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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Should I get a Bunny while at University??

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    • Butterscotch_97
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        Okay so first of all I’d better give you a bit of background on my situation.

        I lost my sweet fury friend about a year ago, and I haven’t been able to move on from it as it was such a sad time in my life.

        I’m considering adopting another bunny as I have recently just started university and I’m home alot of the time (mainly studying), and throughout the day I’m home by myself so it does get pretty lonely (plus my house is haunted so not to mention it’s pretty scary also!).

        I have all of my bunny supplies still, so housing a bunny would not be an issue. 

        I still live with my parents and have younger siblings so if I were to go away on holidays and what not, I wouldn’t need to find somewhere for my bunny to go.

        I’m just a little concerned that if University decides to turn up the heat I won’t get to spend as much time with my new fury friend.

        With my last bunny, I got her over the school break, so I had 6 weeks to bond with her, but then I felt like our bond wasn’t as strong once I went back to school as I would just play with her while she was in her cage, rather than taking her out to play for long periods of time. I want to make sure that if I adopt another bunny our bond stays strong and he/she loves me 

        I understand that every bunny’s personality is different, and they all interact with people differently, but is it selfish to say that I want to choose the right little guy for me that will be a companion rather than just an animal that lives in a cage because he is anti-social?

        So I guess my main questions are;

        1. What is your personal opinion on me adopting a bunny while studying?

        2. How would I go about choosing the right bunny for me? Do the different breeds play part in this?

        3. How could I potentially work towards training my bunny to be more social?

        and any other opinions/ suggestions would be GREAT!

        Thankyou so much in advance!  


      • kmurphy
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          I have a bunny at University. I have awesome roommate who also look after the bunnies. Although they do take up some time, it is such a stress reliever to watch their cute antics or pet them. It’s obviously a personal decision but I am able to make it work while studying engineering but I have awesome roommates who love the bunnies and help care for them.


        • Kokaneeandkahlua
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            1. I think rabbits are an excellent university pet. They aren’t good pets for children, but they are great for busy students, as you are up early and late just like a rabbit. So long as university hasn’t made you too broke for vet care (that can be pretty pricey!) I’d say go for it You can study with your bunny

            2. Try a shelter-you can meet them and ensure you get one that appeals to you

            3. hanging out and studying with your bunny loose in your room is going to be great bonding


          • BinkyBunny
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              After reading your background – I just have a few questions.

              How many years do you have left? You said you may be concerned about an increased workload? (turning up the heat). What makes you believe that may happen. It is something to consider.

              College students can definitely be financially strapped so will your folks take care of vet care?

              When you graduate, I assume you plan on finding your own place eventually once you get a job and can financially live independently. It can make it more challenging to have pets — though finding pet friendly apartments etc is not uncommon (normally you have to put a pet deposit), but it can limit your choices.

              Just some things to keep in mind as you move toward a decision.


            • Gina.Jenny
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                I’m a mature student with teenagers, doing an distant learning degree, and currently own three buns, with a view to adopting a forth tomorrow.

                I let either Gina, or Pippi and Jenny, have early morning floor time, while I get in some study before the boys get up, and they go back in when the boys head out to college, and the other bun/buns get their morning floor time. Having the buns plus studying works for me, especially Jenny, who often sits beside me so I can rub between her ears while I read (she does make it clear this would be better if I focus only on her, the book could wait its turn )

                Money-wise, it is a big commitment, and careful budgeting is a must for a bunny owning student.

                Young bunnies are quite destructive and need to be constantly on the go. Rescues often have older animals, maybe the owners have passed on or are no longer able to care for them. These older animals can find it a lot harder to be rehomed than young animals, but want their new forever home just as much. Taking on an older bun generally means a shorter commitment time wise, than a baby, which might be something to think about, given your own future might change a lot once you leave university.


              • Love4Bunny
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                  I definitely second the finances thing (affording vet bills), cos that is a big one.

                  I study with my rabbit’s running around. Yes, it is distracting, but I still do it. When I have to study for a test, the rabbits have to go back inside their enclosure, because they want my attention, and it’s too hard to multi-task and successfully study/ solidify a concept.

                  Breed temperament – my lop is calmer than my lionhead. He prefers to lie down next to me, while she likes to binky and run up a storm. Not sure if this is always the case, but I’ve read that smaller bunnies have more energy.

