FAQ
Is it better to get a female or a male?
In general, male rabbits tend to be more out going and confident than females, however, this does not necessarily mean that they will be friendlier. Some male rabbits will be shy, and some female rabbits will be extremely outgoing, it all depends on how much time and effort you are willing to invest in your rabbit to make them the best versions of themselves they could possibly be!
Should I get one or two?
Socialisation is essential for all rabbits, just like humans they need companionship or some sort of social interaction to keep them from becoming bored or depressed. If you have the time to play with and give your rabbit attention during the day, and if they have a enough toys to keep them stimulated when you're not there. Then keeping one rabbit is fine, however if you do not have the time to give your rabbit attention everyday or are away for long periods at a time we would strongly recommend that you get two rabbits, as loneliness can often lead to boredom and depression, this is accompanied by destructiveness or reclusiveness in some rabbits.
If I'm getting a pair, should I get two males, two females or one of each?
As a general rule of thumb, a male and a female pair have a higher chance of successfully bonding in adulthood, than two males or two females. Siblings will also have a slightly higher chance of bonding than a pair which did not grow up together. If you are getting two rabbits, to have the highest chance of success in bonding them we recommend getting a male and a female from the same litter, and you will need to get one or both of them de-sexed to keep them together especially when they are approaching 6 months (sexual maturity).
Do they bite?
Short answer, no. Our rabbits are trained not to nip from a young age. There are different types of biting in rabbits; the first type is nipping, in contrary to what you might think this is normal rabbit language and usually means "move outta the way" or "give me some attention". This is usually not meant to hurt but just to let you know how they feel. Although, it is important to disapprove of this unfavourable behaviour, as it becomes quite annoying if your rabbit does this regularly. A good way to do this is to let out a loud squeal when ever this happens to show that you are in pain, because they don't mean to hurt you they will learn that they shouldn't nip and will tend to just nudge you with their noses and stop altogether. Our rabbits are usually trained out of this behaviour before they are adopted into their new homes, however sometimes they may begin to nip again but it's quite easy to train them out this.
The second type is aggressive biting or territorial biting on the other hand is a bit more serious you will definitely be able to tell the difference between the two, if your rabbit is extremely stressed or anxious they may lash out and bite. Our bunnies have been socialised from a young age and get along well with children and other pets and animals. However if they are being chased or pushed around by young children it is likely that they will become anxious and distressed, rabbits are prey animals and become stressed when they feel threatened. So it is important to build a trusting relationship with them and look after them around very young children. If your rabbit is normally happy and friendly, and suddenly becomes aggressive or shy it could be linked to other health problems so the first step is to visit a vet for a health check to ensure that there is no underlying health reason for the aggression.
How big do they grow?
Mini lops grow to about the size of as American football, and weight and average of 1.5kgs. For a better idea of how big your bunny will grow you can come visit them and take a look at their parents. If you would like to book a time to come see them contact us.
Should they be kept indoors or outdoors?
Mini lops, and rabbits in general, are quite versatile animals and can be kept inside or outside. As inside pets they are easily potty trained and will happily get along with the family and other animals. As outside pets they are playful little free spirits that hop around to their hearts content.
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How long do they live for?
Rabbits live for around 8-15 years if properly cared for, sometimes even up to 19!
Do you have to brush their teeth?
Nope! Rabbit's teeth generally stay relatively clean as long as they have the correct diet. If you notice that your rabbits teeth are yellow cut back on sugary treats such as carrots, apples and store brought treats such as yogurt drops. If you would like to know more about what to feed and what not to feed your rabbit check out our bunny feeding guide here.
How often to they need to be groomed?
Rabbits are just like cats when it comes to grooming and keeping clean and generally don't need much brushing or grooming. However if you notice that your rabbits fur, particularly in the behind area, is pooey or dirty there could be an underlying health reason for this such as obesity, make sure to take them for a check up at the vet.