| Aside from appearance, there are a number of | | | | sense of their own strength and understand how to |
| considerations that you will have to make when it | | | | treat animals nicely, may be better suited to a pet |
| comes time to pick out your fuzzy friend at a pet | | | | rabbit.In any event, if you do choose to bring a pet |
| store or other venue. This is important both to | | | | rabbit into a home with young kids, always try to |
| ensure that you select a healthy pet, and to make | | | | supervise interactions between your child and your |
| sure that you and he are compatible!Now I'll explain | | | | pet to ensure that both remain safe and healthy. |
| what you'll need to think about prior to heading out | | | | Children must be taught how to handle rabbits, and |
| to buy your pet rabbit, and what to look for when | | | | only if they are mature and responsible enough to be |
| you're actually selecting an animal from a breeder, | | | | trusted with the fuzzy creature.MoneyEven if you |
| adoption center or pet store.Remember, while size, | | | | adopt a rabbit for free rather than buying one, you |
| breed, fur type and color are mostly a matter of | | | | should prepare for certain expenses.A good-sized |
| personal preference (as I've explained in the previous | | | | cage will cost you at least $30 USD or $40 USD, and |
| chapter), the considerations here are essential to | | | | this is an absolute essential. You can also expect to |
| bringing home and raising a healthy pet.There are a | | | | pay for other accessories, such as toys.Feeding is |
| few general points to think about when deciding | | | | another considerable expense. At minimum you will |
| whether a rabbit is the right type of pet for you and | | | | need to buy food pellets, hay and vegetables for |
| for the rest of your family, too.AllergiesMany people | | | | your rabbit to consume. You may also need to |
| in this country have pet allergies, often to dogs or | | | | supplement with vitamins. Then there is also the |
| cats. It is worth remembering that if you are allergic | | | | matter of the litter box and fresh litter, which can |
| to cats, chances are you might well be allergic to | | | | add up over time.Moreover, you will need to take |
| rabbits. Of course, this is not always the case, and | | | | care of medical issues such as spaying (starting at |
| you may wish get an allergy test from your doctor | | | | $35) or neutering (a bit cheaper, starting at $25), as |
| before deciding to bring home a new pet. If you | | | | well as medical bills for checkups and any illnesses |
| don't want to go to a doctor for a test, you may | | | | that arise. Of course, it is also possible in some cases |
| want to visit a pet store or breeder and see how | | | | to purchase or adopt pet rabbits that have already |
| you feel after handling the animals.Also keep in mind | | | | been spayed or neutered, but even then it is going |
| that it is not just the pet itself that you may be | | | | to be essential to pay for various medical |
| allergic to. Rabbits often consume hay, which could | | | | expenditures over the course of your pet's |
| be problematic in households where a family member | | | | lifetime.Before bringing home a rabbit, make sure that |
| has hay allergies.Children in the HouseDo you have | | | | you can commit to giving him the quality of lifestyle |
| young children? If so, a rabbit may not be an ideal | | | | he deserves throughout his lifetime (5-15 years, |
| pet. For the most part, this has nothing to do with | | | | depending on the rabbit's breed and age and health |
| rabbits being a danger to the child. On the contrary, | | | | at the time of purchase).by Andrea Austin, |
| since young rabbits are delicate and relatively tiny, a | | | | |
| child may very well do unintentional damage to the | | | | We hope you enjoyed this article. |
| pet! For this reason, older children, who have a better | | | | |