I want to know more about having a pet rabbit?

Question

So I've decided on either an English Spot or Mini Rex rabbit. It is going to be in doors, but I'm not keeping it in a cage. I'm setting up a pen with a litterbox and hidebox. And the rabbit will be able to come out of the pen while I'm home supervising. So I want to know:

1) What's the best affordable thing to use as litter in the litterbox? No carefresh please or anything else that will end up costing a ton in the long run. I'm thinking something that's like cat litter but safe for rabbits?
2) What should I use as flooring for in the pen? I'd prefer something that I can just sweep because I don't wish to haul around the vacuum. Or any other suggestions on how I should clean the floor of the pen?
3) What's a good travel cage? I visit my family at least once a month (for up to 4 days at a time) and they live 40 minutes away. I'm going to have a pen set in the future up at their house also, but for now, I want a cage that can be carried easily and have room to make my rabbit feel comfortable (when I get her she'll only be about 9 weeks old- so not too big right?)
4) How often will I need to clip the toenails? And what's the best tool to use?
5) Do I need to do regular vet visits?
6) When will she need to be spayed?
7) And what are some good ideas for toys?

Ok I think that's it for now. I hope that's not too many. Thank you for answering. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about owning rabbits before I get one in 3 to 4 weeks.

Answer 1

1) Don't use pine or cedar shavings, the aroma can cause respiratory problems to rabbits over time. The best type of litter box filler to use is pelleted sawdust such as Feline Pine brand. It is very good at absorbing moisture and reducing odor. Other litter filler just doesn't work as well or isn't safe.



2) A good flooring would be cotton mats with a traction on the bottom, such as bath mats.



3) When we moved our rabbit around we just used a cat carrier, our rabbit always did fine in that. She fits in it nicely and it's fast and easy.



4) You could use a toenail clipper for dogs, you just have to be very careful not to cut into the quick of the nail (the pinkish part). This will cause a lot of pain, stress, and blood to your rabbit. If you ever plan to teach her to walk on a leash (wearing a harness), you could always walk her outside on the pavement, this will naturally wear down her nails. Our rabbit has never minded her harness, she doesn't need it at all in the house, but when the weather's nice we take her outside once in a while. If you don't feel comfortable cutting her nails, contact your local pet groomer, ours clips her nails for free. We do them about once a month or whenever they seem to need it.



5) Take her to the vet once you get her. Discuss the regularity of the visits with your vet, we take ours once a year.



6) If she is indoors she really doesn't need to be spayed, it is the responsible thing to do though, I would suggest consulting with your vet on that matter. We never got ours spayed though.



7) Our rabbit has little blocks of flavored wood to chew on, and a house she can jump on top of or go into. She was never that into toys... her favorite game is running around our feet trying to trip us.



Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Wood pellets make great litter and don't cost an arm and a leg. A 40 pound bag costs about $6 at a feed store. You can buy them as horse stall bedding or wood stove pellets. You don't need a lot, I use use enough to barely cover the bottom of the litter box.

You want something that is easy to clean and the rabbit won't want to chew. Foam puzzle mats are good, but some rabbits to like to chew them. Coroplast is also good, but you will have to cut it to the right size. If you use coroplast, then you will need a blanket or something to provide something soft and give some traction. Some people use rugs in the cage. You should have something easy to clean and that protects your floor as well as something soft that also provides traction.

A small cat carrier is best. Get a hard sided one as it is safer if there is an accident and can't be chewed through. A small one will be suitable for many breeds, but get one that is the right size for the rabbit you get. Put a blanket or something in the carrier so they don't slide around. You should also put some hay in the carrier, but don't put water in as it will spill. You will need a pen or cage when you get there as a carrier is not big enough to spend days in.

You should check the nails at least once a month and trim a needed. It is a good idea to trim once a month, but some need it more often. Cat nail trimmers will work. I like the scissor type that have a spring as it is easier for me to use, but you can use what works for you.

A yearly vet visit is a good idea. Rabbits are very good at hiding illness and a vet does know what to look for and has the tools to look properly. You will need to find a rabbit savvy vet as not all vets know how to properly care for rabbits.

She should be spayed. Intact females do have a high chance of getting reproductive cancers. Spaying also eliminates hormones that can make a rabbit territorial or even aggressive. Rabbits that are spayed or neutered make better pets.

Cat balls with bells, cardboard tubes, grass mats and other things make good toys. Since each rabbit has different preferences, you need to find what your rabbit likes and get more like that. Start with a a bell ball, grass mat and willow ball or ring. See how your rabbit interacts with them and buy more of the type she likes. Cat tunnels are also good.

Answer 3

1.) anything that is absorbant and nontoxic. Wood pellets are good, as are compressed paper pellets. You can also buy knock-off brands of bedding like carefresh at petco. If you're really tight on money you can even use old newspapers. You also want to put a handfull of hay on top of whatever litter you use since rabbits like to nibble while they do their business.



2.) if you've got tile you don't really need anything on the bottom. I it's carpet or hardwood you can use one of those plastic chair mats from office depot then put fleece or old towels down since rabbits like to dig.



3.) I just use a small/medium dog/cat carrier when I have to take mine somewhere. I just attatch his water bottle to the wire door and line the bottom with hay.



4.) about once a month is fine. If you start young they'll become accustomed to it. You van use small size dog or cat nail clippers. Or just take her to the vet. It's usually around $10 for a nail trim and much easier to let them do it!



5.) I take mine in once a year for vaccines and a checkup. Rabbits don't really show pain do it's good to have them checked out.



6.) yes. Not only will she be friendlier and less territorial, she can't get uterine or ovarian cancer... Female rabbits are highly susceptable to both. Get her spayed between four and six months.



7.) in my rabbits cage I have: a kabob toy with wood chews, loofa chews, salt and mineral wheels, and applewood sticks with a bell on the bottom; a toilet paper tube; a grass mat; a wooden hideout (for privacy); a woven grass ball; and a dangley willow cube filled with treats. I also give him old newspapers and phonebooks to shred.