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adi mcv

Not sure if i have put this in the right place but can some one give me advice on rabbits.

My hubbies friend has a rabbit he and his girlfriend bought it together.
They have split up and tonight i asked about the rabbit.

He basically said that it was stuck in its hutch and basically he feeds and waters it, he works long hours and she lumbered him with it.
He's a nice lad and he genuinely feels bad but i think he's more into his cars in his spare time not animals.

I know nothing about rabbits never owned one but i feel that i could give it a better life than the one it has now.
What i need to know is everything really!
He said that the rabbit is not a people rabbit, is this usuall or do you think it will become more friendly if it has love and attention.
Do they live well alone? or like guineapigs need a companion? ( another rabbit)
Although i would keep them seperate ( the piggies and rabbit) could they have floor time together or should they always be kept separate?
Please help me
Claire
 
The only thing i know is if it is a boy rabbit they are best alone and can have a good bond with their owner - good luck with everything i hope i works out. :)
 
poor rabbitt! I have two rabbits and have kept rabbits for some years.
You could have him as a house rabbitt, he would need a cage and you would need to watch your wires etc but there really is nothing like a house bunny, i had one and i miss her every day she was lovly!
OR you could keep the bunny outside in a big hutch run combo... you dont mention if the rabbit is male or female... with bunnys its best to have a nutered pair I have a husband and wife at the moment (nutered) and they LOVE each other dearly, i would strongly suggest a compainion.
Bunnys dont go well with piggies as they are so much bigger and the poor piggys get hurt alot, also they can spread bad bacteria amonst each other if housed together.
I would DEF tell your friend to give the buunny to a shelter if you cant have him/her as at the moment the rabbit will be depressed and lonly.
Here is a good bunny link
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/index.php
 
i sure the bun will be fine,he or she definantly needs a friend though,they need alot of room to play and shouldnt go near the piggies at all,diet is also different,they tend to get runny poo and thngs like that easier that piggies will from to many veges,id strongly suggest you get on Rabbits united and research more there and ring a couple of rescues as well as there is alot to learn,if you dont feel you are ready for lots of handling and difference to pgiggies i wouldnt take the bun as i feel they need alot more room to run ect goodluck x
 
Rabbits, especially when they aren't fixed can be extremely territorial. Even when a rabbit is fixed they are still protective of their homes - in this case, their hutches. If the bunn's owner is only going in to feed and water the rabbit each day then it's no wonder the rabbit is giving the impression that it's unfriendly. He is dealing with a frustrated rabbit with heaps of pent-up energy and then he's suddenly putting his hands into that rabbits personal space. Of COURSE the rabbit is going to give the impression that it's not a "people rabbit".

In guinea pig circles, it is strongly advertised that guinea pigs are social animals and the only number of pigs you shouldn't consider is one. With rabbits, it's the same. Rabbits are social creatures and seeing two bonded bunnies or having a bunny bonded to you to whom you can dedicate a lot of your time to is so much more enriching than having a bunny at the end of the garden - both to your life and the rabbits.

However, bunnies and guinea pigs don't speak the same language. They are completely different species and can be a danger to each other, especially when the rabbit may not understand a guinea pig and your pigs certainly won't understand the rabbit (this applies to your situation) While the new bunny might appreciate a companion, do some research and get in touch with a rabbit rescue that can help you through this -- and you WILL need to neuter him beforehand and have the doe/buck you want as a companion done also.

It sounds to me that, in light of the break up, he's just letting the rabbit survive as he feels "lumped on" with the bunny. There's no reason why you wouldn't be able to provide the rabbit with a more fulfilling home but if you do, as a lone bunny, might I suggest that you have him as a house bunny - he's surely had enough of being outside.

Some basic points about bunny ownership...
  • If they can get to it they'll try to eat it.
  • Spay and neuter bunnies to hold off (but not always cure) territorial behaviour. If it's a boy, neutering will curb spraying which is a pain in the...
  • They can be litter trained. Go to where the bunny wants to go, not where you want him to go.
  • Don't mix species. No pigs and bunnies together...
  • Be quiet and take your time. He'll come around.
  • The idea you have of rabbits is likely to be turned inside out after you've owned one. They aren't so much sweet fluffy types as the media portrays them to be but are as strong willed as a cat and can be as loyal and loving as a dog. If they don't like something they WILL let you know.
  • Don't be afraid of the rabbit.

have a look at this web site. It will be your bunny bible: www.houserabbit.org

Keep in mind there is a lot of controversy on bunny husbandry and whether people are killing their bunnies by feeding them veggies or not. Cross check everything.
 
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