As loveable as Thumper (Introducing Rabbits)

Member Name: masonsmum

Product:	Introducing Rabbits
Date:	13/01/09 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong characters, some give a lot of love.

Disadvantages: Tendancy to chew and can be prone to mood swings!

I went to a pet rescue one day to donate a hamster cage, and came home with Jason, my lop eared house rabbit. I had never owned a rabbit before, in fact i used to go out shooting them with my father (game keeper). I was wary but the lady was so worried about him, saying how depressed he was, i agreed to take him on a fostering basis. 1 week later I was phoning to adopt him.

I never knew that rabbits had such strong characters. Jason had never been handled and had spent all his life at the rescue. In my home with free run of the house, he is a dream rabbit. He never does any business outside his cage and has never chewed any wires. He would sulk when i put him in his cage for the night, and often will do mad binkys (rabbit leaps) around my lounge. I love him to pieces.

The care for a rabbit can be expensive, its definitely important to get pet insurance, as rabbits can get sick quite quickly. They need a yearly myxomatosis jab to protect them from it, the horrible disease introduced by people to cull the rabbit population. Every few months i take Jason to the vet to have his claws and teeth checked. It is also important to get them spayed, rabbits tend to live longer as a result and it can curb sexual activity or aggression.

I don't have experience of outdoor rabbits, but for indoors it is important they have a large cage, for the times they are not out and about, that they can call their own. Too small a cage can see them become frustrated, bored and depressed. It is also important to provide items for them to chew on, and some rabbit toys to play with. My rabbit took to stealing my dogs treat ball and rolling it about to get at the chocolate drops inside, so much so i had to replace the dog chocs with rabbit fruit treats. My rabbit and my dog are best of pals, but i wouldn't recommend having a rabbit with a dog, even if you really trust a dog, never leave them unattended together.

For indoor rabbits its also important to protect your wires, chewing through one can shock or even kill your rabbit. You can buy insulation tubing which will help.

A lot of people buy rabbits because they think they will make great pets for children. I don't believe this is always the case. Rabbits need treated gently and can be quite difficult if the mood so takes them.

If you are thinking about getting one, see your vet for some advice, read up on what you can, and have a look online for rabbit forums to get some experienced opinions when you need it.

They sound like a lot of work, and sometimes they are, but i would not be without Jason, so much character in one little rabbit.

Summary: Everyone needs a rabbit, they put you in your place!