I feel that first it's mandatory to reiterate that I am not an expert on keeping rabbits, nor have ever taken up a career in animal care. Everything on this website I have literally spent hours and hours pouring my knowledge, heart and soul into to be able to put together this site and to enable to aid any other first time rabbit owners out there, or veteran owners. Keeping rabbits is not a science and unfortunately it took me some time to realise that there is no sure right and wrong answers to even the basic of questions in care. Everything for me has been trial and error, whatever works I tend to keep and whatever doesn't, I'll change it fast and figure out another solution.
There are three main things however that are to be taken seriously - the three 'laws' that you must abide by and not shirk around - for both owner and rabbit welfare.
1. Do I have a safe, secure and dry place for a rabbit to live?
The absolute first basic question you must honestly ask yourself. If you're looking to keep a rabbit inside the house, do you have any other animals to take into consideration? Are you a smoker? Have you got a noisy environment? If you are wanting to keep your rabbit in a hutch - will it be safe from predators? Are you prepared to check religiously for signs of illness and fly strike?
2. Can I afford the cost of keeping a rabbit?
Don't be fooled by pet shops promises of cheap dry food and hay, to keep your rabbit the most healthiest and happiest, you'll need to bite the bullet and buy the best quality hay, straw, vegetables and dry food you can get your hands on in order to ensure your bunny gets the maximum amount of minerals they require. Rabbits will also need to be cleaned out at least once a week as well, so you'll need to invest in good quality bedding. Lastly you will also need to be prepared the front the cost of yearly jabs against certain diseases such as Myxomatosis, neutering and any general vet trips.
3. Will I be able to spend time with my rabbit?
The ability to be able to spend time with your rabbit is almost as essential as safely housing it and feeding it. Your rabbit will come into this life and your home, thinking it is a prey animal and will ultimately get eaten. Rabbits are not far along enough in the domestication line to be able to differentiate between friend and foe. There fore you must be able to spend as much time as possible, getting them used to your presence and easing the relationship as much as you can. Your bunny will never show it as much as a dog may do, but they will be thankful for your time.
Can you honestly positively answer these three questions? Don't be put off if not, you can always reassess your situation and make this decision at a later time.
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As for me I currently live in England with my partner and our four rabbits, cat and two Chinchillas - Winston, Breeze, Fuzzy, Panda, Gus, Rodimus and Grimlock. We both work full time and are well versed in juggling the needs of our own little Noah's ark alongside daily life. Admittedly it is challenging but having kept rabbits for the past 4/5 years and hours of endless research, I've come to a semi-comfortable realisation that I may be able to shed a few nuggets of hints and tips I've stumbled on, to other rabbit owners to benefit from. It's also worth mentioning that my partner is amazingly supportive of my little hobby and endeavours to help me progress and achieve my goals however and whenever he can - including the awkward nail-clipping squeamish sessions!
My penultimate goal is so eventually open a rabbit adoption house to operate out of our own home - too many times on Facebook and hear from the RSPCA that more and more rabbits are being given as unwanted presents and are being abandoned by those not having realised before, just how much work goes into looking after them. At the moment, I am open to fostering and taking in unwanted bunnies and will try and rehome them as best as I can through the means of social media (provided we have the space of course) if you'd like to explore this option then by all means please do drop me a message.
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2. Can I afford the cost of keeping a rabbit?
Don't be fooled by pet shops promises of cheap dry food and hay, to keep your rabbit the most healthiest and happiest, you'll need to bite the bullet and buy the best quality hay, straw, vegetables and dry food you can get your hands on in order to ensure your bunny gets the maximum amount of minerals they require. Rabbits will also need to be cleaned out at least once a week as well, so you'll need to invest in good quality bedding. Lastly you will also need to be prepared the front the cost of yearly jabs against certain diseases such as Myxomatosis, neutering and any general vet trips.
3. Will I be able to spend time with my rabbit?
The ability to be able to spend time with your rabbit is almost as essential as safely housing it and feeding it. Your rabbit will come into this life and your home, thinking it is a prey animal and will ultimately get eaten. Rabbits are not far along enough in the domestication line to be able to differentiate between friend and foe. There fore you must be able to spend as much time as possible, getting them used to your presence and easing the relationship as much as you can. Your bunny will never show it as much as a dog may do, but they will be thankful for your time.
Can you honestly positively answer these three questions? Don't be put off if not, you can always reassess your situation and make this decision at a later time.
--
As for me I currently live in England with my partner and our four rabbits, cat and two Chinchillas - Winston, Breeze, Fuzzy, Panda, Gus, Rodimus and Grimlock. We both work full time and are well versed in juggling the needs of our own little Noah's ark alongside daily life. Admittedly it is challenging but having kept rabbits for the past 4/5 years and hours of endless research, I've come to a semi-comfortable realisation that I may be able to shed a few nuggets of hints and tips I've stumbled on, to other rabbit owners to benefit from. It's also worth mentioning that my partner is amazingly supportive of my little hobby and endeavours to help me progress and achieve my goals however and whenever he can - including the awkward nail-clipping squeamish sessions!
My penultimate goal is so eventually open a rabbit adoption house to operate out of our own home - too many times on Facebook and hear from the RSPCA that more and more rabbits are being given as unwanted presents and are being abandoned by those not having realised before, just how much work goes into looking after them. At the moment, I am open to fostering and taking in unwanted bunnies and will try and rehome them as best as I can through the means of social media (provided we have the space of course) if you'd like to explore this option then by all means please do drop me a message.
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Keep up to date with our latest ramblings? You can find us:
Instagram - @therabbitcave
Website – http://therabbitcave.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/The-Rabbit-Cave-733552083388051/
Well done for writing an easy and interesting blog to read and to help new owners :)
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