So I'm considering rescuing a bunny from a local shelter and just wondering if any of you here have experiences with them. How well do they do with dogs? And of course, do you have any favorite breeds amongst them? My boyfriend is going to kill me now - as if 2 dogs, 3 turtles, 2 tanks of fishes, and 2 frogs weren't enough.. LOL.
Any rabbit owners?
- Thread starter Kathy29
- Start date
I have 2 bunns.. Bigwig and Blackavar.
They are both males.. Bigwig is a lop cross and Blackavar is a Flemish Giant cross.
The most important thing I can say about bunns is before getting one (or 2 ideally.. for the bunn sake) is that they really aren't that cuddly, if that's what you're looking for.. and they can be very distructive!
I keep my two as free range bunns in a room where they're litter trained.. they still sometimes poo and pee over the floor and they like to chew on the walls regardless of how many other things there are to chew..
They are both neutered which is very important health wise for the bunns and temperment wise for you
My bunns get along fine with the dog, cats and rats that I have, but they were all raised together so it'd probably be best to get a young rabbit if you can. And like Saje said, never leave them alone unsupervised.
And just cause they're cute here's a pic!
This was about a year ago.. Blackavar was only a baby then.. he's about 3 times as big as Bigwig now!
They are both males.. Bigwig is a lop cross and Blackavar is a Flemish Giant cross.
The most important thing I can say about bunns is before getting one (or 2 ideally.. for the bunn sake) is that they really aren't that cuddly, if that's what you're looking for.. and they can be very distructive!
I keep my two as free range bunns in a room where they're litter trained.. they still sometimes poo and pee over the floor and they like to chew on the walls regardless of how many other things there are to chew..
They are both neutered which is very important health wise for the bunns and temperment wise for you
My bunns get along fine with the dog, cats and rats that I have, but they were all raised together so it'd probably be best to get a young rabbit if you can. And like Saje said, never leave them alone unsupervised.
And just cause they're cute here's a pic!
This was about a year ago.. Blackavar was only a baby then.. he's about 3 times as big as Bigwig now!
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2006
- Messages
- 4
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 0
pet grooming
AUSSIE PET MOBILE offers a convenient, affordable, reliable and efficient service to pet owners to maintain and achieve their pets' best well being. We use environmentally friendly products and bring a highly organized professional approach to mobile grooming.
We pride ourselves on our innovative pet mobile design, heated hydrobath, and our Aussie Pet Mobile grooming service which assures a complete and comfortable experience for each pet www.aussiepetmobile.com
AUSSIE PET MOBILE offers a convenient, affordable, reliable and efficient service to pet owners to maintain and achieve their pets' best well being. We use environmentally friendly products and bring a highly organized professional approach to mobile grooming.
We pride ourselves on our innovative pet mobile design, heated hydrobath, and our Aussie Pet Mobile grooming service which assures a complete and comfortable experience for each pet www.aussiepetmobile.com
Don't ever keep rabbits around dogs unsupervised, and never around hyper dogs.
Rabbits are extremely fragile.....
My 31 yr old brother was visiting her a couple of weeks ago, we have the basment designated for rabbits and rodents (Which is where I spend most of my time)
The door stays closed, and no visitors are allowed down there, but he not only ignored that rule, but he brought his dog in.
His dog proceeded to kill my rabbit.
All his dog did was "bow" to play and then paw at him, that is all it took for a harsh neurological problem, my poor boy died the next day at the vet.
- I was not there. If I had been the dog would have been out of there in a split second and my brother getting an earful. Now because of his stupidity, him and his dog are never allowed around here again.
It is never okay to leave any predator animal unsupervised near any prey animal, and never okay with cats, and again, never okay supervised with dogs who want to play with other animals.
I posted in your other thread under fire hydrant about a good website with rabbit info and a good rabbit forum; At least I'm pretty sure it was your thread
Rabbits are extremely fragile.....
My 31 yr old brother was visiting her a couple of weeks ago, we have the basment designated for rabbits and rodents (Which is where I spend most of my time)
The door stays closed, and no visitors are allowed down there, but he not only ignored that rule, but he brought his dog in.
