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[little_lotte89]

kay well i just joined. i actually don't have a bunny :( but i've wanted one for almost 2 years, my mom says i can have one, assuming i take full responability etc and it lives in a hutch outside. well i was willing to do so. but i don't want to live outside. i really want it to stay inside. in my bedroom. i was searching things on the internet

Comments

[blackthorn45]

Well, why does she want the rabbit to be outside? Because of smell? Spayed/neutered rabbits that are kept in clean conditions have no odor whatsoever. Noise? Rabbits don't bark, whine, or meow. Mess? Rabbits can easily be littertrained and are very neat animals, the exception being that hay does tend to scatter.

www.rabbit.org has good resources. Also, my personal site, http://www.petinfopackets.com/rabbits/rabbitinfopacket.html

A bunny outdoors risk heat stroke, freezing to death, dying of respiratory complications, etc. They are very susceptible to drafts and heat. Also, many, many people lose their rabbits to attacks from wild animals or domestic ones (dogs, cats). Plus, you run the risk of someone hurting or stealing your rabbit - vandalism is a risk here, too.

Rabbits inside are healthier, live longer, and are MUCH more friendly. Think about it. A rabbit inside is with you when you do your chores, when you do your homework, when you get dressed, even when you're not actively paying attention to it. A rabbit outside is typically only interacted with for short periods of time, and the rest consigned to utter boredom. Many outdoor rabbits become depressed and/or socially retarded, and certainly less friendly.

It is possible to keep a rabbit outdoors and have it be healthy, happy, and safe, but it requires a *lot* of effort to do so. It's a lot easier to keep a bunny indoors where it's safe, warm, and with you all the time. If you can't convince your mom, but still want a rabbit, get two so they can at least have each other for company. Make sure their housing is weather safe and predator proof, and that you spend as much time with them as possible and they have plenty of toys.

I do have to ask, though, if "full responsibility" means you can handle potential vet bills, including the costs of spay/neuter and yearly health checks. Bunnies aren't cheap pets, their dietary needs alone can rack up the expenses.

If you do get bunnies, please look into adopting rather than purchasing from a pet store. There are many, many homeless bunnies needing homes in shelters and rescues. Many are already neutered before they go home, and the rescues can tell you a lot more about their personalities and help you choose one that will work with your expectatiions. :) Plus there's health guarantees and a support system you won't get with a pet store. Try petfinder.com and your local animal shelters, also places like craigslist.

[little_lotte89]

thanks :)
i think it's because of the smell, we have two cats -one who would be terrified to go near it- but she want's an excuse to put my other cat up for adoption... so i could give her that excuse

[blackthorn45]

Getting a bunny would give her an excuse to get rid of your cat? Wow, that really sucks. :( I would say grit your teeth, love your kitties, and get a bunny when you're out of the house and on your own and don't have to worry about that kind of thing.

Best luck!

[little_lotte89]

well i love my kitty, but he isn't a great cat to have, with other pets.. like he likes to 'beat up' my other cat, who my mom likes more cuz we had him first. and he needs more 'i'm the only cat here' kind of attention, which is why she wants to get rid of him but i am the only one in my house who is remotely attached, though i can fully understand why she feels the way she does.