Rabbits can be wonderful pets. They are easy loving and so cute that will steal your heart in a second. Rabbits are the second most common pets in the USA ( according to the American Veterinarian Association) and the third most popular pet in the UK ( says Rabbit Welfare UK). I guess that means something. Many people look after pet rabbits and consider them adorable.
I guess you are thinking of getting a bunny. That is a great decision but make sure you know all major pros and cons before you adopt one furry friend.
I have done research on this, trying to gather all necessary small and big things you need to know about these cuties. I hope this article will help you decide whether the rabbit will be a great pet for you or you should be looking for another kind of pet.
Table of Contents
Are Rabbits Low Maintenance Pets?
You will run into a few articles and clips that rabbits don’t require too much of your attention and therefore are low maintenance pets. I am not saying that those are false statements. I just want you to know that every rabbit has its own personality and that all of them have their needs that are not so simple. What I am saying, is that majority of people don’t realize that there is much more if you want to take care of your pets properly.
On a daily basis, yes, you can consider them low maintenance. You don’t have to walk them around, they can be litter trained. On the other hand, you have to clean them every day and change the bedding along with providing fresh hay.
They don’t require your company non-stop( but don’t forget they need to have interaction with you on daily basis) as they have their own friends ( rabbits usually live in pairs or groups) But there are a bunch of other things you need to think about when having a rabbit as a pet.
Also bear in mind that their average life span is around 10 years which is a pretty long commitment. So everything you need to do is to fulfill your pet’s needs, and you will be doing it for quite some time.
How Much Does Rabbit Cost ?
The rabbit itself costs around 30-70$ if you buy in a pet store. If you would like to rescue some fur cutie from a shelter you may save some money, as you will most probably pay 10-40$.
Everything depends on the place where you buy/adopt your pet and the breed. Some breeders will charge you more than a pet store in case of one breed but for some other breed you can pay less to a breeder than a pet store. Some rare breeds can cost 100$ or more per rabbit.
As you know the cost of the pet itself is just the tip of the iceberg. You have to provide proper housing (large outdoor hutch or good quality indoor cage) together with all necessary ”furniture”-litter box, food dishes, hay feeder, to establish a vet fund so you have enough money to pay the vet’s bills ( neutering, vaccination, annul check-ups and visits when they get sick).
You will need money to ensure that your house or just part of it is bunny proof. Don’t forget regular costs – the monthly supply of food, hay, litter… Count on 300-400$ for initial costs and about 70-90$ for a monthly supply.
Is Rabbit a Good Pet for Children?
Although cute bunny looks like a perfect pet for your kid, it is not. Sorry to disappoint you but this is a truth.
Rabbits are prey animals therefore they don’t like to be held or cuddled to often. You need time and patience to gain a rabbit’s trust, to allow you to cuddle him from time to time.
When it comes to children they don’t have the patience. Smaller children can be rather rough with bunnies simply because their motor skills are not developed totally. Also as prey animals, rabbits are afraid of noises, sudden movements. Can you imagine kids to be calm and quiet, at least sometimes gentle? Hardly…
However, if you have kids and they insist on having a bunny, prepare yourself to supervise every interaction between your kid and his/her pet. Also bear in mind that your kid may lose interest for his/her pet soon so you will be the one who will have to provide everything your pet may need.
Are Rabbits Solitary or Sociable Animals ?
They are definitely sociable creatures. Never keep a rabbit alone, he needs at least one more friend. Although your pet needs interaction with you on a daily basis ( at least 1 hour per day), he also needs a rabbit friend.
According to the UK Rabbit Welfare, some studies showed that rabbits appreciate the company as much as the food. If you have ever seen a group of rabbits, how they interact, play, groom each other, I guess you agree that is rather cruel to keep one rabbit alone.
Rabbits like to play and do the exercise. If they don’t have items to play with, they can get bored. Provide plenty of toys to keep your rabbit happy. Simple toilet paper tubes or empty cardboard boxes can be perfect toys. If you put some hay in them, even better, that would be exceptional entertainment for your furry friend.
Can I Keep My Bunny in the Cage?
Better not, but if you do that, do provide a large one. Rabbits need a lot of space. They like to run, stretch, exercise, play. The average rabbit weighs 8-10 Lbs and can grow from 10-20 inches ( depends on the breed). Imagine you have two or more of these cuties living together.
If you place them in some small cage, their life will be miserable. They need a cage which is at least 4 times bigger than itself. If the rabbit cannot do what he likes, he can become bored and depressed.
Some people decide to build/buy an outdoor hutch and to place it in their backyard. If you prefer more to have an indoor pet, then some puppy pen or some huge cage would be a good in-house alternative.
Rabbits like to wander around, explore on their own that is why many rabbits parents let them out of the cage to wander free in the room. It is a good idea but before that remember that room or rooms your rabbit wander around, need to be bunny proof.
