help convince my mom

[Froogleyboy]

Okay, I'm looking to get a rabbit, and I found a place that has some sweet ones, but I'm not sure if she'd go for it, how could I convince her to let me get one

[Starbuck_II]

Have you shown her you are repsonsible before?
Assuming you have:
1) Tell her you have looked up on how to feed/what
2) How to take care
3) And you promise to do it.

If you haven't shown her you are responsible that might be step 1.

Oh, kinda need to make sure no one has allergies.

[CrimsonAngel]

If you do get it, try to dump it in radioactive waste. Only enough to make it look like a bear. Then bring it to school.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Sorry, can't help you. Raised rabbits for years. Had one in my room even for a month as a kid (well, 15-16) before i couldn't stand it anymore (and you're talking to someone who raised emus in there). Unless you get special training to make it use a litter box they are the nastiest little cretins ever.

They chew on things a dog would leave alone. They spray like a tomcat. They will then scatter anything that isn't nailed down or has been chewed to bits earlier.

Their urine is acidic and unless cleaned immediately will stain AND eat away.

All in all I wouldn't bother.

Gah...

(same goes for bloody guinea pigs)

[Froogleyboy]

Well all of the ones from these people are spayed/neutered and litterbox trained

[Solaris]

Well all of the ones from these people are spayed/neutered and litterbox trained

Then tell her it's like a cat, only cuter and less likely to bring home dead vermin. Plus, y'know, tastier.

[Asta Kask]

Okay, I'm looking to get a rabbit, and I found a place that has some sweet ones, but I'm not sure if she'd go for it, how could I convince her to let me get one

You mean one of these? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-544353/Ear-weighing-whopping-stone-meet-worlds-biggest-bunny.html) :smallbiggrin:

[toddex]

Wouldnt it be awesome if we bred* a race of super rabbits that quickly covered the earth and decimated cities?

[Solaris]

Wouldnt it be awesome if we bred* a race of super rabbits that quickly covered the earth and decimated cities?

Don't show her that when you're trying to convince her that bunnies are okay pets.

[billtodamax]

Regarding rabbits: Perhaps mention them in an offhand manner first, to judge her opinion on the matter.

Make sure you thoroughly do your research on the things.

...in my room... ...(and you're talking to someone who raised emus in there)...

:O You raised Emus in your room!

That is so cool!

[Johel]

(same goes for bloody guinea pigs)

Even worse with these ones, as they make crazy noise !!
My little brother had one (emphasis on "had").

The thing was eating like its stomach had no bottom. Each time somebody would enter the room where it was kept, it would whine in a series of high pitched screams, this until you drop it a romaine (chicon).
If it was only the food and noise, that would be bearable. But the little bastard was also pooping like hell. Damn, did it even digest what it was eating ? Hundreds of rice-sized brown "gifts" every week. Yeah...

I don't remember if we gave it someone or if we set him "free". The second option would have made the day of the neighborhood's cats, thought...

[Helanna]

Yeah, my sisters use to have a guinea pig and a rabbit . . . They got rid of them fairly fast. Turns out they're a lot cuter when you're looking at them in the pet store. And for some reason, there's a hamster in our spare bedroom that nobody really wants.

It's why I keep saying 'no' when people tell me I should get some cute rodent as a pet. No thanks, I like my bedroom to be quiet and clean. Even the dogs and cats are never, ever allowed in my bedroom, at all, ever.

About your mom:

Try to introduce the topic gently. Like, "Would you consider letting me get a small pet?"

Make sure you've done all the necessary research, and be ready to prove it.

If necessary, be ready to pay to provide it with everything it needs if your mom is reluctant.

[Amiel]

Actually, rabbits aren't probably the best choice. They lack the true affection of dogs and cats. They're all superficial appearance (the cuteness) and lack any substance. They bite like they mean it and gift it liberally. And it's painful; very painful. It's because they don't like being handled. At all.

You're probably better off getting gerbils or hamsters. Same family. Same buckteeth.

[Froogleyboy]

Actually, rabbits aren't probably the best choice. They lack the true affection of dogs and cats. They're all superficial appearance (the cuteness) and lack any substance. They bite like they mean it and gift it liberally. And it's painful; very painful. It's because they don't like being handled. At all.

