Speak to me of bunnies please. (Lionhead specifically)

[RacetrackReject]

My SO’s sister and I were at a farm looking at horses last night and they were trying to rehome a Lionhead bunny. The daughter had bought it at college, but didn’t really take care of it properly, so the mother brought the rabbit home. I have been thinking about getting a rabbit for a while, and we had them when I was young, but they were outside in a pen type of bunnies. I would like to have one that’s more of a pet.

So, what do I need to know? Is there anything specific to Lionhead bunnies that I need to know? Pros and cons? Help me! lol.

I do have a large crate for inside, and a pen with attached, fully wired (all the way around, top, sides and bottom) run outdoors for “turnout”. I also have a Jack Russell Terrier, who is normally quite good with other animals, baby chicks and all sorts of things, but I’m assuming full segregation would be best for those two.

[HannahsMom7]

look up House Rabbit Society. they have lots of info on house bunnies.

[EKLay]

If you can get in touch with your local House Rabbit Society chapter, they will probably have a ton of resources for you too. Local rabbit vets to recommend, free or cheap handling classes, stores with good rabbit supplies, etc.

I really enjoyed the handling classes we took when we adopted our bunnies, it was a very thorough basic first aid, basic care, bunny behavior, nail trimming, scent gland cleaning, different holds for different situations, etc. They were thrilled I had so much horse experience, as quite a bit translates to rabbits. For example, I was offered to be able to skip the “how to pick good bunny hay” section.

House rabbits use litter boxes just like cats, and are a pretty low key and hugely fun pet. Mine are nine this year and get along great with our cats and dogs, though I don’t leave anyone unsupervised.

[Janeway]

My large rabbit also gets along well with my cats - in fact, she is the dominant one! The living situation you have arranged sounds really good. If you can swing it, having the crate open into a dog “x-pen” is a nice option for the bunny too - gives them more room. PS. don’t forget to protect you wires, especially iPhone chargers… I have lost so many lol

I volunteer at a rabbit rescue, and the only extra thing about lionheads is that you should brush them fairly regularly - their “mane” can get a bit unruly / matted.

[luvmyhackney]

My neighbor has one and he is a total love bug. I adore him. He gets matted very easily though. They built him cage thing outside and he goes through his doggy door to his outside playground. He comes in and goes out as he pleases.