Rabbit for a Pet

Considerations before Purchasing

A pet rabbit is a serious commitment – especially for the adult caregiver.

1. Parent/Guardian Rabbit Purchaser

Not the Child/Children Wanting a Pet Rabbit

Carries the Responsibility for Pet Rabbit Care

Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbits are a fragile/easily injured pet and require caution with handling:

• Most rabbits do not like handling
• Accidental dropping can be injurious for the rabbits
• Rabbits do not necessarily like being cuddle by children nor adults
• Rabbits experience fear if approached by other animals – such as a dog/cat pet in the household

Veterinarians stress that an adult must be primarily responsible for the potential pet rabbit’s care.

2. Long-Term Commitment

Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbits can live 7-10 years or even longer.  Are you prepared to commit through possible life changes:

• You may be obliged to move for job purposes – will the new location permit rabbit pets
• Both you and your child/children are growing in life – size and intellect
• Will your pet rabbit maintain everyone’s interest into the future

Will you and your child/children desire/be able to care for the rabbit pet as is necessary for your rabbit’s comfortable secure life into the future.

3. Rabbits are not “Easy Pets” to Maintain

Rabbits as a Pet

Rabbits require considerable attention daily for a healthy happy pet life:

• Rabbits require daily exercise
• Rabbits require daily gentle interaction to avoid loneliness
• Rabbits require daily supervision by the caregiver
• Rabbits require daily mental stimulation toys
• Rabbits require daily digging boxes
• Rabbits require daily chewing items

If your rabbit is not stimulated your pet can become depressed even destructive.

4. Home Set-up Requirements

For Your New Pet Rabbit

Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbit pets are needy:

1. Rabbits need to chew – all exposed wire and furniture curtains must be rabbit-proofed against destruction
2. Rabbits need more than a confining home cage for a healthy life
3. Rabbits require room to hop about for exercise
4. Rabbits like to explore for mental health

As a new rabbit owner, you must expect your new pet to chew, dig and make a mess – are you the adult or a responsible child prepared.

5. Costs to Keep Pet Properly

Rabbits as a Pet

Too often new Rabbit owners underestimate the cost of keeping a Rabbit properly.  You must plan for the following initial costs and continuous expenses:

1. Proper daily enclosure fence
2. Litter box
3. Playpen for exercise
4. Hay for health
5. Daily fresh vegetables – more than your kitchen-scraps can provide
6. Veterinarian recommended food pellets
7. Proper bedding – regularly refreshed
8. Toys for play and chewing

Rabbits require a specialized veterinarian for rabbits – usually is more expensive for examination/emergency care.

6. Diet Restrictions Specific Diet Needs

Rabbit as a Pet

For health your Rabbit pet will require:

1. Hay – farm grown – must be constantly available for digestion and teeth maintenance
2. Vegetable are must as a daily feed source
3. Pellet proportioning at your veterinarian’s advice
4. Water fresh daily

Note: an improper/inadequate Rabbit diet will cause serious illness.

7. Body Fragility and General Health

Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbits require sensitive handling:

• Rabbits have delicate fragile bone that can break easily
• Rabbit’s spine are not strong and may be broken when dropped
• Rabbits hide illnesses and must be critically examined by owner regularly
• Any unknown symptoms observed – go to your veterinarian immediately

Consult with your veterinarian regarding regularity of professional medical check-ups.

8. Responsible Reliable Child Caretaker

Daily and Weekly Maintenance Requirements

Rabbit as a Pet

When you, the adult, has determined that your child can take over your Rabbit’s care, you must monitor and emphasize:

1. Proper daily proportions for feeding
2. Daily litter box cleaning
3. Fresh water daily
4. Personal daily interaction with pet Rabbit
5. Weekly a thorough cleaning of your pet Rabbit’s habitat

With proper training your child can groom you pet and clip your Rabbit’s nails.

9. Social Needs – Daily

Rabit as a Pet

Fulfilling your pet Rabbit’s social needs offers two solutions:

1. You can play cautiously and properly with your Rabbit daily
2. You can purchase another Rabbit for companionship

A second Rabbit greatly augments complexity and costs to your families pet owning experience.

10. Is Your Child/Children

Ready for the Responsibility

Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbits are delicate pets:

1. Is your child/children calm and gentle enough to handle a pet Rabbit
2. Does your child/children follow the rules dependably – no picking up the Rabbit, no chasing creating fear/anxiety
3. Are you, the adult, ready for perpetual supervision

Consider that Rabbit pets are best for older children/teens who have learned responsibility.

11. Your Personal Lifestyle

And Your Family’s Lifestyle

Rabbit as a Pet

Consideration must be given to your personal time and lifestyle:

1. Do you have the required pet needs time daily
2. Do you really have the desire for daily pet attention
3. Do you mind a mess in your home from a pet Rabbit
4. Are you ready for potential chewing damage of your home furniture and assets

In reality, are you, the adult, ready to handle complete responsibility should your child/children lose interest.

12. When is a Pet Rabbit

A Good Choice for You and Family

Rabbit as a Pet

A Rabbit can be a great pet and fulfilling your needs if:

1. You, the parent, really want a pet Rabbit
2. You, the parent, are ready for daily work and hands-on experience
3. When your home can be a safe enjoyable experience for you, your family and your pet Rabbit
4. Your kids really want the pet Rabbit also

Enjoy your pet Rabbit.

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Your lost Pet Rabbit

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