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There are people who consider rabbits as very good pets. If you are one of these people, then you may want to know how to choose a pet rabbit that is just right for you. Choosing a rabbit is quite an adventure since there are more than 40 rabbit breeds, and many of these breeds come in many colors and varieties. Even the size of rabbits comes in a very wide range, with some weighing merely two pounds and others weighing up to ten pounds.
Gender is one of the first things that people consider when buying a rabbit. Although rabbits tend to have individual temperaments regardless of gender, a doe (female) generally becomes territorial and aggressive as it reaches maturity. This aggression is usually lessened if a doe is spayed, or if a familiar face feeds and grooms her on a regular basis. It is very rare that a rabbit remains aggressive if these conditions are present. So if you want to get a female rabbit and have no plans of breeding her, then it is best to have her spayed as early as possible. Bucks, on the other hand, are generally non-aggressive. The usual problem with bucks is that they often start spraying urine everywhere as they reach maturity. This is their special way of telling you that they are ready to mate. The best way to prevent this from happening is to have him neutered.
Another major consideration in keeping a pet rabbit is grooming. If you decide to keep wool breeds like jersey woollies and angoras as pets, you will have to be prepared to make an extra effort in grooming them. While all rabbits require regular grooming, these breeds take more time to groom because of the nature and thickness of their fur.
Of course, you should never buy a rabbit that you haven’t seen. It is also inadvisable to buy rabbits from a pet store. Rather, the best way to find a good pet rabbit is to check out a rabbit show. Find out as much as you can not only about the rabbits, but also about the breeders. Once you have chosen a good breeder in your area, you can ask him about rabbit breeds, temperaments, and everything else you would like to know before making a purchase. You should also visit his barn and check out the rabbits for yourself. It is also a good idea to ask the breeder to let you hold a rabbit and then check the rabbit’s reaction as it is being taken out of the cage and handed to you. Sociable rabbits often show excitement as the cage door is opened, while the shy ones will try to hide deeper into the cage. If a rabbit shies away then it is probably not a good idea to choose him.
Finding the right kind of rabbit that you can keep as a pet is definitely time-consuming work. What is important is that you enjoy the quest and bear in mind that once you find the perfect rabbit, all your efforts will finally pay off.
