Researching my first bunny purchase! Need all of your advice :D

[kellybunbun]

Okay, I am researching the beginning steps to take in adopting a bunny, but I need some advice from an experienced bunny owner or breeder! I am a 21 year old college student. I am extremely clean and organized. I do have the finances to provide correctly for a rabbit. A couple of questions:

A.) I want a small to medium sized rabbit. Could someone recommend a few breeds that would be appropriate for me? I have no other pets, a large, spacious, clean room. Any breeds that would be best fit for me in your opinion would be appreciated!

B.) Do bunnies HAVE to be neutered? I live in a house on our college campus, and to adopt one you have to get prior approval from a landlord. My house states no pets (but they perform no checks, and small pets are not a problem) in the lease. So when I go to adopt one, they need approval from the landlord. Obviously, I wouldn't get that, but I can say it will be living at my mom's house. Question is, should I buy from a breeder and not neuter, or at least have to delay it being neutered for a few months, or adopt a neutered bun but have to say it lives at my mom's when it really lives with me? My mom lives very close to me.

C.) Which are more low maintenance and better tempered, girl or boy bunnies?

Any other advice would be appreciated! Thanks!!
:biggrin::biggrin:

 

[missyscove]

Hi and welcome to RO! I'm a 22 year old recent college graduate and soon to be vet student so I know where you're coming from.

As far as breeds go, I've had a dutch and now what we think is maybe a mini rex/dutch mix. Both were between 4 and 5 pounds. Temperament really depends on the individual. I'd really encourage you to adopt an adult that's already fixed if you want to know the temperament ahead of time (and consider getting a pair of bonded buns too; it's so much fun to watch them together!)

They don't have to be neutered, but I've found that neutering them reduces many undesirable hormonal behaviors and makes them easier to litter train. Neutering also reduces the risk of reproductive tumors.

If your permanent residence is with your parent and your mom is okay with you adopting a rabbit, I'd just list that as your home.

I've had one male and one female and the two were definitely different, but I think it was just their individual personalities.

 

[caustin4]

I'm also a college student and to adopt I just say I live at home with my parents. The shelter just asks if the owners approve and I say yes (they do anyways) and then can get a rabbit. Rescuing a bunny is nice because they come neutered and if you're planning to keep the bun in your room and litter train it then you'll want a neutered rabbit, otherwise it's a hassle/they never really get trained. Plus it's cheaper then buying from a breeder and neutering later.

Gender doesn't make a difference I have 5 girls, 2 boys, and 3 foster girls and gender has nothing to do with their personalities.

Side note- I never realized how many college age people are on ro.

 

[kellybunbun]

Thank you both so much! I really am leaning more towards adoption because it will most likely come neutered and will be somewhat older of a bunny. I have so many questions and am overwhelmed at the moment! Ah!

 

[cwolfec]

I'm a recent college grad too. Well ok...you guys are a little more recent than me Anyways, I'd say the way to go is adopt, especially because they'll neuter the bun first and you won't have to worry about it later. And you're saving a life! I have a dwarf lionhead (mix) who is super chill, with a great personality, and only 4 pounds. You just have to brush lionheads so they don't swallow fur.

Make sure you read up on all the good info in the Lagomorph Library http://rabbitsonline.net/view_category.php?id=5 That will help a lot!

Can't wait to see pics when you get your bun!

 

[kkiddle]

I'm a college student too!!

A.) I just adopted a lionhead for my male rabbit, and she is the sweetest! Honestly, I would go to a shelter and meet a bunch of rabbits--that way you can pick the best fit for you.

B.) I would plan on getting it neutered if it isn't already. The thing that I'm thankful for is that I adopted, so I didn't have to go through the scary neutering process with either of my buns. I didn't have to deal with the teenage years, and the emotional roller coaster either. Breeders are an option, but you never really know what you're going to get if you adopt a baby, and with it being your first bun, I would suggest finding the best match for you at a shelter.

