My father told me that rabbits made better pets than cats. I am now inclined to agree, since I became an owner of a young kitten last month. I have a black rex I have named Baron. I planned ahead and did some research, however the experience is quite different from anything you will ever read or be told online.
I cleaned up my bedroom because this is where I planned to keep my rabbit once I found one. Then I read article after article about rabbits. I found out you can litter train a rabbit. I went looking for a cage for my new pet well before seeking the actual pet.
I hit several stores and found most cages far too small and expensive for my taste. I was about to give up and go home when I was walking through the home department at K Mart and found a wire cube shelving on clearance. I got it for just $20. It is made up of several wire panels held together by plastic clips. I was able to make up a cage 28"x35" and enough spare to make a small gate for my doorway.
I then cut to fit a cardboard box as the floor so feet wouldn't pass through. I had a large roll of butcher's paper in the garage and used it as a protective layer between my floor and the cage. Then I tossed in some glass bowls for food and water. I found a small cardboard box and cut a hole for a hiding place.
At Home Depot I found a small bag of peat moss but then reading it found chemicals (yuck) and a child hazard warning. So I ended up buying a large $10 bail of pure peat moss. I stored it in the shed outside. Then I found a nice lady who sold me the Baron. He is priceless but cost only $10 and was 6 weeks old.
He quickly learned in about 10 days or less what the small tray of peat moss is used for and inside of the month I haven't found his pellets anywhere but the litter tray. He has explored the bedroom and even hops up onto the bed. Rabbits are very intelligent, he seems to know what locks the door to his cage. I only leave him in there when I am away.
I have an issue with him chewing on my plasterboard walls but we are working on that one. I am currently trying to get him to use pine cones and natural wood instead. Besides the minor repairs, I can't believe plaster is good for him.
Most of his time he spends running about the bedroom or exploring. He loves to lick people and bit me once just to see how I taste. Compared to my brother's cat rabbits seem to be gentle, quiet, clean, and less smelly pets. So far it has been a pleasant experience.
I cleaned up my bedroom because this is where I planned to keep my rabbit once I found one. Then I read article after article about rabbits. I found out you can litter train a rabbit. I went looking for a cage for my new pet well before seeking the actual pet.
I hit several stores and found most cages far too small and expensive for my taste. I was about to give up and go home when I was walking through the home department at K Mart and found a wire cube shelving on clearance. I got it for just $20. It is made up of several wire panels held together by plastic clips. I was able to make up a cage 28"x35" and enough spare to make a small gate for my doorway.
I then cut to fit a cardboard box as the floor so feet wouldn't pass through. I had a large roll of butcher's paper in the garage and used it as a protective layer between my floor and the cage. Then I tossed in some glass bowls for food and water. I found a small cardboard box and cut a hole for a hiding place.
At Home Depot I found a small bag of peat moss but then reading it found chemicals (yuck) and a child hazard warning. So I ended up buying a large $10 bail of pure peat moss. I stored it in the shed outside. Then I found a nice lady who sold me the Baron. He is priceless but cost only $10 and was 6 weeks old.
He quickly learned in about 10 days or less what the small tray of peat moss is used for and inside of the month I haven't found his pellets anywhere but the litter tray. He has explored the bedroom and even hops up onto the bed. Rabbits are very intelligent, he seems to know what locks the door to his cage. I only leave him in there when I am away.
I have an issue with him chewing on my plasterboard walls but we are working on that one. I am currently trying to get him to use pine cones and natural wood instead. Besides the minor repairs, I can't believe plaster is good for him.
Most of his time he spends running about the bedroom or exploring. He loves to lick people and bit me once just to see how I taste. Compared to my brother's cat rabbits seem to be gentle, quiet, clean, and less smelly pets. So far it has been a pleasant experience.