If you want to know more details and suggestions about keeping your bunny outside you can read our article ”Is it Safe to Keep my Pet Rabbit Outside”
Area In Which My Bunny Move Around Needs to be Bunny Proof, What Does it Mean ?
As rabbits can be rather destructive it is recommended to choose one room in which you will allow your pet to move freely after you bunny proof that area.
Rabbits like to chew on different things – your wooden furniture, baseboards, wires, houseplants, food leftovers. For this reason, you need to think about how can you protect those items and your rabbit as well. For example, wires need to be lifted high so your rabbit cannot chew on them. If it is not possible then wires should be hidden or covered with special plastic tubes.
Also rabbits are very curios creatures, like to discover, so you should protect them from ovens, chimneys, candles and similar things that could be very interesting but yet pretty dangerous for them.
If you have other pets such as dogs or cats, don’t let them be in the same room with the rabbit when your bunny is moving around freely. Rabbits are prey animals and dog/cats are predators. Although both cats and dog can get along well with rabbits, don’t leave them alone in the same room without your supervision.
If your rabbit is an outdoor pet, living in your garden, make sure you provide some big cardboard or plastic boxes filled with earth so your furry friend can dig. Digging is one of the rabbit’s favorite activities. To prevent your garden from being destroyed, think ahead and give your pet a place where he/she can dig.
Do I Need a Special Vet for My Bunny or I Can Take It to the Same Vet I take My Cat / Dog?
The Vet that can treat rabbits is usually not the same one that treats dogs and cats. You need to find a vet who is specialized in exotic animals (lagomorphs). These vets are more expensive and harder to find but if you want your bunny to have good quality care then this is the price.
There are a certain number of things that are special about rabbits, anesthesia, surgeries, medications etc, so in order to get the proper care, you need to contact the right vet.
I found this useful advice – if you don’t know where to go, check the website of the Association of Exotic Mammals Veterinarians where you can find a reliable and knowledgeable vet in your area.
Are Rabbits Diurnal or Nocturnal Animals?
Well, none of these. Rabbits are crepuscular which means that they are active during sunrise and sunset. What is the reason for that?
Rabbits were always prey animals, especially before they were domesticated by French Monks 1400 years ago. For prey animals, the safest time to leave their burrow and to look for food is either at dawn or dusk.
You might ask your self why? And the answer is simple because night predators such as owls cannot see very well as it is to light and day predators such as foxes wouldn’t have a sharp vision as it is too dark for them.
Rabbits Leave Plenty of Poop but some of it They Eat
Rabbit’s digestive system is very interesting. They have to have food in their guts or they will stop working. That is why rabbits are constantly eating something and logically all that food has to go somewhere.
The good thing about poop is that your bunny can be litter trained. The strange thing about poop is that rabbits eat their own poop. This is not a unique case, hamsters do the same.
They have two different poops – the first one is hard and this one is definitely the waste but the other one is softer, this one is for ”recycling”. The softer one contains some nutrients that can be used only if the rabbit re-ingest them.
Does Rabbit Like to Be Cuddled ?
Some of them yes but most of them NO. People, especially kids want to have a rabbit as a pet as they would like a rabbit that is sitting in their lap and being cuddled while watching TV. This is not how your bunny imagines its perfect life.
Rabbits are prey animals and don’t like ( most of them) being picked up. This can scare them really badly. The best way to interact with your rabbit is to sit on the floor and play.
Does My Rabbit Eat Only Carrot?
Totally false! Although bugs bunny enjoyed tons of carrots, this vegetable is not the best one for your bunny. Due to a high level of sugar, carrots can be served but only occasionally and as a treat.
Rabbits don’t eat root vegetables in the wild so as you see people made up that nice picture in which bunny eats carrots.
Rabbits need fibers and lots of them, constantly. Their main food is hay and they need to have an unlimited amount of fresh hay every day. They like grass and some leafy vegetables.
Rabbit’s foot can be enriched with small amounts of pellets, specially made for them.
Can I Travel With My Bunny?
Better not. Rabbits are not good travelers, they don’t like to change the environment. Travel is one huge stress for them. That is why, if you need to travel, think about the person who can look after your pet.
If you are a person who travels a lot then maybe the rabbit is not a perfect pet for you. If you try to travel with your rabbit you may face many difficulties.
First, it would be hard to find the airline company which will allow you to travel with your rabbit in the cabin. Some countries ( Japan or UK ) require quarantine for rabbits as well as heath certificates before they let them in and some others will not permit you to enter with a rabbit at all ( Mexico for example).
Final Thought
Rabbits are very adorable pets for which you have to have a large space and lots of love. Having a bunny in your home may increase your costs significantly. But having those furry cuties running around will definitely make your life more beautiful.
Did you know that rabbits are third-most abandoned animals in shelters? There are so many of these cuties waiting for someone who can give them a home. Maybe this is you!
