Hi I am new and posting on behalf of my daughter, We are looking at having a new pet rabbit as an in house pet and am seeing so much online reference not having a bunny as they don't like handled and sat and cuddled stroked etc.. I had rabbits, guineas and hamsters etc.. and always handled all of them with no issues although rabbit and guinea pigs lived in shed in hutches. We were looking towards a baby and maybe a dwarf or small other breed ? but need some advice as apparently slightly older juveniles may be better and handling could be easier with children or should we go down the Guinea pig route instead as there are pairs of guineas at the local RSPCA where we live at present. Any help much appreciated. Thanks, Matt. & ( Lexi ! )
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Bunny in house ?
- Thread starter Lexisdad
- Start date
AmberNikSee
Alpha Buck
You came to the right place to get information! Your research has been partially correct, some rabbits don't like to be held and snuggled but some do. Just like people they have their own personalities. If you got a young bunny, it may be easier to handle daily and may be more apt to like to be held.
hoppetylop
Mama Doe
There are lots of babies in rescues who will have been handled more than a pet shop bunny so that might be your best bet.Your local RSPCA might be able to help you out.For a childs pet,if im completely honest,a pair of guinea pigs MAY be more suitable.Bunnies can be difficult to look after and can be prone to health issues-however with your guidance and help im sure Lexi will be fine.
House rabbits are great fun to care for and you really get to know their personalities and funny little ways.
Good luck whatever you decide.
House rabbits are great fun to care for and you really get to know their personalities and funny little ways.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Jbun
Alpha Buck
My suggestion would be to look at adult spayed/neutered rabbits at rescues. The reason being is that though baby rabbits are adorable and will like or tolerate being held, once they mature and hit puberty their personalities can sometimes change drastically. Sometimes it even happens that a cuddly friendly baby bunny can become more standoffish as an adult/teenager. With looking at adult rabbits that are already spayed/neutered, you are going to get an accurate picture of their true personality, so you will be better able to find a rabbit with a personality that best suits your family.
Whether or not a rabbit is going to be a suitable pet for your family really depends a lot on your daughter individually, her age, as well as family/parent involvement. Usually a rabbit isn't the best pet for a younger child because of how different they are as a pet(not like a cat or dog), their fragile nature, and the complexity that is usually involved in their proper care.
Rabbits are usually very independent animals in personality and play. They don't play with people like dogs or even cats do. Their play is more on their own, and more for observation and enjoyment that way. They don't usually like a lot of interaction like dogs do, and usually don't like cuddling. Though many do like head rubs on their terms when they are good and tired and ready for them. There are sometimes rabbits that are more cuddly or more interactive with people, that really enjoy snuggling up and hanging out with you, but this seems to be a rare trait and isn't generally what rabbits are like, so it is something you need to be aware of and prepared for. Rabbits can also sometimes have complex health issues that an owner needs to understand and be able to recognize in order to get the rabbit the appropriate treatment when it occurs. Being an exotic pet, this sometimes also can mean higher vet expenses, which I would recommend getting insurance for should the occasion arise. A rabbit can live up to 15 years, so there is also a big commitment involved, so that needs to be considered as well.
I would suggest doing a lot of research into the complexities of having a house rabbit, the problems that can be encountered (having to rabbit proof things due to chewing, potential health problems and expenses, etc), and then try and spend time at rescues with the rabbits themselves to see if they might be the right pet for your family. Rabbits can be a wonderful pet when they are joined with the right person/family, but it is always something that should be carefully considered to ensure that it is the right 'fit'.
Best of luck with your search. Here are some good rabbit sites that I like and feel have good info on rabbits.
http://www.therabbithouse.com/
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/
http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
http://rabbit.org/
Whether or not a rabbit is going to be a suitable pet for your family really depends a lot on your daughter individually, her age, as well as family/parent involvement. Usually a rabbit isn't the best pet for a younger child because of how different they are as a pet(not like a cat or dog), their fragile nature, and the complexity that is usually involved in their proper care.
