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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A What type of care do house rabbits require?

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    • Paulagrace
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        My friends’ guinea pig recently died and they’re trying to find a good pet that does not shed or that is a dog, cat, ferret, or anything with a cage. They wanted a house rabbit but they want to know more information about the house rabbit. They said it was okay but they wanted to know how much money it would cost monthly to care for the house rabbit. Also, can they go outside freely? IMPORTANT: Please answer as much as you can about house rabbits. Thank you!


      • Stickerbunny
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          First off – rabbits SHED. Some shed year round, some go through molting periods where big clumps of hair come off. They need frequent brushings, method varies by breed. My rabbit room with a short haired REW is always coated in his fur, even my computer case fans end up getting fur cleaned out every few days. When he was free roam, I had to vacuum often. It is much like cat fur, it gets all over. If the shedding is an issue due to allergies, they should also look into if they are allergic to hay.

          Second – cost. This will vary by area and whats available. Bunnies need fresh veggies, hay, usually pellets (some do fresh +hay no pellets but that requires a lot of fresh). They need claws clipped about every 1-2 months. I spend about $10-$20 a week on fresh veggies and $35 every 2 months on pellets, hay we get in fresh farm bales for $5 and it lasts about 2-3 months. I clip their nails myself so that just cost $10 for clippers. Litter is about $18 a month, I use pine pellets. I have two buns, but it isn’t much cheaper for one.

          The real cost comes from vet care. A female has about 80% chance of cancer if left unspayed and both genders have behavioral issues that spay/neuter can correct. You need an exotics vet, which is usually more expensive. And they are delicate, so GI stasis etc must be treated ASAP. Some buns develop tooth spurs or other teeth issues that require frequent trims, which can get pricey.

          Another issue to be aware of is bunny proofing required. In a bun proofed home, it can be much like having a cat. But, bunnies love to chew / dig and territorial marking can happen. My rabbits require about $100 in baby gates and other blockades to keep them from wrecking my house. If they can hide away in a corner, behind furniture etc they will chew and dig baseboards / carpets, even if they won’t when I can see them.

          As for going outside, if you make them a safe run they can. But, as in open the door and let them run about the yard? No. Predators, escape, being stolen, eating toxic plants, these are all outside dangers. People have had their buns stolen in front of them by hawks, so a covered outside run reinforced on the bottom with wire mesh to avoid digging out is the best way to take them out.

          Now, not trying to make them sound like awful pets. I love my buns. Powder is cuddly and will sleep in my bed, he loves to be pet. Stickers is much more hands off and watch her silly antics, while driving me insane trying to destroy things behind my back. But, they require a certain setup and understanding to make them successful pets, especially free roam. Have your friends read up on bunny proofing. Make sure they know the bun may not be cuddly and most likely won’t want to be held (prey animals, so being held = being eaten to them). Some prefer to be ignored until they ask for attention. And they can be trained, such as litter trained, but some things you just have to work around.


        • Beka27
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            Stickerbunny provided great info. I’m just going to recommend that you encourage them to do more research about rabbits as house pets.

            Not all buns can be without a cage 24/7.

            I would say, an average monthly cost to care for rabbits (NOT including vet care) would range from $50-80. This rivals the amount needed to care for a dog or cat, in some cases rabbits are more expensive than a dog/cat. This page has a detailed breakdown of what a rabbit costs: https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/4/PID/940/Default.aspx

            Other that that, like I said, I’d encourage them to do A LOT of research. They can browse on this site, check out the House Rabbit Society at rabbit.org, House Rabbit Network, etc… There are so many sources to get answers to questions they have.


          • mia
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              Everyone is going to give a different response.

              My two buns monthly necessities cost less than my hamsters (I’m not sure how other people have such high costs); this does not include vet care, up front costs of proofing and housing and other items, and silly spoiling (nice toys, treats they don’t “need”). Vet care on the other hand, has cost me a small fortune that has been more than any health care I’ve ever had my whole life.

              Up front costs was a bit greater than I expected but helps in the long run. For example, getting vegetable savers so vegetables last longer; mines lasts up to 3 weeks. I designed their condo and had someone else make the wood portions since I don’t have tools. It makes their area easier to clean, it’s portable (has wheels), and serves as an additional “cage” in addition to the x-pen gate. My female chews practically everything; replacing and proofing has been a headache (e.g. three vacuum cleaners died).

              Mines do not need much care. I barely brush them, only during their sheds and even then, it’s not really necessary except to vacuum up frequently. Luckily, I live where there are many shelters who do free nail clips so that’s where they get their nails done though I have to drive a bit to get there. Homemade toys are more than sufficient. They need very little attention except cleaning up litter; this is where most of my time and effort is spent – cleaning up pee stains -_-. Though mine are free range most of the time, I would never rid of their condo and xpen area to give 100% free range.


