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So you have decided to get a pet rabbit. Do you
know what to look for when choosing one? You may want to do a little
homework before bringing any particular bunny home or you could end
up with a pet that does not fit your expectations. A healthy and
properly cared for domesticated rabbit can have a lifespan of
roughly 7-12 years, so you will want to make sure you (and your
family) are a good fit for the bunny you choose. Below are some
factors to consider when picking out one of these lovable critters.
Size
Decide first whether you want your pet large or small. Some breeds
of bunnies get quite big and might not be right for where you are
going to keep them at home. You can choose from the tiny ones that
weigh only 2 to 4 pounds all the way up to the 9 pounds and over
varieties. Determine how much room the animal will have to move
around in and then match the rabbit to fit the space.
Behavior
Each Pet Rabbit has its own personality. However, the breed of the
bunny also influences its general behavior. So look at the
characteristics of each type of rabbit to see what behavioral
tendencies are associated with that breed. If you want one that is
relaxed and more laid back look for one that is bred naturally to
have this trait. The Jersey wooly is an example. Now if you want one
that is a bit more curious, the Holland lops might make a good
choice. Are you experienced with having pets and want a bunny that
is excitable? The Netherland dwarf may be right-up-your-alley.
Type of Fur
What does the type of fur have to do which what type of bunny you
choose? It impacts how much physical grooming you have to do. If you
do not mind spending time taking care of your then the length of fur
will not matter to you. However, if you want to do less maintenance
on the coat, then look for the shorter-haired ones to own.
There are four kinds of fur for these animals. Normal fur is what
most of the rabbits have. It is short, soft and can hold its shape
as the animals are being petted. The Rex type of fur is very velvety
and soft to the touch and only on a small number of breeds. The
flyback fur is a short fur that bounces right back after being
rubbed towards the shoulder from the rump. Now the rollback just
falls back in place gently after being petted on backwards. Now the
wool breeds have hairs that are a few inches in length. These breeds
will take the most grooming.
Body Type
Now along with the tips above for choosing your Pet Rabbit, remember
that the body shapes vary between bunny breeds too. You have the
semi-arched as in the Flemish Giant, compact version like the
Holland lops, full-arch variety as in the Britannia petite, and the
commercial versions such as the Giant Angora.
Now that you know what to look for when choosing your Pet Rabbit you
will be able to pick the perfect one out for you. These are fun
animals to have at your house whether inside or out. As with any pet
they are a responsibility and need love and care, but they are worth
it all.
You need to take into
account the following factors with most any type or breed of rabbit.
Eating Habits
Having a rabbit can sometimes a little challenging for new pet
owners because bunnies prefer eating only certain foods. This can
sometimes be confusing since they seem to chew up everything in
sight when they are first bought into a new environment but they are
not eating everything they see; just gnawing on kinda like a dog
does with a bone.
Consider a Rabbit's Natural Actions
This is an important factor to take into account especially if you
have kids. While they can get use to it, rabbits don't typically
like it when someone tries to hold or touch them. Rabbits can have a tendency to scratch, bite or even kick, trying to
free or protect themselves from people. So if you are looking for a
pet for small kids to play with, this might not be the best option.
It may harm your children due to its lack of social nature.
Rabbits Can Take Longer Than Other Pets To Adapt To
a New Environment
A bunny can take more time to adapt you and your
family than other pet do. So you will need a lot of patience to take
your relationships with your pet to the best level. Therefore a
rabbit may not be the most suitable option for kids (or grow ups)
who are impatient about
everything.
Rabbits Can Be Destructive
A bunny can be very destructive, especially inside the home. They
tend to chew everything they see. So you will need to always keep
them under supervision and to take away all the inappropriate things
away, which will cause you some inconvenience at home. For example,
this pet may chew up your cable and electrical cords if you do not
keep them away from such items.
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