Rabbits are very sweet animals that can make fun and adorable pets. Despite their drooping ears, puffy nose, and adorable face, rabbits require a high level of care. By making wise decisions about buying and caring for your rabbit, you can keep your rabbit happy and live a long life.
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Part 1 of 2: Buying a Rabbit
Step 1. Don't buy rabbits from pet stores
Rabbits sold in pet shops may have been sourced from mass-breeding centers which may tend to focus on profit-making (perhaps the mass-farmers may not provide a healthy environment for raising and raising animals). In addition, small rabbits sold in pet stores tend to be prone to digestive problems caused by the stresses of living in a pet store, as well as significant changes in diet.
When you visit a pet store, ask the staff about the origin of the rabbits being sold. Reconsider buying rabbits from a pet store if you can't be sure whether the rabbits came from a trusted breeder, wild animal shelter, or rabbit rescue center
Step 2. Purchase a rabbit from an animal shelter or animal rescue group
Compared to those who work in pet stores, those who work in shelter centers or animal rescue groups are likely to have more in-depth knowledge of rabbit care. In addition, the rabbits sold at these centers are relatively healthier and more sociable than the rabbits sold in pet stores.
- Visit a shelter or animal rescue group first before you buy a rabbit. Ask a few questions about how the shelter or rescue group takes care of rabbits, how to determine whether a particular rabbit can be sold or adopted, the process for adopting or buying rabbits, and the post-adoption care services that the shelter or rescue group may provide.
- Animal shelters and animal rescue groups often work together to find the right 'home' for the rabbits.
- Visit sites such as https://www.tokokelinci.com/ and https://www.roemahkelinci.com/, or forums (e.g. Kaskus) to find out about trusted shelter centers, rabbit rescue groups, or breeders in your city.
- You can also look for rabbits through private rabbit dealers.
Step 3. Purchase rabbits from trusted cultivators
Another option you can consider is buying rabbits from a rabbit breeder. However, be aware that not all breeders provide proper care for their existing rabbits or understand proper rabbit breeding procedures. Unfortunately, there are some cultivators who just want to make a profit, and do not focus on proper care and procedures for raising rabbits.
- To find a trusted breeder, try asking a specialized veterinarian or a trusted friend who also keeps rabbits for recommendations. You can also visit the rabbit show to find out about the trusted cultivators in your city.
- When you visit cultivators, pay close attention to the existing cultivation facilities. Make sure the place is clean and well maintained, and that the rabbits are healthy and happy.
- Ask the farmer about the cultivation process he follows, and ask for existing rabbit breeding and genetic records.
- Trusted breeders should be able to provide you with references to people who have previously purchased rabbits from them. In addition, he should also know or have a good relationship with one of the veterinarians in your city.
- If you are interested in buying rabbits from one of the breeders, make sure they provide a written health guarantee. Also make sure you are given time to read and understand the written warranty carefully before making a rabbit purchase.
Step 4. Check the rabbit for signs of disease
Even if the rabbits at a trusted shelter, animal rescue group, or breeder are relatively healthy, it's a good idea to keep your rabbit checked for signs of illness. For example, if the rabbit has a runny nose or the rabbit seems to be having trouble breathing, the rabbit may have a respiratory infection. If the rabbit tilts its head, there is a good chance that the rabbit has an inner ear infection.
- If you don't know exactly how to check your rabbit's physical condition, ask the breeder, animal shelter or veterinarian to provide you with a guide on how to check your rabbit's physical condition. They can help you understand the signs of a healthy or sick rabbit.
- If an existing rabbit looks sick, ask what kind of treatment it will be given to it, and if it can be purchased or adopted after treatment.
Step 5. Buy a rabbit of the right age
Rabbits should not be purchased or adopted until they are approximately eight weeks old. At this age, the rabbit is completely weaned from its mother and can eat solid food. What you need to remember is, wherever you buy rabbits, make sure the seller does not sell rabbits that are younger than eight weeks because this is not in accordance with ethical rabbit farming practices.
Step 6. Try buying more than one rabbit
Rabbits are social animals and will feel very lonely without friends. However, it's not as simple as buying two or more rabbits. Keep in mind that rabbits are very picky when it comes to keeping other rabbits in the cage, so you may need to keep several rabbits.
- It is recommended that you keep rabbits in pairs (male and female), although you can also keep rabbits of the same sex.
- Make sure you neutralize any rabbits you will be raising before placing them in the cage. Rabbits that have not been neutralized may exhibit aggressive behavior towards other rabbits, as well as destructive biting habits. Both things can be caused by sexual frustration experienced.
- It's a good idea to take the time and prepare a special area to introduce the two rabbits that will be kept. Animal shelters sometimes provide a separate space where the rabbits can interact with each other. This can help you determine which pair of rabbits you are familiar with and can keep.
Step 7. Buy basic equipment
Rabbits need some basic equipment in order to live a happy and healthy life in your home. For example, you may need to set up or purchase a large kennel with several floors or levels (can be purchased at your nearest pet store). In addition, you will also need to provide food bowls, drinking water bottles, a litter box with suitable litter or material, and lots of toys to nibble on.
- You will also need to purchase bedding (eg aspen chips, paper, or straw) to line the bottom of the cage.
- Small shovels and disinfectant products are also useful when you want to clean the cage.
- Rabbits also need a “nest” box so they can sleep and rest in it.
- In addition to buying fresh vegetables from the store, you will also need to buy pellets and fresh dried grass from the pet store as food for your rabbit.
- The staff at the pet store you visit can also help you select all the supplies you need for your rabbit.
