Hello, How long do rabbits...

Question
Hello,

How long do rabbits live?

are they prone to any health problems?

do they enjoy being petted and sitting on a lap?

Can they get along with dogs?

How large of a cage would I need for a mini rex sized rabbit?

Can they be taken outside?

Do they enjoy human company?

Will it be ok living by itsself?... I don't have room for two.

Thank you for any help in advance.

Answer
Hello,

I'll answer your questions one by one:

<How long do rabbits live?>

It all depends on genetics, husbandry, and luck.  But a well cared for, spayed/neutered house rabbit can live 10 years or more.  

<are they prone to any health problems?>

Rabbits do have special needs that you have to be aware of.  Of greatest importance are intestinal and dental health, two problems often overlooked by dog/cat vets.  For this reason, you really do need to have a good vet who knows rabbit medicine.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You can learn how to tell if your bunny is sick here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

Because rabbits hide signs of illness until they are *really* sick, it is wise for you to become very attuned to his moods, appetite, etc.  A symptom as seeminly harmless as refusing a favorite treat or sleeping in a very unusual place in a hunched position can signal that something serious is wrong.  

<do they enjoy being petted and sitting on a lap?>

It depends on the individual.  This is why the best place to get a bunny is from your local rabbit rescuer, whom you can locate here:

www.rabbit.org (click on "chapters" to find the one in your area)

The rescuer knows the personalities of all the rescues:  which ones are shy, which ones are fierce, who likes to be held and cuddled, and who likes to be more independent.  A rescued rabbit from the House Rabbit Society will also be spayed/neutered, which will save you the expense and worry of having that done later.

If you buy a baby bunny from a pet store, you have no idea of the personality you're getting.  Plus, you're promoting rabbit breeding.  By adopting a rescue, you help stop the cruel cycle of rabbit breeding and overpopulation that results in thousands of rabbits being "dumped" and euthanized at shelters every year.

<Can they get along with dogs?>

Again, it depends on the individual rabbit and the individual dogs.  Different personalities may or may not get along.  Some rabbits have best friends who are dogs.  Your dog needs to be *very* well obedience trained, and very gentle.  If that's the case, then proceed to www.rabbit.org and use the search engine at the bottom of the page.  Type in "dog rabbit" as the keywords, and helpful articles on how to introduce dogs and rabbits will pop up.

<How large of a cage would I need for a mini rex sized rabbit?>

No rabbit should be confined to a cage smaller than 4' x 4' with enough room for him to stand up on his hind legs and stretch.  Our rabbits are never caged. But if you must have a pen, I'd recommend the excellent playpens from KW cages (www.kwcages.com) that can fold up when not in use.

<Can they be taken outside?>

If you have a fenced yard where the plants are non-toxic and have not been sprayed with pesticides or fertilizers, then a bunny will LOVE to go outside and play under your supervision.  Note that it takes only seconds for a predator to strike, however, so you should always be there to supervise and guard your bunny.

<Do they enjoy human company?>

Most do.  A very few don't.  It depends on the individual.  Again, this is a good reason to *adopt* a bunny instead of buying one from a pet store.  You can learn more about what to expect here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/firstrabbit.html

<Will it be ok living by itsself?... I don't have room for two.>

If you can provide LOTS of love and attention, then yes, one bunny can be happy alone.  However, if you're gone a lot, and the bunny will have a very small place to stay, then you might want to think twice about making this step.  If you get a KW corral, there's plenty of room in it for two bunnies, and two bunnies are *very* happy together.  They're actually less work than one, as one lonely bunny can become bored and destructive.  Food isn't all that expensive. You can read about a healthy diet here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/feeding.html

...which is *critical* to keeping your bunny healthy.  The number one cause of health problems in rabbits is poor diet and the wrong kind of commercial pellets.

I hope this helps you get started.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana