Pet rabbit - let me know the workload!

[NauseousNancy]

My two children have been asking for a bunny for well over a year. I’ve always said no.

They are so persistent, and while I keep saying no, I’m coming round to the idea of a pet.

Tell me straight how much work they are. Kids aren’t of an age where I can rely on them, so I need to take the responsibility if we do get one.

Is there such a thing as a house rabbit?? Or would we build a run outside?

We both work full time, but there is someone in the house 5 days a week.

I would say no to getting rabbits too. There're much messier than having a cat and they don't like being picked up at all so not great for a 3 year old. Plus they chew everything in sight.

As PP have said, rabbits are expensive, messy, need to be kept in pairs, and need loads of space.

They are not generally cuddly and get stressed when picked up so are not good pets for children.

Having said that, we've kept rabbits for years and love having them, but they take a lot of patience, time and money to make good pets.

I agree with those who have recommended the Rabbit Welfare Society website. That gives an idea of the type of commitment that is needed.

I've had 11 over the years. From age 5 to now at 30. I love rabbits, but they are hard work. All those saying they are rubbish pets, have probably only had one or two difficult ones. Animals have their own personalities, some of them are harder work/less affectionate ect individuals than others.

The rabbit I had at 5 was...a bit of an asshole xD (but then i was probably annoying af to deal with tbf) The second one I got and grew up with was my best friend and I still miss him to this day.

They are hard work. Harder work than cats I would say. And they are expensive. And I wouldn't recommend them for young kids. But 7+ should be fine, so long as they are relatively chilled kids.

I have had Guinea pigs too but...all I can say is you have pets you like...and pets that are family. I never formed that bond with my guineapigs. Also, guineapigs smell way worse so I would never get them again knowing they have to be kept indoors.

All in all I would say to get an older, rescue rabbit that has been neutered or a pair (though I disagree that they need to be in pairs. I think that depends on the bunny and also, how much time you will be around). That way they are passed their 'difficult teen' stage. And you will have a better idea as to personality. Always make sure they are food motivated and that they are ok being lifted (or at least as ok as rabbits can be with that).

Ideally you need garden space. Even if they are staying indoors 24/7 they need a good run about or most will become destructive. Garden space helps prevent that. I would never get a bunny without garden space again. Also, some love wires. So if you have a lot about...bare in mind that if yours does, you 100 percent will lose a few now and again, no matter how well protected they are.

I wouldn't say dont get a rabbit because when you get it right, they are magical and bring such love and joy. But realistically, another type of pet might be easier.

Yikes, sorry for the book

I’ve got two pet six year old house rabbits. I absolutely adore them but they are very hard work. I have to clean out their indoor houses twice a day as one of them has recently had respiratory issues. They require a lot of time and attention, and a very good quality controlled diet, and they cost me at least a £100 every month (excluding vet fees). They also had to be separated as they started fighting and are now even more work. They are very clever and mischievous little creatures, who are also very sensitive to change (they need a strict routine). That said they are such sweet animals and mean the absolute world to me, and I wouldn’t be without them. They are extremely affectionate and love their cuddles with me. My advice is not to get rabbits unless you are fully aware about how much time and attention they require, and how much they cost! Rabbits can make absolutely wonderful pets, but only if you are able to meet all of their specialist needs. I would also be very cautious about getting rabbits with small children as they are extremely fragile.

We had rabbits my whole childhood. Expensive food and lots of fresh salad etc, and our garden was massive and bunny proofed completely (after several escapes) but yes like PP said they don't really enjoy being kept as pets theyre brilliant to watch from a distance and sometimes mine did like a bit of TLC, i enjoyed them more as i got older

Rabbits are gorgeous IF you are at home a lot, handle them loads, give them lots of space and are sensitive to their needs. They are staggeringly cute but you have to think about their natural behaviour in the wild.

Mine are extremely tame and loving but only because I spend a lot of time with them.

Please no. We had litter trained house rabbits for over 10 years so I do know what I’m talking about. They are prey animals and not suitable for children. Children up picking up pets, the majority of rabbits hate it. They have wonderful personalities and I adored mine but they are a lot of work and responsibility. They should never be bought as a single but in pairs, they are not designed to be solitary animals. They need specific types of hay, pellets and greens and they also need yearly vaccinations as well as neutering or spaying. All costs money. To put a rabbit by itself at the bottom of the garden and leave it there is downright cruel. I loathe seeing that. They are wonderful social animals with great characters but are rubbish pets for children. Please don’t do it.

We've got two big house bunnies who live in the living room at my exes. They're gorgeous, but spectacularly boring for DS. I definitely recommend guinea pigs for you!

We've had several Syrian hamsters (one at a time) and they have been dead easy but rewarding pets. They are allegedly nocturnal but ours have always tended to wake up when they hear people around=food. Sadly they don't live very long :( which is the downside.

@Shadowdoor21

The fact that you clearly know nothing about rabbit social needs, natural history and have had an awful lot of rabbits over a relatively short period of time tells us everything we need to know about your expertise!