His dog proceeded to kill my rabbit.
All his dog did was "bow" to play and then paw at him, that is all it took for a harsh neurological problem, my poor boy died the next day at the vet.
- I was not there. If I had been the dog would have been out of there in a split second and my brother getting an earful. Now because of his stupidity, him and his dog are never allowed around here again.
It is never okay to leave any predator animal unsupervised near any prey animal, and never okay with cats, and again, never okay supervised with dogs who want to play with other animals.
I posted in your other thread under fire hydrant about a good website with rabbit info and a good rabbit forum; At least I'm pretty sure it was your thread
I have a houserabbit called Pippa who lives in my room :]
Although I never leave her unsupervised with Holly, my dog, Holly loves her and licks her loads - something Pippa doesnt like very much but she climbs over Holly.
However instinct does take over alot, like when my old rabbit Rosie was in the garden, when i took advantage of my sister tking Holly for a walk. WHen she came back instead of taking her into the house on her lead, she'd taken her off her lead at the gate, and Holly rushed in & ran after Rosie. Although neither of THEM were hurt, I suffered quite alot of bruises after tackling Holly to the ground!
[ However, the fact that Hollys a westie & therefore a ratter probably wouldnt help. ]
But I don't see any reason, if introduced under a controlled atmosphere, why you shouldn't allow your rabbit & dog to see eachother :]
Oh & good idea about rescue homes. I got my rabbit from a pet shop, but I now know better. My sister got her rabbit Eric from a rescue center & he's an absolute angel! You also might even be able to find a rabbit thats already spayed.
Good luck!
Although I never leave her unsupervised with Holly, my dog, Holly loves her and licks her loads - something Pippa doesnt like very much but she climbs over Holly.
However instinct does take over alot, like when my old rabbit Rosie was in the garden, when i took advantage of my sister tking Holly for a walk. WHen she came back instead of taking her into the house on her lead, she'd taken her off her lead at the gate, and Holly rushed in & ran after Rosie. Although neither of THEM were hurt, I suffered quite alot of bruises after tackling Holly to the ground!
[ However, the fact that Hollys a westie & therefore a ratter probably wouldnt help. ]
But I don't see any reason, if introduced under a controlled atmosphere, why you shouldn't allow your rabbit & dog to see eachother :]
Oh & good idea about rescue homes. I got my rabbit from a pet shop, but I now know better. My sister got her rabbit Eric from a rescue center & he's an absolute angel!
You also might even be able to find a rabbit thats already spayed.Good luck!
I had a rabbit once many years ago. During that time I had two dogs. The rabbits were in what I thought to be a secure cage in the yard.
Well the dogs were let out to potty on this particular day and within an hour they had ripped a hole thru the wood and wire and got inside the cage dragged the poor bunny out and killed him. I have always felt so guilty about it. I will never own another rabbit.
All the dogs I have experience with have a strong prey drive for rabbits. Since I will always have dogs... I will never have another rabbit. I know others have had success, but it's just not for me.
On the other hand the same two dogs got along great with a ferret. They even ate from the same food bowls.
Well the dogs were let out to potty on this particular day and within an hour they had ripped a hole thru the wood and wire and got inside the cage dragged the poor bunny out and killed him. I have always felt so guilty about it. I will never own another rabbit.
All the dogs I have experience with have a strong prey drive for rabbits. Since I will always have dogs... I will never have another rabbit. I know others have had success, but it's just not for me.
On the other hand the same two dogs got along great with a ferret. They even ate from the same food bowls.
I had my bunny from the time he was five weeks until he passed away last year. He was 8. I think the most important thing I learned was that his diet had to be followed diligently. Timothy hay had to be his main food source. With fresh greens daily, such as carrot tops, dandelion, parsley etc. House Rabbit Society has some very good info on their web sites. My bunny was a free range bunny and very easy to litter train. Not at all the cuddly little creatures that you would assume. He loved to be patted, but not picked up and would kick up quite a fuss whenever we had to pick him up. A visit to the vet every three months also to have his nails trimmed as they can grow vey long and be most uncomfortable. Good luck with your bunny and enjoy him
A regular diet for rabbits *is* extremely important. Though baby rabbits (Under 6 mos.) Have very different dietary needs from adults.
