It’s due time to get another bunny….

[Timberlee Fields]

 So, we had to put my 3 month old kitten down ourselves about a month ago because she had a brain tumor and was in a tremendous amount of pain.  I was not there, my fiance took care of it.  However, this was extremely traumatizing for me.  We have a child on the way and now the house is so…. empty.  I have since gotten a trio of rats but the house still seems too inactive for me.  We talked about getting another cat, but I am just not ready.  So, we decided to get a bunny!  I had a pair of mini-rex a few years ago but had to rehome them when we moved out of state.  I just got a full-time job making approxamately $250 a week and since he pays all of the bills, I am allowed to use the money I make as I wish within reason.  I will have the full ability to care for a bunny financially and time-wise. 

What type of cage do you all reccommend?  The bunny will be a larger breed (input on larger breeds would be appreciated!) and must have room for a litter box.  The bunny will ONLY be caged while litter training (with the appropriate play time, don’t worry) and after that is complete, for about 9-10 hours a day while I am at work.  Once I begin letting the rabbit free-roam, I will have adequate trust in him or her so I can sleep a little.  We live in an 800 sq/ft apartment, so we have plenty of room.  All cords will be blocked off or protected appropriately.  

Are the personalities between males and females different?  In rats, females are more hyper and playful while males are cuddly and relaxed, is something of this nature true in rabbits as well?  What pellets do you prefer to feed your bunnies?  I order an all natural mix for my rats that is further supplimented by fresh greens, fruits and veggies to ensure proper nutrition and would like to keep my rabbit on as healthy a diet as possible for him or her.

I apologize for the lengthy post, I just wanted to make sure I got everything out I needed to ask and do the appropriate research and get everything ready before I begin my search for a bunny friend.  (It’ll probably be about 2 weeks to a month after I begin work to get everything I need ready.)  

Thank you for all help and replies in advance,
Timberlee Fields

EDIT: Money will not be an issue, I spent $300 on a cage fit for 20 rats for my three.  I will wait as long as necessary to get what I need to ensure I have a healthy, happy bunny.

[Beka27]

Welcome here!

If you’re considering a larger rabbit (or any breed really) I would recommend an xpen which is 4×4 feet. They work great for housing, and if your rabbit ever becomes fully free range, it can still be used to block off different areas. When not in use, they fold flat for storage.

Males and females are pretty similar once both sexes are spay/neutered. Females can be more territorial, but other than that, not too much difference. As with pretty much everything, your mileage may vary. The same goes for breeds. There really aren’t any true statements because every bunny is different.

You will want a high quality pellet. Oxbow is probably the most highly regarded brand for rabbits. And their daily diet will resemble that of your rats, a limited amount of pellets with plenty of fresh veggies everyday, and lots and lots of hay.

If you have any other questions, just ask! You’ve had rabbits before so some of this may be a repeat of what you already know…

Are you planning on adopting your rabbit? Remember that spay/neutering is going to be vital (if your rabbit is not already fixed through a rescue).

[Timberlee Fields]

I will most likely be adopting my rabbit. I’m very interested in French Lops and there are a few a state over on my local petfinder but I will also be posting an ad on craigslist for ISO. I am not too open to adopting an older rabbit because I’d like a strong bond with me and as many years as possible. I prefer to watch my pets grow. I have a child on the way, and while he or she will not be able to remember or even interact with my rats, as their lifespan is 2.5 years, the bunny will be around for quite some time.

Seeing as I had mini-rex, what would I need to groom a rabbit like a French Lop? Their fur seems to be MUCH longer than a MR’s. I also kept show-quality mini-rex and they were with us only until they were about 4 months old, so they were still eating alphalpha(sp? wow, that’s embarrassing) and very limited greens with their pellets I received from the breeder. I don’t believe they were very good pellets as there were sunflower seeds mixed in.

My rats do not get pellets, they get a nutritionally balanced mix diet with various grains and dried fruits/veggies. I will look into ordering Oxbow from my local feed store.

Could a small/medium dog crate (the barred kind with the bottom tray) be suitable? I’d really like a nicer looking cage but cannot build one. If an xpen is my only option, I will buy one, though. Are there issues with males marking pre-neuter and how do I go about finding a rabbit vet in my area? Will banfield small animal facilities neuter rabbits?

[Beka27]

A regular cat comb will work for a “regular” furred rabbit. I have used the Hairbuster comb on both my mini rex and lop and it works well for both types of fur.

If you’re looking at a larger breed rabbit, a dog crate will not be big enough (unless it’s the massive “great dane” size, which will cost twice as much as an xpen). An xpen is going to be the MINIMUM size for a rabbit that is about 8+ pounds.

