Is it okay for me to get a rabbit?

Question

So, I have had pets before only small pets though (hamsters etc.) I'm an animal lover and love lots of different animals, my fave pet animal is cats. But sadly, im strongly allergic to cats as I have asthma in they're a trigger to it so I can't get cats:(. Anyway, I'm really looking into getting a pet rabbit, (a young one) after august when I come back from my holiday as I don't want to get one now and have to leave it again... Im a 13 year old girl btw and I would be the main owner of the rabbit, aside from my dad who likes rabbits alot. Please could you answer the following questions:

1.Is it okay to buy a single rabbit? I would be at school 5 days a week and would come back at 3pm, my mum would be in 3 of those days. I would always come in and pet it play with it etc. Would the rabbit begin to feel lonely by itself most days?

2.My dad is going to build the hutch with a run and a separate pen for it to run about in and graise. Would it be safe, plus any tips on how to keep the bunny safe from cats and foxes especially 'cos I have foxes living in my area.. but I don't see them coming into my garden... just to be sure anyway I would like the hutch to be secure.

3.How would I keep the rabbit entertained while I'm not here and If it were to be alone? 

Thanks In advance!

omfgzzitsjessica · Accepted Answer

It would be fine especially since it would have a pen. Just make sure the wire you use for the hutch has small openings so a fox or cat couldn't get their mouth/paws inside and make sure it is securely closed. Make the pen open on all sides including top and bottom. If the top is open the rabbit can jump out and predators can get in, if the bottom is open the rabbit can burrow out. If you spend at least two hours daily with the rabbit it should be fine. Give it a lot of toys, some of which require mental use (toys with things inside that the rabbit has to chew through to get to the 'prize'). It would be happier if it had a friend...if you get two, whatever you do, do NOT get two bucks. A buck and a doe would be best, but two does usually get along. Of course they would have to get fixed and should get fixed even if you only have one.

Atropine · Answer

1. Rabbits really, really love to have company. Rabbits naturally live in groups, therefore they can become extremely bored if they are left on their own, therefore it is recommended that you get two or more rabbits. However, you MUST get them all neutered/spayed (if you get your rabbits from a shelter they will already be neutered/spayed for you) otherwise fighting will break out, regardless of gender. The best coupling is a neutered male and spayed female. :)

If your rabbit is going to be outdoors, it MUST have a friend. Please do not get a rabbit to live alone outside, since it will be so lonely and no amount of toys will be able to make up for that. :( 

2. First of all, make sure the hutch is big enough. The RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association Fund) gives a minimum recommendation of a 6ft x 2ft hutch with an attached 6ft x 8ft run. It is much better to have the run attached to the hutch rather than separate, since they can get exercise whenever they please. :) To ensure that the hutch is predator-proof the wire should be strong - chicken wire is not suitable since rabbits can chew through this, and foxes can easily break through it. You should use at least 16 gauge wire (gauge is a measure of the wire's thickness - the lower the gauge number, the stronger the wire is). Any wire that is above 16 gauge is weak. The hutch should also be secured by sliding bolts like these: http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz/wickes/invt/159644/Aluminium-Barrel-Bolt_large.jpg - swivel locks can be opened by crafty foxes. It is also recommended that you have a padlock on your hutch, since unfortunately there are some sick people out there who might steal/set free your bunny. :(

3. As said before, you shouldn't be getting a rabbit if it is going to live outside alone, so I'm going to politely ignore this question. :)

Anonymous · Answer

Rabbits and guinea pigs should not live together for a few reasons. First of all they have different dietary requirements and secondly a rabbit may squash a guinea pig accidently, if they snuggle up together at night the bunny may suffocate your little guinea. Also a rabbits kick can be lethal to a guinea pigs fragile body. However I have a rabbit and a guinea pig that live together. This goes against all I believe in, but I rescued them and they had been living together for a many number of years, so i sought advice from the vets and we decided as they were both elderly it would do more harm than good seperating them as they were so used to each others company they would pine for each other. They have regular checks up and are both healthy and happy. But I must stress this was only in an individual circumstance. It really is not recommended that the two live together due to the safety and welfare of the animals. Also its not advisable to put the babies in with dad as male guinea pigs should not really live together as they will fight. If you get the males neutured they may be ok living together but even then i wouldn't really recommend it. You should get another female guinea pig to keep her company. Invest in a guinea pig book and that will tell you how to determine the sex of the guinea pigs, so you can double check it yourself when you purchase it. Good luck

catx · Answer

1. If its an outdoor bun, best to get a pair for them to snuggle up and keep each other entertained. A rescue will have plenty of already bonded, neutered and spayed pairs desperate for new homes.

2. Paving slabs and welded mesh should fox proof it. Although a determined fox's presence will stress out a bun! Get your dad to build as big as possible! Ideally a minimum of 60 square foot. They need an absolute ton of space. My garden is tiny (40ft long and 14ft wide) and this my set up:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catxx/5696516127/
This is a brilliant set up (kids play house plus aviary style run):
http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/silverspider05/DSC_0257.jpg
And these are brilliantly dimensioned hutches!
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii277/helenmhalliday/Accommodation/NewRescueHutches005.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii277/helenmhalliday/Accommodation/SarahsKernow.jpg

If I ever get the space I WILL be upgrading to a shed/run combo or playhouse/run combo instead of a hutch. 

3. A pair would fix that. Find a local rescue to help you out :)

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Is it okay for me to get a rabbit?

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