How to Purchase a Rabbit

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By rainlysa
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This is Snowball

If your thinking about purchasing a rabbit as your new pet, here are some things to consider before you go out and grab the first cutie that you see.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A cage 4 times the size of your bunny with no wire bottom
a bunny house or a cardboard box for hiding in when scared
a litter box and a bag of litter
a water bottle
a heavy ceramic dish one they can't flip over
bunny food and timothy hay
a chewing stick
nail clippers and hair brush
Toys like old telephone books, empty toilet or paper towel rolls

Step 1

First you have to be sure that you really want the responsibility of caring for a bunny and that your budget affords you their cost. Cute as they are they could be pretty messy at times and costly as well.
Step 2

Bunnies are not for small children under the age of at least ten, with parental supervision provided.
Step 3

You definitely want to research and learn about them as much as possible. Their ways are not that of your typical pet.
Step 4

I highly recommend your local animal shelter because they take the best care of animals and they usually give them their shots and spay or neuter them. A rabbit rescue is also highly recommended. I don't recommend your local pet store because they only sell for profit, therefore the animals health is not their top priority.
Step 5

If you have to go to a pet store, here's what you want to look for when choosing your bunny.
You want a bunny that isn't just cute but active and hopping around. A sleeping, tired looking bunny is probably sick.
Make sure their eyes don't have any discharge or eye boogies. Healthy bunnies have nice clean eyes.
Pick up your bunny (not by their ears) ouch! One hand under their belly and the other under their butt to support them well. Look at their butt it should be clean no poopy mess, if so they may have constipation or diarrhea.
Also look at their poop droppings it should be round hard little balls.
Their coat should be shiny and there shouldn't be any bald spots.
Check their nails be sure they're not twisted or bent into their toes. This happens when their nails aren't trimmed regularly.
Step 6

If you notice any of the above this is a sign of poor care. You don't wanna get any animals from these guys.
Step 7

Once you find your new pet bunny. Ask seller what type of rabbit is it, where it came from, age, sex, what's their return policy like and do they guarantee the bunnies health and if so for how long?
Step 8

This is Oreo

All steps considered, bunnies make great pets for anyone with the time, love and patience to give unconditionally. Happy bunny hunting!

Comments

jswana said

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on 10/29/2009 This is a wonderful article on how to purchae a rabbit and the signs to look out for. Now I know they're supposed to be cute (and they are, and furry) but they scare the dee-lights out of me. Maybe it's because their eyes are so big. Your advice is sound and I will pass along to my two nieces who happen to love them. jswana 5*