Sprite's Complete Guidance Thread

[Sprite]

I have lots of questions relating to just about every element of rabbit care!! So I thought I'd just start a thread all of my own and hopefully you experts can guide me through it all?!

First things first, I should probably share a story with you all, because when I was young we had a fairly unfortunate experience of pet rabbits which worries me slightly.

My parents adopted two male rabbits for us, from the local branch of the RSPCA. One was white and one was grey. We were thrilled with our pets however shortly after getting them the problems began... one of them in particular became determined to proposition the other X number of times a day. He was quite aggressive about this, continually mounting the other, and accidentally pulling out his fur with his teeth and back legs... this also led to very messy pets, as both of them were often covered in *bodily fluids*, shall we say. Plus both of them also took to urinating on each other.

Although they were not aggressive at all towards us, obviously they did not make good pets, as they were constantly dirty and could not be handled without gloves. Plus they were clearly not happy animals.

After numerous visits to the vet my parents reluctantly agreed to let the vet rehome the rabbits seperately, as he said that there was not much that could be done to improve the situation. The vet told my mother that the RSPCA should not have homed them with us as they were wild rabbits and not pets... he also said that he could have neutered the rabbits but this would not have stopped the behaviour.

Do you think that this was the problem - wild rabbits being kept as pets? Or was it having two males together?

[Snowy]

I think the problem was the fact that they were not neutered, I have males living together quite happily, the vet should have neutered them and I think you would have seen an improvement in their behaviour, were they definately wild rabbits or were they agouti bunnies?

[Sprite]

Thanks for your reply snowy.

I have no idea if they were wild in all honesty, that is just what the vet put it down to. They just looked like normal rabbits... the white one did anyway, the grey did look like the sort of rabbit you see in the wild but I wouldn't know how to tell the difference in all honesty.

Obviously I am anxious to avoid this sort of problem with the new arrival, (if we home two, as that is also something to discuss and consider!) but you think that any two rabbits should get along ok as long as they are spayed or neutered?

[AprilGirl]

Hi,
Obviously I'm quite new to having a rabbit so I'm sure one of the more experience bun mums or dads will come along with more advice but.....
as far as I can gather neutering is a huge factor in the behaviour of male rabbits, once they are "done" they calm down no end and are easier to handle and don't try and mount.
Also the more handling and attention they get from as early as possible they will get used to it and be more friendly!
I guess as well that the personality of the individual rabbit comes in to play too, my little boy is very friendly and saw that from the start.
Good luck and hope that helped a little
Emma x

[Snowy]

If you home two bunnies from a rescue they will already be neutered as all the reputable rescues always neuter all bunnies, so you wouldn't have that problem, you could always adopt a male and a female, they do tend to get on better but you can get pairs of the same sex, I have several, I also have a trio and that's Mum, Dad and their daughter and they all love each other very much, all have been neutered.

What part of the country are you in?

[Sprite]

Thanks for the replies. I am right down south Snowy, on the coast.

Probably a silly question, but do you think they are much happier with company? Obviously one on it's own would be an easier option to start out with, but we will get two if they are happiest in pairs or more.

Presuming we will get a pair, it sounds as though spaying/neutering is the way to go... with all the rabbits...! So it doesnt make much difference whether to go for a male/female, or two of the same sex?

[NickieM]

You would still need to check with the rescue and not assume they were neutered, though. Both my buns are from the SSPCA and they don't routinely neuter. I had both of mine done myself and am about to get my third done next month.

My first male, Wolfie, did lots of spraying when he first arrived, before he was de-plummed, but he doesn't do it any more now and is definitely more placid. Gloria was spayed and, although a very timid girl, is now (2 years later!) coming out of her shell enough to allow stroking.

I am hoping once I get Felix neutered, that I can attempt to bond the three together.

[Sprite]

Hi NickieM.

So it has a big effect on the ladies' behaviour as well?

Taking all this on board we will definately make sure we check this about any rabbit we end up adopting. (I would have assumed that RSPCA or any similar organisation would guide adopters in the right direction... but it seems it is safer to assume nothing when taking on a new pet!)

