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Small pets

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Original poster

Rabbits in a bedroom?

16 replies

cupboardday · 03/04/2023 08:14

Hi. My 12 yr old has wanted a rabbit for months and said after doing lots of research he thinks that one rabbit would be happy free roaming in his bedroom and could be litter trained so would never wee or poo on the carpet. His plan would be that the rabbit could go in an indoor run that’s about 2m x 1m while he’s out. We have guinea pigs that live downstairs that he looks after really well (although I realise that any animal would be my responsibility).

I’m not sure that a rabbit in the bedroom is a good idea? He also sees a rabbit as being an animal that would interact with him like a dog would which I’m not sure is realistic?

I will research properly before making a decision but am interested in any views.

We had a much loved hamster which lived in his bedroom and died recently so I understand why he wants another pet in his bedroom, and the hamster’s short life span makes them too heartbreaking to have again.

OP posts:
lindorlove · 03/04/2023 08:19

God No! First of all, you need two rabbit's. Keeping one is cruel. In theory, they can be litter trained but they will poo outside the tray sometimes. Whilst poo doesn't smell, their wee does! They will need to be cleaned out twice a day if in a bedroom I would think or will not be pleasant! Hay gets everywhere! They also chew anything and everything so DC would need to make sure things were picked up off the floor at all times about will need to be ok with all furniture, carpets being chewed. They are not interactive pets either. I know some can be but most just want to left alone! Expensive little things to! Yearly jabs, insurance etc

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 03/04/2023 08:19

Hm.
His idea is very 'best case scenario'. It is also entirely possible the animal's behaviour would not pan out like that, so I would only do it if you can accept the set up either way.
Best case scenario is more likely if he is really dedicated into helping the animal get it right by dedicated and consistent training and care... Does his character lend itself to this?
There are various threads in the small pets topic on this subject (house rabbits, unwanted behaviour, etc) which will add vital information into your decision making process.
Rabbits are much happier in bonded pairs too.
Rabbits live a long time, will be be an interested companion for the duration?

Xrays · 03/04/2023 08:21

lindorlove · 03/04/2023 08:19

God No! First of all, you need two rabbit's. Keeping one is cruel. In theory, they can be litter trained but they will poo outside the tray sometimes. Whilst poo doesn't smell, their wee does! They will need to be cleaned out twice a day if in a bedroom I would think or will not be pleasant! Hay gets everywhere! They also chew anything and everything so DC would need to make sure things were picked up off the floor at all times about will need to be ok with all furniture, carpets being chewed. They are not interactive pets either. I know some can be but most just want to left alone! Expensive little things to! Yearly jabs, insurance etc

💯

Soes · 03/04/2023 08:27

Nope. We had hours rabbits for 15 years.

It’s cruel to keep a rabbit alone.

That run is much too small.

Rabbits just love to chew - especially wires, fabrics, also furniture.

House rabbits need the run of the house. They can be trained to wee in a litter box but poo will be everywhere (it’s normally dry and can be swept up).

Rabbits do not interact like cats and dogs it’s much more subtle. They are not suitable pets for children even the most responsible. We had rabbits that lived 12/13 years, it’s a long time to commit to.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/04/2023 08:30

Your son is wrong, the giveaway clue was one rabbit. Even the most basic research would show that rabbits are social animals who should be kept in pairs.

I have two house rabbits so keeping them inside is definitely do-able, but requires house proofing and an acceptance of hay...

Rabbits don't respond to humans like dogs do either. They respond like - rabbits.

Also be aware that it's a very long term commitment. My eldest lived to 11 years 11 months.

DumpedByText · 03/04/2023 08:42

No way, this sounds horrendous for the poor rabbit. They need to be in pairs or it will be lonely.

Rabbits are hard work, they take a lot of looking after, they smell, they poo and wee everywhere until they finally grasp litter training. Hay is expensive as the stuff in B&M etc is rubbish quality. Fresh veg everyday is not cheap either.

They don't like being picked up so they are not really a child's pet, they just look cute!

You'll be left doing all the hard work, so I would seriously reconsider.

Soes · 03/04/2023 08:43

OP has your son considered gerbils? I had gerbils at the age of 11 or so and they are much more interesting than Hamsters (in my opinion).

JennyForeigner · 03/04/2023 08:56

We got rabbits after dog ownership and various other animals. They are definitely dog like in their intelligence, but almost like an exotic pet in how much they need from you. Ours have a big run in a big garden and it became obviously quickly that it's not really enough. They need runs around the garden and supervised free exercise too.

We've just had ours spayed so they have been indoors. Rabbit wee is disgusting. What no-one tells you is that their poos are so neat and not offensive because they save up all the ick for the wee, which is brown and slime-like. I nearly called the vet when we saw a try and a miss near the litter box.

FartSock5000 · 03/04/2023 10:08

He doesn't really want a rabbit. He wants a puppy to cuddle.

Tell him no on the rabbit, he didn't do his research and they are best in pairs AND they can be a lot of work.

Is a cat an option? Lower maintenance and will cuddle him?

riotlady · 03/04/2023 10:22

Have you considered rats? They tend to live 2-3 years so similar problem to hamsters, but they are much more interactive- very affectionate, can even be trained to do little tricks like a dog. They’re social animals so you need at least 2 though.

Exl · 03/04/2023 10:27

Rabbits are social creatures keeping just one is cruel.

The bedroom would definitely smell of poo.

Some rabbits can be ‘trained’ but most can’t. Just because he has seen one trained rabbit on TikTok doesn’t mean he himself can train a rabbit.

Get a cat. They love to be the only pet, they love cuddles, their poo stuff is much easier than a rabbit and they don’t get as many nasty diseases as a rabbit.

rebecca100 · 03/04/2023 10:32

riotlady · 03/04/2023 10:22

Have you considered rats? They tend to live 2-3 years so similar problem to hamsters, but they are much more interactive- very affectionate, can even be trained to do little tricks like a dog. They’re social animals so you need at least 2 though.

Was also going to suggest rats, amazing pets, very intelligent and loving. I think they are the closet equivalent to a dog in the smaller pet world. They also need quite specialist and would require good research before committing.

IsAGirlMumma · 03/04/2023 10:40

I had 1 house rabbit. Then got a second because I thought it was lonely. Second rabbit hated first rabbit. Had lots of toys, still chewed the carpet, the underside of the sofa etc.

Original poster
cupboardday · 03/04/2023 10:41

Thanks everyone for your replies, I realise this isn’t a good idea. He has spent a long time doing research but all from YouTube videos of American rabbit ‘experts’ who all live in massive houses and aren’t giving an accurate impression. I will look at rats or gerbils as an alternative. He loved the hamster so much and we were all so upset when she died. He loves the guinea pigs and is great at looking after them but they aren’t so great at interacting with people!

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/04/2023 11:16

*@cupboardday , consider a bird although be ware that some are very long lived.

I hadn't appreciated how interactive and affectionate they are until I had one.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/04/2023 11:19

I had 1 house rabbit. Then got a second because I thought it was lonely. Second rabbit hated first rabbit

You can't just put two single rabbits together. They need to be introduced and bonded over time. Many rescues offer this as a service.

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