You're probably better off getting gerbils or hamsters. Same family. Same buckteeth.
Well, I registerd on a Rabbit forum, they seem to like 'em

[Moff Chumley]

(same goes for bloody guinea pigs)

But... I LIKE Guinea Pigs... :smallfrown:


Even worse with these ones, as they make crazy noise !!
My little brother had one (emphasis on "had").

The thing was eating like its stomach had no bottom. Each time somebody would enter the room where it was kept, it would whine in a series of high pitched screams, this until you drop it a romaine (chicon).
If it was only the food and noise, that would be bearable. But the little bastard was also pooping like hell. Damn, did it even digest what it was eating ? Hundreds of rice-sized brown "gifts" every week. Yeah...

I don't remember if we gave it someone or if we set him "free". The second option would have made the day of the neighborhood's cats, thought...

1) Keep em in a cage in the living/sitting/place where no one sleeps room.
2) Clean the cage twice a week.
3) ...
4) Really, that's about it, in my experience.

I've had Guinea Pigs since I was nine or ten, and they've been nothing but amazing and cuddly. :smallbiggrin:

[Froogleyboy]

I love guinea pigs :)

[Maelstrom]

If you tire of it, it makes a nice meal!

[Isak]

Well, I registerd on a Rabbit forum, they seem to like 'em

And people on D&D forums seem to like D&D. :smalltongue:

What it really comes down to is proving to your Mom that you really want this. Pay for it's supplies for it's with your own money; Clean it and take care of it yourself; Show responsibility. Don't keep it for a week then get bored of it. Rabbits, if you couldn't tell, tend to be a higher maintenance pet than a Dog or a Cat,

[truemane]

Rabbits are indeed a high-maintenance housepet. You know your mother better than we do, but the advice you've gotten so far is sound: convince her that the thing isn't going to become her responsibility and then most likely she won't care.

That's the sticking point for most parents and their chilren's hairbrained schemes. We don't want your obsessions costing us time, energy and/or money. Or making a mess (which is just another word for 'time, energy and/or money').

You might consider starting small. Buy a hamster cage and a hamster and the like. They only live a year or two at the outside anyway (except someone on the forums here has a cranky one that won't die - but in my experience that's the exception), so if you can take care of that, then you'd be in a much better position to wheedle a rabbit out of her.

I'd suggest starting with a rat (two rats actually - they're social) as they're far easier to keep and you'll get far more enjoyment out of them, but mothers and rats (as a rule) do not go together.

But I wouldn't let either of my sons get a rabbit. No way. No how. Neither of them are responsible enough for it not to become MY responsibility.

[Froogleyboy]

I've raised rats, Well techniquely, a hairless rat. She was soooo fun, had her for five years, I miss her :(

[Moff Chumley]

I would consider a Guinea Pig over a bunny, to be honest...

[Asta Kask]

I've raised rats, Well techniquely, a hairless rat. She was soooo fun, had her for five years, I miss her :(

That's an ancient rat. The oldest I've heard of was 7, but that was a freak-freak. Two years is more common. :smallfrown:

Tell her that if you tire of it you can eat it.

[truemane]

That's an ancient rat. The oldest I've heard of was 7, but that was a freak-freak. Two years is more common. :smallfrown:

Tell her that if you tire of it you can eat it.

In my experience if you buy from retailers that are careful about their suppliers, 3 years a more reasonable estimate.

We currently have two rats coming up on their third b-day, both of them quite spry. One's getting a little crotchety in her old age, but aren't we all?

We have one more who just passed two-and-a-half. Her sister died last week so that off-sets the bell curve a little. And three more coming up on two. And one that's not even one. And one who's a rescued feeder rat, so we don't expect her to live as long as the others. But she's fiesty, so you never know.

[Thatguyoverther]

I'd try and sell her on the taste. If things go badly you can always eat it.

I recommend soup. With extra carrots, for irony.

[Groundhog]

Rabbits can sometimes be a bit mean (for instance, my aunt and uncle's rabbit delights in freaking out their two dogs, who are both scared of him.) but rabbit personalities also vary, and you can get very gentle, affectionate ones too. Whichever breeder you end up going to probably has at least one rabbit that fits that description.

