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.

Sorry about the essay! I just felt rabbits seemed to be getting a hard time. I guess you need to be very sure of what you want from a pet before you decide which type of pet is best for you.

I totally agree. I advised op NOT to get rabbits as a first pet for dc because they aren't good for small DC, but I loved keeping them as an adult. We had two females whom we eventually had neuteured from a tiny age. We crept around them and were VERY quiet when they first arrived so they weren't scared. I so agree with the advice below about letting them approach us and not the other way around. It's so simple but it makes a huge difference.

We were able to let them have a room in the basement as their "burrow" with climbing obstacles and a large hutch with open doors where they slept (but were able to come in and out) and then they could come up steps to a walled garden during the day and come and go as they please, so it mimicked their natural environment to a degree. We also grew rabbit friendly plants and herbs that they could chew on. They particularly loved mint , lemon balm and vine and strawberry leaves. They were litter trained to the largest size of cat litter tray containing wood pellets which we cleaned daily and made it very easy to be looked after. A good tip is to put a bit of fresh hay at the end of the litter tray frequently as they like to chew and poo at the same time! Do not give them lettuce as it can upset their stomach. People think they eat salad which is wrong; they need lots of really good quality hay, herbs and grasses and a bit of veg and fruit.

They had such distinct personalities: one was very butch dominant and sociable, the other more timid and flighty. When the house was quiet, they used to come up the steps and join me on the terrace for lunch ever day. My point being that they can be naturally quite sociable and curious creatures IF you don't scare them half to death when they first arrive and handle them VERY progressively and gently. You do need for them to feel comfortable with being handled, so the vet can look at them without causing too much stress, but I can't emphasize enough how gentle you have to be. (But firm and very calm if you pick them up so they feel secure, supporting them around the back legs/bum.)

Another important thing is to let them have a piece of fruit wood to gnaw on as their teeth grow continually and you can get in to trouble (and huge vets bills) and lots of stress for the rabbit , if they are not sufficiently worn down. Even with this, one of our rabbits got a tooth abscess which took a lot of attention to get right.

I absolutely loved our rabbits and still miss them hugely (we haven't had any since as dh was desperate to get a dog) but I think their environment food and handling has to be right for them to thrive and enjoy their lives with us.