The stress of rabbit ownership :(

Is it just me or does anyone else wonder sometimes are they cut out for rabbit ownership?

I have been keeping rabbits ( the right way) for the last six years and all of them have had health problems of some description. The only bunny that has been hardy is Rosie but she has behavioural problems and attacked Bobby twice which required two visits to the vet.

I don't know ... It just seems like all the good parts of being a bunny mummy are being outweighed by negatives recently and it's really getting me down. I'm finding it really hard emotionally and physically to look after them right now and maintain balance with family life etc.

I am constantly stressed about bunny related issues and I feel I am relapsing with sjogren syndrome after being in remission for two years I feel that nursing Bobby through his illness and then losing him has triggered some kind of stress response that has just continued for the last three months. And now I have alot of anxiety about rabbits and am just not enjoying it anymore. It feels like they are a constant worry

When I was a teen I had two bunnies that I loved very much but didn't give them the care my current bunnies have and one lived to be 5 and the other lived for 8 years with pretty much no vet care. It's ironic really. I feel like I might as well be living at the vets the amount of time I have spent the over the last few years.

Anyway ...I'm sorry for being so negative. I just needed to get it out I guess xx



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I must have been blessed with two very mellow boys as there's never been any behavioral issues or medical problems *touch wood*

The boys just eat and forage and then sleep and then eat again. They never have any tussles, other than the odd hump from Milo when he gets excited. The only thing I wish they would do is make less mess! But I can't blame them for that!

I guess when there is problems its very stressful though

luna said:

Is it just me or does anyone else wonder sometimes are they cut out for rabbit ownership?

I have been keeping rabbits ( the right way) for the last six years and all of them have had health problems of some description. The only bunny that has been hardy is Rosie but she has behavioural problems and attacked Bobby twice which required two visits to the vet.

I don't know ... It just seems like all the good parts of being a bunny mummy are being outweighed by negatives recently and it's really getting me down. I'm finding it really hard emotionally and physically to look after them right now and maintain balance with family life etc.

I am constantly stressed about bunny related issues and I feel I am relapsing with sjogren syndrome after being in remission for two years I feel that nursing Bobby through his illness and then losing him has triggered some kind of stress response that has just continued for the last three months. And now I have alot of anxiety about rabbits and am just not enjoying it anymore. It feels like they are a constant worry

When I was a teen I had two bunnies that I loved very much but didn't give them the care my current bunnies have and one lived to be 5 and the other lived for 8 years with pretty much no vet care. It's ironic really. I feel like I might as well be living at the vets the amount of time I have spent the over the last few years.

Anyway ...I'm sorry for being so negative. I just needed to get it out I guess xx



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I do understand how you feel. My very first ever rabbit had such horrendous health issues I think I did all my rabbit medical learning with him He was one of four rabbits, and he was wonderful. But for 6 of his 9 years he required twice daily attention for various reasons, which took up one and a half hours on HIM alone every day. I always felt it was worth it, but I wonder now how I did it.

If I now have a rabbit without serious health issues I feel truly blessed, as I know what it's like to have constant anxiety over kidney problems, abscesses, teeth, e.c., head tilt, seizures, blindness and now deafness ..... etc etc .. some of which I have known in my current rabbits this year alone.

Then of course there is the bonding, and attention to hygiene and giving them a safe run around. I often sit in the freezing cold outside to let them safely stretch their legs in the garden!

Take heart, you are not alone. I'm sorry for your own health issues. That must make things a lot worse for you.

Hi Luna :wave: keep going hun I feel the same I had a bunny he was 9 when he went to bunny heaven all is life he ate rabbit muesli never had any vet care at all no vaccinations all the things a bad rabbit owner does and he was a happy, loving bunny and he was a healthy bun until I left him with my friend while I was on holiday and had a call to say he had died with heat stroke as I later found out he had no water on one of the hottest days of the year .

a good ten years later I now have my beautiful boy bunny's and the do's and don'ts seem endless. my boys are brothers and was bonded and I was advised to get them neutered but I wish I had never took them to be done. Since there operation they have fell out big time with fights even breaking out between them. sometimes the stress is harder to cope with than the fighting although I love my boys sometimes I feel its to hard to find the middle ground with family, the dog, chickens, searching for a job, caring for my mum and rabbits, the doctor said reduce stress :lol: but the guilt I feel is massive because I use to be able to cope. I think the only thing that makes me smile now is seeing my boys doing the happy bunny dance ( binky ) round the lounge its soo funny.