                  Bunnies and socialising… they kinda just do what they want. Some are born more friendlier, and some are shy. I would say, hang around them a lot and have no expectations. Just get them comfortable around you, and that’s how you build trust. Anything beyond that is “gravy”. And be consistent, doing the same thing regularly. Rabbits learn the drill pretty fast, and my rabbits often know what I’m doing before I do it. Sometimes I think Thor is part canine, because he follows me around, occasionally comes when called, and sits by my feet. Crysta could care less, haha. She’s like, “Whatever, human”. Today she approached me for hugs for the first time, which she NEVER does. I was so pleased. But I never expected that from her, and I think giving her space made her feel like she could trust me (and that was the main point of my long story).


                • MeketatenBun
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                    I voted no, but it’s based off of my situation and what happened for me.

                    Before I moved out of my parent’s I would say yes, absolutely. But when I moved, I found apartment after apartment that was either “no pets” or “no rabbits” specifically, so Meki has been back home with my parents for the last 3 years. She’s been very well cared for, but I haven’t been a huge part of her life for these three years. If you know you’re going to be at your parents the entire time in college and you know they can take care of her when you’re gone, I say go for it, but if you think you’ll want your own place while in college- stripped finances, lack of time, and just the title of student sometimes leaves you little choices for housing and many times no pets are a rule to keep the longevity of the property through so many tenants over the years.

                    As for time, my friend is a senior in college and lost all available time to care for her Jack Russell she has, leaving her the only option of having her parents take care of him for her. It gets much more lonely in college if you have a companion and then have to give it up, even to your parents.


                  • jayne fine
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                      I got a rabbit as an Emotional Support Animal (falls under similar laws of protection as Service Animals, but they aren’t task trained, don’t have public access rights, and their only job is to provide emotional support; all this is under US laws, not sure about elsewhere) while I was at college in the beginning of my Sophmore year- I was living in dorms and having issues with mental health and had grown up with lots of pets that always helped me so I thought I would give it a try. I didn’t have room for a dog and didn’t want a cat even if I could convince myself I had enough room for one. I was deciding between rats (which I have had many of and absolutely loved) and a rabbit, but eventually decided I’d rather have 1 larger animal than multiple smaller ones plus rats have such poor health and short lifespans I didn’t want that heartache again.

                      To answer your questions:
                      1. What is your personal opinion on me adopting a bunny while studying?
                      It was definitely an adjustment for me- I’d never had a rabbit so that was part of it but it was also generally hard to find a balance between social life, work, and giving her enough attention. That said, in my low moments, she was really an invaluable part of my life. Rabbits were actually pretty widespread on my campus- most of them were legally registered as ESA’s with the school; it wasn’t uncommon to see one or two people with their buns outside during nice days and a few even had bunny meetups, which was super cute. I think they’re an ideal pet for college-aged people because 1) they can be similar to a dog and cat but are more manageable and 2) they’re easier to find housing with as ‘caged pets’ compared to dogs and cats and often there is no housing deposit required for them like there is for uncaged pets.

                      Obviously your situation is a little different since you’re living at home, but I don’t think that’s a negative. It just means breaks will likely be easier because, like you said, you have people who can look in on the rabbit when you go away.

                      My biggest suggestion is, if you have a limited amount of time to spend with the rabbit because of a lot of schoolwork, then litter train it and let it free roam in a room. That’s what I did with mine- I knew I’d only really have a few hours of true down time to spend with her, but I also worked in my room instead of the library, so I started out letting her free roam whenever I was home (the rest of the time she lived in a dog crate), and then eventually just let her stay out all the time.

                      2. How would I go about choosing the right bunny for me? Do the different breeds play part in this?
                      I found my rabbit on Craigslist- I’m not sure if there’s an equivilant outside of the US. She was from an accidental litter that had to be rehomed after 1.5 years because the owners were moving to a smaller house; she is without a doubt one of the friendliest rabbits I’ve ever met and it was nice to be able to get all her former health information and a lot of input on her personality from the owners. I specifically told them I was looking for a rabbit that would want to sit with me and watch tv and things like that and they suggested her (vs her sister they were also rehoming).

                      A local shelter is also a great place to look- specific to rabbits or otherwise. A rabbit specific shelter may be able to tell you more about the rabbit’s individual personality, especially if there buns are fostered, but a city shelter would be OK also.

                      Avoid petstores, for sure.

                      Breeders are also an option, specifically if you decide on a certain breed, but be aware that if you get a young rabbit their personality will change when they reach sexual maturity.