Rabbits are usually very independent animals in personality and play. They don't play with people like dogs or even cats do. Their play is more on their own, and more for observation and enjoyment that way. They don't usually like a lot of interaction like dogs do, and usually don't like cuddling. Though many do like head rubs on their terms when they are good and tired and ready for them. There are sometimes rabbits that are more cuddly or more interactive with people, that really enjoy snuggling up and hanging out with you, but this seems to be a rare trait and isn't generally what rabbits are like, so it is something you need to be aware of and prepared for. Rabbits can also sometimes have complex health issues that an owner needs to understand and be able to recognize in order to get the rabbit the appropriate treatment when it occurs. Being an exotic pet, this sometimes also can mean higher vet expenses, which I would recommend getting insurance for should the occasion arise. A rabbit can live up to 15 years, so there is also a big commitment involved, so that needs to be considered as well.
I would suggest doing a lot of research into the complexities of having a house rabbit, the problems that can be encountered (having to rabbit proof things due to chewing, potential health problems and expenses, etc), and then try and spend time at rescues with the rabbits themselves to see if they might be the right pet for your family. Rabbits can be a wonderful pet when they are joined with the right person/family, but it is always something that should be carefully considered to ensure that it is the right 'fit'.
Best of luck with your search. Here are some good rabbit sites that I like and feel have good info on rabbits.
http://www.therabbithouse.com/
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/
http://language.rabbitspeak.com/
http://rabbit.org/
I would strongly advise against guinea pigs - they do not generally enjoy handling (they are rodents and did not evolve for human interaction); also the vet bills can easily be staggeringly high. They are fragile creatures and did not evolve for the damp and cool climate of the British Isles. Inanimate toys are much better for children than using pets to amuse them.
Tinsel
Wise Old Thumper
I know lots of RU-ers have happy house buns, but hay inside is an on-going challenge, not to mention the chewing, and not all rabbits accept litter training. Also, any rabbit indoors between now and May would have to stay indoors as they won't have a warm enough coat/the right reserves of fat to cope with outdoor temperatures.
It may be best to postpone bringing a rabbit into your lives until the weather is much warmer, so that if the indoor arrangement doesn't work you can still move the rabbit outside (although then there are issues to do with foxes/security). Rabbits need annual vaccinations and neutering and thrive in pairs rather than as single pets - you'd need to look at whether that would match what you can offer.
Personally I think guinea pigs might be better to start with, although they're not friendly in the way that some rabbits are (by no means the majority though; rabbits are also prey animals and many hate being held).
Good luck :wave:
It may be best to postpone bringing a rabbit into your lives until the weather is much warmer, so that if the indoor arrangement doesn't work you can still move the rabbit outside (although then there are issues to do with foxes/security). Rabbits need annual vaccinations and neutering and thrive in pairs rather than as single pets - you'd need to look at whether that would match what you can offer.
Personally I think guinea pigs might be better to start with, although they're not friendly in the way that some rabbits are (by no means the majority though; rabbits are also prey animals and many hate being held).
Good luck :wave:
A house rabbit can be a successful addition to the household but if you were thinking along the lines of keeping the rabbit in an indoor cage for most of the time then this isn't fair on the pet and can make them aggressive. I have taken quite a few rabbits off young people who have kept them in indoor cages and they have all been aggressive. This I believe is due to the fact that the animal has nowhere to run away to and feels trapped and therefore resorts to attacking. An enclosure is a much nicer way to keep a rabbit and where one can climb into and sit with him in order to socialise him. Also caged rabbits sometimes start to bite the bars at night so this can also be a problem.
Rabbits should also have a partner really as 10 years is a long time to sit in someone's bedroom on one's own waiting for the owner to come home! Rabbits need another rabbit!
A lot of folk have their rabbits in a room of their own, which gives the bunnies a lot more space.
Rabbits should also have a partner really as 10 years is a long time to sit in someone's bedroom on one's own waiting for the owner to come home! Rabbits need another rabbit!
A lot of folk have their rabbits in a room of their own, which gives the bunnies a lot more space.
