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what age
- Thread starter Chrystos
- Start date
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Old enough to take full responsibilty for the day-to-day care of a Rabbit ie feeding/cleaning out/health checking/socialising/seeking Veterinary care for as necessary. Also old enough to *FINANCE* the care of a Rabbit
Personally I would not home a Rabbit to the *soul care* of anyone under 18
Janex
Personally I would not home a Rabbit to the *soul care* of anyone under 18
Janex
I'd say old enough to drive :roll: Bunnies need the vets rather a lot, so unless you live next to a vet surgery - got to have a car - the one thing I didn't think of! 
I have to ask someone to take me to the vets if it's an emergency, which isn't ideal, although you could use a taxi. Also they need lots of hay and that's cheaper to get from a farm, which you again need a car for.
Problem with children having long-lived pets is they often change their interests as they grow into teenagers, and rabbits should live about 10 years, so often the bunny is neglected in its old age, as the child is not interested in cleaning and feeding it after a couple of years.
I have to ask someone to take me to the vets if it's an emergency, which isn't ideal, although you could use a taxi. Also they need lots of hay and that's cheaper to get from a farm, which you again need a car for.Problem with children having long-lived pets is they often change their interests as they grow into teenagers, and rabbits should live about 10 years, so often the bunny is neglected in its old age, as the child is not interested in cleaning and feeding it after a couple of years.
Another consideration is whether someone will be leaving home to go off to university and if so who will end up looking after the bun, some rented homes will not allow indoor pets.
perfect age for me was in my late 40's... by that time I'd studied, had a very active social life, seen the world and got a decent enough job to pay for the hefty Vet bills
ZakuraRabbit
Mama Doe
I know 16-year olds with their own rabbitry:roll: (and no not just any backyard breeder) Many of these have had rabbits since they were 8-10 years old (I'm guessing the parents had the main responsibility for some of them).
Its rather induvidual. I got my first bunny at 16, and cared for her all by myself
At 19 I still live with my parents, with three bunnies and a hamster that are all my sole responsibility (and the dog when my parents are away:roll: we've had him since I was 11, yet my mom still takes main responsibility for him), and they're happy with driving me to the vets if an emergency happens, also driving the bunnies to shows and jumping competitions.
If children are to have bunnies the parents should be ready to take the main responsibility. Even if the child claims he or she will care for the rabbits, the parents must ensure the rabbit receives food and water every day and has a nice and clean enviourment.
Far too many kids figure out one day that they want a cute little bunny and regardless on how much they beg on forehand, they get sick after just a few weeks and won't care for the bunny anymore. That's why its not wise to buy a rabbit only as a children's pet, and the parents should be prepeared to take over. If not; the kid should not have a bunny, no matter how much he/she begs.
Its rather induvidual. I got my first bunny at 16, and cared for her all by myself
At 19 I still live with my parents, with three bunnies and a hamster that are all my sole responsibility (and the dog when my parents are away:roll: we've had him since I was 11, yet my mom still takes main responsibility for him), and they're happy with driving me to the vets if an emergency happens, also driving the bunnies to shows and jumping competitions.
If children are to have bunnies the parents should be ready to take the main responsibility. Even if the child claims he or she will care for the rabbits, the parents must ensure the rabbit receives food and water every day and has a nice and clean enviourment.
Far too many kids figure out one day that they want a cute little bunny and regardless on how much they beg on forehand, they get sick after just a few weeks and won't care for the bunny anymore. That's why its not wise to buy a rabbit only as a children's pet, and the parents should be prepeared to take over. If not; the kid should not have a bunny, no matter how much he/she begs.
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I got my first rabbit when I was 11 and I cared for her all by myself. My parents paid for everything obviously but I expected to feed her and clean her and put her in the run, and I did, every day. She died just before I went away to uni which was sad but convenient timing really.
Not all teenagers would be happy to do that though. I never went out, so it wasn't a problem.
Not all teenagers would be happy to do that though. I never went out, so it wasn't a problem.
ZakuraRabbit
Mama Doe
You bet.
When I got my rabbit, my 13-year old brother told me he wanted one too.
In that scenario, the new rabbit would be kept with Zakura (that was back when I still wanted to breed fro that little monster, luckily I changed my mind before it was too late) mother-daughter couple. But when he told me how he wanted it done: "We could share responsibility! I feed them and you clean out the cages":shock:
I said heck no! If he wants a rabbit he can clean the cage out himself:roll: Then he decided he didn't want one.
When I got my rabbit, my 13-year old brother told me he wanted one too.
In that scenario, the new rabbit would be kept with Zakura (that was back when I still wanted to breed fro that little monster, luckily I changed my mind before it was too late) mother-daughter couple. But when he told me how he wanted it done: "We could share responsibility! I feed them and you clean out the cages":shock:
I said heck no! If he wants a rabbit he can clean the cage out himself:roll: Then he decided he didn't want one.
LionheadLuver
Warren Veteran
I am getting some buns and I'm 16 years old and they are MY responsiablity, unless I have too much college work and my parents are willingly happy to clean them out and care for them. I am quite mature and I don't go out much so I have enough time for them.