getting a rabbit. 1st timer

[smegley]

Hi
My Dd wants a rabbit, what do i need to know? any hints or tips?
what do i need other than a Hutch, water and food bowls and straw?
x

[b4bunnies]

don't do it.

rabbits are unsuitable pets for children - they need adult care and attention. they also need rabbit-companions, hefty insurance, large accommodation etc. free-ranging isn't a good idea - recently heard of a woman whose 'happily free ranging' rabbits were found half buried with their heads ripped off after a visit from the fox.

i have four indoor rabbits. they cost me a minimum of £20 a month each, without factoring in medical bills (two are too old to insure).

rabbit bites are extremely painful and can need stitches. i heard of one woman who lost part of her lip 'kissing' her rabbit. i have a scar from a kicking bunny.

oh, and if you do look after your rabbits well, they can live around seventeen years.

don't get rabbits for your children. really, don't.

a large Syrian hamster in a four or five foot tank is a much better pet - full of personality, cheap to keep, easy to clean - far better for a child than rabbits.

[seeker]

Go for guinea pigs.

As I said, my confident, animal loving, experienced animal owner 10 year old found our lovely, friendly and small rabbit very difficult to deal with.

[YoniBottsBumgina]

Guinea pigs are lovely. I'd go for guinea pigs. You can often get them from a rescue too. :) We had a lovely couple who were rejected by a breeder because their rosettes were in the wrong place(!)

[seeker]

Guinea pigs are the only little animals I have ever kept where I haven't had the nagging underlying suspicion that they were hating a lot about their lives. Oh, and rats. But dp won't let us have rats.