Oh God, DD wants a rabbit...

[Tinkjon]

DH and I hate pets - I'm often allergic, they're smelly, we're a bit scared of animals and I am so busy that I really don't have time to add another thing to care for! But poor DD (6) is desperate for a rabbit... would it be so bad? Do you have to clean them out every day? I also feel sorry for them being in cages but can't imagine it being practical for us to have a house rabbit. Can they stay outside in the winter? Will the foxes get into their cages and eat them?! Are they really scratchy with their claws? Can you never go away from home without having someone to look after them or can you buy food/water dispenser thingies? Do you have to have 2 rabbits (I think they're gregarious?), would it be cruel to just have one?

Just a few questions to be getting on with, then

My cats are scared of the rabbit. He chases them around the garden, and they just run away from him. He isnt that much smaller than a cat, and I dont think that either the rabbit or the cats know that theoretically its the rabbit who should be in danger.

Rabbits are a pita, mine kept digging escape tunnels and coming back pg, she had been with all the neighbours rabbits still not sure if she died from old age or was bonked to death....would never have another one

Would she not like a guinea pig instead? They are more low maintenance than rabbits. You could get two short haired ones (I recommend two females) as they like company. They don't dig, or live as long as rabbits.

Rabbits are big, 'proper' pets who need neutering and vaccinating too.

You could always get a pair of bunny ears and stick 'em on a guinny. She'd never know....

DS wants a pet rat - I may talk him into Russian Hamsters - I used to have those, and as long as they are handled lots they are really friendly - but seeker you are so right - my hammies stopped being handled when they (and I) moved into the same house as my DCat, who was determined to get to them one way or another. Our current DCat is scared of spiders so I think we would be OK.

The only good thing about pet rabbits (IMHO) is that they are no problem with cats. The same DCat (who was a real hunter) got kicked by one of the rabbits we were rabbit-sitting, and although she continued to let them out of their cage every night she never attacked them.

We've had Russian Dwarf hamsters twice and each time, one has eaten the other!

If you do get one just make sure they are the right sex when you buy one, I,ve had 2 girl rabbits(so we thought) for a year and now just found out one is actually a boy as we found him humping the other one, actually going to the vets tonight to make sure the female isnt preggers

Another vote for guinea pigs, they are largely pretty dim but in a nice placid cuddly way. No inventive digging or chewing, ours are very content with a cuddle, some fresh veg and a little run every day

buggylovin my two girl rabbits use to hump each other - its common - they like to rutt - its not a pretty sight though - my two girly guineas have never rutted - they are such ladies

guinea pigs stink and are very boring to look at

aw i disagree southsea - my two girls dont stink - they are very clean creatures... that said mine are hosued outside so i have no idea how smelly they are inside. They are gorgeous to look at - squeak squeak....

Our female rabbit used to have lots of phantom pregnancies - so sad. Am rather fond of rabbits. Our guinea pig was useless - just squeaked and hid behind the rabbit whenever anyone came near.

....I read this as 'my DD wants a Rabbi', which could be a very reasonable request in the right circumstance.

Just found out they are actually both boys !!