Bunnies?

[bunnylove]

I'm thinking of adopting a bunny, like seriously thinking about it*. I've always wanted one/trillion and I think I would really like one. Can anyone who has had/have a bunny or know how to care for it recommend some reading (sites or books) to do some research on? Thankies!

*I mean in like a year or two. No way I can afford one now.

Comments

[loco-lobo.livejournal.com]

I don't know any specific books or anything, we just went to the petstore and grabbed some books when we started looking. I don't have bunnies anymore but we had 3 a year or two ago, so feel free to ask questions :)

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

I guess one concern is health issues, like to bunnies have common ailments or need something to be looked at on a regular basis. I know each bunny would be different, but I mean in more of a general sense. :)

[loco-lobo.livejournal.com]

not really, the only thing we ever took ours to the vet for was to be neutered, and to have their nails clipped, I'm sure they CAN get sick/have problems, but we never did

the biggest problem we had was fleas, but that's because I live in Florida and they're damn near impossible to stay away from, especially in the summer

feel from to IM me anytime on AIM, montecarlogurl87, I'll help you with anything if I can :)

[missrogue.livejournal.com]

I am a general pet lover. I have owned a variety of animals over the years. Small to large, fur, feather or gills. I'm just going to say that I found Bunnies/Rabbits to be terrible pets.

They are messy, smelly (re:gross) creatures that are only really great pets if they have the ability to be kept outside where they can run around and shit where they want. Especially if you get a larger one (I had only smaller rabbits). If you have a lot of time to spend taking care of them (clean 24/7 for the area they live in not to reek) and the space for one, then it would be a great animal. If they are allowed to roam free from their cage for any period of time, they will leave poop pellets everywhere (not pleasant to find when moving furniture that you thought they couldn't get around or under). This annoyed me to no end because even my birds would wait to relieve themselves when they were in their cages.

Of course this is just the experience I've had with them, and the people I know have had with them.

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

If I do get a bunny I would definitely look into adopting a litter trained one or training it. I know it's not 100% fool proof, but if they stuck to a litter box then it would be more manageable. The bunny at my grandmas care home has a litter box and everyone has said how much easier it's been.

[missrogue.livejournal.com]

Yeah, mine was also a litter box trained animal. Still, messy messy. lol

If you are dead set on it though and have the room for it to run around, I say go for it. ^_^ You never know if you'll love an animal until you get it. I thought I would love a bunny, but it turns out I'm more of a cat and dog person.

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

We'll see what happens. :) I guess it's the same with every animal you've never had before, you have no real idea what it's going to be like until you actually get one.

[imtindome.livejournal.com]

www.rabbit.org (http://www.rabbit.org) is a good start, though they aim for house rabbits.

My old bunneh lived to be 9. And while they can be messy, they can be easily housetrained, though a small amount of poop pellets strewn around may always be an issue for some. In my case it's usually just a few, but hey, they're dry & small and a vacuum has no problem with them.

My current bunneh is very high spirited and has an opinion. They are quite inquisitive little buggers with quirky personalities, who can move like a ninja and have very sharp front teeth. ;)

But remember, they are social animals. So if you only get one, make sure you spend time with it.

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

Yeah, mine would be a house rabbit as well. I can't have one outside with all the raccoon's that visit.

I'm not that concerned about poop, I know that it's manageable and easy to clean, or more so than a dog/cat.

I may get two, I'm not sure. Since I'm gone from home 9 hours a day, 5 days a week a hutchmate may be an answer.

[imtindome.livejournal.com]

Hmm, yes, raccoon visits will not be approved by the long eared ones. :D

I found that site to be the most informative around, when I was a first time bunny owner. It really answered a lot of my questions and more.

2 bunnies would be ideal. I only have one, but to compensate my bunneh gets to spend a lot of time with me and my family. So it's quite common to find her lounging around on the sofa.

[missicality.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted one/trillion

Hmm. Once you got a couple, having a trillion won't be a problem :P

I had a bunny and he was the cutest thing ever! Bunnies are not really hard to care for.. Well, I never had any problem with it, anyway. But yah, that was aages ago so I won't know where to direct you, sorry :|

But yay for wanting to have bunnies! XD

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

LOL But only if they're not spayed/neutered and if assuming I get a girl/boy. :P

[shaibitch.livejournal.com]

From what I've been reading in all my pig research it's much like owning a Guinea pig with the fresh veggies and care and poop...lol

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

LOL sounds pretty much the same.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hedgewytch_/]

Aww I hope you can soon, they are so cuddly ;o)
I had one once but it kept escaping into the garden and eating the veg so we had to give them back ;o(

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

Awww,, sneaky rabbits. Actually our yard could use a few dozen buns for lawn maintenance.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hedgewytch_/]

Heeee! ;o)

[tweedledbud.livejournal.com]

Rabbits are amazing... They are a LOT more high maintenance then a guinea pig. a LOT more. They need to be brushed out... nails clipped... Their diet is specific even though some don't think it is.

