Male rabbits make the best pets
A Male Rabbit Is Your Best Bet For A Great Pet Rabbit
Male rabbits, especially Holland lop bucks, make the best pets because they are more attentive and affectionate. They make the best pets for kids because they are interactive, curious, and easy to handle.
Spayed female rabbits (does) can also make great pets. Unaltered female rabbits might make good pets, too. It's just a bit more chancy proposition.
Most of my male rabbits come forward to greet me at the cage door. Some of them hum or buzz for me, but only when we are alone. They won't buzz or hum for company, I've noticed! They love to be scratched and petted.
Although I have a few female rabbits that will come forward to be rubbed and talked to, none of them buzz or hum. Most of them prefer to be left alone.
Female Rabbit Information
When a female rabbit reaches sexual maturity, she may begin to view her cage as her potential nesting space and become protective of it. A female rabbit that feels nature urging her to breed can become very testy.
Pet rabbit owners are often confused when their formerly sweet bunny rabbit becomes aggressive, grunts, growls, or lunges towards them. I've heard the story many, many times.
I strongly recommend male rabbits for pet rabbits. If you really want a female rabbit, please give considerable thought to spaying her.
Some people have had female pet rabbits and have never had any problems with them. The odds are just better with a male rabbit.
Do Male Rabbits Really Spray?
You may have heard that male rabbits spray and they can. However, the problem is generally overstated, in my opinion.
Spraying is most prevalent with young breeding male rabbits who are housed close to female rabbits. Male rabbits who are not competing for the attentions of a female are less likely to spray. Most male rabbits who live in the family home never spray.
In my barn, I generally see a small amount of spraying from male rabbits who are new to my barn or from male rabbits who have just reached sexual maturity. A male rabbit may spray if you startle him. None of my male rabbits have sprayed on a long-term basis.
It Is A Good Idea To Alter Both Female and Male Rabbits
Spaying and neutering not only can extend your pet rabbit's life, but also eliminates most of all reproduction-related poor behaviors (being defensive, spraying, mounting other animals. etc.). Spaying also reduces odor in male rabbits. It also eliminates the possibility of reproductive cancers in does.
Whether you decide on a male rabbit or a female, altering your pet rabbit is a great decision. Alter your rabbit as soon as your vet says it is safe. Waiting until unwanted behaviors have developed may be too late to have the desired effect.
Personality Is The Bottom Line
What is the bottom line of all of this rabbit information? Although your odds of having an affectionate pet rabbit lie with a male rabbit, the rabbit's individual personality is a very important ingredient.
One of the benefits of selecting your pet rabbit at four, five, or six months old (rather than when they are just weaned) is that you can better assess his or her personality type. That way, you can choose the best pet rabbit for you.
For more information on choosing the right bunny for you, consider one of the great rabbit books that I have especially chosen for pet rabbit owners. You can find them, and more, in The Rabbit Supply Store.