C.) Let's just get one thing straight, and I'm sure you know this as you're doing your research, but buns are NOT low maintenance. I think I understand what you meant, but just for future readers I want to point that out. Anyway, boy or girl doesn't matter. The rabbit does. This is why I think you should adopt; you can meet the buns and see which ones you have a connection with. If you want an easy-going rabbit, look for the ones that run up to you right away or want to play/be pet. This is what happened with the rabbit I just adopted. She is so laid back I am floored!

Good luck, and remember that your bun may not take to you right away. It took me over a (very frustrating) year for Cheeto to really trust and connect with me. It was very hard, and being in school and working at the same time was very stressful.
I also think you should consider getting a bonded pair. I was like "no way" when somebody suggested that to me, and I wish that I had considered it. Now that I am starting to get out more and live the student life, I feel guilty that Cheeto is alone. I've adopted Millie, but it's going to take more effort to bond them and that's something that is also very hard. Well, anyway, good luck and awesome job doing your research!

 

[agnesthelion]

Hi welcome to RO and kudos to you for doing your research before adopting!

I have a Lionhead doe. She is about 3.5 lbs. She has the sweetest personality. Really cuddly, loves being petted, picked up and is all around hysterical

I'm a fan of the smaller breeds. The other breeds I had looked into were Netherland dwarfs and Holland Lops. All are about the same size full grown (between 3-4 lbs, Netherlands the smallest) and similar personalities. Although with rabbits you can't ever really guarantee anything on personality. Each is so unique and different. Lionheads are my fave for obvious reasons. Their fur just makes them so cute and unique, although grooming is required to keep the mats down. Second in line for me is holland lops. Their faces are so cute, they look like "babies" their whole lives I've heard they have really sweet personalities.

I got Agnes as a baby. Babies are adorable but are alot of work litter training and going through the teenage years. And then Agnes is getting spayed next month. There are pros and cons to both. Personally I like the baby stage. Watching them grow and come into their own while bonding with youmis alot of fun BUT there are SO many buns that need good homes. And then as others have said, they are usually fixed, litter trained and you know their personality. However, if they were ever mistreated it can take alot of time rebonding a bun with a baby you start fresh.

Either way, you will want them fixed. And there are little differences between males and females once fixed. It's more just on each individual rabbit. But fixed bunnies all around tend to smell better, litter train better and are just better companions, not to mention the health aspect especially for females so it's definitely something to consider.

I do have to agree with Kari that bunnies are not low maintenance. I'm sure you know all this but it is important to say bunnies are messy, their pee is really smelly (buns themselves don't stink but their pee does) they are diggers and chewers so bunny proofing is needed. I clean Agnes's litterbox twice a day to keep the smell down. But that's because I'm a huge clean freak and a bit anal about my house, but moral of the story is bunnies are alot of work. They are definitely not the animal that should just be shoved in a cage and left there 24/7.

But with that being said, Agnes is worth it!! I love her SO much. She makes me laugh everyday. She is hysterical, nosy, confident, snuggly, kisses me, loves her head scratches she is just a joy to have in my life. Everyday she surprises me. She comes when called, knows her name, knows when she is getting treats or fed. Rabbits are intelligent and have so much personality so if you are ready for the work and time, you will be rewarded with a great pet!!

Congrats and let us know what you decide!

 

[LakeCondo]

I suggest finding a good shelter on adoptapet.com or perfinder.com. And if you live with your mom in summer, then that truly is your address at the time. Plus summer is a good time to get a rabbit from a shelter. The Easter Bunnies are available now, generally.

And while small pets don't seem to be a problem there, chewing on walls etc might get you busted. So I suggest getting an xpen [exercise pen] for your rabbit & an indoor-outdoor type rug under it, so nothing that isn't yours gets damaged.

The pens can be set up several ways, but you get the most room with a 4ft square. That's enough room to go into the pen & play. If you want more space, add a 2nd pen. As you don't know if your rabbit will be a climber or not, get the tallest pen, which I think is 48".

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We have had Dutches and Mini Rexes and found both to be great. From our experience, the males have been the friendliest. Neutering should be done for all, unless they are going to be used for show--we think it makes for a better bunny.