                      An older rabbit (over a year), especially an already altered one, from a rescue or an owner needing to re-home is your best bet. Take your time. Don’t make rash decisions. The right rabbit will find you.

                      3. How could I potentially work towards training my bunny to be more social?
                      If you are dead set on a social rabbit, my suggestion would be to get one already displaying the personality you want from it. You could get a shy/frightened/aggressive one and work with it (I know someone that got a red eye white lop (a color that is often overlooked in shelters already) who was afraid and aggressive towards people and has gotten the bun to the point where after a year she tolerates petting and will sit next to her owner of her own free will) but it doesn’t really sound like this is what you want to do or have time for.

                      If you get a friendly adult bun, chances are that bun isn’t going to chance it’s personality.

                      One last note- do think about possible life changes that will come and how you’ll deal with them with a rabbit as well as what would make you not be able to keep a rabbit. I got mine knowing she would limit what I could do and where I could live, but also knowing that I wouldn’t rehome her unless I was suddenly financially unable to care for her (which was a pretty much nil chance because if I didn’t have money my parents would never have let her starve or die of an illness instead of paying for a vet themselves).

                      As it happens, I badly broke my arm at the end of the year and had to board her for two weeks at a vet’s office while I was getting surgery and recovering (which I had to pay for and was expensive) and then left school because I’d missed too much. I then decided I didn’t want to return to that school. My family got a puppy when I came home who I’ve decided to keep as my own (because we’ve bonded enough that separation would be hard on both of us and because she’s turned out to be a little more than my parents and our older dog can handle energy-wise, being at the more energetic end of the spectrum for her breed), and I have since decided I want to attend a school across the country (from NY to CA) to train Service Dogs. The program will involve me taking home one of their Service Dogs in-training. So now I have a rabbit, my own dog, and will have (short term) a Service Dog in-training living with me. When I got her I planned to finish college and then go to Vet School. That’s just an example of how plans can drastically change for people our age.

                       

                      SO- pretty much, I would say I think they’re great college pets but I also think you need to REALLY think about whether you want such a long-term commitment at this age.  I can say for sure that the first year with my bun was great, but my life has changed so drastically since I first got her (in a way no amount of forwards thinking then could have predicted) that I know she will prove to be a drain in years to come.  My life would be a LOT easier without a rabbit, that’s for sure.  I would say don’t think this is similar to your situation when you had your first rabbit just because you’re living at home, unless you will continue to live at home for the entire life of the rabbit.


                    • Butterscotch_97
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                        Thank you so much for all of your opinions and thoughts on what I should do!
                        I am pleased to say that I went through with it and I’ve had my little Dwarf lop for almost 2 months now.
                        It was honestly the best decision I have made! I couldn’t have found the most perfect pet for my situation and to top it off she has the most inquisitive personality, which is exactly what I was looking for.

                        I turned our spare bedroom into a study so I can have her roaming around inside with me while I study which is great.

                        I also decided not to go through a pet store, I looked high and low at the animal rescues in my area and unfortunately their bunnies had all been sold (or fortunately for the bunnies). I ended up looking on gumtree and found a seller whom had an accident litter, so she was selling them for a low price to a good home. This was a great option I thought because I knew that the bunny was coming from a good home and I had the opportunity to meet the bunny before I bought her. She had been hand raised so she already had such a great personality and is super friendly!

                        I can’t thank you all enough for your help, it really gave me a few things to think of before I committed to a pet, but it also showed me that this is exactly what I needed.

                        P.s. While it’s great to study with her, her cute face is a HUGEEEE distraction. Not to mention, she likes to sit on my keyboard while I’m typing, or chew at the corners of my notes and pull them away from me. It’s so cute but I think I need to teach her not to do this as it’s kind of embarrassing trying to explain to people while my bite and scratch marks. oops.


                      • Love4Bunny
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                          Congrats on your new rabbit. I second the bit about them being a distraction. Right now I am struggling through Maths, and I will just find excuses to go pet Crysta or Thor when I’m supposed to be pushing through the difficult stuff. You may want to keep her contained when you’re studying for a final


                        • jerseygirl
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                            It’s great to hear you’re enjoying having a rabbit in your life.
                            We’d love to see some pictures!


                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                              Big congrats!!!!


                            • cait
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                                Congrats on the rabbit! I adopted my boy in my second year of university and we’ve had a great time together so far, though he also loves to hang out on my desk/keyboard when I’m studying and his cuteness is a great distractor.

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                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Should I get a Bunny while at University??