Males and females may both mark with urine and poop prior to being fixed. Males also have the tendency to spray urine.

Search for exotic vets in your area and just call to ask if they treat AND spay/neuter rabbits. If they don’t, ask them if they have anyone local they recommend for seeing rabbits.

Banfield Vets are the ones inside PetSmart, right? I haven’t heard good things about them, beyond using them for basic things like simple vaccines for dogs and cats. I would look for an actual private practice vet, or possibly an animal hospital if they have an exotics department.

[Muffinluv]

Hello Timberlee!

Sounds like you have a good plan and mentality for a bun, I only get paid $7 an hour XD with the occasional extra job here and there (Petsitting, Lawnwork)

Larger breeds (ex. Flemish Giants) are often more docile than smaller energetic ones (ex. Holland Lops) but I would strongly suggest especially if you get a large breed NEUTER! I know someone who got mauled by a rabbit named Lilly! She was a giant and she got loose so my Mom’s-best-friend’s son (Who was 21) was ordered by his mom “Uh Oh go catch Lilly!” So he was in his boxers and slowly approached talking softly and *BAM!* She started ripping him to shreds!

Since you are letting him free-roam the cage should have enough space for 4 rabbits of the same size to flop without touching each other or more! Also for large breeds multi-levels are quite impractical. So you should just have one level on the base cage!

Also if you get him/her Neutered then they will both be quite the same, keep in mind all buns have different personalities. Unuetered females tend to be territorial and aggressive when you reach in their cage and males tend to hump everything in their sight if they can`t find a female. Very few bunies are TOTAL cuddle buns, which is why many of us here rejoice greatly when we get one, but if you love your bun and are patient he/she will show their love in their own little bunny way!

Hope this helps a bit!

[jerseygirl]

Hi Timberlee
Im sorry to hear about your little kitten. Rest in Peace.

This recent thread will probably give you an idea of habitat requirements for French lop. I think you’d need to go for a large dog crate.
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/126364/afnp/343110/Default.aspx

If you’re able to put money aside while you’re working, gettinh some pet insurance would help buffer the times when you don’t have that 2nd income. I believe VPI is still the only one that covers rabbits.

Which State are you in? The search results for Banfield smsll animal gave several different ones.

[Timberlee Fields]

A regular metal cat comb or one of the plastic-bristled cat combs?

I am leaning towards getting a male French Lop at the moment. With only using the xpen as a temporary (like I said, I work 9 hours but I’ll say 10 for the sake of transport) means of control while my fiance sleeps, is it large enough for a single French Lop? At what age should he be neutered if he isn’t already?

I make $8.45 an hour because I work overnight I get an extra $1 per hour on my minimum wage. (: I used a calculator to see how much I’d bring home after taxes and it came out to about $267 and change. I’m gonna go ahead and round that down to $250 because I’d rather a surprise when I make more money than I’m expecting. (: Work just called and my orientation is tomorrow!!!! YAYYYY!!!!! I have to buy tennis shoes, a couple work shirts and fleece for my rat’s cage before I can start getting rabbit stuff, but after that, other than feeding the rats, I’m going to start getting things!!

I just got the okay from my fiance if I fill his tank, he’s willing to drive after a bunny with me! Otherwise, I’ll have to fill his tank AND learn how to drive a stick, lol. Which I still may have to do because he wasn’t too thrilled about it. lol I’ll have to learn so I can take my little man to the vet, though, seeing as he works during the day.

[Beka27]

Would you be open to continuing to do research and learn about rabbits, but actually waiting until after you have your baby to take the plunge. I don’t know if this is your first baby, but a new baby (whether it’s the first, second, third, etc…) is a major upheaval. You’ve already had to rehome your mini rexes because you moved, I’d hate for you to have to rehome the new bunny too if this proves to be too much to handle when you’re adjusting to having a newborn.

I just mention this because it seems like you’re not in a huge hurry, you’re just gathering info right now. Bunnies will still exist in a year… lol!

[Timberlee Fields]

I am in Delcambre, Louisiana.

This is my first child, but the move was the exception in my rules in my head.  I do not take on an animal unless I can commit to caring for it for the duration of its life.  Getting a bunny will be a very commited decision and having raised children before, I am confident I can manage.  Thank you for the concern, though. (:  Good to know there are people out there watching out for our furry friends.

[Beka27]

That’s good to hear! I wasn’t trying to imply the decision wouldn’t be taken seriously, it’s just that different people deal with major life changes differently.