If you've kept a rat for five years, then that should be evidence enough that you're responsible--use that as part of your argument. Another thing--although I don't know if this would be a plus or a minus for your mom--is that part of their diet includes some kind of fruit--which includes parts of fruit that people don't normally eat, such as grape stems--so you can say that part of the diet is free. (Not all fruits are good for rabbits, but still...)

One last thing, which I haven't seen mentioned on this thread yet: Rabbits groom themselves, similar to cats. But unlike cats, they can't cough up hairballs. So if you get one, you'll need to do one of two things to keep the rabbit from dying of a hairball in its intestines: One, brush it regularly. Two, there are certain types food that help a rabbit's digestion, so make sure that one of those foods are in its diet. (If you get a longhaired one, you'll probably need to do both of these things.)

[Escef]

A lot of people seem to have had bad experiences with rabbits.

Rabbits are reasonably low maintenance compared to a dog or cat.

Rabbits are also individuals, don't expect them all to be tame. Don't expect them all to be high strung, either. I've met rabbits that were irritable little cusses, and met rabbits that were quite happy to be handled (so long as you knew how to do so with out hurting them). I've also met rabbits that were pretty ambivalent about people, but good luck getting them back in the cage once out.

[jlvm4]

Okay, I'm looking to get a rabbit, and I found a place that has some sweet ones, but I'm not sure if she'd go for it, how could I convince her to let me get one

Agree with previous posters, the main thing is that you know what work it will entail and are ready to take it on. If it is an indoor pet, its cage will need to be cleaned regularly or it will smell. They chew electrical cords, even the nice ones. That sort of thing.

Other than that, is there other evidence of you taking responsibility for anything (homework, cooking dinner, cleaning room, etc) where you can point out success and then relate it to the upcoming pet. The rat would be a good example to start with, but a rabbit will be a lot more work and need a lot more space.

Rabbits can live a long time, so be prepared with a 'what happens when you head to college' kind of question, too. I've had rabbits for most of my childhood. The early pets were 'outdoor' rabbits, and only Shamus (much later in high school) was indoor. The outdoor rabbits lived shorter lifespans, but that was because they had predators that can and do find ways into the best-protected enclosures. The one that survived to die of old age was nearly eight years old. Shamus lived until I was an adult and on my own: we're talking ten years.

Other than that, my rabbits were all over the board personality-wise. One, I could tell was sick because it didn't try to bite me when I got near her. Shamus was a real sweetheart, though, and loved to be petted. Handle them as much as possible, if they'll allow it, to keep a sweet rabbit sweet.

Good luck

[Mando Knight]

Rabbits are reasonably low maintenance compared to a dog or cat.

:smallconfused: What kind of rabbit did you have? A cat takes to using the litter box for its waste like an otter to water. Rabbits don't have the same natural inclination to cleanliness nor the independence of a cat, who can be left to its own devices outside of a cage pretty much 24/7 provided you have a scratching post and a good supply of food.

[Froogleyboy]

rabbits can use a litter box

[Worira]

Not reliably, they can't.

[Mando Knight]

Not reliably, they can't.

Which cats reliably do: they like to bury their waste in soft soil or sandy material, so the litter box is a human development that imitates the cat's natural preference. Rabbits don't have that natural inclination.

[Escef]

:smallconfused: What kind of rabbit did you have? A cat takes to using the litter box for its waste like an otter to water. Rabbits don't have the same natural inclination to cleanliness nor the independence of a cat, who can be left to its own devices outside of a cage pretty much 24/7 provided you have a scratching post and a good supply of food.

My rabbits were in their cages most of the time. I only took them out when I could supervise them. And rabbits do have a natural inclination to go in the same place. (And one corner of the their cages showed it.)

If you have a wire bottom cage all you need to do is line the bottom with newspaper and maybe some wood shavings or sawdust. Swap in, swap out; easy-peasy. Just make sure you also give them some kind of solid surface to sit on, some rabbits don't take well to a wire cage floor.

And I'm still amazed that so many people have never come across a rabbit with a decent personality. Are they really so rare? Most domestic rabbits I've come across are indifferent to good natured about people; very few of them, in my experience, are nasty tempered.