When they are young, they need a 24/7 supply of good protein rabbit pellets, and a 24/7 supply of alfalfa hay (Or an alfalfa/timothy hay mix, makes the transition from the alfalfa to timothy only easier)
Their green veggies need to be introduced very slowly, one at a time in small quantaties and increased gradually. By the time the rabbits are 6-7 mos. old, their veggies should continue to be increased, their pellets slowly decreased, and their alfalfa hay should decrease from their diet, being replaced with timothy until it's been safely taken out of their diet. By the time a rabbit is 12 mos. old, they should have no alfalfa hay, they should have a large amount varied greens that had been carefully introduced and increased daily, they should have timothy hay 24/7 (Very important) and a very small amount of rabbit pellets, if any. My adult rabbits get a small small bowl of pellets in the morning, their hay is refreshed 3-4 times a day, and they get their veggies every evening. Rabbits have very, very sensitive digestive systems, so it is important to use caution when changing their diet.
When they are young, they need a 24/7 supply of good protein rabbit pellets, and a 24/7 supply of alfalfa hay (Or an alfalfa/timothy hay mix, makes the transition from the alfalfa to timothy only easier)
Their green veggies need to be introduced very slowly, one at a time in small quantaties and increased gradually. By the time the rabbits are 6-7 mos. old, their veggies should continue to be increased, their pellets slowly decreased, and their alfalfa hay should decrease from their diet, being replaced with timothy until it's been safely taken out of their diet. By the time a rabbit is 12 mos. old, they should have no alfalfa hay, they should have a large amount varied greens that had been carefully introduced and increased daily, they should have timothy hay 24/7 (Very important) and a very small amount of rabbit pellets, if any. My adult rabbits get a small small bowl of pellets in the morning, their hay is refreshed 3-4 times a day, and they get their veggies every evening. Rabbits have very, very sensitive digestive systems, so it is important to use caution when changing their diet.
I have a rabbit named Blossom. She lives in my room. She's a gray dwarf rabbit and she is super soft, cute, and very well socialized. She and my dogs get along great! I even have a lab/bc mix with a high drive for little "wild" rabbits everytime one runs by, and just because she's extremely well trained and socialized, she does the rabbit no harm and does nothing more than sniff and lick. Even so, they should never be left alone with a dog, even if your dog acts perfectly around them!
She lives in my room. She's a gray dwarf rabbit and she is super soft, cute, and very well socialized. She and my dogs get along great! I even have a lab/bc mix with a high drive for little "wild" rabbits everytime one runs by, and just because she's extremely well trained and socialized, she does the rabbit no harm and does nothing more than sniff and lick. Even so, they should never be left alone with a dog, even if your dog acts perfectly around them!
Even if she's large she is still a rabbit ---- Rabbits are extremely fragile, and can never be left in the eye of danger, unattended with any dog or cat.
I know you've said you don't leave them unattended together, I'm just stressing the point for other people, flemishes aren't exceptions to rules, they are still rabbits, still extremely fragile.
I know you've said you don't leave them unattended together, I'm just stressing the point for other people, flemishes aren't exceptions to rules, they are still rabbits, still extremely fragile.
I have 3 rabbits, and we are bunny sitting a 4th for a couple of weeks.
They get along well with my Shih Tzu, however, he's very playful and could hurt them badly if I didn't supervise him. He likes to lick their ears... but sometimes bites to play, so never leave the dog free from you grasp.
Yoshi + Bowser, chillin'
Marvin + Yoshi, kissin'
Frimousse
Bowser + Wendy (the bunny sitted bunny)
They get along well with my Shih Tzu, however, he's very playful and could hurt them badly if I didn't supervise him. He likes to lick their ears... but sometimes bites to play, so never leave the dog free from you grasp.
