Thank you so much for the info about neutering, I feel much better about leaving him outside now,and I'll know not to put too much hay in
And it'll be in the summer so I will probable be sitting outside beside him the whole time anyway, the worry box that I am
:lol:
I'm think I'm going to be bonding Sox with a boy, I know its much harder but dad says that girls are 'smellier and more illness prone' and if I can't get a rescue bunny then spaying is going to cost more in a long run, and females need more care after a spay and I'd feel the need to bring her in, which I won't be able to do
Thanks so much everyone
x
After neutering its advised that you shouldnt let the bun sit/lie on hay, and just have it in a hay rack - it irritates the wound.
I would definately not bond Sox with a boy if you are not getting from a rescue. Reason being that boys are less likely to bond, and if he is not from a rescue then you are more likely to end up with 2 single buns.
Also, think about how you are going to bond them. You will need minimum 48 hours, often more to spend with them constantly, even at night , and this will be really hard if they are outside. If you go to a rescue they will bond them for you.
I think your focus has to be persuading you dad to go to a rescue - you are actually less likely to get an ill bunny as they have all been checked and you will know which ones are ill!
Also females are less smelly (much less!) and the only extra health problem I'm aware of is uterine cancer - the risk of which is removed by spaying. They are no more expensive from rescues either.
Do you think your dad would be happy to get a rescue baby bunny? That way it hasnt been given up by anyone and so doesnt have the social stigma attatched. Rescues often have litters born in their care. I was told by a rescue that a baby girl bunny is the easiest to bond with a neutered male, as he sees her as no threat. Obviously you will have to be prepared to get her spayed asap though so her hormones dont break down the bond as she grows up.
The other option is to get a baby bunny from a breeder, but again you face the separate accomodation (you'll have to let her settle before bonding), spayin costs, unknown health/teeth problems and bonding will be difficult, although I guess it would be easier if you could get a shed?
Dont give up, I think it would be good if you started saving now, so that when your dad does come around to the idea, you can be ready and not have to wait whilst you save. Its getting warmer all the time so you can get sox neutered in about a month or so. You'll get there, its just going to be a little harder, I think once your dad sees how serious you are he will give in. I think it would also help to go to see a rescue and have the owner explain to your dad that most of the rabbits there are through no fault of their own. After all, this is a pet, no a second hand tv.
eta- just wanted to add that my dad is just the same, so youre not alone here! thankfully I am 20 and I'm at uni so he can disapprove but its not his choice. Although he wont touch 'second hand' animals, he has gotten kittens from a rescue as being babies they are still 'new'. I think its worth seeing if your dad thinks the same way