Right Type of Pet Rabbit: 8 Factors to Consider

Selecting the right type of pet rabbit is crucial. Taking care of bunnies is a long-time commitment. Many rabbits end up in rescue homes because they are not the perfect fit for their owners. Before you purchase a bunny, you must determine what kind of pet rabbit you mostly prefer. This blog post will teach you how to choose the perfect rabbit for your lifestyle. Enjoy reading!

#1: Care Needs of the Rabbit

When choosing the right type of pet rabbit, you must first consider your experience as a pet owner. Are you a new owner or an experienced one? It is because there are bunnies that require special care than others. Long-haired rabbits need experienced owners because of the grooming that they require.

The same is true for lop-eared rabbits. Their ears need special attention because they are more prone to ear mites. You also don’t want to have giant bunnies if you are a new owner. It is because they require twice the care an average size bunny needs. Giant breeds like Checkered Giants are more prone to sore hocks and spine injury.

As a first-time rabbit owner, choose a low-maintenance rabbits breeds. Some beginner bunnies are New Zealand rabbits, Mini Rex, Polish and Dutch. These breeds are known to be hardy and low-maintenance. They are also famous for their gentle personality, making it easy for them to get along with their owners.

#2: Temperament of the Rabbit

Another factor when selecting a suitable rabbit for your lifestyle is its behavior. Each bunny breed has its personality. Unfortunately, not all of them are friendly and docile. Some are aggressive due to the genes they inherited from their wild rabbit ancestors.

If you have children in your home, you want a sociable and friendly bunny. As much as possible, prevent getting Belgian Hares, Netherland Dwarves, and Lionheads. These bunnies are known for their feisty and aggressive behaviors. Harlequins, Jersey Woolys, and Mini Lops are good pets for kids because they are friendly. They also love being cuddled and petted.

Seniors, too

For seniors, there are laidback and easygoing pets you can take care of. Unlike other bunnies, they don’t require too much attention. As long as you are giving them their needs, you can easily win their trust. English Lops, American rabbits, and American Chinchillas are some of these.

Furthermore, there are also bunnies suitable for enthusiastic and active owners. Netherland Dwarves, Polish, and Dutch rabbits love to play and exercise outdoors. If you love outdoor activities, these bunnies are perfect for you. They can run and hop for hours. Letting them stay inside their hutches can make them bored and depressed.

#3: Living Space Available

Before you get a new bunny, you must consider the living space available. If you live in an apartment or a small house, the right type of pet rabbit is a dwarf or a small bunny. A dwarf bunny only requires an 18” by 24” cage. Small rabbits under 8 lbs should have at least a 24” by 36” hutch size. If you can’t provide an exercise area outdoors, you can let it roam freely inside your home. But ensure to make your house rabbit-proof to prevent rabbit injuries. 

If you have ample space, you can keep medium to giant rabbit breeds. Medium-sized bunnies require at least a 24” by 36” by 18” to 30” by 36” by 18” enclosure, depending on the size of the pet. On the other hand, giant breeds like Flemish Giants need a cage size of at least 24” by 30” by 48”. However, the bigger the space, the better.

Room to Move!

As we know, rabbits need at least four hours of exercise daily. Hence, you must provide them with a running space of at least 12 square feet. You can also attach an exercise space to their enclosure of at least 24 square feet. For those that don’t have enough space, leash walking your bunny can be a great physical activity. Watch this video to learn how to build a rabbit cage using wood and iron net.

#4: Purpose of the Rabbit

In choosing the suitable rabbit for your lifestyle, determine why you want a bunny. Rabbits have different features for various reasons. Do you need it for its meat or fur? Or do you want a bunny as a pet or a show rabbit? By answering these questions, you can select the rabbit breed you want.

Bunnies suitable for meat production include New Zealand, American Chinchillas, and Satin rabbits. These bunnies have commercial body types intended for producing high-quality meat. They also put on weight quickly, making them ideal meat rabbits for homesteaders. Meanwhile, Angora breeds such as English Angora and Satin Angora are bred for their furs. Rex and Silver Fox rabbits are also raised for fur production due to their high-quality coats. Some rabbit owners breed these rabbits to spin their bunnies’ wool or sell them.

Showable Breeds

To join rabbit shows, you must select breeds included in ARBA’s accepted breeds. They must also have show-quality features listed on the ARBA’s Standard of Perfection. Rabbits that are best for shows are Fuzzy Lops, Lionheads, Mini Lops, and Checkered Giants.

Meanwhile, some bunnies are developed as domesticated pets. They are calm and docile; thus, they can quickly get along with any owners. They are also hardy, low-maintenance, and friendly even to other rabbit companions. Examples of rabbit breeds that are suitable as pets are Tans, Mini Rex, Mini Lops, and Himalayans. 

#5: Lifespan of the Rabbit

Before getting a rabbit, consider how long you can commit to the pet. Can you take care of it as long as it lives or only for a short time? To select the right type of pet rabbit for you, consider the lifespan of the bunny. If you want to spend a lot of time with your pet, pick bunnies that can be your companion for a lifetime.

