Few people can resist the temptation to cuddle rabbits or at least pet them. Little wonder pet shop owners tend to have hutches with those furry and cuddly rabbits right at the shop front to attract families to come in. But before you fall into the temptation of buying a pet rabbit by impulse, there are 5 serious aspects to consider first. It is a growing problem around the world, especially just after Easter every year when societies that care for and foster abandoned pet rabbits get the highest number of discarded rabbits. Of course, the second busiest period is late January when the excitement of the “Christmas bunny” fades under the realization of the depth of the necessary commitment.
Impact On Your Family
Keeping a rabbit healthy and happy will require the cooperation of all members of your family. Everyone will need to know how to handle the rabbit and, as a minimum, be careful not to do things which could upset, or even injure it.
Normal family activities like jumping, shouting and playing loud music or computer games may have to be restricted to areas where it won’t cause your rabbit to be frightened or injured by family members or its own reaction to their handling.
Very young children should never pick up a rabbit. They could injure it or the rabbit might react to their awkward handling by biting or scratching them.
Older children can learn about responsibility and other important values if you give them a share of the tasks associated with their new pet. But, it must be an adult’s responsibility to ensure that the rabbit’s health and comfort are not compromised by a child’s failure to do the tasks on time.
Daily Care
Your rabbit needs attention from a human every day, so you will have to arrange for a reliable person to feed, clean and check on your rabbit if you will be away from home for more than one day.
That might be another family member, friend or professional carer. If your whole family will be absent, then you will probably need to pay a carer who will visit and check on your rabbit, unless you have a helpful friend who can, without much interruption to their own day, come to your home to feed and check on your pet.
Impact To Your Home
Bringing any animal in to be part of your household will require some adjustments. Dogs and cats have become more domesticated than rabbits, which need more time and care to adjust.
These are some of the areas where you might need to take action for the safety of your pet and your property:
- Electrical and phone cords: The level of damage to appliances and phones where the cords have been chewed by pet rabbits is high enough to cause concern to insurance companies and is obviously dangerous for the rabbits.
- Carpets and drapes: Rabbits will chew almost anything, so you need to supervise it closely and remove any valuable or dangerous temptations from their reach or protect them from your rabbit.
- Danger spots: Rabbits are curious and quick. They will check any liquid or powder they find by tasting it. They can also get into trouble exploring any gaps, open doors and windows, going behind or under furniture and appliances.
Waste Products
Your rabbit will usually be fairly easy to train to use a litter box. There are exceptions!
But, it’s probable that it will deposit some droppings or (more likely) some urine outside of that area. This should only occur occasionally unless you keep a male that has not been de-sexed. But, you should consider the possibility when you are thinking about bringing a rabbit into the home, instead of deciding you must get rid of your pet after one or two accidents.
Other Pets
If you already have other pets, think carefully about whether it will be safe to have a rabbit in your home.
Dogs have a natural tendency to prey on rabbits and cats may cause them injury, or worse. These actions are instinctive. Even the most placid animals need to be closely supervised at all times. They may seem to be playful with the rabbit, but that play, or even just being close to the rabbit, could arouse their natural instincts at any time.The presence of these predators may also cause great stress to the rabbit.
Even birds, such as parrots, can frighten a rabbit which has to be wary of large birds in the wild.
Should you decide to get a pet rabbit after those 5 serious consideration, and you would like to give your new pet the best home, here is a real good guide book to help you fulfill your dream of owning your own pet rabbit.
Mary Barnes has had several rabbits as well as pets of various kinds.
She says that the bond that can develop between a rabbit and its owner is as special as that enjoyed by people with any other kind of pet.
“In some ways, “said Mary, “it can be more special because the rabbit retains more characteristics of its wild forebears and it’s wonderful to feel the bond that develops between the rabbit and its owner.”
“Every rabbit is different – each has its own magic appeal.”
Your Pet Rabbit Guide
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