Dont buy any rabbit under the age of 8 weeks, it could be a death sentence.
Warning to Rabbit Adopters
Buying a Bunny
Responsible Rabbit Breeders are often contacted by distraught pet owners. Many, only having just brought home a new pet rabbit find it dead only days later. We all know that bunnies are at their cutest when they are only a few weeks old, but this is not the time to bring them home to meet your family. If these bunnies are to have their best chance of survival they need to be able too fully wean from their mother, this process takes until they are 8 weeks old.
The weaning process
The weaning process begins at 4-5 weeks, when the babies begin to ingest good & bad bacteria. Some of this bacteria will become part of their normal gut 'Flora', while other bacteria may be potentially harmful. In the intestine, the babies pH levels are also changing. During this time the babies will still be feeding of their mother, and will be ingesting many of their mother's antibodies. These antibodies help the babies to kill harmful pathogens and bacteria, that the babies have ingested from their environment. The pH levels of the mother's milk are also changing in tune with the pH levels of the babies intestines. The babies need 8 weeks to fully wean from from their mother. This time is needed for the sufficient establishment of a healthy immune system.
The sad truth
If a Baby Bunny is taken from its mother and not given a full 8 weeks to wean it will suffer a very high risk of Enteritis. This debilitating disease will see an inflammation of the intestinal lining, and results in a fatal diarrhea. This risk of Enteritis is further increased during periods of stress, such as the trauma of re-homing or sudden change of food supply. Be a responsible adopter, and do not allow a bunny to die simply because it is "cute" at 4 weeks. Baby Bunnies deserve the chance to grow up healthy and happy, give them the best possible chance in life and wait until they are 8 weeks old before removing them from their mother.
Where to buy
The best place to purchase a rabbit is from a Registered Breeder and Exhibitor, these people are members of societies and clubs that mandate members don't sell their rabbits under the age of 8 weeks. Registered Breeder and Exhibitors are also extremely good sources of knowledge on how to care and look after your pet rabbit. To find a Registered Breeder and Exhibitor we recommend that you contact your Local Rabbit Society or Association, many of their websites have Breeder Directories. Try to avoid Pet Shops and the Non-Registered breeders who more than often sell rabbits at less than 4-5 weeks. They are often only after a quick dollar, and are not interested in the rabbits prosperity and welfare. Please do not support the non-registered "bunny millers" by purchasing under age kits. If in doubt, contact your Local Rabbit Society or Association.
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Rabbit Welfare Australia has the support of the following Australian Rabbit Clubs & Groups
in the promotion of its campaign against the selling rabbits under 8 weeks.