            • Stickerbunny
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                Miaeih – high costs come depending on area. For example a head of lettuce here is $1.49 and lasts my buns 2-3 days. Cilantro etc is cheaper at $0.98 a bunch but again that only lasts them a few days (and they get 2-3 types of greens daily, so I run out of multiple kinds in 2-3 days). I feed a lot more fresh than pellets, but the pellets I feed are oxbow so it’s $16.99 per 10lbs. My buns have 3 litter boxes which have to be changed out at least once a week, scooped out more often, so that is why I go through so much litter. If I had a farmers market, or some other cheaper place to buy veggies than the local supermarket, I could save a lot. Also, some people don’t have local areas to buy fresh hay, so those that don’t will have to order online, which ups the cost.


              • Beka27
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                  I’m also averaging in costs for my bulk items…

                  $150 a year on hay (approximately 1.5-2 Oxbow 50lb boxes per year)
                  $120 a year on pellets (approx 6 bags)
                  $50 a year on litter

                  So averaged out, I’m spending $27 a month, BEFORE I buy a single sprig of parsley.

                  IMO, we are extremely generous with our veggies, so our weekly veggies cost for 2 bunnies is about $10-15, and this is with buying a lot at wholesale clubs where you get more for less.

                  So, on the LOW end, I’m paying $67 a month for two buns.

                  I’ve researched ways to get costs down and as I see it, what I’m doing now is the lowest I can reasonably go and still meet their requirements.


                • FluffyBunny
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                    Everyone has given great advice here. I just want to chime in on the costs. Bunnies don’t have to be expensive! There’s lots of places where you can cut down on costs. For my two bunnies, I spend maybe $5 max per week on fresh veggies. I get 10 lbs of Oxbow pellets for $14 at a local feed store, and that lasts about 2.5-3 months. Pine pellets cost $4 a bag and last about 3-4 months (I change their litter once per week). I buy hay by the bale, and it’s usually about $8-14 for enough to last 3 months. The only toys I buy are willow sticks and the occasional “special” toy on holidays.

                    So, that means it costs roughly $30 per month for me to care for two bunnies. That’s not counting toys, vet bills, initial costs (cage, bunny proofing, etc.). I’m probably a couple thousand bucks poorer after the various vet bills and the costs of the cage, NIC panels, bunny proofing supplies, chewed valuables, and other various expenses. As for your friend, s/he can probably expect it to cost a couple hundred bucks to get all of the one-time things, plus the cost of the bunny and possibly the spay/neuter cost or adoption fee. In my opinion, bunnies are definitely worth it!


                  • jackieblue
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                      Might I ask why they have to have their nails clipped?

                      I use something called SoftClaws on my kitty to avoid the horrible declawing process. They are claw size and shaped plastic pieces that you drop glue into and slide over the claw. I wonder if there is any chance that is an option for rabbit?

                      Here is a pic of them: 


                    • Stickerbunny
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                        The reason to clip them isn’t so they don’t destroy stuff, or scratch you to pieces (though those are good reasons too) but since their nails don’t retract like a cat, if they get too long they can snag on things or get wrapped up in stuff. And if your bun gets a carpet fiber or whatever wrapped around a claw, it’s likely going to lead to a broken leg from a freak out full out run when they are tethered by a claw. At the least, a pulled off claw.


                      • Monkeybun
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                          Their nails keep growing, so they will end up getting too long, and making it harder for them to hop properly. It can cause sore hocks on their feet if their nails aren’t trimmed, and sometimes their claws can get snagged in the carpet as Sticker mentioned, and yank out the whole nail. Trims ever 4-6 weeks is definitely recommended!


                        • Raindrops
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                            I’ve had my bun since September, and as a student he’s actually a pretty easy pet for me to have. Though I know some people who wouldn’t be able to keep one as a pet easily enough.

                            My advice? Read every book/article/etc. about rabbits to begin with, the more you know; the more prepared you’ll be for any situation. Before getting a rabbit (or a pet of ANY kind) be sure to scout around for vets, because trust me you’ll feel more secure with a bunny-safe vet in the area. I wouldn’t have gotten Kaiser if there wasn’t one on the parallel street from me, since I don’t own a car.

                            I will pitch in something about food costs though. Since you can eat the veggies rabbits love, just get enough for both of you! You save money on your food, and his by sharing it. Plus it’s healthier! And as for treats, it’s much better to get dried human fruits as they aren’t nearly as fatty as treats made for rabbits (usually cheaper too). Be careful though, because some veg and fruits are harmful to buns, so be sure to check out what they should/shouldn’t eat first. Otherwise it’s pretty easy for both of us.


                          • MoveDiagonally
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                              I agree with everything stickerbunny said but I wanted to re-iterate that rabbits SHED. My bunnies probably shed more than my dogs and cats.

                              jackieblue – I don’t think those caps are a good idea for the following reasons:
                              1. They will likely not fit right because they’re made for a differently shaped nail.
                              2. A rabbit will most likely just chew them off which could cause gut issues.
                              3. A rabbit’s nails keep growing so they would still need to be clipped (just like human nails).


                            • Ella K.
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                                I would say that a rabbit certainly is rewarding, but is VERY difficult and requires a ton of dedicatoin.

