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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to buy my DD a rabbit...

24 replies

mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 15:14

For her first birthday...

I know she wont even know what it is and wont really understand it. I just think it would be nice to have a pet around, i always grew up with rabbits and alkinds of other small pets and think it would be nice for her to get used 2 animals young. And she got that much stuff for christmas (half of which is still in its original box) that she wont be missing out on getting presents and toys which she wouldnt really play with anyway.

What do you think? Am i being daft to buy her a little white dwarf rabbit?

OP posts:
sausagepastie · 08/03/2010 15:18

you shouldn't get a single rabbit, they're not happy unless they have company and it also is necessary to keep them warm if they stay outside.

Also make sure she is always supervised with the rabbit. My children are far too noisy to be around small animals, it isn't fair on the rabbit iyswim.

Not sure if a dog might be better, or a cat, but again - supervision or you will end up with problems. You could wait till dd is about 5 and more amenable to instructions etc.

FioFio · 08/03/2010 15:18

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stripeyknickersspottysocks · 08/03/2010 15:21

Agree you need 2 not one rabbit. Did you know that rabbits are the most neglected pet? Often down the bottom of the garden forgotten about, they are not very child friendly.

How about guinea pigs, they generally handle better than rabbits.

If you do get rabbits you need a 5ftx2ft hutch plus a run. Oh and Netherland dwarf rabbits have a reputation for being grumpy, if you do get rabbits then dwarf lops or a bog standard bunny or Dutch rabbit may be better.

deaddei · 08/03/2010 15:22

We killed and ate our rabbit (when I was 6)

Original poster
mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 15:25

Not too sure about the dog or cat idea really not a huge cat person and id be terrified of a dog near her. I do agree that the rabbit may be hard to hande though. She was around my fathers cats a few weeks ago and was just so delighted just looking at them and being around them i thought it might have been a nice idea. FioFio sorry to hear sorry to hear that I remember losing a rabbit at that age i do actually remmeber being quite upset

OP posts:
diddl · 08/03/2010 15:26

I had 2 dwarf Lionheads but recently lost one
The male(castrated) is very docile/placid.
Will sit on knee being stroked for ages.

We are not intending to get another to keep him company, otherwise it goes on & on keep replacing so that you always have two.

I think as long as it getslots of attention, one would be fine.

I think if you have two, the temptation can be to spend less time with them as they "have each other".

Original poster
mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 15:28

It was a little white dwarf lop that i was looking at but i would get two as you say they are happier in company. Not too sure about a guinea pig either. i had a few quinea pigs as a child i dontremember them lasting too long.

OP posts:
seeker · 08/03/2010 15:29

Only do this if you want a rabbit. She is far too young - and still will be by the time the rabbit has gone to bunny heaven to look after a pet properly. At this age the chances are that she will grab at it, however closely you wathc and might get nipped herself or hurt the rabbit. Sorry to be so negative.

KSal · 08/03/2010 15:31

I have a guinea pig (i had it before DD was born) and DD loves to drop food into the cage etc. I think she really enjoys it, but i'm not sure i would have bought one specially for her mainly due to the hassle of cleaning and feeding and finding someone to look after it while you're away! I think you could leave it til she's a bit older and she can help you - i think she'd appreciate it more too. (my DD is now 17 months)

Original poster
mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 15:33

hmmmaybe its abit of a daft idea.. I do want the rabbit. I think it would be lovely as we dont have any pets atm. Maybe ill wait till shes a little older.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 08/03/2010 15:35

why is it daft? i have a rabbit, she's totally my responsibility though no-one else would do all the cleaning out. she's a fab rabbit though really sweet.

Blu · 08/03/2010 15:37

Get a pet if you want a pet, but I can't see a one-year old managing to hold a rabbit. Our dwarf rabbits are very unfriendly, even a small scratch fom a rabbits strong legs can be v bad, they are expensive to keep - two injections each, twice a year. I don't think rabbits are suitable fo a toddler at all. Even if you held the rabbit for her to stroke, toddlers can be quite rough.

diddl · 08/03/2010 15:37

I agree that if you get a rabbit now, it´s for you and your daughter is too young to really have much to do with it.

Original poster
mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 15:54

Yeah i supose it would be for me sounds really selfish that i wanted 2 get it for her birthday i supose lol ...

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 08/03/2010 16:00

My dd got two bunnies last year. She was 13 and wanted some for ages. Her little brother was one when she got them and he truly loves them! He helps her clean them, feed with them etc and they hop around the garden with him when he's out there

they happily go to him. He's learnt to sit still on the grass and they approach him. One of them hops onto his lap even.

Original poster
mum2b09 · 08/03/2010 17:02

Hmm im not too sure what to do.. I justthought it would be a nice idea and pbv it would be entirely my responsibility shes 1 lol but i would like to get her used to animals. Any other suggestions...

OP posts:
seeker · 08/03/2010 19:56

I would go for a cat if I were you. something that can look after itself a bit.

RumourOfAHurricane · 08/03/2010 20:05

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nannynobnobs · 08/03/2010 20:14

I have scars from my rabbits' big back claws. Very powerful kicks.
This is from a rabbit care site:
Should I get my child a rabbit??
The short answer is no. Rabbits hate being picked up and cuddled. Most children will want to hug the rabbit and may end up being scratched and bitten. Bunnies don't like losing contact with the ground. They can't run away from predators if you are holding them and they will fight to get put back on the ground. After a while children lose interest in the rabbit, and it ends up in a small cage in the backyard with virtually no human interaction. Rabbits have such a subtle way of communicating that it can be irritating for children who just want to play with the rabbit. Also a child may be unable to tell if a rabbit is unwell. It takes a perceptive eye to realise that a rabbit is not well, or that its teeth are growing too long, or its claws need clipping.

We generally recommend that children under the age of about 12 have parental guidance when looking after rabbits. The problem is mainly with younger children that might try and poke the bunnies eyes, or pull his ears etc.

My rabbits are very hands-off; they really don't like being held and are easily startled despite having socialisation from an early age. They are happiest bobbing round the garden eating everything in sight.

BuzzingNoise · 08/03/2010 20:19

She won't appreciate it at her age, and they do need work. And, as people have said, they can bite, scratch, kick, and growl! I have three rabbits and they take up nearly as much time as my two dogs do!

mintyfresh · 08/03/2010 20:27

I think it might be a one minute wonder just like our guinea pigs were with my kids

I love rabbits too - had some lovely ones as pets when I was younger however most were not very cuddly no matter how much they were handled.

How about a goldfish?

WickedWench · 08/03/2010 20:32

No, the other posters are right she is far, far too young and they are hard work.

I too still have scars on my arms from numerous bites from my lovely fluffy bunny. You'd be better off with a kitten to be honest but I'd still wait till she was 2 or 3 even for that.

nannynobnobs · 08/03/2010 22:34

The goldfish isn't too bad an idea if you aren't insistent on pet being fluffy! dd2 adores our three goldfish, she goes into orbit if she is allowed to feed them, watching them is very calming... i find myself standing watching them for ages

MadamDeathstare · 09/03/2010 02:32

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