Be prepared for lots of Poos. Rabbits can poop up to 300 brown marbles a day. Pooping is Good. If they don't poo, that's time to get HELP.

THey are loveable, they need their nails trimmed or stuff to dig in, need to chew to keep their incisors from growing too long. Need hay to chew. Need a human to offer them love ~ and they'll blossom to their full potential.

Yup, I'd make sure the dogs don't view your proposed bunn as a toy, somebun to chase and grab with their teeth. Rabbits can also dig under fences.

Hope this helps. You'll get lots of good advice from the RO Community!

 

[irishlops]

welcome!!!

look in the libary and post in the nutrion, care, and rabbits online fourm for adive.

ill pm you some links when i get on after school to day or tomorrow.

good luck.

get a book on rabbit heatlth read it and know the symptoms. it will help.

lop ears are so cute and fun, i have 2 dwarf lops.!

hope 2 c u around.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Welcome to the forum! This is a great site for learning about rabbits and their care.

Just some thoughts, rabbits and very young children generally don't mix well. Little ones can sometimes be a little rough, kids want to hold the bunny to hard, chase it etc., which scares it and all it will want to do is hide or nip at anything the gets near it.

I would really consider the rabbit yours and supervise any time kids are around the bunny. Rabbits although cute and cuddly do grow up. Rabbits tend to go through "teenage years" around 6-9 months where they can be aggressive. For bucks/males this is greatly reduced if they are neutered. Spaying does/females greatly reduces chances of uterine cancer.

Rabbits are like other animals in that they each have their own unique personalities. I have 16 rabbitsand each one has its own unique personality. Rabbits do get territorial about their cages/hutches and don't always like people putting their hands inside, they may charge, grunt and thump there rear feet to let you know they are not happy. Occasional nips can be expected.

Rabbitsneed daily care, changing litter boxes regularlary (helps reduce the odor if indoors) and keeps the bunny healthy, giving a good diet of hay, pellets and the proper veggies.

To earn a rabbits trust and love is quite an accomplishment. Rabbits are great companions, they can be taught to use a litter box and with proper rabbit proofing some people let the rabbits have the run of a room or an entire level of their house or apartment. Rabbits are very intelligent animals also.

A rabbit needs to have a large enough cage that it can run around in and stretch out or lay down, and they need to have toys to play with. Baby keys, toilet paper tubes, unvarnished wicker balls to chew on, cardboard box house to hide in etc.

Rabbits are great animals and I love mine to death. They are always a source of entertainment and awe. Try and get a rabbit from a animal rescue. This is probably more then you were looking for but I hope it helps.

Please send me a private message (pm) I am more then happy to answer any questions.

 

[tonyshuman]

Hi! I would have some concerns about keeping him outside, if that was your plan. I know in Australia myximiatosis (sp?) is very common in the wild rabbit population, and there is no vaccine for it like there is in the UK, where it is also common. This disease is untreatable, as far as I know, and very devastating. It can be transmitted very easily too. Even if you don't see wild bunnies, there might be some around that could leave the virus. With good supervision, a rabbit can be a good pet for kids, but like Wabbitdad said, they have to be very mature about not pulling on the ears, picking it up, going slowly (bunnies jump and get scared with sudden movements) around it, not making loud noises, etc. It is a good way to teach a child to be sensitive to the needs of others, since rabbits can be very needy in what kind of living environment they will tolerate.

Best of luck!

Oh and about the pulling ears thing--I actually saw an ad on craigslist by someone who got a bunny for their 1 and 2 yr old kids but they had to give it up because the bunny didn't like having its ears pulled. Shocking!

 

[kylett]

Thanks for that information so far guys, it is all very helpful. You have told me some stuff I was very unaware of. I am very confident that she will be gentle with it, especially when told the bunny doesn't like it if you are rough. She loves all animals and is gentle even with the big dogs we have. Shetells me to be quiet when the dogs are out the back having a sleep.

Looking forward to hearing what anyone else may have to offer. Too much information is never a bad thing

 

[kherrmann3]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Congrats on thinking of adding a rabbit to your family, as well. I agree with the comments that others have said regarding small children and rabbits. Even if they will be gentle, make sure that you are prepared to take care of the rabbit. They can live as long as ten+ years! They are wonderful little critters, though!

 

[evheide]

About half a year ago I purchased a rabbit for my 3-year old grandson. I keep it in a heated barn for him (we live next door). In my experience, a youngster like this is interested in the rabbit when he sees the rabbit, but would not be closely attached to it. This was my expectation, so that is why the rabbit is in my barn. (And this led to the purchase of more rabbits for me...) I suspect you are interested in the pet and already realize that it will not be a close friend for your child. Enjoy the rabbit.

 

[Numbat]

Hi and welcome! I'm in Australia too

Rabbits are great pets and pretty easy to look after too! Just make sure they have a nice big hutch (which you have to clean frequently!), good food, some attention and let them out for a run frequently.

This forum is full of great info about looking after rabbits! They all have different personalities; some might not like getting cuddles and some love it! If you're patient with them, they'll warm up to you and are great pets (lol, not that I'm very experienced).

It sounds like your family will take good care of a pet so I'm sure it'll work out fine! It's great that you're getting an adult too! There are so many unwanted animals because they're just a bit older.

Good luck!