so luna chin up your doing a great job and you bunny's thank you for all you do for them if although it may seen hard some times x if you need a chat your welcome to pm me :thumb:

Rabbits are the most stressful and espensive animal I've ever had and I won't be getting more. I love my two and don't ever want to lose them, but if I had rabbits for the rest of my life I think I'd have a nervous breakdown by the time I was 40. I worry about them constantly.

luna, its ok to feel as you do.

I realised long ago that although my current buns (currant buns! ha!) are my best-loved and best-cared-for in the fifty plus years (on and off) that I've had rabbits, that rabbits just aren't suitable pets for anyone other than a specialist with lots of time and money on their hands. They're just not. They get ill too easily and they cause endless worry. No more bunnies for me, when these make their way to the bridge. I thought I was sorted when I got these, middle aged lady, needed a hobby and interest and somebun around... no. Just too much.

Big hairy Syrian hamster for me, next time.

Have you considered re-homing? I'm not trying to be cruel. Sometimes I read about people on RU and think that their rabbits aren't improving their lives at all. Not saying that's the case with you.

I'm feeling the same with my buns just now. I have too many who are ill and there's too much stress involved now with wondering when the next dash to the vet will be.

And I feel I am letting the ones who aren't ill down. I don't have the time to give them the time they need.

Thank you so much for the responses guys. I am going to sit down later this evening to respond properly on my laptop.

Its nice to know I'm not alone in how I am feeling and that people understand. Thank you xx

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I had rabbits as a teenager who lived long and healthy lives and received no where near the care the majority of people on this forum provide for their rabbits these days.
I've caused myself sleepless nights since having the girls worrying over not being a good enough bunny mum in various ways now that I know so much more about them.

It must be especially hard for you given Rosies challenging behaviour and that she is an indoor rabbit so you can't really take much of a break from her.

I find it extremely hard to balance all aspects of my life without feeling like someone is getting a raw deal and suspect most people feel the same.

Sending some hugs your way. Hopefully things will improve in a few weeks when Freddie and Rosie can be bonded.

Hi Luna. I love the rabbits to bits but if I had any idea of the stress caring for them would invoke I would never have contemplated having more than two. All six bar Spring are now 7+ and although all are currently healthy (touchwood) I am acutely aware that this could all change. I am still battling to get my current account straight after last year's run of dentals and hospitalisations for stasis. Caring for our aging cat who has health issues is a doddle compared to the rabbits even when they have no problems. I certainly think that rabbits are one of if not the hardest pet to care for. So, you are not alone in how you feel. I think most people if not all here will have experienced the stress, worry and guilt that rabbit ownership brings.

That said, I am so happy that I have experienced the pleasure that these incredible furry creatures can bring. I hope that in time the pleasure outweighs the angst for you xx

I love my bunnies, but omg are they stressful & expensive!! Since July I've spent approx £700 on Blackavar vets bill alone :shock: I won't be getting any more than I have now (6!) and when they gradually make their way to rainbow bridge, I'll be sticking with one pair only. That of course doesn't mean I don't love them. Sometimes I want to throttle the little blighters & Slipper is frequently threatened with a pot, but then they do something adorable & I melt & forgive them

Is Rosie free range in your whole house? Could you donate one room just to her (and Ickle Fweddie Fwog when the time comes) which is bunny proofed so she can trash it to her hearts content & less stressy for you? Xx


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I feel this too. I am a chilled out relaxed person, but have developed anxiety over my bunnies and their health. It has got to the point I feel I'll before we come home from a nice day out as previous times we have done this I have been faced with poorly bunnies. Usually little Frankie who had bloat one time and we were so close to losing her. She was ok in the end, but now I get nervous when I have been out incase it happens again and it takes a shine of having a nice day out

I have decided after these three go I will not take on anymore pets but would be willing and would love to be a short term foster carer instead.

