Bunny Kingdom

This might seem like an obvious question, especially if you visit a breeder specializing in one breed. It’s always a good idea to double-check, though. Some non-reputable breeders will pass off look-alike rabbits as pedigree.

Depending on why you’re buying a rabbit, whether it’s for breeding, showing, or a family pet, asking about their socialization will tell you what to expect from your bunny. Some breeders don’t interact with their stock, and the rabbits will be timid and unsure around people and other animals as a result.

If you have children, other pets, or both, it’s important to make sure your new rabbit will be at ease around them. Not only will your newest family member be more comfortable around you, but they’ll also settle into their new home much faster.

A family pet doesn’t necessarily need a pedigree or proof of lineage, especially if you have no plans to take your rabbit to competitions. However, if you do plan to take your rabbit to shows or even start your own in-home breeder business, you’ll need to prove that your rabbit comes from good stock.

Pedigree paperwork is an official way of claiming a certain bloodline. It proves that your rabbit comes from a long line of ancestors of the same breed. For shows and breeding registered pedigree rabbits, these papers are essential.

Make sure your breeder keeps the pedigree documentation for their stock. They should include the paperwork with the price of your new rabbit.

Pedigree animals are always more expensive than mixed breeds. They’re highly sought after and backed by official directories that hold breeds to a particular standard and ensure that bloodlines aren’t tampered with.

You should know how much your new rabbit will cost before visiting so you don’t get blindsided, but it’s always a good idea to double-check before agreeing to pay anything.

The cost of your rabbit will vary depending on age, breed, quality, and sex. Remember, reputable breeders include veterinary expenses, pedigree papers, and often a health guarantee in their asking price. Prices can range from anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and anything surprisingly cheap should give you pause.

An inexperienced breeder doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not serious about their work. However, a more experienced breeder — with a history full of raising rabbits, if not breeding them — will be more familiar with the animal and the breed.

They’ll have a working knowledge of common issues of caring for rabbits. If it’s your first time looking after rabbits, an experienced breeder will give you advice on how best to take care of your newest family member.

Asking what food the breeder uses serves two purposes. For new rabbit owners, it’ll give you an idea of what to feed your new rabbit. Breeders worth their weight in gold will only choose high-quality food that will give their rabbits the nutrients and minerals that they need, along with ensuring a balanced diet.

More experienced rabbit owners can use this question to find out if the rabbits in the breeder’s care are given proper meals. If a breeder turns out to be feeding their rabbits food that will cause them harm, it may cause long-lasting health issues down the line.

Asking the breeder, particularly one who’s been breeding rabbits for years, will give you more insight into your new pet’s ancestry. They’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how large your rabbit will be.

This particular question is also important due to any space constrictions at home. If you accidentally buy a giant ball of fur instead of a dwarf rabbit for your one-bedroom apartment, you may find yourself struggling to fit them into your home.

Instead of asking how old the rabbit is, which can lead to unsatisfactory and vague responses, try asking for the rabbit’s birthday. Breeders keep detailed records of every part of the breeding process, including birth records.

Knowing the rabbit's birthday will tell you two things:

• Whether the rabbit is 8 weeks old or not — any animal younger than this should not be taken away from their mother.
• How seriously the breeder takes record-keeping — if they can’t keep track of birthdays, vet checks and pedigree certificates will be forgotten too.