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

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.

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.

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(!)

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.