So I'm still grieving over my dog (It's been a week and it still hurts bad) and certainly not ready for another dog right now but I think a new different pet might help ease the pain a little and keep me occupied. So I've considered a rabbit.

The thing is I want it to be a house rabbit and need some good advice on keeping it indoors. Like how do you teach it litter training? What sort of equipment do I need for a house rabbit? How large of a cage do I need? And what to look for as I want to rescue a bunny rather then get a baby one. (My dog and cat are rescues) And other stuff I need to know.

Also I have a cat, he has lived with guinea Pigs before with no issue with them running about and I would never leave him and the potential bunny alone together.


I should like to add I would never get another pet lightly nor as a substitute for my beloved Sammy.

You'll need to protect all the wires in your house, or put them well out of reach of any bunnies.

I wouldn't trust a cat on his or her own with a bunny if you weren't their supervising, its just natural instinct.

As for litter training, neutering will help. Get a cat litter tray and put some newspaper in. When bunny poos or pees, pick it up, and put it in the litter tray, soon the bunny will get used to that being the place where he or she "goes" as it smells of pee and poo.

Rabbits need toys to stimulate and amuse them, and keep them occupied, they're clever little things. They need a mineral lick for their cage, and lots and lots of hay, they don't need "food" as such (as in pellets/dry mix) they need veg and hay, hay, hay!

You can buy big cages (like hamster cages) for when you need to shut the bunny in somewhere safe, they have a flap on the front so bunny can hop in and out.

I had a house bunny who outlived a brother and 2 wives, he lived til the grand old age of 9. I still miss him, and would dearly love another bunny. They are a lot of responsibility though, and need lots of time and attention.

Hope that helps, shout if you have any more specific questions.

I'm sorry about the loss of your dog. It's a heartbreak when we lose a really special pet. And yes, I know they all are... but some are just a bit different. I have two cats - well, five, in fact - but two are simply special. I adore them. One day something bad will happen and I'll be devastated. But I ignore that and having them is worth the heartache that will one day follow. But anyway!

A year ago, I acquired a rabbit (and then her daughter) by accident and I am amazed by what a strong and inquisitive personality they have. And I'm saddened as I've come to realise what sterile, cramped lives many rabbits live.

There's an excellent rabbit forum - Google rabbit rehome forum - where you'll get all questions answered and, more to the point, a lot of contact details for rescues. There are around 30,000 rabbits in rescues - often perfectly healthy rabbits of all ages just "surplus to requirements" or dumped or rescued from bad homes.

You don't have to buy from a breeder and you may be buying a hutchful of problems if you buy from a petshop but if you get one from a rescue you'll be more likely to know if it is a confident, shy, inquisitive, dynamic, quiet or greedy bun and as rabbits are very social creatures (usually - there are always exceptions!) you could get two that are already neutered / spayed and bonded. You'll also get info on vaccinations (against rabies, VHD, etc).

My current rabbits are outside in a large hutch and fox-proof run but when my cats are no more (not for another 10 or 12 years I hope) it will be the Time of the House Rabbit.

Have fun choosing your new companions.

ps: rabbits and guinea pigs are not natural living companions. Rabbits can damage the piggies and there are a few transferable diseases which can be bad news for both.