I can give you ten reasons NOT to get a pet rabbit! Now don’t get me wrong, I really love rabbits and they can make wonderful companions in your household, however, they may not be the right pet for you or your family. Before I get into the detailed reasons of why not to get a pet rabbit, let me preface by saying they are definitely not a starter pet (a bunny requires a lot of time, money, and effort) nor are they a good match for young children. If you get a pet rabbit without understanding what exactly is entailed in owning one, you may end up resenting it.
You may be in the process of deciding to get a pet. This is a very important choice and not one that should be taken lightly. Before you make your decision, I challenge you to sit and think about these questions:
- why do you want a pet and what do expect to get out of having one?
- who will be the primary caregiver of your pet?
- what are you willing to spend on a pet (not just initially, but daily and lifelong)?
- where will your pet live?
- how long are you willing to invest in their life?
- do you have other pets?
“Well, but it’s just a pet…why not just get one spontaneously?” The answer to that is… shelters, rescues and sanctuaries, all of which are overflowing with unwanted pets. Not to mention the fact that rabbits are the third most abandoned, neglected and relinquished pet worlwide. Why is this? Mainly the lack of education and understanding of the nature of the pet (what they are really like).
Cute little babies become teens at just 4 months old, and like all teens, they have raging hormones. This can easily turn into an uncomfortable situation for someone unaware of what they have taken on. Baby bunnies especially tend to be an impulse gift at Easter time, but then the novelty wears off and the rabbit is dropped off at an animal shelter, relegated to a cage outside, or simply turned loose.
While pet rabbits can cohabitate peacefully with other types of pets, it depends on the type of pet and/or their personality. For example if you have a pet that is predatory in nature, such as a hunting breed of dog, then a rabbit should not be considered. Whatever pets you do have, they should be monitored when interacting with a pet rabbit.
10 Reasons NOT to Get a Pet Rabbit
Before getting a pet rabbit, it’s essential to thoroughly research their care requirements and consider whether your lifestyle and living situation are suitable for providing a happy and healthy life for a rabbit.
Lifespan
A pet rabbit can live on average 8-10 years and with proper care can live even longer…up to 13-14 years. Getting one requires a significant long-term commitment. Pet rabbits bond deeply with their caregivers and are not disposable after a few years.
You’ll need to think down the road: is there the possibility you will be moving, getting married, having children or your children going to college. If your intention is for this to be your kids pet, how long until they leave for college? Will they take him or her with them? Will you keep the pet rabbit in the home it has known all it’s life? Re-homing and relinquishment are traumatic experiences for a pet rabbit.
Habitat
Providing the proper habitat is essential for the wellbeing of your pet rabbit. A domestic pet rabbit should always live inside your home, away from extreme elements (heat, cold, rain and snow), predators and external environmental illnesses such as RHDV, ticks and fleas. Many rabbits that are left to live outside out of sight are often forgotten or neglected. That is not the true meaning of a “pet”. Without clean water, regular healthy meals, and human interaction, your rabbit’s life will be miserable.
Just like a dog or cat, they need ample space to freely run and jump around your home. They should never live in a cage or hutch for the reason these items are much too small and cramped for a pet rabbit to sufficiently move around and exercise. An x-pen enclosure, at least 3-4 times the length of their body, is perfectly acceptable to keep your rabbit safe if you are not at home or at bedtime. Rabbits can be little escape artists as they are known for jumping to great heights so they will need one that is tall enough to contain them.
Health
Due to the nature of their size and bone structure, rabbits are very fragile beings. When handled improperly, they can easily break a bone or worse, their back. This makes them not ideal candidates for pets for small children. Rabbits can also be prone to a number of illnesses such as GI Stasis, dental issues and ear infections. Rabbits are masters of masking their pain so as an owner you have to be extremely in tune with their behavior to know when they are ill. Rabbits also need regular veterinary care, including vaccinations and check-ups.
If you cannot afford to take your pet rabbit to an exotic vet, please do not get one. It is irresponsible to withhold medical care. A rabbit needs to be taken to the vet at first signs of illness or injury.
Different ages and breeds present different health problems as well. Lop eared rabbits tend to be prone to ear infections and abscesses in their mouth. Elder buns can develop urinary incontinence and/or arthritis ranging from slight pain to complete immobility. Uterine cancer is prevalent in un-spayed female rabbits.
Expense$$$
You may be thinking “little pet, little expense” when in reality that could not be further from the truth. Granted start up costs may not break the bank, however there are constant ongoing expenses for a pet rabbit: litter, hay, enrichment (toys and stimulation), and food.
Rabbits are herbivores and therefore require a specialized diet. You need to pay careful attention to ensure they receive the right balance of 80% hay, 10% fresh vegetables, and 1/8-1/4 cup pellets. Improper diet can lead to health issues. Fresh organic non-GMO foods should be purchased every couple of days and thoroughly washed. They should never eat table scraps or processed foods.
There are extra items that may not be essential, but will definitely make your life easier: a good handheld vacuum, steam cleaner and an air purifier. You can find a full list of suggested items on my Mercantile page!
