File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Sup /an/

All my life I've grown up with pets. Cats, dogs, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, etc.

I just moved into my own place this past month and realized how dull life is without one, like something's missing. The complex I'm in doesn't allow cats or dogs but smaller animals are allowed.

I really don't want a hamster or guinea pig because I want something a bit larger that can roam the house a bit (while supervised, of course.)

This got me thinking about a rabbit. Problem is, I don't know too much about their temperament and whatnot. Are they personable or stand-offish? Would you recommend one as a 'full time pet', or are they like hamsters - uninterested in your existence and unresponsive?
>> Anonymous
In before "I had a rabbit and it was scared all the time and a stupid pet."

First, http://rabbit.org

A pet rabbit should be social. The one I had would lay next to us for hours as long as we were petting him. He hated to be picked up, but that's pretty common for rabbits. Otherwise, he was happy to run, leap, and play in our presence.

If you get a rabbit, it is going to be a full time pet. They need interaction, room to roam, and a good diet. Vet bills for a rabbit are not cheap and gastrointestinal problems are killers. That's another thing you'll have to worry about, finding a good vet who actually knows how to treat rabbits. When my rabbit got sick I took him to two vets who said he'd have to be put down. The third vet gave him fluids and sent me home with some very simple paste to feed him and he was better in days.

Anyway, if you do decide on a rabbit, I really encourage trying to find a rescue first. I've heard rabbits are the third most common animal in shelters after cats and dogs - I'm sure a lot of people give them as gifts, Easter pets, stupid shit like that. If you were dealing with a good rescue organization, they'd probably even know the individual personalities of their rabbits and be able to help you make a good choice.
>> Anonymous
>>222824
Awesome. Thanks for this, dude.

Definitely going the shelter of breeder route if I get one. Would you recommend a local, privately owned shelter of the SPCA? Have both in my area so selection isn't limited.

Also, this may be a dumb question but do they do alright with hardwood flooring?
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
lol, rabbits
>> Anonymous
>>222830
I don't really think one or the other will necessarily be better. I'm sure it'll come down to the individuals running them in your area. I've known some smaller scale rescue groups that were awesome, and then some that were just kinda.. crazy.. so yeah.

As for hardwood flooring, it's actually not a dumb question at all. Rabbits don't have pads on their feet like cats or dogs (sorry if you already knew this) so hardwood and the like is pretty slippery. They'll navigate it alright, though. I imagine it'd be easier with a smaller breed, too. My rabbit was big and his legs were everywhere all the time but it didn't stop him from exploring every inch of the house.. he just liked the carpeted rooms more.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Rabbits count as small pets?
>> Anonymous
>>222830
There is an issue with hardwood floors, we have 4 rabbits and its very necessary to keep their nails very short otherwise it causes them to get sore hocks on their feet, which will bleed if not taken care of, we treat wit pure aloe, but the nail clipping is a must. the issue with carpet is some bunnies will eat it, which could cause blockage in the GI and kill within a few hours.
2 of our rabbits are very friendly, the other two are stand offish and one is very scared all the time, she had to have emergency surgery when she was very young and has yet to become trusting of us.
Rabbits need timothy hay all the time, you're better off buying Oxbow and getting a box instead of the bags, its more economical.
Avoid most store bought treats, they can be harmful. Read up on this.
Vet bills are expensive as the other post mentioned, luckily we live near chicago and there is an awesome vet that only does exotic animals. Today our boy needs to get his dental disease checked again, sadly he keeps losing teeth and we must puree his food now. Hes 6yrs old, and the best thing to ever happen to me.
>> Anonymous
also check out the House rabbit society, there are chapters all over the US and have many rabbits up for adoption, and considering easter is coming up they will be flooded with unwanted rabbits very soon. Also if you live in Michigan there is the biggest rabbit sanctuary in the US called the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary, they have over 700 rabbits and around 50-75 up for adoption.
>> Anonymous
>>222833
Thats not a rabbit thats a viscacha.
Also (-_-)
>> Anonymous
I would call a rabbit a full-time pet. Also, most people don't realize that they are prey and therefore tend to be more nervous animals who don't like to be picked up and held. Now, I've had some great rabbits who did but because most bunnies don't behave like people expect, they tend to end up orphaned or abandoned. Please do your research, think hard, and if you decide to get a bunny (they can be so awesome), adopt him from a shelter!
>> Anonymous
you should get a quaker parrot

they are super affectionate
>> Anonymous
Get a trash can crab.
>> noko
I have a rabbit. fuckin greatest pet ever. besides my cats. he is a handful though. gets into everything.
>> Anonymous
Rabbit screams are a creation of Satan.
>> Anonymous
Rabbits are absolutely full-time pets. I had one that would roam around my room, hop in circles around my legs, jump into my bed for cuddles, push her head under my hand / feet when she wanted to get pet. She was my favourite pet evar. <3

Have you considered birds? Sure, they're not really cuddleable but they can be lots of fun and interacting with them is very rewarding. (plus, they're not as smelly.)