Rabbit FAQs
Do rabbits need a friend?
Many rabbits do prefer a friend. Typically two females or a male and female are your best bet. It is recommended that both animals are spayed/neutered or hormones could cause them to fight. If you have a male and female, do not allow them together until at least the male is neutered. THE MALES CAN BE FERTILE BY 10 WEEKS OF AGE AND REMAIN FERTILE FOR UP TO A MONTH AFTER BEING NEUTERED. The cage must be big enough to have two water bottles and two food dishes. A 4x4' dog playpen with linoleum underneath works great if the rabbits are litter box trained.
Can rabbits be litter box trained?
YES! I start them with litter box training before they go home. Make sure you use a different material in the litterbox than the rest of the cage. For example, if you use pine flakes in the cage, use pine pellets in the litter box. If your male is spraying, you will need to get him neutered to stop it. Please understand that if you allow your rabbit to run around, it will drop poop outside of the box. They really don't have control over it. But put their litter box out and they should go to it to urinate.
My rabbit isn't eating or pooping! What should I do?
A rabbit that isn't eating or pooping is a serious problem. If they don't eat, their gut isn't moving stool along. It turns into a cement type texture and causes what is known as gastric stasis. It is fatal if it goes on long enough and, speaking from personal experience, is extremely painful. Veterinary intervention is required, although there are some things that you can try if it hasn't been going on for very long. Please contact me.
Are they good with kids?
Short answer is that they are with older kids. Their backs are sensitive, so if a young kid is walking along with their back ends dangling and the rabbit kicks, it may break it's back. A child should be old enough to sit calmly with the rabbit in their lap. Please understand that if you get a rabbit for your child, it is still ultimately your responsibility to ensure it is getting fed, watered and cleaned. If you're just going to get rid of a rabbit because the kid lost interest, please don't get one. It isn't fair to the rabbit.
Should I free range?
If you allow your rabbit to run around the house, it is imperative to make sure they can't get into anything harmful. Pick up cords because they LOVE to chew cords. They also love baseboards, so if you don't want them chewed up, I'd just supervise them while they're out and cage them when you can't watch them.
What about the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease?
All of my babies are raised in my home. I don't let them outside at all. If you want to allow yours to go outside, please get the RHDV2 vaccine. It's a 2 part vaccine. You get one and then the second one must be done two weeks later. They can get vaccinated after 12 weeks of age. Please do not allow them outside (on the ground especially) until they have had BOTH vaccines.
Can I bathe my rabbit?
No, rabbits should not have baths. Ignore the internet videos that show rabbits bathing. It can make them have a heart attack. There are foam shampoos you can use that don't require water.
Many rabbits do prefer a friend. Typically two females or a male and female are your best bet. It is recommended that both animals are spayed/neutered or hormones could cause them to fight. If you have a male and female, do not allow them together until at least the male is neutered. THE MALES CAN BE FERTILE BY 10 WEEKS OF AGE AND REMAIN FERTILE FOR UP TO A MONTH AFTER BEING NEUTERED. The cage must be big enough to have two water bottles and two food dishes. A 4x4' dog playpen with linoleum underneath works great if the rabbits are litter box trained.
Can rabbits be litter box trained?
YES! I start them with litter box training before they go home. Make sure you use a different material in the litterbox than the rest of the cage. For example, if you use pine flakes in the cage, use pine pellets in the litter box. If your male is spraying, you will need to get him neutered to stop it. Please understand that if you allow your rabbit to run around, it will drop poop outside of the box. They really don't have control over it. But put their litter box out and they should go to it to urinate.
My rabbit isn't eating or pooping! What should I do?
A rabbit that isn't eating or pooping is a serious problem. If they don't eat, their gut isn't moving stool along. It turns into a cement type texture and causes what is known as gastric stasis. It is fatal if it goes on long enough and, speaking from personal experience, is extremely painful. Veterinary intervention is required, although there are some things that you can try if it hasn't been going on for very long. Please contact me.
Are they good with kids?
Short answer is that they are with older kids. Their backs are sensitive, so if a young kid is walking along with their back ends dangling and the rabbit kicks, it may break it's back. A child should be old enough to sit calmly with the rabbit in their lap. Please understand that if you get a rabbit for your child, it is still ultimately your responsibility to ensure it is getting fed, watered and cleaned. If you're just going to get rid of a rabbit because the kid lost interest, please don't get one. It isn't fair to the rabbit.
Should I free range?
If you allow your rabbit to run around the house, it is imperative to make sure they can't get into anything harmful. Pick up cords because they LOVE to chew cords. They also love baseboards, so if you don't want them chewed up, I'd just supervise them while they're out and cage them when you can't watch them.
What about the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease?
All of my babies are raised in my home. I don't let them outside at all. If you want to allow yours to go outside, please get the RHDV2 vaccine. It's a 2 part vaccine. You get one and then the second one must be done two weeks later. They can get vaccinated after 12 weeks of age. Please do not allow them outside (on the ground especially) until they have had BOTH vaccines.
Can I bathe my rabbit?
No, rabbits should not have baths. Ignore the internet videos that show rabbits bathing. It can make them have a heart attack. There are foam shampoos you can use that don't require water.
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