|
 |
 |
 |
|
Where to Get a Rabbit
When purchasing your new rabbit, be certain that you’re getting a healthy one from a reputable source. You also want to select a rabbit who is docile and easy to handle because he will be easier to tame.
How to Obtain Your Rabbit
You can obtain your rabbit from a number of sources:
- Breeders
- Rescues and shelters
- Pet stores
Breeders
A reputable breeder is likely to be a safe, reliable pet source. Breeders usually have a variety of rabbits from which to choose and may also offer variations not commonly found in local pet shops. However, keep in mind that rabbits bred in large numbers are sometimes less friendly than those bred by hobbyists who specifically select rabbits with a docile temperament.
A good breeder should be able to answer any questions
you have about care, feeding, or other aspects of rabbit
ownership. She may also be able to provide you with your new pet’s lineage. Your best choice is someone who
selectively breeds for friendly animals and who handles the
babies regularly so that they’re already used to people. Expect the breeder to ask you questions too—she may want to make sure you’re suitably prepared to take care of a rabbit.
To locate a breeder in your area, contact the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc., or check to see if there are any local rabbit clubs or organizations you can contact for information. You can also ask your vet for recommendations, or search the internet for potential sources.
Rescues/Shelters
Animal rescues and shelters provide food, shelter, and companionship to abandoned pet rabbits and also seek out new families to adopt them. Rescued rabbits come in many sizes, ages, and colorations and are often perfectly friendly, well-adjusted pets who simply need a new place to live.
Pet Stores
A rabbit purchased from your local pet store can make a perfect companion. Choose a dealer with a long-standing record of supplying good stock. The store should have clean, neat cages and well-stocked inventories. If the animals are well-fed and well-housed, they are more likely to be healthy specimens. You should feel as though the dealer cares about her animals and that there are well-informed employees on hand on whom you can rely for sound advice. Ideally, the store should have all the accessories you need to care for your new pet.
How to Choose a Healthy Rabbit
No matter where you purchase your rabbit, carefully examine your choice for signs of poor health before bringing him home. Selecting a healthy rabbit is the first and perhaps most important step toward achieving a long and happy relationship with your pet.
When examining a prospective rabbit, keep an eye out for the following characteristics:
- Behavior: Purchase a rabbit who appears alert and active while you’re examining him. Don’t choose a rabbit who appears listless—this is a sign of poor health.
- Body: A rabbit should feel robust and solid, not bony or frail. His movements should not appear awkward. A limp, for example, is a sign of an unhealthy individual.
- Breathing: If the rabbit is calm enough, listen to the side of his chest for rattling sounds as he breathes, which may indicate a respiratory illness.
- Ears: The ears should be clean and free of infection. A foul-smelling and/or reddish ear is a sign of illness.
- Eyes: The rabbit’s eyes should be clear and bright, with no crusty matter in the corners or wet, stained fur due to tears.
- Fur: The coat should be dense and shiny, not matted or stained. There should be no bald areas, excess dandruff, or patches of red skin. You can check for all of these by running your hand against the grain of the fur. Also look for flea droppings, which look like black specks but turn red in water. Dirty, matted fur near the tail could be a sign of diarrhea.
- Nose: The nose should be clean of any secretions. Also, sick rabbits often wipe their noses on their arms, so check the inside of the front feet to see if the fur there is wet or matted.
- Teeth: Ask the seller to pull back the rabbit’s lips to show you that the front teeth are properly aligned. Inspecting the teeth before purchase can help to detect malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth), a condition that requires veterinary treatment. Keep in mind, however, that malocclusion isn’t often detectable in young rabbits, and even teeth that appear normal at first may fall out of alignment as the rabbit grows.
| Text & Photos Copyright © 2007 TFH Publications, Inc. | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
Tags
No one has tagged this page yet... Be the first.. Log in using the link below and return to add your tag