Yoshi + Bowser, chillin'
Marvin + Yoshi, kissin'
Frimousse
Bowser + Wendy (the bunny sitted bunny)
Thanks all!
I'm having MAJOR problems picking my new bunny up. I want to get him accustomed to being picked up for the sake of having nails trimmed and all that. He shoots right out of my hands/arms (of course, I set myself on the ground to minimize risk of injuries). I'm new at handling rabbits so maybe I'm just not doing it right? Does anyone have any pointers? Thanks!
I'm having MAJOR problems picking my new bunny up. I want to get him accustomed to being picked up for the sake of having nails trimmed and all that. He shoots right out of my hands/arms (of course, I set myself on the ground to minimize risk of injuries). I'm new at handling rabbits so maybe I'm just not doing it right? Does anyone have any pointers? Thanks!
Kathy, the safest way to pick a rabbit up is to have him in a sort of sitting up position.....
Scoop one hand under his front feet, one hand sort of under his rump but also supporting his back (Rabbits have INCREDIBLY fragile bone structures, they can break their backs with one good kick if their backs are not supported.
When you're holding him he should be in a sitting up position, feet facing away from you and hanging (That way if he kicks he's not kicking against you and propelling himself off of you...Those guys do have some pretty hard kicks in them) One hand should be under his rump/supporting his back, one had should be under his front paws but supporting him by his chest, and he should be pulled securely into your chest. I generally have their backs a little arched (Natural for a rabbit if you watch them move around) with my hand under their rump and my fingers sort of between their legs. As long as you prevent their back from straightening they won't snap it, just make sure you don't make his back arch more than is natural though; they can kick the air all the want as long as they are supported properly . He may try to climb your arm with his front paws but as long as you hold him secure enough until that fit is over he shouldn't be able to get out of your arms. As for nail clipping, some rabbits will never allow it to be done with only one person, unless you trance him (Google trancing rabbits) But I don't like doing that as I really believe it helps your rabbit mistrust you. Anyways, that is the safest way to carry a bun, and with some of the rabbits I deal with is really the only way to hold them without them fighting and propelling themself off of you, getting scratched in the meantime.
here is a good link on trancing your rabbit:
http://www.hopperhome.com/trancing_rabbits.htm
Read the entire page to decide wether you really want to trance your bun or not.
Scoop one hand under his front feet, one hand sort of under his rump but also supporting his back (Rabbits have INCREDIBLY fragile bone structures, they can break their backs with one good kick if their backs are not supported.
When you're holding him he should be in a sitting up position, feet facing away from you and hanging (That way if he kicks he's not kicking against you and propelling himself off of you...Those guys do have some pretty hard kicks in them) One hand should be under his rump/supporting his back, one had should be under his front paws but supporting him by his chest, and he should be pulled securely into your chest. I generally have their backs a little arched (Natural for a rabbit if you watch them move around) with my hand under their rump and my fingers sort of between their legs. As long as you prevent their back from straightening they won't snap it, just make sure you don't make his back arch more than is natural though; they can kick the air all the want as long as they are supported properly
. He may try to climb your arm with his front paws but as long as you hold him secure enough until that fit is over he shouldn't be able to get out of your arms. As for nail clipping, some rabbits will never allow it to be done with only one person, unless you trance him (Google trancing rabbits) But I don't like doing that as I really believe it helps your rabbit mistrust you. Anyways, that is the safest way to carry a bun, and with some of the rabbits I deal with is really the only way to hold them without them fighting and propelling themself off of you, getting scratched in the meantime.here is a good link on trancing your rabbit:
http://www.hopperhome.com/trancing_rabbits.htm
Read the entire page to decide wether you really want to trance your bun or not.
Last edited:
Kay, thanks for your help! I've been covering his eyes while picking him up as a lot of people were telling me to try that and it works ONLY for a very short while. I will try your method with him tonight.
As for trancing, I know there are a lot of debate about that. I'll have to look more into it. Thanks again.
As for trancing, I know there are a lot of debate about that. I'll have to look more into it. Thanks again.