[NickieM]

Female buns can get very territorial once they become sexually mature and sometimes if they are with another female bun (maybe two litter mates) they can start to fight. They sometimes also grunt and lunge when you put your hand in the hutch. They see this as their territory, even if you are just putting in food.

There is a lot of very useful information here which you might find useful.

https://happyhoppers.forumotion.co.uk/rabbit-care-articles-useful-links-f1/

[Sprite]

Thanks, I have been browsing some of those threads already, although there's a lot (!!!) to take in.

So it sounds like, as long as they are neutered/spayed, any male-male/male-female/female-female combination is fine? My other half did express interest in maybe having a guinea pigs as a companion for a rabbit, but from what I've read so far on the subject it seems thats a big no-go area!!?

[Sprite]

PS I just spotted the "Why a Neutered Rabbit is a Happy Rabbit" thread which I take it you had in mind thanks!!

[NickieM]

It used to be common to keep GPs and bunnies together, but it is not a good idea. They are different animals and relate to each other in different ways. Guinea Pigs obviously don't speak Rabbit, so it can be difficult and they can get bullied sometimes. Also Guinea Pigs have slightly different dietary needs so they need different food.

The best combination is male/female (obviously neutered!), same sex pairings can work, but are sometimes less successful. However, a lot depends on the bunnies.

[Sprite]

Brilliant, thanks Nickie... I am starting to get an idea of what we will be looking for now!

Which begs the question... where do we look?

As with other animals, I take it a pet-shop is a bad idea? (Risk of bad living conditions etc and also maybe a lack of handling from an early age?) Would it be best to try the RSPCA or similar charities/organisations best, or seek out private sellers...??

[NickieM]

Where you get your bun is completely up to you and I wouldn't want to say it is bad to go to a pet shop.

I chose to get mine from a rescue because I like the idea of taking on a bun that didn't have a home. Baby rabbits are absolutely gorgeous and it is tempting just to buy one from P@H or your local pet shop. If you take on an older rabbit from a rescue - and often they have babies too - you will know a little of their character and you get the buzz of taking on someone who needs a home. There are always rescues looking to rehome.

I would be more cautious about commercial breeders. It is just that unless you know them well, it is hard to know whether you are buying a bun that has been overbred and maybe has genetic problems. A reputable breeder will not do that, but it is hard to know who is reputable and who is basically just running a breeding operation from their back garden. There is a lot of that about.

But please make up your own decision as I wouldn't want you to feel that if you do get one from a pet shop anyone will say you were wrong.
It is wonderful that you are taking the time to really think it through, before getting the rabbit and that is really good.

[Sprite]

Thanks... we don't want to just "run out" and buy the first cute rabbit we see, on a whim! I think we both feel we need to know what we're letting ourselves in for and also be prepared to give Rabbit X the happiest possible home.

Again, lots to take on board from your post!

I know what you mean about being tempted by the gorgeous babies in places like Pets at Home! I don't really like the idea of the way some pet shops care for their pets though, especially the bigger chains such as that one! But we will make a point of looking around from now on, I think, and checking out how the animals are looking in these places.

If we were to go to a private breeder it would just be a name found advertised locally... so I guess you're right about not knowing if they are reputable or not...

Maybe the best way to go (when the time comes!) would be to investigate what the rescue shelters have and what the pet shops have (if I can find one we're happy with where the pets seem healthy and well-treated!) and weigh up our options!!

I'd love to say we will adopt an older bunny that needs a home, but have to say we are likely to go for babies, at least in this first instance.

[Jay]

Sprite there a very good resuce in Southampton, run by Sue, who's a friend of mine. I'm not sure where you are, but if you'd consider that, then let me know and I can pass her details on

[Sprite]

At this point we are open to considering anything so yeh please feel free to PM me the details Jay!

[senatorvass]

Hi Sprite. Its great you are looking into it so much and doing all the learning ahead of time. Just wanted to say as well that my males and females chilled out massively after being neutered. I still have one female who hasnt been done yet but she will sometime soon when I am not dead broke!

