How do I convince my parents to let me have a bunny?

[Millz777]

Rescue centres often have pregnant rabbits or babies in, just so you know I bet you'll have rescues other than the RSPCA close by as well.
After I lost my last bunny I wanted to get another giant, and since they don't live as long I didn't really want to get one that was a few years old already. After a few months of waiting my perfect rabbit came along at a rescue near me - only 6 months old and the breed I was looking for.

I think in your situation it may be worth considering getting an older pair though. In a few years you'll start getting coursework and exams and if you want to be a vet you're going to have to study really hard, that means you might not have the time for rabbits any more. You might want to start spending your money on other things as well, like going out with your friends. If you get a pair of baby rabbits they could easily live until you're 22 (especially if you get dwarves, which live longer) and rabbits and university generally don't mix well, you have to be thinking long term.

£25 a month sounds like it would just about cover the essentials for a pair of rabbits if you can find cheap hay and veg (vaccines, pellets, hay, veg). It wouldn't cover insurance or vets bills though, or their holiday care and it would leave you nothing for fun stuff like treats and toys and making changes to their housing.

I think you're doing really well to come to this forum and ask for advice and it's great that you're reading everyone's replies so carefully.

What is it you like about rabbits as pets? They were nothing like I expected, I actually really wanted ferrets but my partner was against it. I'm hoping we're going to have some when the rabbits aren't with us any more, but since I got them when I was 21 I could be 33 by the time that happens :shock:

At the recuse we saw a lovely rabbit I can quite remember what breed it was but it was lovely and I wasn't the only one that fell in love with it!! My mum loved it but the RSPCA said that It might be pregnant so it was not up for adoption. I will look for other recuses around to find out more info! I am hopefully going to going and look at the rescues soon! My mum also said an older pair would be better because I am 12 now and will leave school at 18! And as you said some bunnies can live very very long . I know how much I am going to need to study because my mum is a doctor and she had to work really hard and being a vet is harder. I get £25 a month but I think my mum and dad would help out a bit and if the bunny need toys and treats my mum might by them a few things a month. I am not sure but can you use shredded paper as bedding or anything else?? My parents would cover insurance. Thank you for saying that I'm doing really well because I am doing this to try and find out as much information as I can about rabbits so I can show my mum and dad that I really do want a rabbit and won't just like it for a week!

Well there are lots of reasons I want a rabbit one of them is because if I get one I would learn about them so much (because I want to be a vet) also I want something that takes more responsibility than a hamster or anything like that and I really do just feel like a rabbit would be a good pet for me! That's not all the reasons though but I won't say any more because I don't want to go on for years!

I hope you get your ferrets you wanted! Millz777

 

[Millz777]

I must admit, that your research and approach are admirable. I know many are warning you if the difficulties so you are prepared including myself, but im trying to speculate if i was in your position and also desiring rabbits so much, that i still would have got one despite what anyone said. The truth of it is, no matter how much ppl give advice and reasoning, the person learns truly by going through the experience themselves and learning from their mistake the hard way. Its the most effective way of learning, that being said, is there a compromise? Im not sure of the legal age requirement, but could you foster a rabbit? Depending on the arrangement, some rescues/vets pay for the medical treatment while you keep the rabbit until a permanent home comes for them (adoption). Thos way you can see what it is like to have a bunny as well as the realities of them. Just an idea and a possible compromise solution?!?

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Ok thanks for your ideas but I think I might get very attached to it and never want it to go:roll:

 

[Millz777]

