Well-Being
Choosing Your First Rabbit
By Chandra Moira Beal
So after much careful thought, you've decided to get a rabbit. Congratulations! You are about to become initiated in the wonderful world of rabbits. You've thought about how you will house your new friend, you've already rabbit-proofed the house by covering wires and cords, and all that's left is picking the right rabbit for you. So where do you begin?
First, I encourage you to consider adopting a rabbit from a local shelter or rescue group. The benefits are many: adult rabbits make better pets because they've outgrown their unruly, hormonal adolescence; they're already spayed or neutered; in many cases they're litter trained; they are socialized; and the best reason of all: you are saving their life.
Be wary of purchasing rabbits from pet stores. Bunnies in pet stores are usually subjected to early weaning, sudden changes in diet, travel, crowded or unclean cages, noise, disruption of routine, and over-handling. All of these can lead to illness. The sad, but realistic, result is that many become seriously ill and often die. Many baby bunnies are incorrectly sexed, which can lead to more than a few surprises for a new owner.
There are many things to consider when choosing a rabbit. Do you already have other pets? What kind? Do you have children? What do you prefer in terms of breed, size, color, age, and personality? Let's cover the basics.
Children
Rabbits are not generally recommended for young children as they can be seriously hurt if not handled properly. They require a level of care that is unrealistic to expect of kids; therefore, the adults in the family must be committed to being the rabbit's primary caretaker. For older children, medium to large sized rabbits are recommended but only if the child is mature enough to be responsible. Larger rabbits are more capable of taking care of themselves when they feel insecure, and older children are more capable of handling a rabbit properly and are better able to understand and respect their needs.
Other Pets
Rabbits can get along with most cats and some dogs. If the cat is larger than the rabbit, and especially if the cat has a penchant for hunting birds and mice, a small rabbit should not be brought into the family. In general, a cat and rabbit of approximately the same size will get along well, either ignoring each other or becoming friends. Likewise, if a dog is aggressive toward small animals, a rabbit is not a good choice. The dog must respond to and understand basic obedience commands.
Size
People often assume that a small rabbit is a good choice for a child since it will be easier to handle. The truth is, no rabbit likes to be handled. They struggle if picked up and this puts both bunny and child in danger. A large, calm rabbit is a better choice for a child, as long as the adults in the family carefully supervise all of the child's interactions with the rabbit.
The only other consideration with respect to the size of the rabbit you choose is the size of the cage (the bunny's home) that you provide. Cages can be expensive, so consider choosing your rabbit before purchasing or building a cage.
Breeds
Color and coat type are definitely a matter of personal preference. Perhaps the only serious considerations here are to be aware that albino rabbits cannot tolerate bright light and angoras require constant grooming.
Training
Many people assume that baby bunnies are more easily trained to use the litter box than adults. However, like puppies or young children, baby bunnies can't be expected to have good control of elimination. Even when they can, they may be too busy exploring their new world to be bothered to return to the litterbox.
Adult rabbits are typically easy to train. Instinctively, an adult chooses one or two places for their waste, so they usually require a shorter amount of time to be taught to use a litterbox.
"I Want a Rabbit I Can Hold"
It is a myth that baby bunnies can be held frequently so that, as adults, they won't mind being held. To the contrary, they are so full of energy and curiosity about the world that they often hate being restrained in someone's arms. Adults don't like to be held any better. However, rabbits are affectionate and will sit beside you for petting, and will even groom you.
Health
Health is an important aspect of choosing a pet rabbit. Watch out for urine-stained fur, runny noses and eyes, misaligned teeth, scabby ears, and sores on the feet. These are signs of medical conditions that require treatment.
Personality
Probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a bunny is his personality. There are no "mean" rabbits, only rabbits that are reacting in a predictable manner to their environment and past or present treatment. Nevertheless, there are definite differences in basic personality and these should be considered when choosing a rabbit that has the potential to be with you for the next five to ten years.
Hop To It
Get familiar with a variety of rabbits. Visit your local shelter or rescue group and meet as many rabbits as you can. Handle the rabbits and note the differences in the ways they react to you. Some will cower, others will rush to meet you. Some may growl but warm up when you stroke their noses with the back of your hand. Others may sprawl unconcerned while you pet them. By getting acquainted with different rabbits you will come to appreciate the great variety of their personalities and be better prepared to determine exactly which personality you prefer. On the other hand, don't be surprised if the very first rabbit captivates your heart. They have a way of doing that.
© Copyright by Chandra Moira Beal. All rights reserved.
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