Pet rabbits - your experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rabbits and small children are a bad combination.

A cat that gets squeezed by a toddler will tolerate it (my experience) or will wander away when the small child approaches. A bunny in a cage can't run away. After getting manhandled by a small child, some rabbits learn to use their teeth and claws. This is a lose-lose situation for all.

This is totally dependent on the cat and / or the rabbit.

Aside from that, a toddler should never have that kind of unsupervised access to an animal, and should not be “squeezing” *any* animal to the point where it feels like it has to escape.

[Anonymous]

I've been a bunny mama for many years. They're more work than a cat but less than a dog if that makes sense. I love bunnies and think they make wonderful family pets if you know what you're getting into and can commit to their care!
I agree with so much that was shared already about their needs, care, etc. My bunny is free roam and uses a litter box, but we baby gate him in our family room at night mostly because he can be noisy and/or naughty at 4:00 am. The big thing is cover ALL your cords. Omg. So many cords. Rabbits love love cords! Sometimes he likes fabric as well, so I make sure blankets are folded and out of reach. Shoelaces are another thing. Basically, keep your floors clear of bunny enticing things. He loves to chew on willow balls, but they last like five seconds. TP rolls are his favorite chew toy. He's a super sweet rabbit who loves to be petted, but he doesn't really like to be held. He has a big personality for an animal that doesn't make noise...well, sometimes he thumps when he senses danger like thunder or smoke from cooking or a candle blown out. The thumping is kind of funny because it's LOUD! I've trained him to be held occasionally, so I can get him into the pet carrier when we go to our vacation home or need to trim his nails. When I trim his nails, it's really a two person job. I wrap him burrito style in a towel and have my husband help secure him. Having access to hay is super important for their teeth and digestive track. Rabbits are a lot like have a tiny horse in your house! We also have a couple of cats. They all get along just fine. The rabbit is actually boss bunny of the cats! He has no idea he's a prey animal.
I really love having a rabbit and can't really imagine not having one, but he can be frustrating at times when we finds a cords or chews my shoelaces! One year he killed our Christmas tree lights.
He's a wonderful addition to our family. If you get a rabbit, please consider adoption. Bunnies are one of the most surrendered pets around. People often don't realize the commitment of owning a rabbit.
My first rabbit was a Netherland Dwarf who ended up having a ton of congenital issues with her teeth and ultimately her heart. Dr. Carroll at Pender Exotics was amazing with my first rabbit. My second rabbit I've had for several years is much sturdier and has had zero health issues. I wanted to avoid all the problems I had with my first one. It was devastating when she suddenly died after having all her teeth issues surgically fixed. I suspect she was surrendered to the AWL because of her various health issues. I had my second rabbit fully vetted before I committed to adoption.
His diet consists of lots of hay (so important), a salad in the am and pm, and pellets in the PM. His favorite treats are dried banana and raspberries. He'll even stand up and beg when he hears the container!
I'm a big fan of rabbits and think they're amazing pets to have if you're willing to provide a rabbit safe and loving home. We're in the middle of renovating our house. My architect had a good laugh at the features I wanted to add (lots of pocket doors) because of my rabbit.
As I finished typing this post, my rabbit did a bunch of binkies, which is when they kind of fly through the air then he chased the cat off his favorite chair. Now he's stretched out my my feet. It's a sign of total trust and relaxation when they stretch out and flop over. Lastly, rabbits have their own version of purring. When I pet his head and stroke him gently, he'll click his teeth in happiness. It's so cute. Good luck in your decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember there was a vet on Great British Bakeoff and one of the hosts asked her what animal was her least favorite to treat and she said "Rabbits, they just want to die".

And yeah, you have to be careful with rabbits. My grandma had them and sometimes they'd just die.

So true. Pet rabbits can die of fright. I'm not joking.

Omg I loved that vet on Bakeoff, she was hilarious