Although rabbits look vulnerable, their average lifespan is eight to twelve years. However, the oldest bunny that was recorded lived for 18 years and ten months. Some rabbits can live longer than other breeds. These are the Himalayans, Holland Lops, and Jersey Woolies. Lionheads, Mini Rex, Netherland Dwarves, and Polish can live for more than ten years.

Furthermore, larger breeds may live shorter than dwarf rabbits. Meanwhile, pure breeds have shorter lifespans than mixed breeds. But it may depend on how you take care of your pet. Giving them all their needs and a healthy environment can add years to their lives.

#6: Budget

Contrary to popular’s belief, rabbits have somewhat high upkeep costs. They have lower maintenance costs than dogs. But keeping them is more costly than cats. In fact, owners’ expenses on these furry pets range between $600 to $1,100 yearly. They must spend at least $85 a month on the bunny’s litter, pellets, hay, and vegetables. 

If you are wondering how much the initial cost of keeping a bunny is, it may range between $330 to $390. It includes the adoption fee, pen, litter box, and hay feeder. You also have to spend on the rabbit’s food dishes and nail clippers. Purchasing cord protectors and chair mats are necessary to make your home rabbit-proof. Below is a table showing the average cost of the rabbit per breed. It will help you determine the right type of pet rabbit suitable to your budget:

#7 Environment

In choosing the perfect rabbit for your lifestyle, consider the place where you are living in. Do you live in a rural or an urban area? Is the climate in your area too hot or too cold? Some rabbits cannot thrive in urban places because they are afraid of loud noises. One of these is the Belgian Hares. Although they are intelligent, loud noises can make them jumpy and nervous. 

Moreover, there are also rabbit breeds that can tolerate hot temperatures. If you live in a warm climate, the right type of pet rabbit for you includes Dutch, English Lop, Belgian Hare, and Satin. These bunnies have ears that can regulate their body temperature. They also have soft, short coats.

Cold Climate vs Hot

For owners living in areas with cold climates, choose hardy types of rabbit breeds. Some of these are New Zealand rabbits, Checkered Giants, and Dutch rabbits. French Lops and Silver Fox bunnies are also hardy types that can tolerate cold weather. Prevent getting Tans and Polish since they have thin bodies and furs.

If you have other household pets like dogs and cats, some rabbits can get along with them, such as Flemish Giants. Mini Lops, Himalayans, and Dutch rabbits are also friendly to other pets. However, ensure that your cats or dogs are not aggressive since they may hurt or injure your pet rabbit.

#8: Age of the Rabbit

Lastly, you should determine the age of the rabbit that you want to keep. Although you can train them early, baby rabbits can be a handful because they are full of energy. They are also more prone to accidents since they want to explore everything around them. But if you think you can handle its energy, then a baby bunny can be the right type of pet rabbit for you.

Teenagers

Rabbits that are three to six months old are in their adolescence. In this stage, they become sexually mature. Hence, spaying or neutering them is crucial since they become more territorial. Unspayed female rabbits also tend to lunge and growl at their owners. Once the bunnies turned into teenagers, they would become moody.

However, a young adult can be a more suitable rabbit for your lifestyle since it is active yet more cautious. You can also spend activities with them since middle-aged and old rabbits are less active. They are also more prone to sicknesses such as arthritis, limiting their movements. Instead of playing with you, they would rather stay and rest inside their hutches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I choose the right type of pet rabbit?

When choosing the right pet rabbit type, consider its care needs, living space, and purpose. You must also determine if the bunny can tolerate the environment in your home and how long its lifespan is. You must also choose a based on the temperament you want. Lastly, consider the price of the bunny and its upkeep costs.

What is the right type of pet rabbit for a beginner?

A hardy, docile, low-maintenance bunny is the right type of pet rabbit for a beginner. Bunnies like New Zealand rabbits, Polish, Dutch, and Mini Rex are suitable pets for new owners. These bunnies don’t require special care and are also not prone to specific diseases. Hence, they are perfect for starters.

Is it vital to select a fitting rabbit for your lifestyle?

Absolutely! Caring for a rabbit takes a long-time commitment. Hence, you must choose the perfect rabbit for your lifestyle. Your attention and time will affect how your bunny grows. Since rabbits have unique personalities, some breeds will surely suit you. If you are always busy, look for low-maintenance rabbits.

What is the right type of pet rabbit for a family with children?

The right type of pet rabbit for a family with children is a docile, friendly, and sociable bunny. Some great rabbit breeds for kids include Mini Lop, Himalayan, and Dutch. Mini Rex and Chinchilla can also quickly get along with children.

Conclusion

Determining the right type of pet rabbit is crucial before purchasing a bunny. You must consider several factors, including its care needs, living space, and lifespan. Furthermore, you must get a bunny you will love because of its personality. Hence, becoming its fur parent will be a satisfying and memorable experience.

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