It's fantastic that you've come on here to ask for advice and learn. I'm 24, and I got my two bunnies 5 years ago just after I moved out to go to college. I had to move house twice because of them, and it was difficult finding places that'd allow me to have pets. I made the thread that nessar posted earlier, and in 5 months and 3 days I've spent £571.05 on hay, pellets, veterinary care and other supplies. That also included at least 17 vets visits at £6.10 each because I have to travel 40 minutes to a good rabbit vet (they need to be an exotic specialist, with out of hours service that is also done by qualified exotics vets). I would say if you're still considering it you need to look into where the nearest rabbit vet is. You could post in rabbit chat here asking for a rabbit savvy vet in your area and people will give you recommendations. You then need to look into out of hours services, and ensure you have some way to get there if your rabbit needs emergency attention at night. Rabbits go downhill very quickly - if they stop eating they need to be seen by a good vet ASAP or they could be dead by the morning. I personally wouldn't get a rabbit if I couldn't drive, or didn't have parents that would take me no matter what time. Emergency vets visits can easily be £200+ just for the consulation, and admitting them overnight will cost upwards of £400-500. Insurance will cover it but that's a monthly cost to factor in, and you have to pay an excess (usually £50 with petplan, rising to about £70 when they're 4-5 or so, and after that they sometimes even want you to pay 10% of the claim also). If your rabbit gets ill, you need to be able to ensure that your parents or someone can take you to the vet as frequently as they need.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. But I know exactly what it's like to REALLY want a rabbit. I had the exact same thing, and as much as I love my pair I really didn't make a great decision - they've held me back from so many things, and cost me so much that I haven't been able to enjoy my early 20's. For instance, I really can't now do a graduate course in veterinary medicine because the cost of having 2 rabbits while studying is crippling. If you're thinking of becoming a vet I would really not recommend you go for it. Living on campus in halls will greatly help you with your course, and you won't be able to do that with 2 rabbits. Honestly, don't make the same 'mistake' that I did. They will hold you back a lot. I have been close to having to quit my degree at 2 separate points because of how much my rabbits cost me. 2 bunnies can easily cost you £1000+ a year, and that's not even factoring in buying accommodation or vets fees if you're not insured. While you're studying, that could easily be 1/4 of your total income. Plus you can't sleep over at friends after a night out, you can't go away for impromptu days/weekends away, it makes it difficult to have a relationship because you need to be at yours more often than at theirs.

I know you really want rabbits, not any other animal... but perhaps it might be worth considering guinea pigs? I feel that they're social and fun just like rabbits, but they're generally a bit cheaper, require slightly less size accommodation, and live less than half as long. I know when I was younger I was obsessed with getting a certain animal but in 6-12 months I'd discovered how amazing another species was. You'll probably always want rabbits, but I'd really save it for when you're older when you have the cash, the car, and the time. I wish I'd listened to anyone who'd told me the same thing when I was younger, but I doubt I would have.

Ok thanks for telling me that. There is a vet 2 mins away form my house (walkable distance) and if the bunny got sick my mum or dad would take them straight to were they needed!

 

[Millz777]

As has already been said I would suggest fostering buns for a rescue. Rabbits are easy to look after badly and expensive and hard work to look after properly. I am fortunate that my current buns lol are healthy and I only have one dental bunny. One of my rabbits lived until he was 10, only seeing the vet for neutering and vaccs in his life, others have cost hundreds - there is no way of knowing. My annual vet bills have reached four figures on occasion.

Ok thanks.

 

[Millz777]

Just one more point and it's one which upsets many younger, and older people, and this is that rabbits do not like being handled, generally speaking. Being prey animals they are always wary of humans, unlike dogs or cats, and can scratch and bite if they don't want you to pick them up. This is one of the biggest consideratons, imo, you have to allow the rabbit to be what it wants to be, you can't force it to be super friendly, it has to be on the rabbit's terms not yours. You have to respect their wishes.

I know you said it is unlike cats or dogs but my grandads cat won't even let you touch her let slowness pick her up! And when I was stroking her she was fine then Heard something and bit me she then scratched me and walked off! Millz777

 

[Millz777]

I want to echo this re the good vet. True story that happened to me this week. I have a vet I can trust. Unfortunately they contract out their ooh care and it's Russian roulette if you get a good vet or not. In December 2011, this vet advised having my soul bunny pts and not knowing any better, I took their advice. Now I've found out that if that get had been rabbit savvy, Dexy may still be with me. I struggle with that knowledge everyday.

