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First time being a rabbit owner.

Hi, after persuading my mum that I will take care of rabbits, she finally let me have one. :D

So come this sunday I'm going to pick up two dutch buns from Pets at Home.

Before I do that I need to get everything sorted out, and please if I miss anything out or done anything wrong then tell me. Cause I really want to make a good job of this.

I have the following list that I need to buy for them:

Cage - was thinking about this one - http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_cage/13324

I know this cage is a bit small for two rabbits but then I was thinking of letting them run loose whenever I'm at home so I hope thats OK.

Bedding - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6a-bedding/6a02-natural/large-hay-bedding-by-pets-at-home/pid-13626

Toys - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6b-boredom-breakers/6b01-chews/willow-value-4-treat-pack-for-small-pets-by-happy-pet/pid-15419 and http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6b-boredom-breakers/6b01-chews/jumbo-chube-for-small-pets-by-critters-choice/pid-13763

2 x bowls - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6d-feeding/rabbit-feeding-bowl-by-happy-pet/pid-13910

Water Bottle - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6d-feeding/deluxe-water-bottle-by-classic/pid-v00162

Pellets - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6e-food/junior-nugget-food-for-rabbits-2kg-by-pets-at-home/pid-11472

Litter Tray - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6f-health/6f01-cleaning/litter-tray-for-small-pets-by-marchioro/pid-v00161

Wood Litter - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6a-bedding/6a02-natural/small-pet-wood-litter-7ltr-by-pets-at-home/pid-13664

Grooming - http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-6+small+pets/breed-is-rabbit/category-is-6F+Health/product-is-18862

Cage Cleaner - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6f-health/6f01-cleaning/cage-cleaning-trigger-spray-with-byotrol-500ml-for-small-pets-by-pets-at-home/pid-18919

Cleaning Wipes - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6f-health/6f01-cleaning/grooming-wipes-with-byotrol-20-pack-for-small-pets-by-pets-at-home/pid-18921

Mineral Wheel - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6f-health/6f03-supplements/wheely-mineral-stone-2-pack-with-holder-by-happy-pet/pid-13933

Vitamins - http://www.petsathome.com/products/6-small-pets/6f-health/6f03-supplements/proc-probiotic-100gm-for-small-pets-by-vetark/pid-14208

Nail Clippers - http://www.petsathome.com/products/1-cat/1h-grooming/1h03-scissors-and-clippers/1h03a-clippers-and-blades/deluxe-pet-nail-clipper-for-cats-and-dogs-by-mikki/pid-18736

I know it says its for cats and dogs but the vet says it fine for rabbits too.

Thats about it, so if anyone can give me a hand if there are any problems then that will be great, or if another place does better food/bedding etc for rabbits or deals.

Also while at pets at home I asked the member of staff about the rabbits and here is the information I collected about the rabbits I want.

I choosen two male dutch rabbits at £26 each, they are not for sale now since they just got moved into the store and need to adjust to the environment and to check whether they got any illnesses.

All the rabbits are apparently only 8 weeks old, but I'm not sure whether they still keep older rabbits in the store and none of them are vaccinated or neutered. But I plan to when they get a bit older (about 5 months).

Also I was planning on getting insurance for them both.

And if anyone can give tips on how to handle a new rabbit from a store cause I got no experience at all, also is it OK to keep them in a cardboard box for the first night cause the cage gets delivered on Monday but I reserved to pick up the rabbits on Sunday. ( :cry: Forgetting there is no mail on sunday)

Thanks and hopefully I done this right.
 
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Okay can I firstly ask why are you buying rabbits rather than resuing rabbits?

When you initially buy your buns yes they are only £26 each however you will only pay about £40 per bun from a rescue that would already be bonded (or if they weren't the rescue would help you with doing this) neutered, so this would cost you alot more getting them neutered etc yourself.

Also as you have chosen 2 makes as they grow they will more than likely end up fighting as their hormones reach a certain level - I knwo a few people have had this issue on the forum.

Please rethink all you are about to do.
 
Sorry I'm new to this whole matter, but regarding rescue rabbits what is the process like and where do I need to go to get one? Cause if I really can rescue 2 rabbits home I will do it cause I read on reports about the figures of rabbits that have no homes and it seems really bad.
 
Also:

HAMPSHIRE
RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2ET
Tel: 01425 473896 /

RSPCA Godshill Animal Centre
Bohemia Corner, Godshill, Isle of Wight, PO38 3NA
Tel: 01983 840287 /

RSPCA Stubbington Ark
174/176 Ranvilles Lane, Stubbington, Fareham, Hants, PO14 3EZ
Tel: 01329-667541 / Website

RSPCA Basingstoke & Andover Branch
Website

Second Chance Animal Rescue
4 Mansbridge Cottages, Mansbridge Road, Mansbridge, Southhampton, Hampshire, SO18 1NH
Tel: 023 8055 9552 /

St Francis Animal Welfare
Sunnyside Cottage, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, SO50 7EA
Tel: 023 8069 3282 /

Blue Cross Southampton Adoption Centre
Bubb Lane, West End, Southampton, Hants, SO30 2HL
Tel: 023 8069 2894 / Website

Animal Support Awareness Programme (View Rabbits)
8 Wellington Way, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 7ED
Tel: 023 9223 1082 / Website
 
hi,

Just wanted to say how sensible you are being about getting prepared! I would also echo the previous reply and recommend that you go for a rescue pair!
 