Edit: Mando, my rabbits had a natural tendency to perform digging motions when they had to go. I don't know about other (or even the majority) of rabbits on this one.

[BigBadBugbear]

If you tire of it, it makes a nice meal!

Hmmm.. x-mas dinner.... (the rabbit...)

[BooNL]

I've raised rats, Well techniquely, a hairless rat. She was soooo fun, had her for five years, I miss her :(

My GF has a hairless rat as well, she is such a cute little beasty. She's the ugliest thing you've ever seen, but so much fun.
For some reason, she's (near) blind, I don't know if that's hairless rat related or if she's just blind.

Also, 5 years is freakin' ancient indeed!

Anyway, on topic: advice given so far is pretty sound. Though the most important question to ask yourself is: am I the kind of guy that will take responsibility for this beasty. If not, don't bother, you'll grow tired of it.

[onthetown]

Sorry, can't help you. Raised rabbits for years. Had one in my room even for a month as a kid (well, 15-16) before i couldn't stand it anymore (and you're talking to someone who raised emus in there). Unless you get special training to make it use a litter box they are the nastiest little cretins ever.

They chew on things a dog would leave alone. They spray like a tomcat. They will then scatter anything that isn't nailed down or has been chewed to bits earlier.

Their urine is acidic and unless cleaned immediately will stain AND eat away.

All in all I wouldn't bother.

Gah...

(same goes for bloody guinea pigs)


This. My friend asked me to take care of her rabbit for a couple of weeks several different times and it took everything in me not to cook it and eat it after dealing with the miserable little monster. And it was litter trained, too.

[Pocketa]

You can't make any promises.

It won't be clean.
It will require feeding and presumably exercise.
If you live in an area with dogs/house cats, that's a risk as well.
Who will buy the hutch, food, etc?

[Froogleyboy]

Well, I talked to my mom, she said no to the rabbit, but if my grades come up, I can have a pot-bellied pig, so . . .

[Maelstrom]

Really into those edible pets, eh? Maybe a tomato plant to go with it? Apple tree, perhaps?

[Froogleyboy]

Really into those edible pets, eh? Maybe a tomato plant to go with it? Apple tree, perhaps?

Pot-bellied pigs usually aren't bred for food (And I do have a crab apple tree named Floyd)

[Asta Kask]

Well, I talked to my mom, she said no to the rabbit, but if my grades come up, I can have a pot-bellied pig, so . . .

You do realize they weigh at least 60 lbs. and can grow to up to 300 lbs, don't you? They are small, but only in comparison with other pigs.

[Froogleyboy]

We know. A friend of ours has a miniature male and a regular pot-belly and bred them. She said we can have one

[truemane]

Well, I talked to my mom, she said no to the rabbit, but if my grades come up, I can have a pot-bellied pig, so . . .

Wow. That's like asking someone for five bucks and they say 'No, don't be stupid. But here's a thousand."

Do pot-bellied pigs do anything? Like find truffles or hunt insects or snort show-tunes or anything?

[Froogleyboy]

Turns out, they're alot like dogs

[Asta Kask]

Wow. That's like asking someone for five bucks and they say 'No, don't be stupid. But here's a thousand."

Do pot-bellied pigs do anything? Like find truffles or hunt insects or snort show-tunes or anything?

Well, come Christmas... :smallsmile:

Pigs are very intelligent - on par with dogs - so I'm fairly certain you can train it to do most things a dog can. And if it weighs 300 pounds, you can train it to charge bullies at school...

[Froogleyboy]

Well, come Christmas... :smallsmile:

Pigs are very intelligent - on par with dogs - so I'm fairly certain you can train it to do most things a dog can. And if it weighs 300 pounds, you can train it to charge bullies at school...

*evil laugh* "get 'em porkers"

[Pika...]

Hmmm...rabbit stew...



...Had one in my room even for a month as a kid (well, 15-16) before i couldn't stand it anymore (and you're talking to someone who raised emus in there)....)

Aren't those the critters you can ride and raise like real-life chocobos? I have always wanted to see one died yellow for those crazy races.

[Pika...]