Why not start off with a couple of rats? They are much better for being handled.
Rabbits need a lot of space, chew everything, are much more expensive than most pets, often don't like being handled much (and cuddly bunnies are unusual). Vet bills can be quite big. They need annual vaccinations (around £40 per rabbit). They can't be left for a weekend - they need looking after at least twice a day, every day. They can get ill quickly and with no notice - which means urgent vet visits, not being left to see if they get better in a day or two.
A bunny set up with a wendy house and attached run is a good alternative to house rabbits (although I like having a rabbit in the house). The mess and chewing are contained. There is room to sit with them, watch them, play with them. If you get a neutered pair, you will get to see their personalities - if they like being handled, etc. Babies are an unknown quantity and go through a very hormonal stage before they are neutered. Rabbits are much better in pairs (or more) and it's more interesting to watch them interact with each other. Un-neutered rabbits are likely to fight (nasty!) and / or breed from a few months old.
Cats are much cheaper (vet bills, accessories, food, etc) and cuddlier, although I wouldn't get a kitten for a child as they are all teeth and claws to around 6 months old.
Guinea pigs are cute. They talk to you and each other. They still need more space than you think, and should not live alone. Girls can live in groups. Boys are best as pairs. Boys are only neutered if they are paired with a girl. Girls are not normally neutered - it's a risky operation. They don't need vaccinating. They need to be handled gently as they are easily hurt. They also wee and poo all the time - including on you.
I would suggest keep going to rescues and having a look at the different species. Get some experience of their needs and handling them. Pets at Home have pet handling sessions during school holidays. Also find a local vet and talk to the nurses about your options - it will give you a different perspective - and you will get to know which vets to use.
Rabbits need a lot of space, chew everything, are much more expensive than most pets, often don't like being handled much (and cuddly bunnies are unusual). Vet bills can be quite big. They need annual vaccinations (around £40 per rabbit). They can't be left for a weekend - they need looking after at least twice a day, every day. They can get ill quickly and with no notice - which means urgent vet visits, not being left to see if they get better in a day or two.
A bunny set up with a wendy house and attached run is a good alternative to house rabbits (although I like having a rabbit in the house). The mess and chewing are contained. There is room to sit with them, watch them, play with them. If you get a neutered pair, you will get to see their personalities - if they like being handled, etc. Babies are an unknown quantity and go through a very hormonal stage before they are neutered. Rabbits are much better in pairs (or more) and it's more interesting to watch them interact with each other. Un-neutered rabbits are likely to fight (nasty!) and / or breed from a few months old.
Cats are much cheaper (vet bills, accessories, food, etc) and cuddlier, although I wouldn't get a kitten for a child as they are all teeth and claws to around 6 months old.
Guinea pigs are cute. They talk to you and each other. They still need more space than you think, and should not live alone. Girls can live in groups. Boys are best as pairs. Boys are only neutered if they are paired with a girl. Girls are not normally neutered - it's a risky operation. They don't need vaccinating. They need to be handled gently as they are easily hurt. They also wee and poo all the time - including on you.
I would suggest keep going to rescues and having a look at the different species. Get some experience of their needs and handling them. Pets at Home have pet handling sessions during school holidays. Also find a local vet and talk to the nurses about your options - it will give you a different perspective - and you will get to know which vets to use.
WillowAndBiscuit
Mama Doe
I don't know how old your daughter is but to be honest, unless you are going to heavily involved in the rabbits care as they are actually so much harder to look after than cats and I think dogs as well. As others have said they can be prone to health issues such as dental problems which can cost an absolute fortune. You also need to make sure that you seriously research their diet as this is also very complex.
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
indoor bunnies can be quite destructive too, my current three aren't but in the past I've had experts in furniture resculpture, decorating (wallpaper removal) & soft furnishing shredding. Things like house plants have to be positioned carefully & you have to be ever mindful of not leaving snacks, any cables / cords around (the amount of mobile & camera charges I've lost to a quick snip). Important documents are tasty too. Not all bunnies will toilet train either. Rabbits are truly wonderful companions but I think their sensitive natures & high level of care make them suitable for adults rather than children. Finding a suitable vet for a rabbit is a massive ordeal for many rabbit owners as the fully competent ones are far & few between (& when you need a bunny vet you invariably need one now)
bunnybannanas
Mama Doe
This is everything i was about to write. I have an indoor bunny and I love her to pieces but she needs constant supervision when she's in brat mode.