So last Monday night, my beautiful, 9 month old mini lion lop, Badger, suddenly seemed off colour. He'd been fine a few hours ago. It was 11.30pm and I didn't want a repeat of Dexter at the ooh vet as I don't trust them. My vet opened at 8.30am. So I waited. 7.30am I got up to check him & he'd died in the night. Now my remaining bunnies will be seen by a vet in Worksop - a 50 minute drive from me. But they are highly recommended by people on here and they do their own ooh care so I'll see the same vet no matter what time it is. No doubt this will save one of my bunnies lives one day. I just wish it could have saved Badger. The vet I currently used is 5 minutes from me. You can't choose your vet based on distance & convenience to you.

I'm 24, have my own house, car & work full time. I can make those choices. I will never have to choose between the cheaper option of pts or expensive treatment because my buns are the most important thing in my life & I'd do anything for them. I also have them insured to help pay this, but even if I didn't, I'd go without to pay for them. I'm not at the mercy of someone saying "no, it's not worth all that money, pts" like I know my parents would have done if this happened to me & my buns when I was your age. It breaks your heart, losing your bunny, and I personally don't know how I'd ever be able to with myself or my parents, knowing my bunny could be saved, but they just didn't want to pay for it.

Another true story. I got Blackavar one Friday last September as a former stud bunny from a BYB. He was £20. He was stressed and depressed & went into stasis. By the time I'd got him thought it, he'd been to the emergency get on Sunday morning, admitted Sunday night, collected Monday morning & back to my vets on Monday afternoon. I didn't have insurance then and it cost me about £300. Are your parents going to foot the bill & take your rabbit to the vet at 11pm at night, collect him at 8am and then back to the vets the same afternoon for a checkup?

I'm not trying to put you off, I just want you to be aware of what you're getting into. Until I joined this forum last July, I didn't have a clue how to care for rabbits although I thought I did. They're fiendishly expensive & demanding, contrary to popular belief. It's more like having a dog IMO. They take up a load of space & you have no idea if your cute baby bunny will grow up to be an evil psychopath like my Slipper, or sweet & affectionate & snuggly like Dexy, Badger, Blueberry or Blackavar. Get it right & there's nothing to beat the feeling of cuddling up with your bunny & knowing they love you as much as you love them. Then there's the ones that no matter what you do, love nothing more than biting you for no other reason then you being in their way or not feeding them fast enough.


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Ok thank you.

P.s I am so sorry about badger. It most have been heart breaking!

 

[Sarah1989]

I want to echo this re the good vet. True story that happened to me this week. I have a vet I can trust. Unfortunately they contract out their ooh care and it's Russian roulette if you get a good vet or not. In December 2011, this vet advised having my soul bunny pts and not knowing any better, I took their advice. Now I've found out that if that get had been rabbit savvy, Dexy may still be with me. I struggle with that knowledge everyday.

So last Monday night, my beautiful, 9 month old mini lion lop, Badger, suddenly seemed off colour. He'd been fine a few hours ago. It was 11.30pm and I didn't want a repeat of Dexter at the ooh vet as I don't trust them. My vet opened at 8.30am. So I waited. 7.30am I got up to check him & he'd died in the night. Now my remaining bunnies will be seen by a vet in Worksop - a 50 minute drive from me. But they are highly recommended by people on here and they do their own ooh care so I'll see the same vet no matter what time it is. No doubt this will save one of my bunnies lives one day. I just wish it could have saved Badger. The vet I currently used is 5 minutes from me. You can't choose your vet based on distance & convenience to you.

I'm 24, have my own house, car & work full time. I can make those choices. I will never have to choose between the cheaper option of pts or expensive treatment because my buns are the most important thing in my life & I'd do anything for them. I also have them insured to help pay this, but even if I didn't, I'd go without to pay for them. I'm not at the mercy of someone saying "no, it's not worth all that money, pts" like I know my parents would have done if this happened to me & my buns when I was your age. It breaks your heart, losing your bunny, and I personally don't know how I'd ever be able to with myself or my parents, knowing my bunny could be saved, but they just didn't want to pay for it.

Another true story. I got Blackavar one Friday last September as a former stud bunny from a BYB. He was £20. He was stressed and depressed & went into stasis. By the time I'd got him thought it, he'd been to the emergency get on Sunday morning, admitted Sunday night, collected Monday morning & back to my vets on Monday afternoon. I didn't have insurance then and it cost me about £300. Are your parents going to foot the bill & take your rabbit to the vet at 11pm at night, collect him at 8am and then back to the vets the same afternoon for a checkup?

