Rabbits have become one of the most beloved pets on the planet. Aside from having cute and cuddly physical attributes, rabbits are also friendly. The number of families who are owning a pet rabbit has increased over the past few years. Indeed, these pets are family and kid-friendly. Moreover, these pets are also considered as one of the best animals that require less maintenance.
If you’re contemplating breeding a rabbit, then you must take the time to consider several factors first. You need to know what things you must do and what things you must not do to avoid the failure of reproduction. In this article, our topic will center on the list of animals you shouldn’t breed with rabbits. We’ll also discuss how you can properly breed your rabbit and understanding how the breeding process.
Before we provide you information on the list of animals you shouldn’t breed with rabbits, it’s important to note that rabbits easily populate. They can produce litter after litter without any difficulty. The reason behind this staggering reproduction is that in the wild, the rabbits face an extremely high predation rate. Thus, they managed to multiply at a very fast rate. This is why you have to be prepared if you want to breed a rabbit successfully.
It’s also worth mentioning that the rabbits reach their maturity age between 3 to 6 months of age. Unlike many other mammals, the female rabbit ovulates only after the male mounts on them – this is also known as ‘induced ovulation.’ By this time, the female produces an egg. And interestingly, after she has given birth, if the male rabbit mounts on her again, then you can expect your female rabbit to get pregnant within 24 hours only. Ask yourself within or not you’re ready for this kind of crazy reproduction rate.
List of Animals That You Shouldn’t Breed with Rabbits
One of the most frequently asked questions on the Internet today is whether or not you can breed rabbits and guinea pigs. The answer to that is no. In fact, you can’t breed any other animals with rabbits, especially those that have the same species. However, the scientific world can manipulate genes and, therefore, can still create life out of two different species, such as rabbit and guinea pig, which results in “cabbit.” Cabbit is a hybrid creature that resulted from the cross-breeding of rabbit and guinea pig.
Indeed, it’s impossible for rabbits and other animals to breed. But still, there are owners out there who are trying their best to crossbreed their rabbit with other animals. And as promised, we will list some of the few animals that you should not breed with your pet rabbits. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Cats and Rabbits
Not to be confused by ‘cabbit,’ there are some reports that have circulated on the Internet about breeding cats and rabbits, which are also called as ‘cabbits.’ However, there is no evidence of whether or not this kind of breeding is possible. But let’s say that it’s possible, then we can conclude that the diet of this unique creature should be different. Are you going to feed them with rabbit pellets or cat food?
Dogs and Rabbits
Another animal that you shouldn’t breed with your pet rabbit is a dog. Just imagine what it would look like to take care of a dog that looks like a rabbit or a rabbit that looks like a dog. We might imagine a cute and adorable creature, but this is a crazy idea. What if this creature is as big as a regular dog and has powerful hind legs? This can be potentially dangerous for the family at home.
Guinea Pigs and Rabbits
We already mentioned earlier that it’s indeed possible to be able to come up with “cabbit” through genetic manipulation, but still, this is a bad idea. First of all, rabbits and guinea pigs may look alike, but they are two different species. Although they may also have some similarities when it comes to food items still, they are some slight differences. Guinea pigs require more vitamin C on their diets. If you want this pet, though, then you can buy them from the market. However, you need to note that they can be pretty expensive.
Monkeys and Rabbits
Okay, this is getting weirder, but with the advancement of science and technology today, things can be possible. We don’t want a monkey and rabbit to reproduce because, first of all, it would look creepy. Second, their characteristics don’t seem to match. Therefore, this lovechild between monkeys and rabbits is not necessary.
Skunks and Rabbits
Do we have to say more? Well, imagine a creature that is as cute and cuddly as a rabbit but stinks like a skunk? It sounds like a disaster. We don’t want this kind of creature to go roaming around the planet, releasing both charm and rotten egg odor.
Proper Rabbit Breeding
Breeding rabbits can be beneficial, and it offers countless benefits and advantages. One of the reasons why a lot of people all over the world are breading rabbits is because they want to earn extra income. If you find these creatures cute and adorable, then why not make money out from it? This adds income to the household. Not only will you be multiplying cuteness, but you’ll also be increasing your income.
The good news is, breeding rabbits is very easy. However, before you start breeding them, make sure that you take the time to consider several factors first. Make sure that everything is prepared and that you have the right cage or enclosure to house male and female rabbits. For beginners, you can start with just 2 wonderful rabbits: male and female. These rabbits are prolific breeders, and even if it’s just the 2 of them, they can easily create a long line of rabbit generation.
Points to Consider When Breeding a Rabbit
Cost
Breeding a rabbit can cost you, although not that expensive. Rabbits can be affordable, depending on what time of rabbit you’re going to make. But still, make sure that you have enough money not only to buy 2 live rabbits but to sustain them and posterity. Buying feeds, or food items for your pet rabbit are also very important. You should also include the cost of going to the veterinarian for their annual check-up. And yes, include it on your list the cage or enclosure setup cost.
Time and Energy
Rabbits are very easy to take care of; however, you still have to provide time for them. You need to feed them regularly. You have to have positive and enthusiastic energy when taking care of your rabbits. Also, they can be very boisterous sometimes, depending on your mood. Therefore, make sure that you check yourself whether or not you have enough time to take care of these beautiful pets.
Type of Rabbit
There are different kinds of rabbits that you can find in the market today. Be sure that you do your online research first before you choose one. There are smaller rabbits, and there are larger ones. Hence, make sure that you consider your space when choosing a particular breed or variety of rabbits. Also, it’s important to note that when breeding them, you have to make sure that you don’t breed siblings since this can lead to bad reproduction, and deformities might arise.
Buying the Best Rabbit for You
When breeding a rabbit, make sure that you choose a healthy one. Be sure that you check the health of the pet before you start breeding them. To ensure that you have a healthy and quality pet rabbit, you should only buy rabbits from reliable and reputable sellers or online shops. Always check their background or credentials first before you buy anything from them. Visit their website and check what kind of rabbits they are selling.
One of the best ways for you to know whether or not the breeder or online pet shop is reliable or reputable is by reading reviews and testimonials written by people who bought a rabbit from them. If you think that the rabbit seller or online pet shop has received too many bad reviews or negative feedback, then the best thing that you can do is to look for other suppliers.
Enjoying Your Pet
Taking care of your rabbit is easy, albeit it might cost you your time, energy, and money, the rewards that they bring is truly priceless. Do some reading and conduct thorough online research before you start raising a rabbit. Make sure that you are ready, and the whole household is ready to raise a rabbit.
Asking for tips or pieces of advice from your friends or families who have been raising and breeding rabbits for many years now is also a smart idea. Also, if you have time, don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian and ask them for recommendations or things you need to do for your pet to live a happy and healthy life. Enjoy!
