Are rabbits rubbish pets?

[iklboo]

We live near traffic islands with hundreds of bunnies on them. Every time we go past DS talks about wanting a rabbit (from a reputable breeder, not nicked off Bunny Island). I've heard they're bloody hard work.

He's adamant he doesn't want GPs and as much as I adore ratties we have cats & no room indoors for them. Also had hamsters & mice galore so no more of those either.

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

I think they're terrific pets, but I would consider them pets for adults really rather than kids, a bit like a cat or dog rather than a gerbil, for example. They need a lot of space, a companion preferably. Also, most would rather not be picked up although they like a stroke. And they can do quite a lot of damage to a small child trying to pick them up if they are not keen. However, I get an enormous sense of wellbeing watching mine hopping about or sunbathing in the garden. Unless you're keen, I probably wouldn't.

[Youdontneedacriminallawyer]

We had a house rabbit and she wasn't hard work at all. She'd hop about downstairs and in our walled back garden, all day and happily go to her cage to sleep at night.
She used to jump on to our lap for a cuddle when we sat down to watch tv.

No idea about garden rabbits, but I don't like the idea of keeping rabbits in cages.

[aprilanne]

i have a house rabbit .i am on this thing obviously and jim is sitting on my knee so yes they make fab pets .mines bites my ankles not sore but knibbles if he does,nt get attention .i am not kidding either .

[CMOTDibbler]

I like watching mine messing about in the garden (she and the chickens have free range in the day, and seem to coexist happily with the cats), but shes not really a pet. She can be cuddled, but doesn't particularly enjoy it tbh.

The chickens on the other hand come bustling up when you open the back door, are very cuddly, and chat to you.

[iklboo]

Hmmm. We have quite a large back yard, well fenced in so space for a fairly big hutch & room to run about for a bit on dry days. DS is 8 so a bit more responsible - not such a 'small' child IYSWIM.

What about the winter?

[ClashCityRocker]

They can be fantastic pets, but people often have unrealistic expectations of them being 'cuddly' and low maintenance.

They will need a hutch and a run bare minimum and out for exercise and socialisation at least once a day for as long as possible if you can't have them free range.

All our buns have been house buns though, although I know a lot of people who have converted sheds or outbuildings for the winter months.

They really are fantastic animals - may I recommend reading through language.rabbitspeak.com the language of lagomorphs? It will help you understand what your rabbits, should you get one, are feeling.

[ClashCityRocker]

Also, girly buns need to be spayed - I think they have an 80% chance of getting uterine cancer if not spayed. It should also make them less aggressive. Most bucks benefit from being done, too.

[TheScottishPlay]

My 10 year old DS has had his rabbit for 2 years. It probably sounds a bit daft but the pair of them have a real rapport. The rabbit follows DS around and loves to jump about with him when he plays xbox.
Care wise, a good sized hutch with a run, hay and rabbit pellets and daily fresh greens are needed.
Brushing your rabbit would be a good way for your DS to bond with his pet and is good for the rabbit.
One downside is however, many of DS clothes have little nibbled holes in them courtesy of his bunny so he now has a designated 'rabbit outfit'.

[iklboo]

I may be wavering. I do love bunnies, just don't want to get one & it ends up being hard done by.......

[FernieB]

Don't get one - get 2. Check out the RWAF and RSPCA websites first.

They are not cuddly. They need annual vaccinations and should be neutered. Only get rabbits if you are happy to do all the work as you will be doing it. They need cleaning out daily. They are great to watch and stroke but not easy pets.

[libertytrainers]

on mn you would think rabbits we like rotweilers.

they are fab pets for kids, ok they don't like being picked up alot but they do like company and can be fab pets for kids who enjoys rabbits.

btw mine aren't vaccinated or netured or need cleaning our daily.

[iklboo]

We would get a pair if we were getting any - like ratties I think they prefer company. DH will be doing the cleaning out etc (DS helping). I'm out of the house 6:15am - 6pm Mon-Fri and about 5 hours at least one day a weekend with work.

Lots to think about & it's not a cheap venture. Thanks MNers!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Take a look at the Runaround Website and A Hutch Is Not Enough
Ideas for accomodation to keep rabbits happy and excercised.

A wild rabbit will cover 5 miles a day.
Some of the hutches I've seen will scarely allow two hops for an adult.

They are not an animal I would choose to own TBH.
The things I like about guinea-pigs are probably things that rabbit owners don't like (guineas are vunerable, lazy and some say a tad boring)

Make sure DH is on boad for cleaning out - I do the guineas house (my choice too) and at 6.30am on a January morning when I'm getting it ready for them to go from their bedroom inside to their bedroom outside, I question my sanity

[Edenviolet]

Our rabbit is lovely. He is only about five months old and adores being cuddled and brushed. He even loves our 2 y o who can be a bit over affectionate but when he sees him he runs to him it is really sweet.

[Midori1999]

Rabbits are fantastic! They are almost like mini dogs, they have such amazing personalities and are full of character. It's great watching theme 'Binky' and leap about the garden or their run too. However, a proper set up is likely to be expensive, the minimum recommended space for a pair of bunnies is 48sq ft, but ideally they need as much foo as you can give them. A shed with a a teaches aviary/run is probably the cheapest and best sort of set up and it will also mean you don't have to get wet cleaning out in winter as you can get right inside and also sit in to spend time with the bunnies. They aren't generally great children's pets, they don't like being picked up and although they rarely bite, they can scratch and kick, so picking up is best left to adults. My children sit in my aviary with mine and they will lay next to them for a stroke or head run, but I don't let my children pick them up.

You could see if there's a reputable local rabbit rescue and go and have a chat and a look round. I'd definitely suggest using a rescue to get your rabbits from if you decide to go ahead. There are approx. 70,000 bunnies in UK rescues. Plenty of rescues either have babies in or get them often, but older bunnies are often less skittish and more predictable in their behaviour. A good rescue will offer lifetime back up and support and the bunny will be neutered and vaccinated, which usually costs about £70-100 in itself, whereas adoption fees start at a round £40 a bunny usually, so it's also a cost effective way of getting a bunny. If you get adults you will know that they are bonded and not likely to fall out, which babies can do as they mature. It's also quite difficult for rescues to home pairs or groups as most people using rescues want a bunny friend for an existing bunny, so you'd be doing a great thing, not only helping two bunnies, but also making room for more in the rescue.

[iklboo]

Thanks Midori. Def something to think about.