Some Facts About Keeping Rabbits

Your children have been begging you and begging you to get a pet, but you've been hesitant. After all, having a pet is almost like having another child around the house and you're not sure you want the responsibility. You heard that rabbits make good pets and they don't live as long as a cat or a dog. Is this true?

What could be cuter than a little baby rabbit? There's a reason why pet stores like to have them "in stock" around Easter time, because they are simply irresistible and impulsive customers are more than happy to take them home! But rabbits are not the low-maintenance pet that many people think they are, and many of those unfortunate pet shop bunnies end up in shelters once they are grown.

Before making the commitment to keep a rabbit as a pet, it's important to know that they do indeed require a lot of care and are therefore not for everyone. Bunny owners, however, are rabid fans of these big-eared balls of fluff and will say that their care is well worth the trouble. Here are the facts.

Rabbits kept indoors can expect to live 9-12 years, so they are definitely not a short-term commitment. However, their small size makes them ideal candidates for apartment living, as long as their owners are willing to take meticulous care of them.

They can indeed be litter-box trained, but they do not take to it naturally as cats do. During the learning process they will have to be strictly supervised and will need to learn how to use the box repeatedly until they get the hang of it. Rabbit urine has a strong smell, and the box will need to be cleaned often.

Large, flop eared breeds are generally the most docile of all rabbits and make better pets for families with small children. As a general rule, the smaller the breed the more likely it will be to have behavior issues.

Rabbits do not like to be held and will scratch and kick with their back legs in order to get away. This can make bunnies problematic for families with small children who will want to hold them all the time. Rabbits will cuddle on an owner's lap, however, and if you get down on the floor with them they will happily come and snuggle up with you.

Rabbits cannot be left to wander loose in a house since they learn about their environment by gnawing. You may end up with chewed wires and furniture if someone leaves bunny out to play while the family is gone. Rabbits need to be kept in large comfortable cages supplied with bedding and adequate amounts of rabbit food and a constant water supply.

Rabbits make great pets for families with older children or no kids at all. They are quiet little friends, and if you are willing to commit to caring for them properly, they will give joy for years to come.