Rabbits

[Nical]

My 12-year-old niece wants to have a rabbit, a Bluey. My sister was all set to buy one -and can get a decent hutch secondhand - but someone told her today that it's unfair/a bit cruel to have just one rabbit living on its own. Is this true?

[Ratty2E]

Personally I wouldn't keep a rabbit or any animal on it's own unless of course it would otherwise be in danger from fighting. Rabbits are not lone animals and live in large colonys in the wild so I think it would be unkind to make it live in solitary confinement.

[JonnyBoy12]

It is best to have a rabbit and a guinea pig living together as they make very good companions. When getting them out get the rabbit out first as they are very maternal towards the guinea pig. Can speak from experience here as had both of them years ago.

[beanebabe]

Definitely. Rabbits are quite sociable creatures and get very bored if left in the hutch for long periods of time. Can you think of anything more miserable than sitting in a cold hutch all by yourself during the long winter nights. We have two rabbits and they adore each other, snuggle up to each other in the hutch, wash each other and nibble grass nose to nose in the garden. I bought them after being pestered endlessly by the kids thinking they were the easy option, pet wise. They have been a real bother and take a lot of looking after if you want to give them a good life, something I was rather naive about at the outset. Luckily I love them to bits, I must do because I have just spent in exess of £350 at the vets after one of them broke its back leg (either that or totally mad). I would put your sister off if she is not totally committed and is giving in to a whim. Their jabs cost £35 each per year (although the vet recommends every 6 months) and I pay £6.50 per night at a bunny hotel when we go away. I wish I'd got a cat instead!

[beanebabe]

Sorry, meant to add they are not particulary friendly creatures and generally don't like being handled. A quick stroke when they are in the hutch is about the best you can get. One of ours is a white Lionhead and she is very sweet and loves to lick your hand but you can't cuddle her. The other one is very moody and hates to be touched.

[B00]

Hate to disagree with johnyBoy there, but....

http://www.guineapigcages.com/rabbits.htm

[Nical]

Thanks,everyone - told my sister about all your comments, and she's decided not to buy a rabbit. She's told her daughter why, and they've realised it wouldn't be fair to the animal.

[Ratty2E]

Sorry but rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn't really be kept together even though i know lots of people do. They have different dietry requirements so one or the other will not be getting the correct nutrition. Also rabbits even small ones are much stronger than guinea pigs and can injure them intentionally or by accident. Get 2 rabbits or 2 guinea pigs.

[sherrardk]

We've got two rabbits and they adore each other - I think (hope) that they are brothers. They are a bit moody though.

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry to hear that, Boo, but can only speak from my own experience. We will have to agree to disagree then, won't we?

Can anyone confirm or deny this rumour?

[what..the?]

I have 3 indoor rabbits, 3 indoor guinea pigs, 2 gerbils, an have experience of lots of other pets. I rabbit can live alone if it was kept indoors this is the ONLY kind way to keep rabbits these days as people rarely have the time to spend with outdoor rabbits in the modern busy world we live in also the British weather is not great for venturing outside so the rabbits get left alone a lot. You can get an indoor plastic cage high sided base tray better to keep food and wood shaving in the cage and not on the floor the rabbit has a litter tray in there so easy to clean just that tray out when needed easy to train by the way. The child can keep the rabbit in her bedroom and love it too death which will make them bond together well, get a very young rabbit. Choose a breed of rabbit you like for final size and personality. One of mine is the smallest breed Netherlnd dwarf but they are quite distant and uperty. If you still think a rabbit might not be suitable I will halp you find another suitable pet. Rabbits really are what you put into them if you leave it outside and never stroke it, it will never make a great pet, love it and it learns to love you.

[what..the?]

I have never but a rabbit and guinea pig together because they eat different food, guinea's need extra vit c.

[erin-x]

When I was younger a very good friend of my mums gave me two male rabbits as a present. It ended up that the boys had babies! haha.. to say we were shocked was a bit of an understatement lol.. So if she changes her mind tell her to make sure she double checks :) x