Hi,

I was just wondering peoples thoughts on keeping a house rabbit. Looking through the forums I am seeing a lot about hutches and sheds etc.

My rabbit is nearly 5 months old and he is a house rabbit and very much one of us. In the past I have worried that he is maybe missing something that an outside rabbit has. However he seems very happy and loves to be on the sofa and is never shy with people.

The reason I have thought this is that I obviously everyone here would advise people to go to an adoption rescue centre to get a rabbit. However, I had to go to a pet shop. If I was to mention my set up for Noah to a rescue home I don't think they'd be happy about it.

Many people keep house rabbits. A free range rabbit setup is very much welcomed by rabbit rescues. However if a house rabbit is kept in a cage for more than a few hours, this isn't advisable. Have you thought about getting a rabbit companion for him? Rabbits are best kept in pairs/groups.

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Well this is kind of why the post came about.

I don't think he is lonely at all he is in his element when he is running around or chilling out stretched out on the floor. Introducing a friend could be an option, but like i said i would like to rescue but can't see it happening.

I volunteer at a private animal rescue centre with the rabbits, they are always looking for indoor homes for their special needs cases, older rabbits or angoras.

you would be best to get your boy snipped and then visit your local rescue centre for a chat .

I had my Miffy indoors for approx 2 years before I got George, I was at home as I was a student and she was always free range, she loved nothing more than sitting on the back of the sofa and licking my housemates neck. Once I was offered a job I looked at adopting a 2nd rabbit to keep her company. Once they were bonded it was very clear to me that I would never keep a single rabbit again, there is nothing nicer than watching them run around together and groom each other. They now both live outside as its difficult to rent with them even outside. When I have my own house I am looking forward to having them back inside.

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I am looking to get him done in march. He is very sociable and spends a lot of time with us, but i can see what you mean with getting him a friend. A worry for me would be that he seems absolutely fine now i would hate for him to have to deal with sharing his space.

Although I live in the U.S., I imagine what adoption centers look for in homes for pets can't be too different in the U.K...I have a house rabbit myself who's free-range in my room when I'm home and has a large pen attached to his cage while I'm gone, and I can't imagine him being any happier outside. I just got him neutered and am looking into adopting a friend for him, and a lot of the centers close to me actually will only adopt rabbits out to people who will keep them as house rabbits. The reason being is that they're afraid those who adopt a rabbit as an outside pet will forget about them and not give them the attention they need. It also takes away the threat of predators and such. So I don't think you'll have a problem adopting a rabbit as a house pet at all.

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My bunnies are indoors and they and I love it. I get snuggles in bed in the morning and they follow me about like little dogs.

I really do believe that rabbits should be in at least a pair though.
Human company will never be as good as another rabbits company. Seeing bunnies cuddled up together is so lovely, plus they groom each other.
Oh and they are nocturnal so when you are alseep and you have a lone bunny and he has no-bun to be with that must be pretty lonely and boring for him.

What would you advise then on getting another? Bearing in mind he is nearly five months. Should I wait till he is fixed or does it not matter? Would getting an un spayed girl be a problem?

I would definately get him a friend. Get him neutered and wait six weeks for hormones to go (males can still reproduce up to 6 weeks after being castrated). Age doesn't matter in the slightest with what sort of partner you get for him. If you speak to your local rescues they may even provide a bunny blind date service to see how a couple get on before comitting to them. If you get a rescue they should already be neutered by the rescue (if its a good rescue that is and not just someone claiming to be a rescue if you know what I mean). If you decide to get a rabbit from another place though it would need to be neutered whether male or female to control hormones and especially with females as they have a very high chance of uterine cancer if left unspayed.

I have two house rabbits. They free range all day only being shut away at night when we're in bed and when we're out. By shut away I keep them in the kitchen, I've made a small door across the kitchen to keep them in but so I can look over to check where they are. One of the house rabbits came from a rescue and the lady that runs the rescue has become a close friend now, she was happy to see how they're kept indoors and quite mpressed at there not being a cage in sight.

Also to prove age isn't an issue I also have a group of three rabbits outside, the oldest of the group will be 8 this year and the youngest will be 2.

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