Tips About Having a Rabbit at Home

Rabbits are becoming more common as house pets. Their small and adorable appearance may make you think it’s a good idea to have them at home. However, remember that taking care of a living being requires certain responsibilities.

How to know if I should have a rabbit at home

In general, little is know about rabbits’ habits, other than how much they like eating carrots and having a high birth rate. If you want to take one home, you have really take look at yourself to know if you have the means and enthusiasm to keep them living happy and healthy.

First, you should consider if you can afford all the expenses of this animal. The most ethical way to get a pet is through adoption. Even though the price for an adopted rabbit is less than one from a breeder, you should still be prepared to spend around 69 and 104 dollars.

In addition to the adoption price, you have to cover their food, cage, veterinary expenses and the cost to adapt your home. Whether you let your rabbit run freely around your house or only have supervised exercise sessions a couple times a day, you should consider that your rabbit will gnaw at any cables he finds. So, it’s especially important to protect rabbit-proof your appliances.

Plus, remember that rabbits are extremely curious and social animals that need constant stimulation. Keeping him in a cage will deprive him of many sources of entertainment and may cause him to develop a nervous personality.

Personality traits and habits of domestic rabbits

There is a myth that rabbits are dirty animals. However, few people know that rabbits can learn to relieve themselves in a litter box, just like cats. This is really nice because you can a rabbit without having any accidents in the house.

Interestingly, rabbits eat and relieve themselves at the same time. So, a good way to teach good habits in his day-to-day life is to put the litter box close to his food.

As for their nutritional needs, rabbits mainly eat fresh hay, which helps them regulate their intestinal tract and maintain good oral hygiene. Younger ones eat alfalfa because it contains a higher protein and sugar content that’s necessary for their development.

In regard to their personality, rabbits are very expressive and cheerful creatures that develop strong bonds with their owners. They know what they want and how they want it, and they will let you know through their gestures, caresses or sounds that you will start to recognize.

Rabbits also like to be at ground level running around freely. They do not like to be picked up or put on high surfaces they cannot get down from. If you try to pick one up, he will probably run away from you.

Having a rabbit in a home with children

Rabbits have a life expectancy of about 10 years. It may be tempting to give your children or nieces and nephews one due to their manageable and cute appearance, but rabbits require more care than usual and need a responsible owner who will understand their needs. 

As mentioned earlier, rabbits don’t like to be held, and children will inevitably try to pick them up at some point. The animal won’t enjoy this, it will get irritated, and he may end up scratching the child.

Likewise, rabbits don’t like noises or disturbances very much. Their personality is much more at ease e with quiet and calm environments, and they like spending time alone, either by eating or taking a nap. Therefore, before you buy one, make sure that your children can live with a pet that acts in this manner.