Buying a Rabbit as a Pet

Before I got our first rabbit, it was to say the least, the dumbest thing I'd ever done. There was no research done on how to care for one, cost evaluation on how much this and that would add up to, and definitely not about the mess that would follow. Now more than a year into caring for it I can quite confidently say, that I now know a lot about caring for bunnies to help out anyone, or be prepared for pretty much any situation my pet rabbit throws at me.

Recently we were weighed down by the birth of four baby bunnies, proving that taking care of a litter was no joke. It takes a lot of commitment, patience and money-planning to be able to make a conscious decision about caring for pretty much any pet, including a rabbit.

The cost of a rabbit can differ in places where they sell them, where buying it directly from those who breed rabbits is the best option. Store owners hike up their prices from what the actual cost, making a profit as they quote their exorbitant prices. I got my rabbit for approx 8 dollars where this can change depending on how rare a breed the rabbit is, maybe even the color it is, who you buy it from and how well taken care of it was before you bought it.

You can buy them in pairs, making sure they're the same age to avoid one from dominating the other and possibly harming each other. Males and females are best kept together, since the opposite sexes can be difficult to handle. In some cases you may be lucky enough to find gentle and well-mannered bunnies, in which case you should see how they get along and then decide on whether to keep them both or not.

Let's take a look at the criteria involved when it comes to taking care of a rabbit. Check out the following list of questions and find out if you can make it through the questionnaire with a maximum number of yeses.

• Are you aware that rabbits are fragile animals and need to be handled with utmost care?
• Have you done your research on how to care for a rabbit and what to do if you spot a change in its behavior/eating habits/health?
• Would you keep a calm head on your shoulders if your rabbit were to rip a tear into a cushion or sofa cover?

• Can you handle the idea of taking care of a litter since this is a situation that is unavoidable if you decide to keep a male and female bunny? (unless you neuter them of course)
• Are you willing to live in a space that is bound to be littered with rabbit waste?

• Are you willing to make frequent trips to the veterinarian for shots and other medication?
• Are you aware that having small kids around is unsafe when it comes to handling a rabbit?
• Are you willing to spend close to $150 initially to put together the rabbit's food, feed, chew toys and hutch/cage?

• Do you have a planned budget of spending at least $50 a month on rabbit food and feed thereafter?
• Do you have another pet at home like a cat or dog? If yes, then do you know how to get the two to live peacefully together?
• Are you fully aware of how to keep a track of its eating habits and how to handle food reactions to certain eats?

• Have you ever taken care of another pet before this one?
• Do you have neighbors or friends that you can trust to take care of your rabbit when you're away from home?

Taking care of a rabbit is not easy at first, but then again taking care of any pet is no walk in the park. Be sure to be prepared and equipped with knowledge on how to care for one and about the cost involved when buying a rabbit as a pet. Over time you'll get accustomed to it and form a bond with your bunny, where costs won't matter and caring for it will come easy to you.