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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think rabbits make shit pets?

102 replies

IHateBloodyRabbits · 02/03/2015 11:19

They look nice and soft and cuddly but they really aren't. Most of them hate being picked up and cuddled. They bite and scratch and dig and chew everything.

They also cost a fortune in vet bills with the bloody neutering and vaccinations and other shit they need.

And they live for bloody 8-10 years, sometimes longer Angry

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
meglet · 02/03/2015 13:05

yabu. They are wonderful pets as long as they have space and freedom.

mine was free range in the secure garden during the day, she had a kennel for shelter, and a house rabbit over night. She somehow managed to blag her way onto sleeping on the sofa Hmm .

I think you have to treat them more like a dog or cat rather than g-pigs who can live happily in a good size hutch and run.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 02/03/2015 13:08

Rabbits are great, I had loads as child. They were all very affectionate apart from one vicious little bastard that hated everyone.

dietcokeandwine · 02/03/2015 13:17

Y y to 'you need to treat them more like a dog or a cat'.

I think the problem with rabbits is that they are so very often mis sold as ideal small pets-especially for children-and their needs and requirements are just so so different to those of hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs etc. They're not really 'small pets' at all in terms of what they need.

YABU to say they make shit pets, clearly many on this thread are very happy with their pet rabbits! I would agree though that they are not generally good pets for children and that guinea pigs are much better.

AmarettoSour · 02/03/2015 13:18

There are a worying number of people who think "good pet" equates to "antimated soft toy"

Totally agree. OP you are being VVVU!

NickiFury · 02/03/2015 13:20

I've owned a few rabbits. Without a doubt the large lop I had was the best, he was like a dog actually. Would leap up on the sofa next to me, cuddle up and lick my arm. He was gorgeous. I think lops have a different nature to the others.

NickiFury · 02/03/2015 13:21

He was an indoor rabbit as well.

EponasWildDaughter · 02/03/2015 13:43

I think Y to rabbits being a 'dog like' pet too.

Ours was meant to be a little dwarf (lop), but no one told her this and she is bloody enormous Grin Years ago i had a dachshund, which was smaller than this bunny is.

She hates to be picked up, but LOVES to be stroked and tickled. She's actually quite loving now we've all reached an understanding about the picking up thing. She is always indoors at night, and in any cold weather, and out on the lawn in a massive pen during the day, from spring through summer. We've got around having to pick her up at all by training her to jump into her portable 'house' when it's time to go in or out and be carried through the house like that :)

JollyFrog · 02/03/2015 13:51

When I was a child we had 2 rabbits (brothers) that had a shed converted into their house, therefore they had loads of space to run and hop and play Hmm

Well they constantly escaped, one rabbit ate a whole 2 ft prickly cactus, and the wooden legs of a garden table,then preceded to kill his brother Shock

Evil bastards!

MuddhaOfSuburbia · 02/03/2015 14:01

lol Jolly

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 02/03/2015 14:22

One of my rabbits used to scratch at the back door to be let in, he was a socialable fella.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 02/03/2015 14:24

*sociable

nicky2512 · 02/03/2015 14:34

My wee boy loves a cuddle. But he doesn't know that he is a rabbit so maybe that's why he is so good.

To think rabbits make shit pets?
nicky2512 · 02/03/2015 14:35

Should add that unlike many rabbits he will lie on whoever is available for hours and has to be chased so that I can get some work done!

KellyElly · 02/03/2015 14:44

YABU. I always had rabbits as a child and thye make wonderful pets. If you get them when they are very small and handle them lots, they are really affectionate and have really distinct personalities. One of mine used to sleep in bed with me when I was a kid. He used to jump on peoples knees for strokes and if he really liked you he'd do a 'flying wee' on you Grin. Lots of little currants all over the house is the only downside!

KellyElly · 02/03/2015 14:45

I always had lop eared dwarf rabbits, so cute!

NadiaWadia · 02/03/2015 14:50

That's so sweet nicky!

OuchLegoHurts · 02/03/2015 14:56

Shit pet, nice pie!

KERALA1 · 02/03/2015 15:04

Dogs too much work and am not a dog person. Cats kill birds. Detest anything rodent like. Left us with...rabbits. Yes can see the downside but my two adore our two rabbits so on balance they are the least worst pet if you are not an animal centred family

Lweji · 02/03/2015 15:06

Shit pet, nice pie!

This

LaurieFairyCake · 02/03/2015 15:16

Fabulous pet for adults who know what they're doing - shit pet for young children
as they're squealy and annoying.

But I think that about most pets. I think the best pet for children is a large farty dog that doesn't put up with any shit.

OhFlippityBolax · 02/03/2015 15:34

Another rabbit owner checking in

YY to treat them like a dog! In fact, I'm sure one of mine thinks he's a dog!

mrspremise · 02/03/2015 19:27

Our rabbit was brilliant. His name was Toaster and he played tag with my DS1 every weekend. We were very sad to lose him Sad

Notrevealingmyidentity · 02/03/2015 19:31

There are a worying number of people who think "good pet" equates to "antimated soft toy"

^^ this.

I also don't think there is a such a thing as a good pet for children. Animals are not toys but so many people seem to think they are.

fleecyjumper · 02/03/2015 19:47

Agree with others, they aren't good pets for children. They need lots of space and have their own little personalities and many don't like being picked up. Ours loves to stretch out in front of the fire like a cat. Also, please try not to tip them onto their backs and hold them like that. They freeze like that because they are terrified not because they like it.

Welshmaenad · 02/03/2015 19:51

I had two rabbits as a kid -cashmere lops - and they were bloody awesome. Such big personalities. One used to sit up on her hind legs and beg for biscuits. The other befriended next doors cat and they'd play-box and play hide and seek in the garden. It's all about how you socialise them.