I'm not trying to put you off, I just want you to be aware of what you're getting into. Until I joined this forum last July, I didn't have a clue how to care for rabbits although I thought I did. They're fiendishly expensive & demanding, contrary to popular belief. It's more like having a dog IMO. They take up a load of space & you have no idea if your cute baby bunny will grow up to be an evil psychopath like my Slipper, or sweet & affectionate & snuggly like Dexy, Badger, Blueberry or Blackavar. Get it right & there's nothing to beat the feeling of cuddling up with your bunny & knowing they love you as much as you love them. Then there's the ones that no matter what you do, love nothing more than biting you for no other reason then you being in their way or not feeding them fast enough.


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Ok thank you.

P.s I am so sorry about badger. It most have been heart breaking!

Thank you, yes I was devastated, I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.

I hope you don't think we're being mean & ganging up on you as we're not, I know I wish I knew what I do now or had this forum when I got into bunnies, so we're just trying to help you and any bunny(ies) you may get in the future.


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[Millz777]

Thank you, yes I was devastated, I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.

I hope you don't think we're being mean & ganging up on you as we're not, I know I wish I knew what I do now or had this forum when I got into bunnies, so we're just trying to help you and any bunny(ies) you may get in the future.


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I know your guys are all trying to help but I really don't think any of this is going to put me off since I got the forum I have learnt lots and I just can stop thinking about rabbits!! I just really wish my mum would say yes

 

[Vegan_Bunny]

I know your guys are all trying to help but I really don't think any of this is going to put me off since I got the forum I have learnt lots and I just can stop thinking about rabbits!! I just really wish my mum would say yes

What will you do with the bunny/bunnies when you finish school and go to college or university? Getting an older bun does not mean that they won't live for many years, yet.

I think if you are absolutely serious about getting a rabbit, then you need to wait until you know that you will be able to look after him/her for his/her entire life. I seriously don't think you can look after a rabbit on just £25 a month, even if your parents help you out. I spend way more than that per week on my rabbits not including vets bills.

 

[BigBunnyBenji]

I think it's great that you want a bunny so much and that you are researching how to look after them properly.

However, as others have said, you really need to be on a stable income to get rabbits. Mine cost me £30 a month just on food, then there's vet bills, toys, cleaning products, and then what would happen if they got ill and needed extra treatment?

I think you would be best to wait until you were a bit older

 

[adoptafosteredbunny]

It's really good that you're doing so much research.
I see someone has mentioned fostering already. I guess I was in a similar situation to you at the beginning of the year. I wanted a bunny, but there were many reasons not to get one. Now I am currently a foster parents for bunnies for a number of reasons, which are the main reasons that people have been recommending you don't get a bunny just yet.

These are:

1. I had not really had much experience with rabbits, except for when I was much younger and I hate to say it but I see now that I am an adult that the poor bunny was neglected. So fostering was a good way just to see if rabbits were right for me.

2. I don't have a steady income as I am a student. I am generally really frugal but with my student loan I can afford hay, veggies, toys and cleaning things etc, but I would NO WAY be able to afford vets bills. I could just afford insurance. With fostering, all vets bills are covered. Pellets have also been provided for us, which are quite pricey.

3. I have no mode of transport (other than my feet) so if there was an emergency vet situation, I couldn't get there. We are lucky our rescue center brings bunnies to us.

4. It is not a long term commitment. I can take holidays as I please. I don't have to pay for boarding. I don't have to worry about stressing my rabbits out when I move house etc. Now that there is only 1 month left of uni, I have just let the rescue center know so they can make space for our current fosters, and I can start planning for when I move to foster for another rescue center.

5. My parents don't want rabbits, and I am moving back home shortly.

6. It is super duper rewarding. You get to meet lots of different breeds, ages, temperaments etc etc. We have had Netherlands dwarfs, giant french lops, 7 week old babies, half lops, rexes, wild crosses. It feels really good knowing that I have helped a bunny. Some love headrubs, some are so bouncy you cant even attempt to give them a rub!

