When your purchasing a bunny, theres a lot of things that need to be looked at, and looked for. Heres a complete list with what traits, and characteristics your bunny should have.
When you get a bunny, it should be decided as a family, or a group if you live with more than one person, you want to make sure everybody is okay with the new furry friend, and the idea of a rabbit before purchasing it, then having to bring it back. I suggest having a group/ family talk over what traits you would like in your new family friend. (I.e* Baby/ Adult, black/white, etc)
When you've decided on personality/ breeding traits, it's time to look for a specific breed, or a couple of specific breeds.
I highly suggest the Mini lop, French lop, Dutch, holland lop, lionhead, and the harlequin. Al lof these breeds have had wonderful personality traits, and are great companions.
A breed I do NOT reccommend is the Netherland Dwarf. Despite what the pet store may say, never get a netherland, they often turn aggressive when their older, and tend to attack, and lunge at humans, and other rabbits. This breed, may be calle a "Dwarf" But they don't stay small forever. Don't get a netherland.
Now lots of people have the question of where to get a rabbit- Do not purchase from pet stores, pet stores often times get their animals from mills that have been inbred, and carry disease. With every pet we've ever gotten from a pet store I've had problems with it.
I suggest looking for local breeders, or rescuing from a rescue agency. Most adoption centers will give you a free vet check, and the rabbit may already may spayed or neutered, as well as may have some shots, including rabies shots.
When you adopt, you save a life- Many pets from shelter are often euthenized if they are not adopted in a certain amount of time, it's a humane euthenization, but it's still taking the life of an animal for space. So please, adopt, and save a life.
Theres also no- kill shelters, which I believe to be the best place for an unwanted animal to go to. I volunteer at a no-kill shelte,r and the people there, are amazing, soem of the best people I have ever met.
So please, adopt! You save a life by doing so.
When you finally go to purchase your bunny, ask a lot of questions
* What breed was the dam and buck? (Mom, dad)
* Are they show rabbits?
* How old are they?
* How much are they getting fed per day?
* What brand of food are they being fed?
* (If from a breeder) How many out of the litter died
* Have they had any previous illiness
* Do they interact well with small children, and other animals?
* (If from a shelter) Whats their backround history?
*Remeber, you don't have to get the first rabbit you see, you can browse until you find what your looking for.
The routine checkup for purchasing/ Adopting a bunny:
* Clean eyes
* Clean light pink ears
* Clean nose
* No snuffeling
* No coughing
* No watery/ glazed eyes
* Hopping
* Interested in humans
* Interested in other rabbts
* Eyes should no be bulging
* Feet should be soft and fluffy, rather than matted with sores
* Gentile areas should not be inflamed or red
* Rabbit should not be limping or dragging his feet
* bunny should run/ kick a little bit, not to thepoint of pulling a muscle
* Hold the bunny on it's back, and extend it's hind legs, there should be no "popping" sounds
* Check to make sure the rabbits are kept i na brightwell ventilated area, that is not damp or musky. Make sure it's clean, and well kept before purchasing a bunny.
- CHECK back for more tips once you have the bunny! Including cage purchasing, feeding rations, health care,abthing, etc!
