Rabbit Care

Facts to know before getting a pet rabbit

  • Finances

Having a pet rabbit is comparatively expensive than having any other pets. Prepare to spend money on the adoption fee ($60+) as well as housing, food, and bunny proofing materials up front. Also, make sure you can afford the ongoing costs of a bunny, such as food, litter, and vet bills (including spay/neuter fees if the bunny did not receive the surgery while at the shelter/rescue).

  • Rabbits Aren’t the Best Pets for Kids

Yes, every child would love to have their own happy little bunny, but the rabbit may not appreciate having a tiny child as their primary caregiver. As the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) points out, rabbits are prey animals who are readily startled by loud noises and lurching motions. Picking up rabbits is also prohibited since it may cause them to believe they are being pursued by a predator. Do not get a pet rabbit if you have a small child at home.

  • They necessitate specialized medical attention.

You must be attentive of your rabbit’s overall well-being, just as you would with any other pet, but rabbits have unique requirements. As per PETA, there are specialized veterinarians exclusively for rabbits, who can be more expensive than your average veterinarian. Annual visits to the veterinarian are recommended by the RSPCA to inspect their teeth, screen for parasites, and receive immunizations.

  • Bunny proofing your house is a must 

If the bunny will have unrestricted access to the house/apartment/room, you must bunny proof the space. Even if you keep the rabbit in a cage, condo, or puppy pen, you’ll need to keep your home safe when letting it out for supervised exercise. Rabbits are inquisitive and persistent animals. They’ll find a way into your computer cords, wires, molding, couch piping, frayed carpets, and so on. They’re going to consume all of your crucial paperwork. Tips on protecting your bunny and your belongings can be found in our Bunny Proofing page.

  • Rabbits don’t like travelling

Rabbits become quite agitated when traveling or placed in unfamiliar situations, so if you go on vacation, it’s ideal to have a professional pet sitter on hand to keep an eye on the rabbit. Rabbit ownership is probably not for you if you’re a frequent traveler who needs or wants to see different parts of the world. Only a few airlines in the United States and overseas allow rabbits to fly in-cabin. Upon arrival in foreign countries, rabbits are frequently subjected to multi-month quarantine periods, and in many cases, pet rabbits are not let in at all.

  • Nutrition

It’s crucial to understand a bunnies’ dietary needs throughout his or her life. A rabbit’s health depends on proper nourishment (in the right amounts). Fiber is very crucial in a rabbit’s diet. Rabbits must have constant access to limitless grass hay. It is critical to guarantee that no one in the family suffers from hay fever. See our articles What to Feed Your Pet Rabbit and Hay for Rabbits: Essential for Good Health for additional information on rabbit nutrition. Another excellent resource is the House Rabbit Society’s article on diet, which covers the proper amounts and varieties of food to feed your rabbit from infancy to old life.

Final Thoughts

Do your homework before bringing a bunny into your home! While it’s tempting to get caught up in the excitement of obtaining a pet rabbit, you should first consider whether you can actually give a bunny with a good everlasting home.
Please adopt a rabbit from a rescue or shelter rather than buying one from a breeder or pet store if you’ve done your research and are convinced you can properly care for one. Homeless rabbits of all shapes and sizes are overflowing shelters. For additional information, see our article on the advantages of adopting a rabbit.