[net.pets] Rabbit Information Request

jjm (03/30/83)

	I heard on TV one day that rabbits can be trained to use a kitty
	litter box, and that they are relatively intelligent and cuddly.

	Since I would like to have a pet, and since I can't have a dog
	in my apartment, and since I don't like cats (no flames!) I 
	was wondering if a rabbit would be a nice pet.

	Anyone out there own a rabbit?  Is it a good pet?  Is it 
	housebroken?  Can it be allowed to roam an apartment during
	the day or should it be kept in a cage?  Can rabbits be
	taught "tricks", like "roll over", "shake hands", etc.
	Are they friendly, or would it hide when strange people are
	around (believe me, I know some strange people).

	Thanks in advance for any info.

	Jim McParland
	American Bell - Holmdel
	hou5e!jjm

rjs (03/30/83)

Owning a rabbit would probably be frowned upon by any apt. complex
that doesn't allow dogs.  A rabbit's hind feet are just as capable of
destroying a carpet as most dog's feet.

	Robert Snyder
	floyd!rjs

karl (03/31/83)

I own a rabbit, and I find that they are pretty good pets.  Alot depends
on the breed of the rabbit.  By some stroke of luck, I was able to get a
show-quality rabbit (silver-flecked martin) for only twenty bucks.  We 
will register it when it's six months old, and I'm told it will then be
worth over 100.  But that's beside the point.

The martin breed are pretty nosey.  They like to get into everything.  This
one likes to investigate our three cats at every chance, much to the cats
annoyance.  Surprisingly, the cats and the rabbit get along pretty well.

As far as letting them roam around, OUR rabbit likes to eat... everything it
can get its little rabbit teeth into, including the couch.

We are currently trying to house break it, using a litter box full of cedar
shavings -- not cat litter.  We have a couple of friends who have trained
their rabbits to a litter box, though.  But be careful!  Do NOT use the stuff
with the chlorofil (sp?) in it, as that can make the rabbit very sick!

I've also heard of some people living in apartments that keep Flemish Giants
as pets -- they can get quite big, and they can be taken for a walk (on
leashes, no less)

Anyway, I would definitely recommend a rabbit.


				A definite pet lover w/

					3 cats (plus two strays that
						hang around)
					4 birds
					1 rabbit
					1 each
						skunk
						possum  (both strays)
				{...laidback!karl}
				{...microsof!karl}