7. It's occasionally heartbreaking, but the excitement of getting a new bunny often outweighs the sadness of the loss. We have learnt to swap bunnies rather than having a gap between, otherwise we cry loads...

8. Also if you happen to stumble across a great bunny as you adopt, there is always the option of adopting them once you have 'trialed them out'...sounds mean but it's true...

There are more reasons than this but it's late and I'm tired! Shamelessly recommending my own blog now...guess I should write a proper article on it about pros and cons of fostering...there's lots of photos and the odd bit about why we foster etc. Hopefully it will be a good insight for you.:thumb:

I think fostering might make your parents more confident in your decision to have a rabbit too. It will be a good test run for them too, and may give them peace of mind of your seriousness to commit to the rabbits.

 

[Baildon bears]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind no matter what we say lol, you remind me of my younger me, if I was you I would wait til you have your own place, rabbits can be very messy poop everywhere, chew everything, not sure I would be happy if I was your parents. Is there anyway you could have them outside in a big hutch that might be a compromise????

 

[happybun]

I know your guys are all trying to help but I really don't think any of this is going to put me off since I got the forum I have learnt lots and I just can stop thinking about rabbits!! I just really wish my mum would say yes

Why do you think you know more than us? We are all experienced rabbit keepers. We know what we're talking about.

Your mum is sensible to say no if she doesn't want rabbits around - its her house and her ultimate responsibility.

What you're doing is really mean to your parents. Show them some respect and accept that at present you live in their home but this won't always be the case. When you have your own home you can decide for yourself if you will have rabbits.

There's nothing to stop you reading here and other places, helping out at rescues, shadowing at the vets etc so that you are a true expert on rabbits before you take any on full time. That would be a really positive thing to do with your interest. And you could save up, start your 'rabbit fund'. All that is working positively towards fulfilling your dream.

 

[William]

Why do you think you know more than us? We are all experienced rabbit keepers. We know what we're talking about.

Your mum is sensible to say no if she doesn't want rabbits around - its her house and her ultimate responsibility.

What you're doing is really mean to your parents. Show them some respect and accept that at present you live in their home but this won't always be the case. When you have your own home you can decide for yourself if you will have rabbits.

There's nothing to stop you reading here and other places, helping out at rescues, shadowing at the vets etc so that you are a true expert on rabbits before you take any on full time. That would be a really positive thing to do with your interest. And you could save up, start your 'rabbit fund'. All that is working positively towards fulfilling your dream.

But you don't know her parents :? My parents always got rabbits for me/my siblings, but I had to beg for plenty of other pets. Doesn't mean that they really didn't want other animals and that I was being mean for begging, they just had to think on it.

It sounds to me that her parents aren't really for or against the rabbits, they just aren't particularly interested. That's how my parents were at first so I had to get them interested, tell them what neat pets mice or hamsters or button quail etc are and show them pics/vids and such so that they WOULD get interested.

I don't agree with all this 'wait till you're older' or 'what will you do in 6 years time when you go to uni' stuff. It just seems excessive to me. Things change so it's hard to plan ahead so many years and if you're always so careful to plan ahead like that you're going to miss out on a lot of fun you could have had. I don't think rabbits are unbelievably difficult animals. as long as you do your research and can afford vet bills they're quite easy pets. They're only actually difficult or expensive when they're ill.

 

[happybun]

her mum is resolute in saying no, and the child is persisting in asking. that to me seems like a disciplinary matter.

 

[William]

her mum is resolute in saying no, and the child is persisting in asking. that to me seems like a disciplinary matter.

I still say it sounds like her mom just isn't really interested, not that she's dead set against getting rabbits.

Bleh, I'm glad my parents aren't all strict and mean like that. I never got disciplined for begging and I usually got the pets I begged for

 

[Babsie]

But you don't know her parents :? My parents always got rabbits for me/my siblings, but I had to beg for plenty of other pets. Doesn't mean that they really didn't want other animals and that I was being mean for begging, they just had to think on it.

It sounds to me that her parents aren't really for or against the rabbits, they just aren't particularly interested. That's how my parents were at first so I had to get them interested, tell them what neat pets mice or hamsters or button quail etc are and show them pics/vids and such so that they WOULD get interested.

