Thinking of Getting A Bunny?

 

Just checking my secretary's spelling!

So you're considering getting somebunny like me? What should you consider when you’re getting a rabbit as a pet...or maybe you shouldn't consider getting one at all?! Or...maybe you should get two! What do you think? Let's find out!

We'll make this like a quiz. I'll ask a bunch of questions, and you can think really hard about your answers! We'll make this an open book kind of quiz. I'll give you my thoughts and links to good websites so you can get even more information to decide what your answers will be.

Ready? Ok, first question!

1. Are you getting a bunny for a child? Oh dear, I hate to start out on a negative note, but...People think rabbits are cuddly, but we are prey animals and we don't like to be held at all. Children are prone to making high-pitched squealy kinds of noises  which mimic the rabbit's distress call. This can set us on edge. We're fragile, too! It's easy to break a rabbit's back just by picking us up the wrong way.

And while kids might like a bunny for a little while, soon the thrill will wear off. Did you know 90% of rabbits turned into shelters were originally pets for children? I'm going to do a whole post later about rabbits and kids, but for now you might really want to read this article before you get a bunny for your child. 

Did I mention I know at least three documented cases of a bunny biting a child's finger off? Check this one out here! Oh, here's another one!

My friend Penny got cranky and her foster mom got bitten! Oops!

 Wow, I spent a lot of time on that question didn't I? Bunnies and children can be a good thing, but there's so much you need to consider. Let's move on!

2. Can you afford a bunny? Cuteness like mine doesn't come cheap! It isn't just the tiaras, we need three different types of food every day, bedding, vet care...I could go on and on. And I will in a few days because I'm doing a whole post on how much rabbits actually cost. Spoiler alert: you could probably buy a Gucci bag for what you'll spend on your bunny! But your Gucci bag won't do binkies so honestly what are your priorities?

3. Do you have allergies? Are you allergic to hay? Sometimes people with allergies can work around this by switching hay types. For example, my secretary is allergic to Bermuda so we leave that off the menu. My friends at Small Pet Select have a great article here!

4. Are you a neat freak? Uh oh. While we are generally very clean animals, hay tends to get all over the place, stray poops happen, and it's impossible to tear up a cardboard box without the collateral damage of shredded cardboard all over the carpet. We might not be the best pets for those who like things super tidy!

5. Can you find a special "exotics" vet? Is there one near you? Veterinarians who are "rabbit-savvy" are essential.  We're so different from cats and dogs. Veterinary medicine and procedures that are routine for other animals could kill your bunny!  You can find lists of rabbit-savvy vets here. And here's some things to consider when you're looking for a vet. 

Let's take a break shall we, and gaze at this photo of me taken a few years ago at my vet's office with the wonderful Ms. Ellen!

Ok! Back to work! 

6. Do you have the space for a bunny? Will they be inside? I cannot emphasize this enough - we cannot be kept in those ridiculous tiny rabbit cages you see at pet stores. How are we supposed to do binkies in such a tiny space? 

We need room to roam both for our mental health and physical health, too.  And we need to be indoors! Here's why! 

Think about the exercise pens they have for dogs, or how about a multi-story condo? Or - gasp! - we could be free range!! Wabbitwiki has risen to the occasion with a very thoughtful article about housing here!

7. Can you get two spayed/neutered bunnies? **  We are such social animals and having us in pairs is a fantastic idea! Since bunnies who have been kept as singles will need to go through a bonding process to accept each other, it's probably better to adopt a pair right from the beginning. I bet your local rabbit rescue has several pairs of already bonded foster bunnies to choose from! 

If you don't feel you can adopt two bunnies, please think carefully about whether you will have enough time to spend with your new friend. Single bunnies bond strongly with their people. Please don't let us get lonely by not spending enough time with us! Some more things to consider are here.

8. Are you one of those people who gets really excited about something for about four days or six weeks or a few months or maybe a year and then you're on to something else?  Your bunny is a ten year commitment! Or maybe 11 or 12. We live a long time! 

9. Are you willing to bunny proof? We can get into all kinds of trouble, and if you haven't done your bunny proofing then the destruction of your stuff is actually your fault, not ours. Not to mention we can get hurt! I like what this article says about rabbit proofing. I'm also fascinated by bunnyproofing.com - a whole website on rabbit proofing! So impressive!

10. Hmm. I can't think of anything else, but I know you probably can! Please feel free to add more questions to this little quiz in the comments! And if you already have bunnies, what do you wish you had known before you got them? 

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Byeeeeee for now!

Your roving lagomorph reporter,

Mrs. Kitty Brighton

**Please make sure to spay and neuter your bunny or bunnies!