Considering your first two rabbits were clearly solitary and that properly cared for rabbits should live around 8-12 years, you've either owned a lot of rabbits very recently or your rabbits haven't reached an appropriate life expectancy. Also interesting that you feel you know more than welfare scientists and veterinary experts - what's your knowledge based on?

Wow. Rude much. 11 rabbits in 26 years isn't necessarily a lot, especially considering I ACTUALLY normally have 2-3 at once (I just dont always keep them in the same pen space). I've had 3 pairs. So your assumption would be wrong.

My rabbits have lived between 6 and 13 years.

I suggest you stop making assumptions. Especially such mean ones.

Literally shaking because you are so rude. I mean seriously, wtf.

Also, I never claimed to be an expert, its personal opinion. Ive found some rabbits fight in pairs for dominance and it just doesnt work out no matter how you try to bond them. Thise rabbits are happier on their own(provided they get lots of human interaction) or just with distance of other bunnies so they an see but not get into fights.

Cats are not self sufficient either. Regardless of your chosen pet....You get back what you put into them. Pleas consider this before embarking on any undertaking of caring for a pet. I'm a vet nurse and had cats for many years and they are by no means an easy option....just saying

We had lots of rabbits as pets as kids and I would also say that they are not really the best animal as pets for children. Over the years I've known over fifty rabbits and they have varied tremendously in their outlook and personality, from the downright vicious (looking at you Nancy) to the stodgy kind who rarely moved, just sat and ate. One of ours lived to be roughly sixteen years old, so it's not impossible that you could be looking after it for a longer time than you might expect...

But although they can be lovely, they aren't really appropriate as pets for children. Although all animals should be respected by children regardless, some are more suitable and are much more rewarding long-term. I'd go for a cat myself, or rats if you like them. Rats are great.

I ACTUALLY normally have 2-3 at once (I just dont always keep them in the same pen space). I've had 3 pairs. So your assumption would be wrong.

Except that one of my assumptions was that you've owned a fair number of rabbits fairly recently, so that would be correct.

My assumption that you don't know very much about rabbit natural history or social needs is based on your opinion - which contradicts the evidence. Rabbits tend to be territorial rather than hierarchical (esp females) which is one of many reasons why neutering is so important. It's frustrating to see people sharing personal opinion as 'fact' when the outcome is a recommendation to keep rabbits in poor welfare social structures.

See the RWAF website for good info. rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/bonding-rabbits/

If either of those assumptions leave you shaking due to my 'rudeness' then I'm very happy for you to correct me, but like I said, if your advice is likely to result in an outcome that results in poor welfare, then it's not unreasonable to be challenged on that.

Definitely sure of no rabbits now!
Although, I will say that I would never have an animal without giving them all my care.

Lovely to hear of everyone’s stories of having rabbits though, never knew they were so antisocial!!

@Ludo19 I have lots of experience of cats, so please don’t worry.

Haha my first one used to literally back into my face when I was a kid (she'd hide between the middle bit of the two armchairs that were pushed together and if you put your face down there...heaving help ya - BAM). I think it's just like people though. Sometimes we're a bit cranky xD

You get the extra licky sweetheart bunnies too so that balances things out lol.

They always have personality though that's for sure :)

But I think you might have made the right decision.

Maybe as pp said, a hamster?

*heaven

Reading everything here, we were shit rabbit keepers when I was a teen. Sounds like I did just about everything wrong.

They're quite long lived, not far off cats. Ours died when in someone else's care, I think from overheating in a hot summer.

I agreed to get a cute bunny for me and DCs. He was a rescue, used to being alone and rescue advised not to try and bond him with another but just to make sure he had plenty of interaction from us.

Honestly, I would never have thought it but dear lord he was as much work as a pony!! Kids lost interest after a few weeks so it was work to keep them involved plus all the cleaning out, playing, feeding etc.

Beautiful boy but I’d never have another!

How is over the last 26 years 'fairly recently' ....?

I never said anything about neutering either? Apart from it WAS wise to get one that was neutered.

I think you've either skim read my post or confused what I've said with someone else veter... as I'm definately pro neutering bunnies. Especially the females due to chance of cancer. But the males too because otherwise they tend to...for lack if a better word...squirt lol

We've just got a cat. Great pet for kids! He's very affectionate and loving with the children and curls up next to them on the sofa. He's also very playful which keeps the children entertained. Very low maintenance - he sleeps anywhere (sofa, floor etc) and uses the litter tray now but we've only just started letting him outside. I'm sure once he's comfortable outside he'll do his business in the garden. He's able to amuse himself if we're busy or out. I really think cats are a lot easier than any kind of animal that needs a cage or hutch as you're not constantly cleaning it out. They're also easier than dogs - although dogs are great companions they're much more dependent on humans.

As for bonding bunnies, I'm all for it. But sometimes it just doesn't work out. And also, I've had bunnies that have been perfectly happy on their own. Tbf there was normally another bunny with in touching distance (through mesh run) several times per day. But personally I dont see the harm in keeping some bunnies as singular, if you are going to be home inside with them most of the time. As you said, they can be very territorial and sometimes keeping them on their own is just the smart move. Which may sound sad, but often you'll find these bunnies bond really well with an owner instead. Of course do what you feel is best for a pet. But I feel with rabbits it is a case by case thing.