Best first time bunny??

[Ash]

Hi! I’m new here. I’ve owned one bunny but it was when I was 6-10 years old and he stayed in the garage. I’m really considering getting a bunny. I just lost my ferret to a virus. I have 6 rats and a lot of experience with small pets. I’ve done a good amount of research on rabbits but was wondering what type of bunny is calmer and friendlier? I’ll be getting a female who will be spayed and have free run of half the house except at night and when we leave. I really want a rabbit that will enjoy sitting on my lap and being petted. Size doesnt matter but I tend to like the “fluffier” breeds better. (My first bunny was an angora) I’m a home schooled student so the bunny would get tonsss of attention. And theres no small kids in my household. Just me, my grandparents and my 13 year old cousin. Also, do rabbits have to have hay or would they be okay with just pellets, veggies and grow your own nibble grass? I ask because my grandma is allergic to hay.

[Mikey]

Rabbits need hay Rabbits need about 80 percent of their diet to be hay

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Indeed, rabbits need hay for several reasons: it is neccessary for wearing down their teeth, it has all the right nutrients, and it improves gut function. Rabbits don’t get enough fiber without it, and that is very bad for their health. Why is your grandmother allergic to hay? Is she allergic to grass(pollen) or allergic to dust? Hay can be quite dusty too.

You’ll also find that most rabbits don’t like to sit on someones lap. Most of them prefer firm ground underneath them, so they can flee in case of danger. They also dislike being held. They’re prey animals and it can take a lot of time to get them to calm down enough to sit next to you for pettings. It took me half a year to get my dwarf rabbit to sit still on the couch next to me for a couple of minutes. He’s only cuddly on occasion, just like most rabbits he comes to you for cuddles, only at his convenience.

Take the time to consider if a rabbit is still the right pet for you. Rabbits are often portrayed as cuddly, but that’s exaggerated: they mostly prefer to do their own thing. This leads to many disappointed first-time owners. I hope you can find a pet that is just right for you and your family!

[Ash]

Oh wow, my last rabbit was an angora mix and he was about a year old when I got him and seemed to enjoy being held! She’s allergic to dust and has severe allergic reactions to Timothy Hay. Is there any types of hay that are low in dust? I want a small animal thats relatively calm and will sit on my lap while I do schoolwork and stuff. From what ive read, I assumed that rabbits were pretty calm and relaxed animals. I’ll definitely have to look into their personalities more

[LittlePuffyTail]

While some bunnies enjoy cuddling, most dislike being held and none of my rabbits have ever been lap rabbits. I have heard of some, but I don’t think it’s very common. Most rabbits want attention on their own terms (and that usually being on the ground).

[jerseygirl]

Some people find orchard grass hay kinder for their allergies. The dustiness depends a lot on the age of the hay or how it has been packaged. For instance, bagged hay (in plastic) breaks down and can get pretty dusty. Would you be buying hay locally or shopping online?
One thing that can help with the dust is to shake off some of the hay outdoors. And give each serve a light mist of water.

Do you have any rabbit rescues or animal shelters near you? Adopting through these organisations allows you to see the rabbits adult personality and pick one that you think would do well in your home. Some are in foster care and are socialised with other pets, for example. It’s a bit hard to say a specific breed that checks all the boxes because each rabbit is individual and some of their experiences (even as a baby) can shape how they behave.
Many say the large breed rabbits are docile, which is somewhat true, but it’s no guarantee. Out of my rabbits, my large breed rabbit is my most timid.

[Jessica]

I’ve only every had angoras, and they are very tolerant of lots of handling, they have been bred for it since the 1300s. However mine is still fairly independent, she wants to be around me, but doesn’t want to be on my lap more then about 30 minutes, a few times a day. She loves to sit on the couch next to me, or flopped on the floor a few feet from me

[Abigail Ray]

I am also pretty allergic to timothy hay and I tried to switch to orchard grass. My bunny will not eat the orchard grass and will thump until I give her timothy hay. So it will also depend on your rabbits preferences. Her need for hay out weighed my sneezing. 

[VivaLaBunz]

Hello and welcome! I don’t know that any rabbit truly enjoys being “confined” to a lap but there are always exceptions! My first bunny was a single-maned Lionhead female who was fluffy but not TOO fluffy. Be careful with long-haired buns because unless they are groomed properly they are prone to hairball blockages in the intestines from grooming themselves, and unlike cats who are able to vomit the furballs up rabbits do not have this ability. At work we have all sorts of different breeds and I find that our Rexes/Mini Rexes are the most docile.

As for hay rabbits definitely need it. It is vital for their digestive tract and teeth. There are differents types of hay – orchard grass, timothy, alfalfa, oat grass, etc. and as far as I know they are all acceptable to feed besides alfalfa (when the bunny is older, they should be weaned off of alfalfa around 6-7 months of age). Timothy is recommended because it is easiest to find in my experience, but as long as they are eating a good amount any type is fine.

[Author]

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