Lets start with a question, should you get a pet bunny? I’m sure you’ve heard about these animals and just like me, you probably have heard at lest 5 people give you their opinion on these adorable creatures. Pets are an investment and for most of us its the biggest one yet. You will be taking in a member of another species into your home that will be relying on you for everything from food to shelter from predators. Rabbit’s are a great pet especially if it is your first time bringing home a pet bunny. They are relatively inexpensive as far as pets go and they require little work as well.
As a mental health provider, I’ve got some thoughts on pet bunnies that many people might not consider. I’m going to take a look and talk about the following: benefits of having a bunny, drawbacks of having a bunny, and what kind of bunny would be best for you or the situation you’re in right now.
If you’re asking yourself the question, “Should I get a pet bunny?” then the answer is yes. Bunnies make great pets!
Rabbits are easy to care for and require very little attention. They can be trained to use a litter box and will eat their food out of it as well. Rabbits are also very social animals and should not be kept alone. They need interaction with their human friends regularly in order to stay healthy and happy.
If you are thinking about getting a pet bunny, there are some things you should know.
First of all, rabbits are very social animals and need to be around people all the time. If you work full-time or go to school full-time, it may not be possible for you to give your rabbit the attention it needs. For example, rabbits need regular exercise and playtime, as well as daily grooming. You’ll also need to feed your rabbit daily and clean its cage frequently (typically once a week).
Another thing to consider is whether or not your home is suitable for housing a rabbit. Rabbits are very active animals and will need room to run around outdoors if possible; they also need their own space indoors where they can escape from other pets in the house or children who might tease them. If this sounds like something that could work for you and your family, then maybe having a pet bunny isn’t such a bad idea after all!
Should I Get A Pet Bunny
But what a lot of people don’t realize is that no matter how adorable bunnies are, buying one from a pet store or breeder is a terrible idea. Here’s why:
1. Rabbits are fragile.
Bunnies are “prey animals,” so they get scared when they’re picked up. Because their bones are delicate, they can get hurt and even break their own backs when kicking to get away.
2. A bunny is a big commitment.
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Many people don’t realize how hard it is to take care of a rabbit. Rabbits can grow up to weigh 20 pounds—that means they need a lot of space! Bunnies need certain foods, like grass, special hay, and fresh vegetables, and they need to go to a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits.
4. Many bunnies suffer before being sold.
Laws to protect rabbits aren’t very strict. So the rabbits you see for sale might have been mistreated before they got to the pet store.
5. Baby bunnies need their moms.
Pet stores and bunny dealers often buy rabbits when they’re only 4 weeks old because they take up less space and look so cute. But bunnies that young shouldn’t be away from their moms. Can you imagine being taken away from your mom as a baby and sold to a stranger? Pet stores are miserable places for animals, and if you buy from them, you’re supporting a cruel business that treats animals like products.
6. Rabbits can easily get sick.
They’re very sensitive, so any small change can make them sick or even kill them. Signs of a sick bunny include a runny nose, tilting their head to the side, not moving around much, diarrhea, sneezing, no appetite, tooth grinding, drooling, and constipation. If rabbits have spots or scabs on their bodies, it might mean that they have fleas or mites on their skin. Since they’re so delicate, bunnies can die very quickly if they get sick, so they should be taken to see the veterinarian right away.
7. Rabbits need a lot of attention.
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Rabbits are very social animals with a lot of personality. Many people don’t understand that they need just as much attention as dogs and cats do—they can’t be left inside a cage all alone. If they don’t get enough love and companionship, they’ll get depressed.
8. You may get bored quickly.
Once the excitement of having a new bunny wears off, many are neglected, ignored, or abandoned. Sometimes they’re left at animal shelters. But other times, their humans may put them outside in cages or dump them in the woods, where they won’t survive very long!
9. Bunnies should not be kept outdoors.
Some people don’t know this, so they leave their rabbits outside in cages, even in bad weather. They could be attacked by another animal or even stolen. Many bunnies suffer and die all alone. Since all cages are cruel, every rabbit should be allowed to live indoors and have the run of the (bunny-proofed) house. After all, bunnies are part of the family, too!
9. Grooming is very important.
Rabbits are naturally very clean, and they groom themselves, but unlike cats, they can’t cough up hairballs, so they have to be brushed at least once a week. Bunnies should never be bathed, because damp rabbits can catch pneumonia!
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Are you and your family ready for a lifelong commitment?
Rabbits can live for more than 10 years, and they require care and attention every day. If you and your family decide that you’re ready to bring a bunny into your lives, be sure to adopt from your local animal shelter, instead of buying from a pet store or breeder. Consider adopting two—many shelters and foster facilities have bunnies who are bonded pairs and can’t be split up, and this way, your bunny will have a partner for life. They’ll enjoy keeping each other company
If you plan to adopt two bunnies, make sure one is male and one is female, since they’ll get along the best. But it’s very important to get them spayed and neutered immediately. They’ll have longer, healthier lives, because they’re much less likely to die of diseases like cancer, and they’re easy to litterbox train once they’ve been “fixed.” Plus, rabbits are the third most common animal at shelters, just behind cats and dogs. There are already so many of them who need a loving home that it’s just wrong to bring even more of them into the world.
Rabbit-Proofing
Since bunnies are natural chewers, your family should cover all wires and anything else inside your home that bunnies might want to gnaw on that’s within reach. It’s also important to litterbox train your new friends by filling a low plastic bin with litter for small animals and putting some hay on top. Also, put some rabbit droppings in the box to let the bunnies know that this is the place to do their business. Make sure you have lots of toys ready. Bunnies love untreated wood, wire cat balls, paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, and things like that.