                                Firstly, there are one-time expenses. You will need a very large cage, toys, crocks, bottles, sleeping areas, etc. The housing can be made using a modular system called NIC grids, which are relatively inexpensive, but MUST be large. You will also have monthly expenses, including hay, pellets, veggies and litter. These add up to about $40/month for me, and that doesn’t include any extras, like cardboard houses, playgrounds, etc.

                                Then, there are the inevitable vet bills. When I first got my little Bean, he had coccodia that was treated for over $1500 in total. These are expenses that are often difficult to prevent with the specialized care that bunnies require. You will have to have your bunny fixed, regardless of sex to prevent disease and aggressive behavior, which can be anywhere between $50-$400. You also need to get a check up from the vet at least once a year, and that can be up to $200.

                                As the others said, rabbits certainly do shed, usually once every 3 months split up by light shedding in between. During that time, you will have to brush your rabbit at least once a day. They SHOULD NOT wear the things you showed in the picture, as MoveDiagonally said, they could chew them off and cause gut issues. You could have a vet or a volunteer at a local HRS chapter show you how to comfortably clip your bunny’s nails.

                                Rabbits ( in my experience ) require more attention than a dog or cat. You need to let them out at least 4 hours a day, or else they can become depressed and aggressive. It is also important to spend at least an hour per day directly interacting and playing with them. You also should consider your schedule- rabbits are crespecular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, and rest/sleep during the day. Personally, I wake up at 6 every morning just to play with my bunny. Keep in mind other factors in your life, such as other pets and small children. Bunnies don’t always like dogs and cats ( but can be gradually introduced ) and dislike being bombarded by little children. They hate being held and picked up, and prefer to be pet on the ground. They are animals of prey, so when they are picked up or held, they liken it to being picked up by a predator, regardless of whether or not they trust you. If you have guests come over, they are often surprised by and interested in the rabbit, but not all bunnies tolerate lots of interaction and can become very stressed. Rabbits don’t like loud music, screaming children, smoke from cooking, etc. They are very sensitive.

                                There are many little things to consider- One time I started wearing a new scented oil, and it made Bean bonkers! If you move furniture, it can make your bunny very angry and confused, so you have to do that gradually, too. For example, using an air freshener can cause lung problems and make your bunny angry. During the summer months, you will have to keep your AC on with many fans, which racks up an expensive electricity bill. A dedicated bunny parent will find them self CONSTANTLY considering the rabbits needs and welfare.

                                Your home would need to be bunny proofed. I spent $100 on baby gates/expens and about $30 on cord coverings, corner protectors and barriers. If not entertained, a bunny can become VERY destructive and rip your carpets to shreds and destroy your cables. They have constantly growing teeth, and instinctively chew on EVERYTHING, so chew toys are a must. You have to shield your bunny from any foods that could harm it, as their GI tract is incredibly sensitive. No matter how well bunny proofed your home is, I would expect a few bite marks on a chair leg at the very least

                                You will also have to learn about the very subtle “Language of Lagomorphs”, which will help you understand your rabbits body language so you can detect its feelings. It is also worthwhile ( and could save your buns life ) to learn from a vet what to look for in a sick rabbit. Bunnies are very stoic and can hide illness for months before its noticable.

                                As for letting them outside, I would NEVER let my bunny outside unsupervised. Many will build a run with a top on it to let their rabbit get a taste of the beautiful outdoors, but I wouldn’t suggest it. A rabbit could be stolen, caught by a predator, eat a deadly plant, be scared by bugs and killed by the elements outside. You can’t let your bunny out in extreme temperatures, as they are prone to heat stroke and hypothermia. They could easily catch fly strike, where little flies lay eggs in the skin. There is also the concern that a rabbit could escape. There was a woman at the bunny rescue I work at who looked away for one second when her bunny was outside, only to find little Thumper had escaped. I feel like the risks of letting your bunny outdoors TOTALLY outweigh the benefits.

                                Having a bunny is a very rewarding experience and seeing a bunny do a binky ( spazzy jump of happiness ) is so much fun! I love rabbits and I strongly believe that they are the best pet for someone who has enough time and is willing to put in the effort.

                                I would suggest reading the info on binkybunny.com, and the following sites, especially rabbit.org. Before you get a bun, I would suggest reading the entire site

                                rabbit.org

                                http://language.rabbitspeak.com/

                                http://www.3bunnies.org/why_adopt.htm

                                You could also find out where your local House Rabbit Society chapter is, and you could call them up if you had any questions. They also have frequent seminars on rabbit care, which are immensely helpful. If you just want an oppertunitty to interact with some rabbits to “get a taste” you could call them up and ask to just visit, and they would be happy to let you ask questions, say “hello” to some bunnies, and help you to find a good match if you want to adopt ( which I strongly suggest ). The last website I listed gives great reasons on why to adopt as opposed to getting from a pet store or breeder.

                                Good luck!


                              • Ella K.
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                                  Sorry- that was kind of ranty

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                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A What type of care do house rabbits require?