Hesperus
Warren Veteran
I've got a house rabbit and he's lovely. We redecorated his room to be completely rabbit-proof which solved the problem of him being destructive.
I think cats are easier to look after than rabbits, however, I find my rabbit a lot cleaner than a cat and his food/poos are a lot less smelly!!
The only problem is hay, it does get everywhere! So if you're thinking of indoor rabbits my advice would be to set aside a room or section of a room to completely rabbit-proof beforehand, that way you can be guaranteed your cables etc will be safe.
I think cats are easier to look after than rabbits, however, I find my rabbit a lot cleaner than a cat and his food/poos are a lot less smelly!!
The only problem is hay, it does get everywhere! So if you're thinking of indoor rabbits my advice would be to set aside a room or section of a room to completely rabbit-proof beforehand, that way you can be guaranteed your cables etc will be safe.
WillowAndBiscuit
Mama Doe
I know that feeling all too well! When my Storm is in brat mode he will chew everything, poo everywhere, flip his dish with all his forage in upside down and he throws his toys around the room, as well as at me![emoji23]
bunnybannanas
Mama Doe
Storm by name and nature!!
Don't get me wrong when she's good she's the best pet ever and I love her either way but when she kicks off you can tell she's a scouse woman [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
I would just add - while agreeing with everything that's already been said - our house rabbits don't like to be picked up, as with most rabbits, but they are very curious and love to follow us around or come and climb on us if we sit on the floor. Its very cute watching them explore! Depending on the age of your children they might enjoy that kind of "cuddliness" - but obviously that's just our bunnies and others might be too shy.
It sounds like it might be a good idea to go to a big rescue centre where they have lots of different types of pets and discuss what you want with them. The staff at the Blue Cross were very helpful when we got our rabbits and, although we had spotted our pair online, showed us around lots of other rabbits so we could get an idea of their personalities.
It sounds like it might be a good idea to go to a big rescue centre where they have lots of different types of pets and discuss what you want with them. The staff at the Blue Cross were very helpful when we got our rabbits and, although we had spotted our pair online, showed us around lots of other rabbits so we could get an idea of their personalities.
clutterydrawer
Wise Old Thumper
I love my house rabbits but I can definitely see why they wouldn't work for everyone. It also depends a lot on the personality of the bunny, some are very people orientated and friendly, whereas others are very skittish and hate to be touched. I would say the vast majority hate being picked up, as being prey animals they associate it with danger. I've only ever known one who enjoyed it, the rest tolerated it at best and fought violently against it at worst!
I wonder if it would be possible for you to take a rabbit, or rabbits, on temporarily to see if it works for you. Either by fostering some for a rescue or by rabbit sitting for a friend who is going on holiday. Then you could see how it works re: mess, time, money, destructiveness and child-friendliness before making a commitment, as it's always sad to have to rehome an animal if things don't work out. I realise this might be hard to organise but it's worth considering. As I say, I love mine, but they have made my life quite difficult over the years, something I had no inkling of when I took them on!
Good luck with whatever you decide and we look forward to hearing about your new addition/s if you do decide rabbits are right for you.
I wonder if it would be possible for you to take a rabbit, or rabbits, on temporarily to see if it works for you. Either by fostering some for a rescue or by rabbit sitting for a friend who is going on holiday. Then you could see how it works re: mess, time, money, destructiveness and child-friendliness before making a commitment, as it's always sad to have to rehome an animal if things don't work out.
