Experience with rabbits??

[mummyofrb]

I am considering getting a rabbit for my child (18m) so they can have experience of an animal, I've seen lots of mixed reviews lots saying they are great family pets others saying the opposite. Anyone have any experience keeping rabbits?? I'm looking at getting a Rex.

Yabu..
End of thread.

They require a lot more work and attention than people believe. I don't see a rabbit being ideal for an 18 month old. Rabbits require very careful handling which a toddler obviously isn't capable of, and you won't be teaching him responsibility as he's too young for that. I'm trying to think of a pet that would be beneficial to a toddler but really can't think of any :S

Do not do it. Your kid will have no interest. Rabbits can bite or scratch. They MUST live in pairs, the list goes on.

We had rabbits when my children were young. Never, Never again. Beautiful animals, but they require a huge amount of work, and they STINK. They shit constantly, it's unbelievable. If you want a family pet, get a cat, but it will be more for your benefit and your 18 month old.

You’re 18 month old doesn’t need a pet. The fact that you say ‘a rabbit’ shows you’ve not made any effort to look into this at all. They need to be kept in pairs.
If you want your child to have experience with animals go to the park and feed the ducks.

A rabbit is not a good idea unfortunately, not for a little one.
I speak having nearly 20 years of experience looking after rabbits and taking in rescues.
They're aloof, destructive and easily bored.
They also do not like being picked up unless it is done very regularly from a young age.
It's also cruel to keep them alone as they're sociable animals.

Babies don't need pets.

Rabbits make terrible pets to the inexperienced and should never be solitary.

Rabbits hate being pets

What about this?

And if your dd is naughty - it does this..
No need for a pet!!

Rabbits are not good pets for children.
They need a lot of time.
Need to live in neutered pairs.
Need to be vaccinated yearly.
They need lots of space to exercise.

No 18 month old needs a pet!

Rabbits chew everything if you have them in the house. If they live outside, they soon become forgotten.

Rabbits can be quite difficult to tame and handle, they can kick bite and scratch badly.

A calm cat from a shelter would be a better option if you must.

We have 2 rabbits, I love them so much, but once they die I will never ever own a rabbit again.

They really are hard work, they poo A LOT, which means cleaning their trays daily, their cages will also need cleaning out completely, once/twice a week depending how dirty they are, which includes scraping off poo that they didn’t wanna do in their litter tray, replacing all bedding, they need to eat pretty much 24 hours a day, and not the cheapo rabbit food that looks like dried salad, they need plenty of fresh hay, vegetables and nuggets, if you let them roam in the garden they will eat everything in sight, plants, garden furniture, sheds, door steps and whatever else they desire, they’ll also dig and possibly escape.

They’re not the fluffy, cuddly little things people expect, one of ours enjoys a fuss (not being held, just stroked) the other does not like us touching him at all, he growls and charges at us!

Honestly they’re not the sort of pet you get because your child wants one, at any age, never mind a toddler.

If DC want a fluffy bunny to cuddle, it’s going to have to be a stuffed one.

Trust me, you’ll regret it if you go ahead.

Why on God’s earth would an 18 month old need a pet?
They are great animals, I love having rabbits but they are hard work and not an appropriate pet for a young child certainly not a toddler!!!

I love rabbits, have had several. Please dont get one. They are hard work and not easy pets for adults definitely not good for kids, they are also expensive and they need to live in neutered pairs

....waiting for the OP to come back and say she's getting one anyway...

I have 2 rabbits. They are a full time commitment, much like a dog. They need to have a full body check everyday, they require a lot of attention and stimulation. You will need to get them insured- before I insured one of my rabbits she got ill and we spent £2000 on emergency vet bills. They are extremely intelligent and will not be happy in a hutch- ours have free roam of the house and they need it for the exercise- they can run at 40mph. They are also very sensitive animals- don't like loud noises and get very scared if they are alone without another rabbit. If you go on holiday someone will have to come and stay or they will have to go to someone's house as they need constant checks as they can become ill overnight with many common illnesses. You will also have to get them nurtured especially females MUST be nurtured by 2- this is around £100 per rabbit. I'd so a lot of research before getting a rabbit as they aren't a stick in the hutch kind of animal x

@Windyatthebeach I can't cope with how rude you are when I had come on here for advice. So odd.

@NannyPear @wineandcheeseplease @Aquamarine1029 @Pinkblueberry Thankyou for your honest answers I think a lot of people are saying the same thing and it's obviously not going to be the right fit for our family. Thanks for taking time to answer honestly and kindly!

@Andtheycalledit @Bertucci thanks for your answers for answering nicely! I'm not going to go ahead with it I'm glad I asked on here websites can be really conflicting in info!

@xeniiia as the post suggests I haven't owned one before so was looking for some info, doing my research which is important before getting a pet. There's no need to answer rudely at all really. I know lots of families who have young children who benefit from having a family pet.

@Sleepingboy ...I'm not, I'd been misled by a breeder who said they were great pets for young kids etc I've come on here had a overwhelming negative response and decided against it!

@CallMeRachel @SassenachWitch @mrscatmad31 @Lulubon thanks so much for your responses I was really close to getting one as breeder had assured me they were great with kids! I'm really glad I came on here and saw the helpful replies you gave! Obviously a rabbit isn't going to be the best fit for our family! Thanks again

@mummyofrb You really have been misled by the breeder, and it sounds like they’re just in it for the sales, any real bunny lover with knowledge of them, would not recommend them as a pet for kids.

They’re also expensive, I’d say we spend £30 a week on their food alone, they can also have health problems, which can mean vets bills.

Like I said above, I really do love my boys, but won’t ever own a rabbit again.

We had rabbits but they were unpleasant and hard work, guinea pigs were much easier.