What are rabbits like as pets?

[madamdelfarge]

Went to visit a rabbit breeder today. They were georgeous. DD is two. Are rabbits a real hassle?

no, not really, you need to have time to fuss over them or they get the hump

I have a rabbit and I don't think they are the best pets for young children. My 11 year old is quite happy with him, but dd 7 and ds2 9 can't handle him properly. He's a pretty docile friendly fella, but if you don't hold him exactly right he kicks or jumps, and they are very wary or him.

I agree with Bedlam, guinea pigs are far better for young children. Yes they are not the smartest of pets (I think this adds to their charm!), they eat you out of house and home and squeak (lots), but they are happy to be lugged around and cuddled, they don't bite or kick and are the perfect size for a young child to hold.

Rabbits can make lovely pets but need regular handling and I'd say not ideal for younger children. Guinea Pigs are sweet - more interactive perhaps with all the squeals and easier to handle.

I had to bath ours last week as he always has a very smelly bottom. He is lovely and cuddly and doesn't kick but he is the first rabbit we have had that has been that tame.
I would get guinea pigs tbh.

I agree they are not great children's pets. They can be very wriggly to hold and have powerful legs and can give quite a scratch from their claws. Health wise they need to be given the right diet and environment to avoid dental problems, digestive upsets and potentially fly strike in the hot weather. They do need vaccinating every 6 months and it is often advised they are neutered.

Our rabbit chews everything- wires,carpet (sob. He's really funny and quite cheeky but likes his own way. Doesn't like to be handled at all but loves a good tickle. Good pet for older children I think - definitely not little ones.

Our rabbbit was a total nightmare when I was a kid. She was lovely when she was small but grew pretty big and nasty. She used to chase us round the garage in winter where her hutch was when it was cold and she was allowed to run around under the cars. ( Don;t blame me for this if we were doing the wrong thing. My Ma was in charge!)

She would grunt and bite our legs especially if we were wearing blue???? I have no idea why blue set her off so badly. I used to be terrified if my Ma sent me to the garage to get something out of the fridge freezer.

our Guinea was much nicer.

Fundamentally the problem with rabbits is that they live too long - far past their boredom threshold for children.

marge

Not ideal pets for young children, imo.

Some may be laid back and friendly, but many are not, and really hate being handled. You need to keep 2 as they are social animals, they need expensive injections every year, lots of space (not just traditional hutch).

Get guinea pigs. Cheaper, easier to look after.

2 year olds don't really need pets, do they?

I don't keep rabbits myself but I know people who have them, and I wouldn't really say they are very friendly, but maybe other rabbits are.

If you can't get a dog, a couple of cats might do the trick? tom cats are especially friendly, mine never bite or scratch, even playfully, so would be ideal childrens pets as they are also very friendly.