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Writer's pictureAlana Lambert

Characteristics of Rabbits New Bunny Owners Should Know

Updated: Feb 22, 2023


one bunny looking at the camera and the other bunny is in the litter box

Rabbits are great pets and they have personalities. One rabbit can be different from its littermates. Regardless of sex and breed type, they still make fantastic pets for adults and kids but with supervision.


To give you an idea about different bunny personalities, they can be lively, shy, calm, curious, and funny. That must be a lot of characteristics in a rabbit, you may think. Well, it must be exciting to handle a rabbit with those personalities!


Before becoming a bunny owner, you must know these different characteristics of rabbits so you won't be surprised when they do something weird to you and your house.

Do not ever be terrified when you read the phrase "your house" because it will be an amazing experience.


Let's dive into it!


Different Characteristics of Rabbits


Rabbits make good companions like any other pets. When you finally get yourself a rabbit, you will see how these characteristics unfold, and it gets more exciting as you get along with them daily.


Here are things you need to know about rabbits of different ages to monitor their growth and personality changes.


Week-Old Bunny


Newborn bunnies are fragile, they need to stay in a darker place with enough milk (it can be a kitten milk replacer or goat milk) and you cannot touch them as they are still baby rabbits.


8-Week-Old Bunny


Baby rabbits can be removed from their mother not lower than 8 weeks because they need to receive necessary gut flora and antibodies from their mother. Also, at 8 weeks, you should separate male and female offspring so they don't breed.


10-11-Week-Old Bunny


If you plan to get a rabbit from a store or breeder, although we do not condone breeding rabbits, it's best to know that rabbits from 10-11 weeks or older are good to begin having as pets.


Adolescent Rabbit


At three to four months, rabbits begin in their adolescent stage. This is the age where their hormones are flowing. Raging hormones can result in more aggressive bunny behavior unless neutered or spayed; they can be calmer.


At this stage of adolescence, they start to bite, spray urine, nibble cables, or even destroy your clothes and furniture. These characteristics of rabbits at four months are typical.


They are part of the maturation stage, and as Dana Krempelsdiscussed, neutering or spaying can help lessen this behavior and many other advantages.


Female Rabbit vs. Male Rabbit Personalities


Do you prefer a female rabbit or a male rabbit? Both genders are great, but it's also necessary for you, as a bunny owner, to know the differences between male and female rabbits. What are the differences between the two genders?


Female rabbits tend to be more aggressive, especially with their newborns, that's maternal instinct and they are being protective. They are bossier than male rabbits.


They love digging because they are the homemakers of rabbits in every household. That's why it's natural for them to become territorial and protective.


As you get along with them every single day, the time will come that they will trust you, accept you as a part of the family, and will become more loving to you as their owner.


Male rabbits, on the other hand, are more relaxed. Male rabbits' personalities are almost the opposite of females'. They are calmer and easier to bond with.


They are more careful with things meaning they have less destructive behavior. Male rabbits can also be aggressive when they have high sex drives, so they must get neutered.


Female and male rabbits can get along so well when they are neutered or spayed, and you don't have to bother about getting more bunnies because your female rabbit can't get pregnant since it's already fixed.


Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits. We volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, did extensive pet product research, and asked experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.



Final Thoughts on Characteristics of Rabbits


With all these characteristics, it's wise not to rush their adjustment period. You must consider their age, gender, and different experiences in the shelter where they came from.


When planning to adopt a rabbit, it's best to ask about every detail so you can adjust.


The adjustment period also includes litter training, and you don't have to worry about that because we've come up with a product that will be useful for your bunny!


product poster with "THE BUMBOX" written at the center

Bumbox is available on Amazon. You can also visit HoppScotch.bun for more information about the product.


Message us at HoppScotch.bun!


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