My boys are on diet of Greens mostly. they got their grains but only for fun. They get a LOT of hay and spring mix. I also give them Papaya tablets that i buy from GNC. It sounds funny but because of the rabbits long fur they can develop large hairballs and they cant pass them. Rabbits are like horses in the sense that they cant throw anything back up. When they have a tummy ache theres only one direction it can go.. so its important to feed them well and often. but the papaya helps with their digestion... and helps pass hairballs. they should also always have available hay

My boys are NOT outside rabbits and i don't suggest that AT ALL. Rabbits that live outside are more susceptible to FLEAS and HEATSTROKE> Because of their fur it is very easy to lose a bun bun from them just being TOO hot. Also because they are outside they aren't handled as much.. and a rabbit you cant pick up and hug and play with because they don't trust you is not a fun bun at all... My boys are litter boxed trained and its NOt that hard to do.. a little time and patience and you can give them the run of a room. Mine have the run of my bedroom and other then bunny proofing the wires (WHICH IS A MUST!) they are fantastic! Also i had a bun who was in LOVE with chewing on clothes.. he loved to make beds out of them... so throw them in a hamper lol

I just recently lost my bunny George. He was a californian and he was 12 years old when i lost him. I was there when he died.. it was quick and i believe he had a stroke. But 12 YEARS.. and he was a picture of health. He was a perfect weight and still had an amazing amount of energy. He use to sleep on my bed with me when he was younger... i still have the digs and bites in my old pillow cases to prove it. I had to buy bed stuff i didn't care about or that i recycled so as not to ruin the good stuff lol but it was worth it to have a little fuzzy bun on your pillow snoogling with you at night.

My other bunny Thumpie is a Mini Rex.. He's 8 years old now and does have problems. Something happened to him overnight last spring. One minute he was jsut fine and the next his head was tilted.. he lost about 85 % of his vision and was completely off balance. he's been in an out of the vet on a couple different meds and anitbiotics but we got him to the point where he's adjusted to it. The vet said it could have been a number of things... a stroke... a tumor... who knows... but Without George he's had some problems. He would lean on George for support... George would clean his eyes and ears for him and such but now he tries himself.. he'll fall over but at least he tries. he's still happy! he eats like crazy.. loves to play with My other bunny Benji which we'll get to... loves his treats and papaya! And still gives me kissies! He's my baby boy

My third rabbit is Benji... I adopted him after i fostered him, his mother and his sister when they were just babies. He's an absolute doll and i had to add him to the family. So far he's been perfect.. LOVES playing with toys and his Tunnel! The only thing is he'll crash out under my computer chair and i have to watch when i move. lol i don't wanna roll over a paw lol

But anyways their cages are big and the door is always open. their litter boxes are filled with Carefresh.. the recycled paper litter... and they are doing great on it. I wont use anything else. It cuts down on the smell and its very easy to clean

Its not hard to trim their nails. If you can find a pet store.. mostly the family run ones will does this... to show you how to clip them you can do it yourself. Make sure they are brushed out specially the major two times a year they shed like crazy.

I'm sorry! I went on a tangent!
Well when it happens good luck! and lemme know if you have any questions..
My boys...

Thumpie Benji and George

[http://users.livejournal.com/_tweeter_/]

OMG, they're adorable! You have three Easter Bunnies!!! Had... sorry about George.

[tweedledbud.livejournal.com]

thank you... I love my boys!

[imtindome.livejournal.com]

Awesome buns! And so sorry to hear about George. I cried my eyes out when my first bun died at 9.

Then again, I never thought buns could have such distinctive little personalities until I had one. I'll always treasure his complete trust in me, so much so he'd fall asleep right next to me on the sofa. I still wonder what they dream of.

[tweedledbud.livejournal.com]

Thats a good question... i too wonder what they are dreaming of lol

George use to crash out in his litter box.. flat on his side... it was soo funny once i realized after the first couple times that he was ok and just resting lol

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

Awww, such beautiful boys! Thank you for the info, this gives me a lot more to think about. :) I'm sorry to hear about George, it's never easy losing a fuzzy friend.

I'm find with trimming nails and changing litter boxes, we do that already with my two kitties. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_tweeter_/]

Don't know anything about bunnies. I wanted one, but was put off by what I read about them (they seem to require more maintenance than I had time or energy for). I bet it would be cheaper to feed a bunny than it is to feed my cat; I have him in the premium stuff, made from human-grade ingredients and all that.

Their teeth scare me, which is funny, considering my cat has sharp teeth and claws.

I hope you find one you'd like, maybe a mini bunny? Hmmm, that sounds like an idea.

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

We have Moe on this organic dry chow that's like $16 for a 3-4KG bag (I can't remember what the exact size is), but luckily he doesn't eat a whole lot of dry so it lasts a good month or more.

I'm more afraid of cat's teeth and claws. o.O Especially after I saw what Moe could do to mum.

I did find a dwarf rabbit on petfinder.com and he's just so cute and tiny. I would love to adopt him, but like I said I have no money for one right now, plus I want to wait a bit.

[bjtp.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

I just popped over here from i_o_r_h_a_e_l's, as she was drooling over some of your Dean (guh!) caps, and I thought by your username that you might be a Rings fan, too!

Friends? :D

[leggyslove.livejournal.com]

Ringer fan for life! :)

Sure!

[bjtp.livejournal.com]

Eeeee! *high-fives*

[lostandalone22.livejournal.com]

I would just go to a pet shop in your area. They should have some books for you.