Dwarf Rex problems

[The Highway Man]

Mine just loves human contact as is scared of nothing.

[stuartmmcfc]

Well after our "expert" visit yesterday his nails are cut and we've had a lesson in how best to pick him up and handle him.
The result is everyone is more confident and at the moment boy and rabbit are inside, sat on the sofa watching tele after my lad carried him in with no struggles at all.
Result

[GokTweed]

Superficial said:

There's no such thing as a dwarf rex, he is a mini rex

I have a couple of mini rexes myself and they are a very feisty breed. Beautiful coat but nowhere near as easy to handle as dwarf lops for example.

Would highly recommend neutering to avoid other behavioural issues developing but tbh it won't help with how he feels about being handled. Generally, rabbits do not like being held as they are a prey species and prefer to be low to the ground firmly on their own 4 paws. They have a reputation as being child friendly pets, but with their strong back legs, long lifespan and dislike of 'cuddling' they really aren't the best pet for a child. The best way to interact with a rabbit in a way they will feel safe is to get down on the floor with them. Even my most docile rabbits tolerate cuddling rather than enjoy it, but get them on the floor and they approach me, interact with me, binky around and really show their personalities.

I doubt your bunny will ever be 'cuddly', my rexes aren't despite masses of handling. As long as he continues to wriggle you really need an adult to be the main handler; rabbits are fragile and if your son accidently drops him a broken back or other bones could easily happen.

WRT the comments about rehoming, sorry but that would be totally irresponsible. It's good that you researched but it isn't the rabbit's fault you have taken on a pet that isn't ideal for children in the first place, but on top of that is one of the least docile breeds around. What sort of message would it send to your son if you move the bunny on?

Having had Rex rabbits since I was about 6 - 17 years old I can happily disagree. They make great pets and are docile and easy to handle as long as they are handled right. If they have a reputation as child friendly pets like you said then its hard to say that they aren't ideal for children isn't it?

[bexVN]

I agree with Superficial rabbits are not ideal pets for children.

Too many parents leave responsibility of care in the hands of young kids and many rabbits suffer greatly as a result. Children and rabbits should only mix under the supervision of an adult, if this happens then obviously that's much more ideal.

[Superficial]

GokTweed said:

Having had Rex rabbits since I was about 6 - 17 years old I can happily disagree. They make great pets and are docile and easy to handle as long as they are handled right. If they have a reputation as child friendly pets like you said then its hard to say that they aren't ideal for children isn't it?

You've had rexes or mini rexes? The standard rexes are calmer than the minis.

'Mini Rex rabbits are livelier than the larger Standard Rex, but still generally good-natured and easy-going. They are intelligent and affectionate, very maternal (often mothering other rabbits), and enjoy company. Mini Rex are quite active rabbits and can be boisterous and playful. They are not so good with children as they are livelier, smaller and more fragile.'

Even on the show bench mini rexes who have been handled religiously are not as placid as many other breeds.

It isn't hard to say at all really, they have a reputation because people (my parents included) naively bring a cute fluffy bunny home for their child without proper research into the animal's needs. Hence threads like this one, where a rabbit which has only just joined a family was already being considered for rehoming.

So we have an animal that:

• On average costs over £10K across its lifespan
• Needs annual vaccination
• Is very sociable and needs a lot of attention
• Really should live with another of its species
• Needs an average commitment of 10 years. How many kids can make a commitment like that?
• Has powerful back legs
• Has claws, which no matter how trimmed will scratch if they kick out
• Is fragile, and vulnerable to drops/ bad handling
• Needs a LOT of space, not a poxy little hutch
• May tolerate cuddling, but remains a prey animal happier on the floor

And you really think that makes an ideal children's pet? We'll have to agree to disagree

For anyone considering a bunny, as much as I despise the RSPCA this is a very useful page:
http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?a...

[stuartmmcfc]

While there are some, obviously, very experienced people here I must point out (for my own sake ) that my 11 year old didn't want a mini Rex because he wanted a "fluffy bunny to cuddle'. He wanted me to point this out after I showed him the advice on this thread.
Rabbits wouldn't be suitable for young children due to the power of their legs but older children with a watchful eye over the care from an adult?

As for the cost, that's pretty much the price you pay for having any animals but compared to having children it's an absolute bargin

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Friday 24th May 07:19

[The Highway Man]

You're not wrong, at least my bunnies don't cost me over a 100 quid every 3 months for new trainers like my 15 year old does!

[GokTweed]

Superficial said:

GokTweed said:

Having had Rex rabbits since I was about 6 - 17 years old I can happily disagree. They make great pets and are docile and easy to handle as long as they are handled right. If they have a reputation as child friendly pets like you said then its hard to say that they aren't ideal for children isn't it?

You've had rexes or mini rexes? The standard rexes are calmer than the minis.

'Mini Rex rabbits are livelier than the larger Standard Rex, but still generally good-natured and easy-going. They are intelligent and affectionate, very maternal (often mothering other rabbits), and enjoy company. Mini Rex are quite active rabbits and can be boisterous and playful. They are not so good with children as they are livelier, smaller and more fragile.'

Even on the show bench mini rexes who have been handled religiously are not as placid as many other breeds.

It isn't hard to say at all really, they have a reputation because people (my parents included) naively bring a cute fluffy bunny home for their child without proper research into the animal's needs. Hence threads like this one, where a rabbit which has only just joined a family was already being considered for rehoming.

So we have an animal that:

• On average costs over £10K across its lifespan
• Needs annual vaccination
• Is very sociable and needs a lot of attention
• Really should live with another of its species
• Needs an average commitment of 10 years. How many kids can make a commitment like that?
• Has powerful back legs
• Has claws, which no matter how trimmed will scratch if they kick out
• Is fragile, and vulnerable to drops/ bad handling
• Needs a LOT of space, not a poxy little hutch
• May tolerate cuddling, but remains a prey animal happier on the floor

And you really think that makes an ideal children's pet? We'll have to agree to disagree

For anyone considering a bunny, as much as I despise the RSPCA this is a very useful page:
http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?a...

Many of those things you mentioned such as cost, vaccination, sociable nature, and needing a commitment are the same across all species of domestic pet. Any family who wants a pet of any kind will have to consider these factors and it is up to them to decide if they can take on the responsibility and duty of care. Claws aren't an issue if they are handled properly. Dropping isn't an issue if handled properly as well. They do need space and, much more importantly, quiet areas where they can go to if needed.

I've had standard Rexes and can appreciate that they may have a calmer nature but, being bigger they need just as much care when handling as they have much stronger back legs than the mini's

Rabbits make good domestic pets because they can be litter trained and therefore kept indoors (not something I would personally do but it is possible). They are sociable and can be handled easily if introduced to it at a young age. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to get my child one if they expressed an interest and were prepared to take on the responsibility.

Obviously bringing an animal into your care isn't something that should be done on a whim and should be done with careful consideration, but I am going to have to disagree with you and say that in my experience rabbits make very good pets for children and can teach them a lot about caring for animals and the rewards of pet ownership. If done responsibly though!

Staffies have a reputation for aggression and yet can be the softest dog you will ever meet if trained properly. I'd say that getting a rabbit used to handling from a young age will also have a similar effect regardless of the reputation.