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So apparently, I'm a terrible owner and I 'don't deserve to have pets'

clara

New Kit
Hello everyone. Sorry this is really long but im just so :censored::censored::evil::evil: I'm soooort of new here-I don't post much, but I just need to vent! So I have 2 rabbits, both a year old, from two different litters but totally in love. I bonded them myself, and I am fully responsible for them. I am 16, and an A level student, and I also have a cat, who the rabbits actually adore funnily enough, and the cat will chase the rabbits, and the rabbits also chase the cat. Not in an aggressive way, but playfully on both parts (these rabbits were brought up with the cat, who is a real scaredy cat!) (Don't worry, the cat only ever goes outside supervised, so there's no risk with them playing like this). So the thing is, I have neighbors on both sides of my garden. One side has a sort of cut-away, covered by mesh, so it's like a see-through fence. The garden is totally rabbit and cat proof, meaning the bunnies are free range all day long (the garden is 100ft long, so they have LOTS of space). My mother is a foster carer, looking after children from 0-6 years, so is home all day and so keeps an eye on them. The problem is, I don't spend as much time with my rabbits as would be ideal, and these two used to be so affectionate. I know they do love me, they chase me around the garden and run all over my lap etc. But they just HATE to be touched, if it's not on their terms. They will rub on my hands, but I can't TOUCH them :lol:. My miserable neighbor is always outside in her garden, gardening or going about her business. So today I got back from college (at 4pm) (i'm a full time college student) and sat out in the garden for an hour as usual with the buns. They're all excited etc to see me. So she decides to come up to the fence and lecture me about how my rabbits are 'anti social' and are being neglected and not being spent enough time with!!!! Now, these buns are in a much better situation than they WOULD have been-i removed them each from a miserable situation. I can tell you now they are the most spoilt rabbits I have never met, and I love them to pieces! I WOULD keep them indoors with me, it's just the smell, I find unbareable in my bedroom (i hate the smell of hay :oops:) and I do know they're happy where they are :( They live in a large-ish shed in the garden, plenty of toys and hidey boxes and things to play on. But I mean, she really got me :evil::evil::evil: because she totally stated that I was unfit to be an owner, and I have a feeling its because i'm young-she has animals herself (a couple of chickens and 2 dogs) but randomly feels the need to criticise me! Apparently, because they don't like being touched, I don't look after them! Admittedly my mother isnt an animal person, so doesn't go out for a cuddle or anything during the day. But I do my best, in the morning they get their breakfast and a 'chat' and I put them to bed in the evening, and I play with them when I get home. I'm an 'aspiring dental student' so I really need to work hard. Is it really that selfish of me to keep them? I don't see how they aren't being looked after .They probably have an hour and a half in total of human contact a day...but when they are alone they have eachother, and don't seem distressed at all,. My mum says they sunbathe, sleep, or are running around or grazing in the day when i'm out, and I keep an eye on them from my bedroom window when im at home studying, and they are usually eating grass between 5-8pm!! (they're free range (access to their open shed) for almost 12 hours a day!)
 
Don't take any notice :wave: as long as they have each other, rabbits do live quite happily without human company. My rabbits also don't like me much, and I used to take it to heart, but from their behaviour with each other, its clear they are very happy.
 
Sounds like they have the life of riley and the best of both worlds, can roam free and act like wildies for most of the day but get the safety food and care of a pet :love::love::love:

Tell that silly woman that she clearly doesn't know much about rabbits as many buns don't really like being handled, they are a prey animal... does she cuddle her chickens???
 
Not all rabbits like to be petted. They do like to have lots of space and another rabbit for company. You're doing fine, ignore her! :D
 
i think your neighbour needs the cuddles!

Maybe it's a subtle way of asking as she sounds like the anti-social neglected one here, not your spoilt buns
 
I could reiterate the above reply also. Safety is paramount with rabbits then if they have company, of their own sort preferably, not overfed, kept clean with plenty of hay they only need us as carers and cleaners! Make the times you interact with them loving and caring and you have no reason to feel bad.
 
My bunnies are sort of the same as yours except dont get so much free ranging. they like each others company but one of my relatives said in a shocked, critical voice "they just run about like wild" which I took as a huge compliment :lol::lol: Its the old myth - all rabbits need is a small hutch and taken out and cuddled once in a while :roll: Some people will never get it. If all pet rabbits had the life that you describe yours as having, I think we'd all be a lot happier :wave:
 
Its better not to handle rabbits too much imo. They don't usually like it. Even my Mischa who loves humans only tolerates being held.

Providing they have a partner and enough fox proofed space (6x2 with 8x4 run) then I don't see an issue.
 
I totally agree with everyone else. Don't pay any attention to you neighbour. As long as they are supervised and safe when they are free ranging, are well cared for and have the company of each other then they will be fine without much human interaction. Personally, I like to spend as much of my evening with my bunnies (I work full time) but I don't worry much about them missing me when I go away, my OH feeds and cares for them but doesn't socialise with them when I am on holiday etc. They are always pleased to see me when I get back, but I don't think they really miss the attention (just the treats that I give them!). :D You do need to spend a little amount of time with them to check their health etc every day, but it sounds like you are doing that anyway. :thumb:
 
Not all rabbits like to be petted. They do like to have lots of space and another rabbit for company. You're doing fine, ignore her! :D

Couldn't agree more with this.

We need to think of them as what they are: animals, prey animals who do need companionship but not ' cuddles' in the human sense.
 
agree with everyone else,mine are the same as yours,they have full range of the garden when iam home which is 99% of the time,when there out and the next door neighbour is in,she will watch them from her upstairs window,she loves watching them race around like loons and binky ignore her,your buns are happy
 
I was explaining to my vet how mine arn't cuddle buns in the slightest, (but all love strokes on their terms), as they had so much space right from when we got them. He said that is actually ideal for them, being allowed to behave as they would in the wild. The only negative for is them being tricky to get for health checks, claw cutting, medicine giving etc
 
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