Any questions at all that you have just ask. I remember when I was first getting rabbits I needed every single little detail spelled out for me minute by minute! So just jump in.

[Sprite]

Hey senatorvass,

Thanks... glad to know I'm not the only person who started out so clueless!

I am starting to get a good idea of where to search and what to search for, regarding our new pet

(Now I just have to ascertain what to do afterwards!)

[Sprite]

Ok I have some health questions now... for when rabbit/s first come home. I have been doing some reading about this but hopefully some of you veteran owners can correct me if I'm wrong.

It seems there are 2 vaccinations bunny should get, for Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. They should be done when bunny is about 6 weeks... and then repeated "6 monthly or annually". (not sure which of these is right? surely it's one or the other?)

Bunny should then be neutered or speyed... this should be done when they reach sexual maturity, which obviously varies but for ladies usually at about 6 months (although some vets will spey when they have reached 1kg in weight?!) and for the gents usually between 12 and 20 weeks.

Other than these, is there anything else that we should be aware of that initially needs to be done? I'm assuming vet will give bunny a once-over when he or she administers the vaccinations?

[Lynda]

Myxomatosis vaccinations should be given every 6 months (no matter what the vet says!), there are biting insects around all year now, so better to be safe than very very sorry.

VHD should be given annually.

These vaccinations should not be given both at the same time, there should be a period of 14 days between.

The most important thing of all is to find a rabbit-savvy vet, not all vets are up to scratch with rabbit health (although it's getting better!). The vet who treated your first bunnies probably wasn't rabbit-savvy at all by the sounds of things, but then perhaps rabbits were considered more 'disposable' at that time. If you decide to get a bun (or two) from a rescue, ask them which vet they recommend, they'll have confidence in the one they use regularly.

There's some good information on my website www.bunnyhugger.co.uk on Petshop Buns v Rescue buns, and Older Buns v Younger Buns, feel free to have a looky.

And finally, welcome to the forum and well done for doing a bit of research first before getting a bun

[Snowy]

Myxomatosis vaccinations should be given every 6 months (no matter what the vet says!), there are biting insects around all year now, so better to be safe than very very sorry.

VHD should be given annually.

These vaccinations should not be given both at the same time, there should be a period of 14 days between.
The most important thing of all is to find a rabbit-savvy vet, not all vets are up to scratch with rabbit health (although it's getting better!). The vet who treated your first bunnies probably wasn't rabbit-savvy at all by the sounds of things, but then perhaps rabbits were considered more 'disposable' at that time. If you decide to get a bun (or two) from a rescue, ask them which vet they recommend, they'll have confidence in the one they use regularly.

There's some good information on my website www.bunnyhugger.co.uk on Petshop Buns v Rescue buns, and Older Buns v Younger Buns, feel free to have a looky.

And finally, welcome to the forum and well done for doing a bit of research first before getting a bun

Totally agree

[Sprite]

Thanks guys.

Lynda, I will take some time to look over the site, as well as the other resources people have pointed me towards so far!!

[Sixer]

Well done Sprite in getting your ducks (bunnies ) in a row before actually getting your bunnies

I didn't and ran straight into a steep learning curve. This forum has been invaluable in providing information.

Welcome to HH - I am sure you will make a fantastic bunny mum!

[Sprite]

Thanks Sixer.

Have mulled over the information so far and had a chat with the OH and we are in agreement that we will go for a male + female pair, and get both neutered/spayed. Hopefully then they will get along fine with each other and their human friends!!

We don't plan on buying anything just yet, as actually getting the bunnies is still a way off, but we have started to keep an eye on what is about housing wise... OH will probably be building a run, as they work out so much cheaper and we can make it nice and big that way. We notice there are usually a fair few second hand hutches etc advertised locally so will probably take that route, although we are aware that doing this we will need to make sure we clean and steralise it thoroughly before it's new occupants move in. I wondered if anybody had any tips for good/bad designs? (A few of the hutches I've seen look an absolute nightmare to clean out!)

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