A pet rabbit will need a special bun-sitter when you are away on vacation. Your bun sitter should have first hand knowledge of rabbit care along with your expectations and your rabbit’s routine. Rabbits should never be left alone for longer than 12 hours in case of illness or injury and they do need constant care (hay and water refills).
Your biggest expense will be for your exotic vet. When a rabbit is injured or becomes ill, it is extremely important to get to the vet immediately and not just any vet. You will need to have one that specializes in small animal care. You may even want to look into pet insurance for your pet rabbit.
Behavior
Domestic rabbits in general are very anxious pets as they have the same instincts as their wild prey cousins. This fact in itself can lend to a stressed out pet. ‘Rabbits are naturally fearful of anything coming from above, like their predators would. If we bend down to pick them up, that action is scary,’ says Rosie Bescoby. Pet rabbits can be skittish and may not enjoy being picked up or handled, requiring gentle and patient interaction, especially if they have endured emotional trauma. They can be slow to trust and fearful.
There are many other factors that come into play in a rabbits behavior. Age, hormones and previous experiences can all affect how a rabbit may react to you. It’s best to approach a new rabbit with detached expectations so the two of you will not become disappointed.
Rabbits can have a wide range of personalities. They are extremely intelligent and have good memories. Many of them that experienced physical abuse, neglect or abandonment (they may have been separated early from their mother by a breeder, dumped out in the world to fend for themselves by an unwitting previous owner or used in a lab as a research animal) will carry that emotional trauma with them. For some it may be hard for them to ever learn to trust you, while others may respond to your love and affection easily.
High Maintainance
Rabbits require significant time, attention and daily interaction for socialization, exercise, care and stimulation. Without proper enrichment and affection, they can easily become bored which can then turn into depression.
In addition they also need constant supervision and a clean living area. You’ll need to provide daily cage cleanings: shaking out blankets and rugs, vacuuming, mopping, and of course their dishes need to be washed. Litter boxes definitely need to be changed daily and washed at least every other day if not every day.
Although pet rabbits can be litter trained, they can still be very messy. Just jumping in and out of a litter box alone can create a mess. Even the best litter trained rabbit can still leave poops around as they tend to fall out while the rabbit sleeps, eats and plays.
Chewing
Rabbits have a natural instinct to chew, which can lead to damage to furniture, wires, and other household items. Buns are destructors, they chew everything from wood, to fabric, to electrical cords. Bunny proofing, much like child proofing is a must!
Grooming
Rabbits shed a lot, especially during heavy shedding seasons. They moult several times per year and need constant brushing and combing. Since rabbits cannot cough up a furball like other animals, it is imperative to remove dead fur so they do not ingest while self-grooming. This excess fur can also be an allergen source for some people so if you are sensitive to it, it is highly recommended to have an air purifier.
Pet rabbits will need their nails clipped every 4-6 weeks. This can be done by you, however if you are afraid of nicking their quick, you can take them to a rabbit groomer or vet. I even had a girl from my local 4-H Rabbit Club come to my house since I have a large fluffle!
Some rabbits have a dental condition called Malocclusion. This is when their teeth are misaligned, making it hard for them to chew. Since a rabbit’s teeth are continually growing, they will need to have their teeth trimmed down by the vet anywhere from every 2-8 weeks.
Social
Rabbits are social and intelligent animals that crave attention, affection and playtime. They are crepuscular-meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. During these active hours, they will need to be monitored and showered with affection. The amount of sociability they receive from you will influence how they interact with you.
They generally do best with companionship from another pet rabbit although keeping a single rabbit is doable as long as it receives more human interaction to compensate for their social needs. Bonding multiple rabbits is not easy. It can be a long arduous process with constant eagle eye supervision. Rabbits are territorial and can quickly get into a fighting match leaving one or both injured.
Hay
Some people may not only have allergies to rabbits, but to hay as well, which can make living with a rabbit challenging. It would be detrimental to a rabbit’s mental well being to adopt them and then relinquish them a month later due to human allergies. The other issue with hay is that it can be messy! It does seem to get everywhere!
Final Thoughts
My hope is that you think about your personal reasons for wanting a rabbit and give them proper consideration before deciding to embark on this journey. It can truly be rewarding and gratifying having a rabbit as long as you are willing to invest in the time and long term commitment.
After reading this article, you feel you are 100% ready to get a pet rabbit, please adopt one from a shelter, rescue or sanctuary. There are so many bunnies in need of homes. The volunteers at these facilities will be able to advise you on the personalities of the different rabbits enabling you to find the perfect match. Size, age and breed should all be factors in your decision of the perfect rabbit for you or your family.
If you are interested in getting 2 rabbits, many places have bonded rabbits available saving you the hassle of that process. Plus, most of these rabbits are already spayed/neutered and vaccinated saving you a big cost!
Learn more about the basic necessities you will need to take care of your pet rabbit like a first aid kit, bunny proofing, and a proper habitat.
1 thought on “10 Good Reasons NOT to Get a Pet Rabbit”
Excellent article; thank you! My only suggestion would be regarding allergies, particularly to hay. I’ve helped a few potential rabbit owners add now-beloved and spoiled house rabbits to their families when they thought it wasn’t an option due to allergies. Often, the allergy isn’t to the rabbit but to Timothy hay, and switching to orchard grass has made all the difference.