I don't agree with all this 'wait till you're older' or 'what will you do in 6 years time when you go to uni' stuff. It just seems excessive to me
Things change so it's hard to plan ahead so many years and if you're always so careful to plan ahead like that you're going to miss out on a lot of fun you could have had. I don't think rabbits are unbelievably difficult animals. as long as you do your research and can afford vet bills they're quite easy pets. They're only actually difficult or expensive when they're not earning


Responsible not excessive.

 

[William]

But you don't know her parents :? My parents always got rabbits for me/my siblings, but I had to beg for plenty of other pets. Doesn't mean that they really didn't want other animals and that I was being mean for begging, they just had to think on it.

It sounds to me that her parents aren't really for or against the rabbits, they just aren't particularly interested. That's how my parents were at first so I had to get them interested, tell them what neat pets mice or hamsters or button quail etc are and show them pics/vids and such so that they WOULD get interested.

I don't agree with all this 'wait till you're older' or 'what will you do in 6 years time when you go to uni' stuff. It just seems excessive to me
Things change so it's hard to plan ahead so many years and if you're always so careful to plan ahead like that you're going to miss out on a lot of fun you could have had. I don't think rabbits are unbelievably difficult animals. as long as you do your research and can afford vet bills they're quite easy pets. They're only actually difficult or expensive when they're not earning


Responsible not excessive.

It's not impossible to have a pair of rabbits and go to uni so I would say that it's excessive. Irresponsible is getting an animal knowing that you're going to rehome it when you go to uni. It doesn't sound like that's what she plans on doing.

 

[nessar]

Why do you think you know more than us? We are all experienced rabbit keepers. We know what we're talking about.

Your mum is sensible to say no if she doesn't want rabbits around - its her house and her ultimate responsibility.

What you're doing is really mean to your parents. Show them some respect and accept that at present you live in their home but this won't always be the case. When you have your own home you can decide for yourself if you will have rabbits.

There's nothing to stop you reading here and other places, helping out at rescues, shadowing at the vets etc so that you are a true expert on rabbits before you take any on full time. That would be a really positive thing to do with your interest. And you could save up, start your 'rabbit fund'. All that is working positively towards fulfilling your dream.

her mum is resolute in saying no, and the child is persisting in asking. that to me seems like a disciplinary matter.

At the end of the day that is her family's business, not ours, and it is up to Milz's parents to decide what to do and whether to get the rabbits. And it does seem like her parents are considering it, as if they weren't they would not be taking her to rescue centres etc to look at rabbits. Milz is taking the time to research rabbits first so she can give them a good home, which is a very responsible attitude to have. Only Milz's parents can say yes or no to the rabbits, our role is to support and advise her and make sure she feels welcome on the forum.

Milz - yes you will be going to uni at 18 so it would be a good idea to not buy a pet that lives so long. However, like you mentioned before, perhaps you could offer an older pair a loving home, say 6+ years old for normal sized rabbits or a bit younger for larger breeds.

Money is an issue, as you don't earn enough to keep them, but if you are careful about what you buy and you get a rabbit that doesn't have health problems, I would say £100 a month would cover their basic costs, insurance and vaccinations. If you can get hold of baled hay and have somewhere to store it, you could probably drop that to about £80. So maybe you could speak to your mum about what she would be willing to pay for- maybe you could do some extra jobs around the house to earn their keep?

 

[happybun]

I still say it sounds like her mom just isn't really interested, not that she's dead set against getting rabbits.

Bleh, I'm glad my parents aren't all strict and mean like that. I never got disciplined for begging and I usually got the pets I begged for

but your circumstances are different, William. you've got lots of outdoor space and a family that is into animals. in the uk, most people have small houses, with neighbours close by and only a handkerchief of lawn at the front and if they're lucky, the same at the back. some, nothing at all. people struggle to make their homes nice, pleasant to be in; they don't need their children to bring in animals which will cause destruction, particularly as the parents don't want the animals anyway.

nagging, wheedling, begging - those are all unacceptable behaviours and need to be addressed. they certainly shouldn't be supported by people outside the family.