Rabbit one or two?

dubgirl

Hi All - My 8 yr old daughter is really hoping for a pet for her birthday. Think I have to give in this year. I'm not really an animal person, don't get me wrong I'm in no way cruel just don't feel the love the way some people do including my daughter Was thinking of getting her a rabbit but I know nothing about them. Would anyone give me some tips on what I should consider to give a rabbit the best care possible? Would one rabbit be very lonely? Where should they be kept ideally? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot

Sigma Force

Two all the way, contact hazel@jirdrescue she's on this board too I think she still has rabbits looking for homes and some would already be in pairs.
One on their own is a very lonley life, saying that all rabbits have to be spayed and neutered they are more calm when neutered not to mention no mini buns hopping around. Rabbits also need to be vaccinated against Mixomatosis and VHD you have to leave about 2 weeks between each vaccination. If you get from a rescue rabbits are usually fully vaxd already and some are neutered because you woudln't have to do that then I would suggest giving the rescue a decent donation to cover the costs.

After that rabbits are generally easy to look after, nails may need clipping every few weeks, careful handling also and a good experienced small animal/exotics vet is so important to have.

Their housing is usually the most expensive part a hutch is only good for shelter and bedtime being the size of a small cat they need a lot of room, ideally a bunny proofed room in the house as an alternative a small shed or potting shed can be made into a rabbit room, it also is a lot easier and more pleasant to clean out than stooping down to a hutch in the rain.

Another alternative is guinea pigs they wouldn't need as much space as a rabbit and tbh some rabbits can be difficult for children to handle, although you have to be careful with guinea pigs too of course all kids need to be supervised. Parents also have to take over if a child gets bored of the animals (speaking as a mum this happens a lot lol). Hazel (board name Hadook) has also got guinea pigs and I think some hamsters as well.
You can buy large guinea pig cages for indoors go for the biggest one you can afford rabbits and pigs don't do well outside in winter hence why a shed r garage is handy to have.

I could go on and on but for now if you can contact Hadook she usually has sone really cute critters looking for homes.
I was also contacted today a lady in Cellbridge has to rehome her 5 female guinea pigs, they are all still young oldest is about 1 year and 7 months you can contact me guineapigrescue123@eircom.net for more information if you are interested. The guinea pigs are used to being handled by her two young children.

dubgirl

thanks very much - very informative