Q&A for How to Buy a Rabbit

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Question

What rabbits make the best pets?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Almost any rabbit that is socialized to humans can make a good pet. Rabbits are good pets as long as they are provided the right housing.

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Question

Will the bunny get scared when I'm not home?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Rabbits spend their time eating and sleeping. As long as the rabbit has a shelter to hide in, this is like a wild rabbit going down a burrow, and she is unlikely to be scared when you aren't there. However, rabbits can get bored, so make her hutch and run an interesting place for her to be by providing interactive toys and activities. Simple things, like hiding small amounts of food under upturned flower pots, can encourage foraging behavior and provide mental stimulation. Likewise, stuff cardboard tubes (such as toilet roll inner) with hay so the rabbit gets the double interest of chewing the cardboard to get to the hay. You could even try putting dry food in a puzzle feeder.

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Question

How can I help my rabbit stop stressing out?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Rabbits are prey animals, and stress is a default position if they feel anxious or unsafe. Key to reducing stress is to build their self-confidence and help them feel safe. Start with basics, such as siting the hutch in a quiet corner, well away from other pets and a noisy TV. Make sure the rabbit has a shelter where she can hide, and that part of the hutch is covered so she has a dark area to escape to when fearful. Rather than pick her up if she is frightened, gently encourage her to come to you with food treats. Be patient, because it could take weeks or months. Once she learns she's safe, then she'll stop stressing.

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Question

How do I figure out whether a breeder is a good one or not?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Do some research online, including rabbit forums, and ask around locally about the breeder's reputation. Do they have a website? If so, look for testimonials and photos that indicate the rabbits are well cared for. Turn up at the breeder's premises unexpectedly and ask to have a look around. Do the facilities look clean and the rabbits well cared for? Ask for the contact details of people who have purchased rabbits from and chat to them about their experiences with that breeder. Also, a good breeder will have as many questions to ask you as you have of them, because they want their rabbits to go to good, loving homes.

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Question

How much money does a rabbit cost from a pet shop?

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.

Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It ranges, from free to a couple hundred dollars. A standard ballpark is $10 to $30.

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