Yes stressful and expensive :shock:

To date housing has cost me £1400 ish which includes now 3 hutches 1 run and a summer house :lol:

I have made 2 runs which cost about £100 in bits and hours of time, splinters and blisters

And £409 on Dumplin teeth and abscess plus 3 neuters at £39 each:roll:

I nearly pulled Dumplin's leg off this morning giving him his meds I got his foot caught in the cage door

I have less buns now than ever and must admit it's nice to not have as much stress. I am having a little break emotionally and financially and it feels good.

I'm really glad someone's actually been brave enough to say this, though really sorry you are having a tough time Luna.
I think I've said before, I took early retirement last year, and with extra time to spare, I decided to give 2 bunnies a loving home. I did my research beforehand, but nothing could have prepared me for the amount of time spent cleaning and generally looking after them.
I have since relocated to the Highlands, and it gets flippin cold up here ! OH won't let me have buns in the house, so it has cost me a small fortune insulating their shed, and having a run attached to it. I am constantly in and out to them in all weathers, and I have to be honest, there are times I wish I'd never had them. I love them though, and would never part with them. They are both 18 months old, and healthy buns, but I dread the day when they may become ill, I don't know how I'd cope.
I would never admit to a non RU person how hard it is, or how I feel, but I feel better just sharing with you lot.
No it's not always easy, we all have lives and our share of problems, but maybe we should also give ourselves a pat on the back for making the lives of lots of buns a happier one.
That's it- going now, and big hug to you Luna

No more bunnies for me, either!

They certainly are time consuming and expensive little furries! :lol: That's what I love about this forum though, we can all share things like this and know everyone will understand!

I'm very much a one-off-pet type person as I love a variety of animals and I get so attached to the ones I have that I don't ever feel I can (or want to) replace them when they go to the bridge. I currently have cats, rabbits and a hedgehog (plus daughters rats but those are very much hers) and I won't get more of any of them when they go. So yup, my current buns will be my only ones. Fingers crossed I haven't had any health problems with mine yet (touch wood) but I have with other pets and it is very stressful.

We never had pets growing up so I didn't understand the whole pet thing really... I hate to admit it but I got Poppy one afternoon on a whim after me and my sister decided it might be cool to get a pet! I was pretty clueless for pretty much the first 4 years or so of her life but she lived quite happily in the garden. After discovering and reading up on this forum, I decided to get Poppy a friend which is how I ended up with two!

When I unexpectedly lost Poppy I was devastated. I was so upset. I think I surprised myself how upset I actually was as I didn't really feel overly bonded with Poppy (as much as I loved her she wasn't the most sociable of rabbits!) I had many a thought of not being able to cope with these losses and that I just couldn't do it to myself but I quickly knew I couldn't leave Parker (such a sociable girl) on her own so got Hugo. Parker is a dental bun and I find the worry when she goes in pretty hard and upsetting and brings back the feelings of losing Poppy and how I would cope even worse if I lost Parker.

BUT....

My dad said to me when I lost Poppy that I have to remember all the positives and good times and how that should outweigh the fear of loss, and it's true. I live on my own and they are such great company for me and when I went on holiday I had a couple of days without them whilst at home and the house seemed so very empty. So I guess, as hard as it is to lose them (and they are delicate little things aren't they...!) I just try to enjoy them as much as I can and take each day as it comes. Hopefully, I can give them fulfilled and happy lives while they are here with me and I certainly get a lot back from them.

I absolutely adore my buns, they're a lot of work & stress BUT the pain of not having buns is incomparable to the stress of having them

I think you're brave saying that, very brave... Its a big responsibility with bunnies and i do think things have a tendency to become more apparant when buns are ill or have health concerns at all.. You do question your sanity at times.

I dont think anything could have prepared me for the traipsing in and out of the shed during -17 degrees and every day for 3 months in the pouring rain attempting to wage a war with polythene, tarpaulin and the endeavours of trying to keep a run dry.

I love, adore my bunnies and I did consider not getting a buddy for Willow when Smudge passed as my hubby had said no more bunnies.. The thought of her by herself was a step too far.

How i would cope if I became unwell, I dont know, my hubby tolerates the bunnies, my son loves them but ultimately they are my responsibility and a huge one at that..

Dont feel bad saying what you're saying. We probably, if we are honest, all feel like that at times but seeing their wee faces brings us back to why we have them in the first place....

Love and hugs
fee xxxx