newbie:advice needed

Hi everyone, i am new to this forum and thought i would say hi. I would also love some advice. I am in the process of getting a rabbit and would like to ask some advice. I am getting a dwarf lop buck, who is 7 months old. I would like to know peoples views on neuturing.Should I have him neutured.Also whats the best way to make sure he settles into his new home. Any advice would be gratefully recieved as this is going to be my first rabbit.Thanx in advance.natalie.

Hi and Welcome!!

Is he going to be living indoors or out?

If he was my rabbit I would get him neutered (he is the right age) as at that age the boys tend to become a bit smelly (their pee stinks) and they develop the lovely habit of spraying everything to mark it as their territory (often including their owners ). If he is going to be living inside I would say 100% yes! An outdoor bunny it isn't as important but it will calm them down and prolongs life too.

Also if you have him neutered it means if you want to get him a girlfriend later bonding will be easier (as he won't be mounting as much) and there will be no risk of kits if you get a young unspayed girl.

Usually for settling in I would say leave him in his new cage/pen for 24hours to become accostomed to it and learn to recognise it as his territory, after that you can begin to make friends with offers of food (bit of carrot or celery usually go down well) and if he responds a bit of gentle stroking. If he is living indoors you need to begin litter training immediately, with an outdoor bunny you can just see which corner of the hutch he prefers and pop a litter tray in after to make it easier to clean out.

It is important he doesn't associate his cage/pen with being bad (you want him to feel safe and secure in it) so try and let him come out by himself (don't reach in and pull him out) and try and encourage him to go back in of his own accord (again food makes good bribes).

Make sure you start him on a good diet. Get some food from the place he is living now and use it to swap him over gradually to a good complete pelleted food (such as Excell or Science Select) if he isn't on one already. Make sure there is plenty of fresh (green) hay available as the main component of his diet (farms are good places to get cheap quality hay). This will help to avoid bad teeth problems later on.

I think I have blethered on enough - any more questions just ask as we all love to talk about rabbits !!

Caz

newbie

Hi, thanx for that great reply.the rabbit in question is going to live outside, but I will let him if he wants to come in.I am going to get him neutured but I thought I would see what you guys suggest as you are the experts.Just out of interest how much is it to get a buuny neutured?, also the food you have recommended, can i get that any where or are there only certain places i can get it.once again thanx for the reply.kind regards natalie.

Hi

The Excel you can get at loads of pet stores (inc the dreaded P@H ). The "lite" is actually the best for all rabbits as it has the highest fibre content (sometimes the normal can give bunnys squidgy poo) unfortunately I haven't found anywhere that does it in the big bags yet so I use the normal (as you only have one bunny the big bags would go off before you used it all ).

The Science Select is from the makers of Russel Rabbit (a mix) so anywhere that stocks RR should be able to order it for you (in theory) it isn't as easy to find.

There is a third option Allen & Page - it is GM free, organic and actually really cheap - you can apparently get it from large wholesalers and farm shops that cater for horses but I haven't used it myself.

These are all complete pellets, they look boring but my rabbits all prefer it over the mix and it ensures they get all the nutrients in one bite because they can't pick and choose.

It cost me £60 at my rabbit specialist for a neuter but he is expensive it can be from £25 to £60 depeding on where you go.

http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/vets.htm is a good link about choosing a vet for your rabbit.

Caz

Hi Natalie...just look at all the advice already...you will find this a wonderful forum...so much expert advice

Welome to you

Hi Natalie and welcome
The vets round here all charge about £28 for neutering a male rabbit, I know it does vary from area to area though. I'd definitely recommend it if he's going to be spending time inside . I love dwarf lops, when are you getting him?

newbie

Hi all, thanx for the advice so far.in answer to the last post I am getting him on saturday.I cant wait.I am getting myself prepared this week and getting everything in that i am going to need.once again thanx for the advice.natalie.