It’s a traditional spring gift, whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply attracted by the fuzzy baby bunnies at the farm supply or pet store. You think they’re so cute, and what a novel idea as a gift for young children, who can watch the babies grow up, who can cuddle and play with them. Think of the looks on the kids’ faces when they uncover that colorful basket and inside are . . . Easter bunnies!
Don’t do it.
Rabbits can make excellent household pets in situations where the correct care and handling can be provided. But for the average family home with young children, rabbits are completely inappropriate. Rabbits are not low maintenance. Rabbits must have as much care and attention as pet dogs and cats. Yes, rabbits need training to be housebroken (they can use litter boxes). Rabbits need a proper diet. Rabbits need exercise. Rabbits living indoors require rabbit-proofed areas to which they can have access, because rabbits chew cords and furniture. Rabbits must be spayed or neutered; if they are not spayed or neutered, they mark with feces and urine. Rabbits need regular and sometimes very expensive veterinary care. Rabbits like attention from people, but some do not like being held or hugged because it feels to them like being caught by a predator.
Rabbits can live as long as cats or dogs.
Household rabbits often live to age ten.
Children can lose interest in rabbits as pets within weeks.
(Chubs, photographed by Laura Vanderlind)
Rabbitron, a nonprofit organization in my area, says it clearly:
“Rabbits are prey animals by nature. They are physically delicate and fragile, and require specialized veterinary care. Children are naturally energetic, exuberant, and loving. But ‘loving’ to a small child usually means holding, cuddling, carrying an animal around in whatever grip their small hands can manag—precisely the kinds of things that make most rabbits feel insecure and frightened. Rabbits handled in this way will often start to scratch or bite simply out of fear.
“Many rabbits are accidentally dropped by small children, resulting in broken legs and backs. Curious children often poke at fragile rabbit eyes or laugh in delight at a rabbit who is running away in panicked fear, not understanding fear can kill a rabbit. Those rabbits who survive the first few months quickly reach maturity. When they are no longer tiny and ‘cute,’ kids often lose interest, and the rabbit, who has no voice to remind you he’s hungry or thirsty or needs his cage cleaned, is gradually neglected.”
Happy Tails Animal Sanctuary offers more details:
“Rabbits are adorable, especially when young, but they can live to be 10–12 years old and require more care than one would think. Rabbits are born to run, and confining them to a small cage can shorten their life span considerably. Most are terrified of cats and dogs, so they may not mix well with other pets in your household. You should groom and clean your rabbit’s habitat regularly. Rabbits require a varied diet including fruits and vegetables, along with chew toys to keep their teeth worn down.
“Most rabbits do not appreciate being held and cuddled and can bite or inflict other pain with their hind legs as they attempt to escape someone’s grip. If you are going to let your rabbit roam your house, remember these little guys love to chew cords, shoes, and furniture. And just like any other pet, your rabbit will need to be neutered to prevent unwanted spraying or other unpleasant odors.”
Rabbits are the third most abandoned animal in shelters nationwide.
The most common reason rabbits are brought to shelters is, first and foremost, that the people who bought the rabbit in the first place had no idea whatsoever of how much time, care, and consideration having a household rabbit would take. The rabbits smell (because they’re not cleaned up after). The rabbits chew (because the house is not rabbit-proofed). The rabbits bite the children (because the rabbits are frightened).
The House Rabbit Society minces no words about who’s responsible for the rabbit:
“As the adult, you need to get used to this idea:
“The rabbit will be your pet.
“If your family already has a rabbit whom ‘children were supposed to care for’ and there are problems with this, then try to reconcile yourself to the fact that a rabbit is an adult’s responsibility. Rabbits are very sensitive to changes to their feeding, cleaning, and exercise routines. Changes are stressful and may lead to illness. Symptoms of illness are often subtle changes in appetite, behavior, and/or droppings that even mature children will miss. It is unreasonable to expect a child of any age to take responsibility for care of a rabbit (or any pet). The rabbit and your children, as well as the family peace, will benefit greatly from you accepting this notion.
“If your family is considering adopting a rabbit, decide how you and the other adults in the household feel about taking on the responsibility of a rabbit. Do the adults want a rabbit as a member of the family? If the rabbit is an all-around family member (lives indoors, gets regular out-of-cage time) and play with the rabbit is supervised, then a child and rabbit can get to know each other and live together happily. Do the adults have an understanding of the basic nature of rabbits and what to expect in terms of time, training, and cost? Or, are you open to finding out? Are the adults willing to make a 5- to 10-year commitment?
“Unless the adults of the household are enthusiastic, informed, and committed about the work involved, a stuffed animal rabbit is a better choice.”
Should your family decide that you are all ready, willing, and able to make the commitment to adding a house rabbit or rabbits to your family, avoid those feed supply or pet store bunnies. Instead, adopt your rabbit from an animal shelter or a rescue that rehomes rabbits. You’ll be doing yourself and the rabbits a big favor.
Google “House Rabbit Society” for information on rabbits as household pets.