I, for one, DON’T handle change very well. Lol… We had our first rabbit when I was pregnant and for the first year of my son’s life. If I had to do it over again, I would not have gotten a rabbit while pregnant (or for the first 1-2 years). He was always cared for, he had all of the necessities, but he didn’t get much attention for the first few months after our son was born. There was just too much going on and something had to give. Once things became more “normal” and I got into a good routine, it was better. But then I was constantly picking up scattered “cocoa puffs” and vacuuming twice a day so there wasn’t fur all over the carpet while our son was learning to crawl!

Sadly, our rabbit passed when he was only about 2 years old. We waited to get another rabbit until our son was four, and I thought that was a much better time for us, and we could more easily reason with our child when it came to directing his behavior around the bunny.

[Timberlee Fields]

It’s fine, I appreciate the concern. There isn’t enough concern for the well-being of animals anymore. /:

We keep our room pretty chilly (59F at night/70F during the day) would this harm the bunny? My 5 week old rats are fine and one of them is hairless, I just provide them with extra fleece. If provided with enough extra fluff, will he be okay as well? There isn’t room in the bathroom for his pen (however, the bathroom could be converted into his pen if that is possible at all) and even though we have a relatively large apartment, we only have one bedroom, the small bath, then a small/average sized kitchen/dining/storage area. The babies crib is in the kitchen because of the temperature in our room but I’d really prefer my bunny was closer. I’d feel much better about him being in the bathroom with a baby gate in the doorway or in a pen in the bedroom.

[Timberlee Fields]

I fell in love with a Flemish Giant (4 month old male) on PetFinder. o.O
I need to have my fiance set a password and block me from that website, lol.

[Beka27]

Lol! Oh you’re telling me! Petfinder can be downright dangerous!

[Timberlee Fields]

My little heart will be broken if he’s gone when I have the money. Would the bathroom make a suitable “cage” for him if we blocked off the door? There aren’t even outlets in there it is completely rabbit proofed already.

[LoveMyMoMo]

Yes, as long as there is nothing dangerous, it would make a great cage; especially for a Flemmish Giant who need plenty of room. (though I’m aware you said he’ll have lots of free roam time too, but a large cage is always nice!! =)

Just make sure you don’t close the door to keep him in there, you’ll want a gate so you can see him at all times, but the gate also needs to be high enough that a flemmish giant cannot hop over.

Since most bathrooms are laminate (yay for easy cleaning!!!) I recommend a cheap, low-pile, carpet, or even better, fleece blankets at least on some part of the floor to protect hocks. =)

[Flint]

I can get him a fluffy bathroom mat no problem (: and I was planning on using a child gate like I did with my prior rabbits. I’ve contacted the rescue to see if a “pending adoption” status can be placed on him if my application is approved because it will likely only be two weeks. (: well be driving 2.5 hours to retrieve him.

[RabbitPam]

Suka and Timberly,
Hi, there. I’m a little confused by your post/reply. Timberly, it says you joined today, but the reply from Suka seems the same, just a different account. Did you open a new one today?
We have had issues lately with multiple member names, and our tech support is working on that. We also do not allow last names. If you did open a new account with your full name, please contact BB to either change it or delete it. If you are Suka also, just use that account. One name is fine. Continuity with our members is very helpful. Thanks.

[Timberlee Fields]

That is not my full name and Suka is my friend, I didn’t realize she was logged in on my phone. I apologize for that.

[CheriB603]

A regular baby gate will not keep a Flemish Giant from jumping over it, FYI. I speak from experience.
I also recommend waiting until after your baby is born to make another huge commitment.

Good Luck!

[BinkyBunny]

Some of the things to be aware of when housing a bunny in the bathroom:

Be careful not to use sprays (room sprays, hair spray, perfumes etc) They can be irritating to bunny eyes and respiratory. Also any spray residue can fall to the ground and a bunny can come in contact that way and then when self-grooming get irritants into eyes and nose.

Many bathroom cleaners are much too harsh for a bunnies.

Always leave toilet lid down. I had a bunny that used to like to go into our bathroom. She used to love to jump on the toilet seat so we would make a conscious effort to keep the lid down. One time we forgot to put it down, and she jumped up and fell in! Thank goodness I was there and pulled her out. That scared me so much that I just put a gate to block her out of the bathroom altogether — as we’re only human and I was afraid one of us would forget the put the lid down and it would only take one forgetful moment to cause a dangerous situation for our bunny.

In general I don’t recommend bathrooms for bunny rooms but I know some members have done it and they may have even more tips and cautions to make sure the situation is as safe as possible.

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