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Choosing a Pet Rabbit: Caring for a Rabbit
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Before choosing a pet rabbit, potential owners should consider whether a rabbit is a suitable pet for their home environment and lifestyle. While pet rabbits do require less attention than other common housepets, many pet buyers mistakenly believe that rabbits are a hands-off, low maintenance pet. When choosing a pet rabbit, potential owners should take into consideration the basic needs of rabbits, like daily interaction and exercise with their owners, a large cage (if the rabbit will not be housed indoors), a diet of roughage and rabbit pellets, chew toys and adequate shelter and protection from their many predators.
Choosing a Pet Rabbit: Selecting the Right Breed
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Potential pet rabbit owners might be surprised to learn how many rabbit breeds are sold as pets, and there can be a great deal of variance is size, temperament and coat maintenance from breed to breed.
To make an informed decision about which breed is right for each owner, potential pet rabbit owners should first understand the different size categories for rabbits. Pet rabbits are classified as tiny (2-4 pounds), small (3 to 5 pounds), medium (4 to 7 pounds), large (6 to 10 pounds), and giant (9 pounds and over). Popular breeds in each size category include the tiny Netherland Dwarf, the small Holland Lop, the medium Mini Lop, the large Californian and the giant Satin.
When choosing a pet rabbit, potential owners should also consider the basic temperaments associated with each breed, either relaxed, curious or excitable. Excitable breeds like the Netherland Dwarf often require more exercise and interaction than other breeds, while the relaxed breeds like the Californian and Flemish Giant, are generally calm-natured and seldom prone to biting. Curious breeds like Holland Lops are investigative and have an equal balance of both calm and excited moments.
Another consideration when choosing a pet rabbit is the coat type of each pet rabbit breed, as more care is required the longer the coat. Rex fur is short and feels like velvet and is the most rare type of fur coat in pet rabbits, while Flyback coats, as seen on Dutch and Californian breeds, are the most common. Rollback coats are seen on Flemish Giants, Netherland Dwarfs and Holland Lops, while the several inch long wool coats are seen on Angora breeds and the Jersey Wooly.
Choosing a Pet Rabbit: What to Look For
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Once a breed has been decided upon and the potential rabbit owner heads out to the breeder, pet store or rabbit rescue facility to choose his pet rabbit, there are several things to look for to ensure he is getting a healthy rabbit. The rabbit should be neither overweight nor underweight and its coat should appear full and healthy with no bald spots. The eyes, ears and nose should be free of discharge, with the ear interior appearing pink in color and the eyes bright in appearance. Rabbit teeth should be aligned correctly and not overgrown, and the animal's breathing should be quiet and unlabored. Rabbits should be observed in their surroundings to ensure they move without difficulty and do not suffer from any physical infirmities and should react calmly when petted.
eHow Article: Choosing a Pet Rabbit
