Rabbit advice

[autumngirl714]

Hello! My son has recently shown a lot of interest in having a pet rabbit. This has come as quite a shock as he does not normally like animals, so to hear him talk about wanting a pet is quite a big deal!
he had a pet rabbit at his dads house but it sadly died so he does have an understanding what it’s like to be around one.
The problem is… I don’t!
I’ve never had a pet rabbit so I have no idea what’s involved in their care. Can someone please run through a day to day life of having a rabbit? Do they come out of their hutch and inside the house? Are they high maintenance? Good with children? Do I need pet insurance 🙈. I’m doing my research before I buy one before I get told off by anyone on here!

There is excellent advice on the RWAF website: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/think-you-want-a-rabbit/

You need at least two rabbits, they are highly social. They both need to be neutered (regardless of gender, otherwise high risk of cancer & behavioural issues inc aggression) & I'd really recommend an already bonded pair from a rescue. Annual vaccinations are necessary against Myxo & RHD strains.

I don't have pet insurance for mine but I save £50/month in a vet bills account, & have a buffer of savings for medical care.

They need a LOT more space than most people realise - 60ft² minimum, 24/7. Mine live outside in a 12x5ft enclosure (I got it secondhand & it needed some TLC, you can also use a combination of shed+run).

I've never had house rabbits - too worried they'd chew through a cable, plus we have other pets - but it is possible & many people do. They litter train quite well once neutered.

The RWAF is definitely the best starting point.

They are surprisingly high maintenance, expensive creatures and long time commitment, I lost my last pair at 12 and 13 years old, my current pair are 8 years old. They absolutely need a lot of space too, I say if you wouldn't shut a cat in it, it's too small for a rabbit!

My current pair have run up over £2k in vets bills so far this year, they are both insured which has paid out.

Never buy rabbits if you do consider getting them, adopt don't shop and adopt a pair, they shouldn't be kept alone. There's loads of amazing rabbit rescues out there, all overflowing with unwanted rabbits, mainly rabbits bought on a whim for children but then the reality set in and they were abandoned...

They are not entry-level pets. Think expensive, highly strung dog, not a house cat.

Do a LOT of homework.

My rabbits are harder work than any dog or cat. They shouldn't be kept in a hutch and should have the company of another bonded rabbit. They can get ill very quickly and it can turn serious so you need to be knowledgeable about their health and signs to look out for. They need a secure place to run freely, plenty of room and not kept enclosed in a hutch like a lot of people seem to think. I'd really consider if you want to take on a rabbit with such little knowledge of the care they take

We would have brought our rabbits into the house occasionally but they were quite naughty and pooed everywhere. They also chewed wires etc. They constantly went under the beds and awkward places. It's so hard to get them out. We had a run in the garden too but they always found a way out (burying underneath it) They are obviously adorable to look at but they are also really hard work and very lively. I don't think I'd get another 😅

They are more expensive to treat than a dog or cat at the vet as they are classed a exotic pets due to their complex needs. I would get pet insurance based off that alone because it can cost you literally thousands. I have Pet Plan as they are insured for life if you renew each year. Started around £20 a month when she was 3 months old and is now £40 a month (my rabbit is 8 years old and you can’t get insurance after 5 years old so I’m stuck with it).

Rabbits aren’t entry level pets in my opinion, they ideally need to live in a bonded pair, they need alot of space to free roam (not a hutch like they sell in pets at home) think more of a shed with a chicken run attached, or free roaming in your house. They chew, they dig. They are prey animals so don’t enjoy being picked up or stroked - some will tolerate it more than others but overall they aren’t cuddly like a dog or cat. They are susceptible to lots of different illnesses which can cost considerable amounts of money to treat and they can live up to 12 years. You need good quality hay to eat, good quality pellets (not rabbit mix), lots of enrichment for them to keep them entertained so they don’t get destructive as well as fresh veggies every day and bedding materials, which again can cost quite a bit of money. They are also quite fickle and can die at the drop of a hat so for a child it could potentially be a bit traumatic.

That being said they can be litter trained if you keep them inside and they are lovely animals to have as a pet. I just personally wouldn’t get one for a child as a first pet. If I had of known when I got mine (only adults in the house) how much work she would be, I probably wouldn’t have bothered, but she’s part of our family now so I have no regrets. I won’t be getting another one once she’s no longer here though!

Cats are much better pets for children. You can just have one and it will be happy on its own and are easy to look after. Rabbits on the other hand are terrible pets for children and I say that as a rabbit and cat owner (slave).

Honestly I would get a cat or if you want small pets then gerbils are great. Rabbits are lovely but extremely hard work and need a lot of space, and need a huge amount of attention if they are to become the cuddly pets that kids want. We have had many different small animals and rabbits are the one pet which I wouldn’t have again, sadly as I do love them but they are not ideal as pets.

We’ve had house rabbits and outside rabbits and frankly they are hard work , plenty in rescue though so if you do decide it’s for you that’s the place to go .

I agree, a cat would be a much easier, and probably friendlier, pet. Rabbits are hard work. We have cats, dogs, bunnies and horses and the bunnies have run up bigger vets bills than the horse so far this year. They also die fairly easily and suddenly. They 100% need a lot of room and a companion. Keeping a sole bunny in a hutch is really cruel. They must be neutered and bonded or they really fight. And they die from allsorts of things, suddenly and unexpectedly. I would never suggest a rabbit as a pet. But if you’re determined please speak to a rescue- they will be able to help you find a suitable bonded pair.

After years of being pestered by my animal obsessed son for a rabbit we relented 2 years ago and bought a bonded pair of girls. We have always had pets but these were our first rabbits.

Huge mistake. We are experienced pet owners but despite all the research, chats with other rabbit owners, chats with our vet and buying an entire shops worth of treats, toys and enrichment bits we were woefully unprepared. Don't get me wrong they are well fed and well cared for but we are sadly not rabbity people. The mess .. I was not prepared for the mess... Poo everywhere we collect about 2 bin bags a week of droppings. They eat EVERYTHING and how they have not gotten sick I don't know. Wires, garden furniture, their hutch, anything made of plastic, flowers, carpets, soft furnishings etc etc

Very sweet but messy and very destructive animals. I can see why my farmer friends get fed up with wild bunnies!

My rabbits have always cost a lot in vet bills and are high maintenance to look after.

I find guinea pigs much easier to care for and handle.

Don’t do it. I have had 3 and I won’t get another they are too much. My girl is a gorgeous creature but the guinea pigs are such a breeze in comparison.