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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 -
A rabbit can live 7 to 10 years.

You might want to go to www.rabbit.org in the health section, usually they aren't prone to health issues, but there are many that potentially could occur.

Practically all enjoy being petted, sitting on your lap depends on the individual rabbit.  Some will only let you pet them while you are sitting on the floor.

Many get along with dogs, as long as the dog is taught not to chase them when they run.

I have a minirex in a 2x3 cage, that would be the minimum space one would need.

You can take them outside, but you would need to protect them from predators (dogs, cats, hawks) and from lawns sprayed with pesticides.

They do enjoy human company, rabbits are very social.

And yes, as long as you interact with the bunny each day, one is fine.

Kim



Thank you for your help, I wil be getting a mini rex from a pet-store later today, I have the cage, water bottle, food dish, hiding house and litter pan....... other then food what else do I need?
Answer -
When you get food, get plain pellets, don't get any with treats mixed in.  The plain pellets are best.

And get hay, if the rabbit is a baby alfalfa hay would be best.

Then you might check this out to make sure of the quantities of food you are feeding him or her - http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html.

Good luck.

Kim




Hello again and thanks for your help, I will only be getting him/her tomarrow and have more questions....

They have two min rexes in now and I am wondering how do I know which has a good temper, also the cage I have now is tiny(1x2 feet) would this work for three weeks? Also is hagen or kaytee a better brand of food? kaytee has came out with an all timothy diet... would this be better?

Once I bring him home and put him in his cage do I just leave him there? how long before can hold him and let him run around my bunny-proofed bed room?

When will be old enoguh to spay/neuter? when will he be full grown? will he be about the size of a holland lop?

Also how do I tame him? how long will it take and how many hours a day will I have to put into taming him?

Thank you for any advice in advance.

Answer
Which one looks healthy with bright eyes and no nasal discharge and comes up to see you when you come over?  That's the one I would pick.

If the rabbit is small now, that cage will work for a month or so.  I have no experience with Hagen, but as long as the pellets have no treats mixed in, either will work.  If the rabbit is young, don't go with the all-timothy diet, young rabbits need alfalfa until they are about a year old.  Then you could switch if you wanted.

Read the link I sent you about what to expect in the first 2 weeks, you'll want to do some littertraining before you let him run around.

If it is male, you can neuter him as soon as his testicles appear, at about 4 months of age.  If female, wait til about 6 months.  They hit full growth at 9-12 months.  If he is really a minirex, his maximum weight should be 4 pounds, which is the same as a Holland Lop.

And you don't tame rabbits, you get them to let you pet them, and possibly hold them, and take treats from you, but you'll find the rabbit is training you more than you are training him.  A good list to be on is Etherbun, they help out a lot of new rabbit owners, if you have any questions.

Kim