Hiya :wave:

Ive only had my buns a few months and ive learnt sooo much from experts on here so defo RU is the best place to be.

I noticed the wood litter you picked was the small bag. if you search on PAH just for wood litter it will bring up HUGE bags which work out alot cheaper. Its advertised for cats but its the same stuff. (non clumping)

I made the mistake originally of having 1 pet shop bunny and since i have got her a rescue husbun. I would recommend rescues to any1 especially with 2 as bonding can be a nightmare on ur own (especially if un neutered and spayed as a girl could get preggie b4 u cud have them done). Also with rescues their all fully vaccinated and had ops already so saves you money in long run. And the biggest plus is that rescues know the rabbits temprement already. Oh and sefo not forgetting the amount in rescues who need loving homes. The biggest reward for me was having my boy who was very scared constantly and turning him around to be loving (we were made aware of this before we got him)

Also for the cage have a look at the threads on NIC storage cubes as we replaced our cage with these after just a few months as they didnt have he space they needed.

SOrry i cant help very much but im sure if ur like me then any help is welcome.

Good luck :D
 
Thanks, looks like I need to think about it a bit more, but looks like a adoption will seem like a more sensible way of getting new rabbits, so I think I will go and rescue a pair of rabbits then.

Anyway on the site they said that they will look for a suitable time for a home visitor to come and take a look, I was curious of what this may involve.

And lastly of all will the list of supplies I'm going to get sufficient and good to go.

Thanks
 
Trying to get a pair of rescue bunnies rather than pet shop ones is definitely a good idea! My rescue buns hector and honey are gorgeous!
Before you buy a cage i would recommend looking at some of the housing that people on here have for their bunnies, especially dog crates and NIC cubes (some of their bunny homes look great) - i wish i had done that before i got my bunnies their hutch. There are loads of different threads with houses - some of the recent ones are:
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=141913
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=142096
Good luck!
 
getting rescue bunnies is a much better option for you. If you take the two male rabbits then they would both have to be neutered to prevent fighting, this would cost you around £50 per rabbit and there is the added stress on your end of how your bunny will copy with the operation. If you get a pair of already bonded rescue rabbits they would already be done and you could sleep easy at night knowing that you did a great thing for animal welfare!
 
Hi!

It sounds like you are doing lots of research so I'm sure you will make a great bunny owner!

Regarding the ages, it's probably best to ring the rescue and ask them direct but somtimes they don't know a rabbit's age if it's been dumped on them or the previous owners haven't been very forthcoming. Often they also have rabbits which aren't on their website yet so it's always worth checking that too!

Good luck with your search!
 
Just had a look at list and seems good. You will need a good pet carrier too for those trips to the vet.

Save a few empty loo rolls as well..mine love pulling hay out of middle.

Also for hay its worth phoning local farms to see if u can get some direct as my buns wont touch pet shop hay. It works out loads cheaper aswell. I pay £3 for a HUGE bale (i have to keep it in shed).

Dont forget their fresh veg (for buns over about 4months?)

Mine love cats jingle toys too. I got mine from RSPCA rescue centre wen i picked Obi up.

You'll love ur rabbits sooo much :)
 
Well done on doing your research first :thumb:
I agree with rescuing so you are giving some needy bunnies a home :)

I just wanted to say that mineral salt licks and vitamin tablets aren't actually needed. If they are getting fed the right diet (which im sure they will be :) )
they will get all the vitamin and minerals they need. Too much salt etc like from the lick isn't good for them :)
 
Hi Novadragon849,
If you are in Fareham you are close to me in Locks Heath and I rehomed my rabbit Smudge from Southampton Rabbit Rescue in Bursledon which is not very far from Fareham. I have their contact details if you want them?
If you want the phone number send me a PM and I will PM them back to you, it will be much better to rescue 2 buns instead of buying them from a shop.

As I am near to you if you need any help at all or need to borrow anything for a short while give me a shout and good luck with your buns :wave:
 
Thanks Foofy, really helpful, I will like to look at the rescue centre in stubbington first then I may come along to the other one and need be I will contact you.

Thanks a bunch.

Also regarding the cage, for 2 rabbits I thought it will be more sensible to scrap the cage in my shopping list and get a large dog crate for the two of them, the sizes are 48",30",33" which is length x width x height. I found out that it was alot bigger and alot cheaper on ebay in new condition. I was also thinking of when I get the time I will turn it into a two storey cage because of the height of the cage.

Hope the rabbits will like it.

Thanks
 
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