| So you have decided to purchase a pet rabbit, | | | | Your Time Investment |
| and now you are wondering how do I pick out | | | | |
| the right one? | | | | A lot of people seem to think that because |
| | | | rabbits are relatively small and spend a good |
| Well, aside from appearance, there are a | | | | deal of time in their cages that they're easy |
| number of important considerations that you | | | | to take care of. Well, that may be true in |
| will have to make when you pick out your pet | | | | some sense, but it's foolish to bring home a |
| bunny rabbit at the local pet store or other | | | | rabbit thinking that it's not going to be |
| venue. This is important both to ensure that | | | | much of a time commitment. If you are not |
| you choose a healthy pet rabbit, and to make | | | | willing to spend time with your pet rabbit, |
| sure that you and he are compatible! | | | | then you probably should not get him. This, |
| | | | of course, applies to all pet animals! |
| Now I'll explain what you'll need to think | | | | |
| about before heading out to buy your pet | | | | Well, here's what to expect. You should |
| rabbit, and what to look for when you're | | | | ensure that you have plenty of time for all |
| actually selecting an animal from a local | | | | the initial and intermediate stages of pet |
| breeder, adoption center or pet store. | | | | care, which include: |
| | | | |
| Housing: Do You Have Enough Space for a Pet | | | | - Rabbit-proofing your house to make sure the |
| Rabbit? | | | | little guy won't get hurt |
| | | | |
| When it comes to tame pet bunny rabbits, they | | | | - Litter box training |
| do much better indoors than outdoors. Living | | | | |
| indoors will ensure that your pet bunny | | | | - Cleaning up after the inevitable accidents |
| rabbit stays healthy and safe and gets to | | | | |
| know the members of your family. Rabbits kept | | | | - Spaying/neutering |
| in outdoor cages are at risk of being | | | | |
| threatened by other animals; foxes, dogs, and | | | | You will also need to devote a good deal of |
| raccoons have been known to open cage doors. | | | | time to your rabbit well after you bring him |
| | | | home for the first time. You must: |
| Therefore, before you decide to bring home a | | | | |
| pet rabbit, make sure that you have plenty of | | | | - Give him exercise (at least a few hours per |
| space inside your house for your new animal | | | | day out of the cage) |
| friend. For most rabbits, plan on buying a | | | | |
| cage that is either 30 inches square, or 2 | | | | - Give him attention (just like any pet or |
| feet by 3 feet. You will also need to make | | | | child, rabbits need to feel love!) |
| sure that you have enough room inside your | | | | |
| home to fit a cage of this size. If you don't | | | | - Buy and provide rabbit toys |
| have space for a cage, you will not be able | | | | |
| to provide a rabbit with an adequate living | | | | - Administer feedings |
| situation. | | | | |
| | | | - Take him to the vet if necessary and for |
| Keep in mind that the cage should not just be | | | | check-ups |
| placed in any old spot, but should put | | | | |
| somewhere where the rabbit can feel connected | | | | Above all, just keep in mind that bringing |
| and close to the family. At the same time, | | | | home a new pet bunny rabbit is not so |
| the rabbit cage should be away from heaters, | | | | different from bringing home a new infant. |
| air conditions, loud objects like TVs or | | | | You will need to spend adequate time |
| radios, and not in direct sunlight. Since you | | | | preparing for the arrival, as well as |
| will be letting your rabbit out of his cage | | | | adjusting to life with the newcomer. Setting |
| for exercise, you will also need to put the | | | | aside time for all these necessities will |
| cage in an area that can be bunny-proofed. | | | | make for a happy, comfortable situation for |
| (more on that later...) | | | | everyone involved. |
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