Part 2 of 2: Making the Decision to Buy a Rabbit
Step 1. Calculate the cost of raising rabbits
The initial and long-term costs of rabbit care can increase rapidly. The initial cost of maintenance can range from 3-4 million rupiah, while the long-term cost can reach almost or around 10 million rupiah per year, and does not include the cost of treatment or visits to the veterinarian. Therefore, before you buy a rabbit, first analyze the funds you have to see if you can easily pay for maintenance.
- The initial cost of care includes the cost of buying a cage, food bowl, electrical cord protector (keep in mind that rabbits like to bite things), a litter box, and toys.
- Continuing costs include the cost of purchasing fresh vegetables, dry grass, and litter.
- Incidental costs include the cost of a visit or treatment to the vet, as well as replacement of items or toys. can increase the cost of care.
Step 2. Find out if you can spend enough time caring for the rabbit
Raising and caring for rabbits can take a lot of time. For example, you may need to feed your rabbit twice a day, clean the cage once a day, and do a thorough cage cleaning once a week. In addition, you also need to give your rabbit a daily mental boost (eg give him a toy to bite or play time).
- Your rabbit needs at least an hour each day to play outside of its cage (eg in a fenced area or in a room that is safe for your rabbit).
- A healthy rabbit can live up to 10 years. Therefore, consider whether you are ready to commit 10 years to caring for your pet rabbit.
Step 3. Learn about the rabbit's temperament
Like other animals, rabbits also have different personalities and temperaments. Some rabbits love to be picked up or carried, while others will rebel when picked up (to the point of injuring themselves trying to escape). There are also rabbits who like to be touched or petted, while other rabbits do not really want interaction with humans.
- By paying attention to the rabbit's temperament and personality, you can consider whether keeping a rabbit is the right decision for you personally.
- Rabbits' personalities are often influenced by the way they are introduced or encouraged to socialize with people.
- If you have young children, rabbits may not be the right pet choice because children don't really understand that rabbits don't always like to be picked up and cuddled.
Step 4. Decide what kind of rabbit you want to keep
In the United States, there are about 50 known types of rabbits. In Indonesia itself, there are several types of rabbits that are well known among the public (eg Angora rabbit, Lop rabbit, or Dutch rabbit). Although it may sound difficult to find out about all the types of rabbits available, it can help you in choosing a rabbit. It's important to know that there are certain types of rabbits that are suitable as pets (in this case, domestic rabbits), while other types of rabbits are more suitable for breeding or racing.
- Some types of rabbits that are quite popular, among them, are Lionhead rabbits, English lop rabbits, and Dutch rabbits.
- Sites such as Satwapedia or Fauna World can be a great source of information to find out which types of rabbits are best known.
- Try talking to rabbit owners, specialized veterinarians, or rabbit breeders for additional guidance on choosing a rabbit breed.
Step 5. Determine the age of the rabbit you want to keep
As adorable as they are, bunny puppies love to nibble on just about anything. This habit can strengthen the jaw muscles, as well as help the rabbit recognize its environment. However, if not supervised, these habits can damage the objects around them. In addition, the rabbits also do not like to be picked up or held for too long. If you hold him for too long, his approach to you will take longer.
- The 'teenage' rabbit (about three months old) is very energetic and gets bored easily. If you want to keep a 'teen' rabbit, make sure there are enough toys and time that you can spare to keep the rabbit entertained.
- Adult rabbits are easier to carry (and will struggle less), as long as they are neutralized. In addition, adult rabbits are also suitable to keep if you have small children.
Step 6. Decide on the gender of the rabbit you want to keep-whether male or female
When not neutralized, female rabbits tend to get angry easily, while male rabbits tend to be aggressive. While the choice is yours, it's actually more important to ensure that your rabbit is neutralized before you buy it than to determine the sex of the rabbit you want to keep.
Step 7. Find out if anyone in your family is allergic to rabbits
There are some people who are allergic to rabbits, or to dry grass that is used as food for rabbits. An allergist or specialist can help you find out if you or another family member has an allergy to rabbit or hay.
- If it's been proven that you or a member of your family has allergies, it's a good idea to find another animal to be a pet.
- Abroad (eg in the United States), one of the reasons some rabbits end up in animal shelters is because the owner (or family member of the owner) has an allergy to rabbits or dry grass. In Indonesia itself, rabbits are generally kept outdoors so that if the owner or family member of the owner has allergies, they will not interact directly with rabbits in the house. By first finding out if you or a family member has an allergy to rabbits, you won't have to go through difficult emotional times when you are forced to leave or give your pet rabbit to an animal shelter or animal rescue group, or even just let it go. wild nature.
Tips
- Rabbits are one of the most common pets sent to animal shelters. Therefore, find out first to see if you are willing and able to care for a rabbit before buying and raising one.
- It is recommended to keep rabbits indoors rather than outdoors. Rabbits kept outdoors tend to receive less mental stimulation and are more likely to encounter predators.
- Rabbits are generally not a suitable pet for young children because rabbits generally don't like being hugged or touched, and are easily distressed by sudden noises or movements.
- Rabbits need to be neutralized when they reach three and a half months to six months. Usually, the male rabbit should be neutralized when his testicles begin to emerge and develop.
- Neutralization can prevent or reduce your rabbit's chances of area marking, displaying aggressive behavior and a tendency to nibble on items.
Warning
- The biting behavior or habits exhibited by rabbits can damage nearby items. Therefore, provide lots of toys for your rabbit to nibble on, and replace them regularly.
- When trying to escape while being held or cuddled, rabbits can (accidentally) injure themselves and, even, bite people.