I realise this might be hard to organise but it's worth considering. As I say, I love mine, but they have made my life quite difficult over the years, something I had no inkling of when I took them on!Good luck with whatever you decide and we look forward to hearing about your new addition/s if you do decide rabbits are right for you.
booboobunny
Warren Scout
Not everyone agrees with this but I don't think Dwarf rabbits would be the best to start out with if you are wanting a rabbit to give you affection. Just from my personal experience my medium / 'average' sized lop rabbits have been friendlier and more likely to come over for attention than just use you for food. I've found that the dwarf rabbits have alot more attitude and are so very fragile. My current medium sized rabbit will come over to me and lay down next to me and ask for more attention (also the same with my past ones), whereas my dwarf rabbits tend to keep a bit of a distance and will not tolerate being handled which would not work well with a child. Obviously every rabbit is different but just something I've noticed in breed sizes myself.
Also, hay is a nightmare! It will get everywhere. You will find it in all sorts of places. Mine are all outdoor bunnies and I still find hay all over the house so having them indoors must be so much worse.
However, rabbits are wonderful pets and so entertaining - especially when kept in pairs
Also, hay is a nightmare! It will get everywhere. You will find it in all sorts of places. Mine are all outdoor bunnies and I still find hay all over the house so having them indoors must be so much worse.
However, rabbits are wonderful pets and so entertaining - especially when kept in pairs
Jbun
Alpha Buck
I'm having a right chuckle at the responses to the OP's inquiry. He comes on a rabbit forum to get advise about getting a pet rabbit, and we(rabbit owners) are essentially trying to discourage him from getting one. You would think we know something that the rest of the world doesn't know... that despite their cute adorable appearance, rabbits are a pain in the butt to have as a pet and can make a horrible pet.... So I wonder why we all have them as our pets and like or even love them. I guess this means they must have some redeeming virtues :lol:
I agree with booboobunny at not starting out with a dwarf, unless you happen to find one that just seems the right one for your family. Dwarf rabbits tend to be higher energy, as mentioned are more delicate, can be more flighty, and seem to be a bit more stubborn and definitely have more attitude. I have six of them, so can very much verify this description. I still love them and they are all characters, but they are not the most snuggly or friendliest of my rabbits. Dwarfs are also very fast and more apt to end up under foot, and because they are so small this can be very dangerous for them. I've had to perfect the rabbit shuffle, where you don't pick your feet up while walking, so a rabbit doesn't inadvertently end up under them. Larger rabbits don't as easily end up right under foot, though they will hop about your feet so care still needs to be taken. But my dwarf rabbits are definitely the hardest to walk around, and many times I've seen them clear across the room and think I'm safe to take a normal step, then look down and there they are about to be stepped on.
Don't get me wrong, I love my rabbits and for me they are the perfect pet. I love to just sit back and watch them play. I find it hilarious and very entertaining. I love their nature and unique personalities, that does take some time and research to really get to know and understand. But they really are a unique pet with many different and difficult traits that may mean they aren't the right pet for some people. So certainly not something you want to go into blind.
I agree with booboobunny at not starting out with a dwarf, unless you happen to find one that just seems the right one for your family. Dwarf rabbits tend to be higher energy, as mentioned are more delicate, can be more flighty, and seem to be a bit more stubborn and definitely have more attitude. I have six of them, so can very much verify this description. I still love them and they are all characters, but they are not the most snuggly or friendliest of my rabbits. Dwarfs are also very fast and more apt to end up under foot, and because they are so small this can be very dangerous for them. I've had to perfect the rabbit shuffle, where you don't pick your feet up while walking, so a rabbit doesn't inadvertently end up under them. Larger rabbits don't as easily end up right under foot, though they will hop about your feet so care still needs to be taken. But my dwarf rabbits are definitely the hardest to walk around, and many times I've seen them clear across the room and think I'm safe to take a normal step, then look down and there they are about to be stepped on.
Don't get me wrong, I love my rabbits and for me they are the perfect pet. I love to just sit back and watch them play. I find it hilarious and very entertaining. I love their nature and unique personalities, that does take some time and research to really get to know and understand. But they really are a unique pet with many different and difficult traits that may mean they aren't the right pet for some people. So certainly not something you want to go into blind.