Aside from appearance, there are a number of considerations that you will have to make when it comes time to pick out your fuzzy friend at a pet store or other venue. This is important both to ensure that you select a healthy pet, and to make sure that you and he are compatible!

Now I’ll explain what you’ll need to think about prior to heading out to buy your pet rabbit, and what to look for when you’re actually selecting an animal from a breeder, adoption center or pet store.

Remember, while size, breed, fur type and color are mostly a matter of personal preference (as I’ve explained in the previous chapter), the considerations here are essential to bringing home and raising a healthy pet.

There are a few general points to think about when deciding whether a rabbit is the right type of pet for you and for the rest of your family, too.

Allergies

Many people in this country have pet allergies, often to dogs or cats. It is worth remembering that if you are allergic to cats, chances are you might well be allergic to rabbits. Of course, this is not always the case, and you may wish get an allergy test from your doctor before deciding to bring home a new pet. If you don’t want to go to a doctor for a test, you may want to visit a pet store or breeder and see how you feel after handling the animals.

Also keep in mind that it is not just the pet itself that you may be allergic to. Rabbits often consume hay, which could be problematic in households where a family member has hay allergies.

Children in the House

Do you have young children? If so, a rabbit may not be an ideal pet. For the most part, this has nothing to do with rabbits being a danger to the child. On the contrary, since young rabbits are delicate and relatively tiny, a child may very well do unintentional damage to the pet! For this reason, older children, who have a better sense of their own strength and understand how to treat animals nicely, may be better suited to a pet rabbit.

In any event, if you do choose to bring a pet rabbit into a home with young kids, always try to supervise interactions between your child and your pet to ensure that both remain safe and healthy. Children must be taught how to handle rabbits, and only if they are mature and responsible enough to be trusted with the fuzzy creature.

Money

Even if you adopt a rabbit for free rather than buying one, you should prepare for certain expenses.

A good-sized cage will cost you at least $30 USD or $40 USD, and this is an absolute essential. You can also expect to pay for other accessories, such as toys.

Feeding is another considerable expense. At minimum you will need to buy food pellets, hay and vegetables for your rabbit to consume. You may also need to supplement with vitamins. Then there is also the matter of the litter box and fresh litter, which can add up over time.

Moreover, you will need to take care of medical issues such as spaying (starting at $35) or neutering (a bit cheaper, starting at $25), as well as medical bills for checkups and any illnesses that arise. Of course, it is also possible in some cases to purchase or adopt pet rabbits that have already been spayed or neutered, but even then it is going to be essential to pay for various medical expenditures over the course of your pet’s lifetime.

Before bringing home a rabbit, make sure that you can commit to giving him the quality of lifestyle he deserves throughout his lifetime (5-15 years, depending on the rabbit’s breed and age and health at the time of purchase).

by Andrea Austin,
http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide:
Bunny Rabbits

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House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless of whether they live on a farm or in an apartment. House rabbits are small, easy to take care of, and don’t require any expensive supplies like some other pets do. They are cute, friendly, and playful. They are also safe enough that you can have a child play with a rabbit unsupervised, something that would probably not be safe to do with a dog.

Also, rabbits love to play with children. Having more than one rabbit will just add to the fun. However, if you do have more than one rabbit, make sure they are the same sex. Also, while rabbits sometimes get along well with other pets, it is generally best to not mix rabbits with cats or dogs.

Caring for your House Rabbits.

Care for house rabbits is critical for the well being of your rabbit and for your enjoyment of your rabbit. You will not be able to enjoy your rabbit as nearly as much if your rabbit is constantly ill. Also, your rabbit will not be very happy if it spends most of its time feeling miserable. Unfortunately, rabbits are very vulnerable to disease.

The best way to protect your rabbit from disease is to make sure that your rabbit and its cage are always clean. Regularly clean your rabbit’s cage with a disinfectant, and also give your rabbit an occasional bath. If you have a new rabbit, quarantine it from the rest of the rabbits for at least two weeks. If at the end of the two weeks the new rabbit looks fine, it is probably safe to put it in with the other rabbits. If you have questions about rabbit care, ask your veterinarian.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher - http://www.a1-pets-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

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Even with the most diligent bunny rabbit selection process and the very best care and grooming, there is always the possibility that your pet will develop a health condition that requires medical attention. When this happens you will need to find the right veterinarian who will give your pet the kind of attention he deserves.

This article will discuss that as well as a run-down of the most common rabbit health concerns. You should read them all, even if your pet seems in perfect health now. Being alert to the symptoms of illnesses is the key to getting care quickly and preventing complications.

Finding the right Vet

Waiting until you have an emergency on your hands to find a vet is never a good idea. For one thing, you’ll wind up racing around trying to find just anyone who can help you, and you may end up with a mediocre vet or one who overcharges you. For another thing, many vets don’t have much experience with pet rabbits, and it is in your pet’s best interest to find a vet who knows a great deal about rabbits.

So find a good vet now, before you even need one. You’ll be putting yourself in a much better position should your pet require emergency care down the line. Moreover, having a vet will make you much more likely to take your rabbit for regular checkups and important procedures like spaying/neutering and clipping or teeth-trimming.

Choosing the Right Vet

It can be next to impossible to find a good vet simply by scrolling through names in a phonebook or even just looking online. You should visit offices, check out the environment, ask others in the office what the vet is like, and so on.

Talk to the vet him- or herself. Ask him how familiar he is with rabbits?how many rabbits does he see per month? Does he have training with regard to rabbits? Does he know the common health concerns that rabbit pet-owners have to worry about? Can he give you advice on rabbit diets? What about clipping and teeth-trimming? Will he be able to help you with that?

This kind of in-person research is the best way to ensure that you select a vet who is knowledgeable, has a good reputation, has a clear office environment, and has experience with pet rabbits in particular.

If you are looking for a vet to spay or neuter your new pet, ask specifically about the office’s rate with this procedure. It is expected that some rabbits die as a result of this common process, but if a vet has a loss rate of over 2%, you should go to another vet.

by Andrea Austin,
http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide:
Bunny Rabbits

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