Well, come Christmas... :smallsmile:

Pigs are very intelligent - on par with dogs - so I'm fairly certain you can train it to do most things a dog can. And if it weighs 300 pounds, you can train it to charge bullies at school...

I hear they are hypoallergenic as well. Maybe that was the reason she OK'd it?



*evil laugh* "get 'em porkers"

WAAAAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!


ps. It would also make for great emergency rations.

[Asta Kask]

*evil laugh* "get 'em porkers"

War Pigs. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbxfe7DMxVo)

MWAHAHAHA!!!

[Froogleyboy]

I hear they are hypoallergenic as well. Maybe that was the reason she OK'd it?


probably, her husband has alleged alergies

[Cicciograna]

Never grow fond of something you could eat in time of war.

[Froogleyboy]

Never grow fond of something you could eat in time of war.

Be careful what you say :smallamused: :smallwink:

[Asta Kask]

In Finland during WWII, people would raise pigs and eat during the winters. But they'd trade them - no one felt comfortable eating the pig they had raised.

[Froogleyboy]

Besides, I'm a vegetarian

[Erloas]

Besides, I'm a vegetarian

Yeah, but your probably wouldn't be if things ever came down to the point where eating your pet pig was even considered.

[Froogleyboy]

Yeah, but your probably wouldn't be if things ever came down to the point where eating your pet pig was even considered.

I have a survival garden :) Glenn Beck reccomended it

[Pika...]

Yeah, but your probably wouldn't be if things ever came down to the point where eating your pet pig was even considered.

Or dog, or cat, or neighbor. Same thing.

[BlueWizard]

Get a cat. Mine takes care of herself. And she likes me... sometimes.... :smallyuk:

[Solaris]

Or dog, or cat, or neighbor. Same thing.

Cat and human is some good eatin', but dog's more work than it's worth to cook so's it's tasty.

[Pika...]

Cat and human is some good eatin', but dog's more work than it's worth to cook so's it's tasty.

:smallbiggrin:

You know buddy, Pocketa over there is starting to look darn tasty all of a sudden...http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/celestialkin/Smilies/licklips.gif

[RabbitHoleLost]

I can't read this thread without thinking you're all mentioning my name.

By the way, yes, I am potty trained. :smallcool:

[Pika...]

I can't read this thread without thinking you're all mentioning my name.

My, my, a bit too much time spent on the intertubes it seems?



By the way, yes, I am potty trained. :smallcool:

You can potty train a rabbit?

[RabbitHoleLost]

You can potty train a rabbit?
I was going to say I was litter box trained, but that sounded weird.

Also, my friend has a potty trained cat.

[BooNL]

Also, my friend has a potty trained cat.

But... but... opposable thumbs?!

[Zeb The Troll]

But... but... opposable thumbs?!Why would opposable thumbs be necessary?

[Killer Angel]

Okay, I'm looking to get a rabbit, and I found a place that has some sweet ones, but I'm not sure if she'd go for it, how could I convince her to let me get one

Advice: never never never let her seeing you reading this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheBookOfBunnySuicides.jpg)

[BooNL]

Why would opposable thumbs be necessary?

To flush ofcourse.

[Zeb The Troll]

To flush ofcourse.But every toilet I've ever encountered, at home or in a public restroom, it's a simple lever. No thumbs necessary. Just mild downward pressure. I could even do it if I'd lost both hands in a horrible figure skating incident. :smallconfused:

[BooNL]

There's also the kinds where you have to pull the lever up to flush. As well as the ancient rope to pull.

Though I guess both are a bit old fashioned. I still see plenty of them though.

[Alyss]

Advice: never never never let her seeing you reading this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheBookOfBunnySuicides.jpg)
The one with the magnets and the knife shop is the best.

[RabbitHoleLost]

There's also the kinds where you have to pull the lever up to flush. As well as the ancient rope to pull.

Though I guess both are a bit old fashioned. I still see plenty of them though.

:smallconfused: I've never seen either. Huh.

[Asta Kask]

I have a survival garden :) Glenn Beck reccomended it

That's good, because a pig will need some place to root in or it will go nuts. And make sure you don't have parquetry at home, because that's bad for their feet (hooves? what do pigs have?).