Rabbit as a pet?

[georgina2508]

We are looking for a family pet there's me my husband and our 2 children 8 months and 4 years we all want a pet and wondered if a rabbit was right for us? Part of our shed is converted into an indoor rabbit home with a large run attached to the side with small hutch inside that too! It's all set up thanks to previous owners who kept rabbits what are the pros and cons and would it be suited to us we are home alot as. I only work 2 days per week! Thanks


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[SablePoints]

Rabbits would make a great pet for you! The rabbits may like it better if you got 2 or 3 of them and had them fixed.

 

[whitelop]

I have a 2 year old, who is very loud and screams at my rabbit a lot. She's in the kitchen full time and he doesn't have access to her, ever. I'm a SAHM, so I'm here all the time. The only concern I would have for you getting rabbits is your kids being rough with them. BUT at the same time, it would be a good learning experience for them, to learn to handle them the right way and learn to feed them. You can't start responsibility lessons too early!

Look through the library section on this website and see if you're able to give the proper diet, exercise time and attention needed to keep a rabbit alive.
I think getting a rabbit from a shelter would be good, that way it will already be spayed/neutered. Already an adult so you don't have to go through the terrible teenage phase.

Rabbits make great pets. They're all different. They're funny and really cute. They make you feel better when you have a bad day. But they also come with lots of worry, especially where diet is concerned. But the good definitely outweighs the bad. I love my rabbit, I would replace all my animals with rabbits and just have a rabbit herd if I could.

 

[jemm]

i came into buns by default really and i am not your typical bun owner, sadly i think my story is typically of alot of people. kids wanted a pet, i ahve always been an animal person so was happy to get rabbits, kids not long after kinda gave up on them so I took them on and have been hooked ever since , i have had dogs budgies and hampsters through my life but their is just something different with the buns, i dont have a really bond with them and to be honest i dont handle them much, but i agree with Whitelop I prefer buns to any other animal and would love one day to have a herd and spend loads of time with them. They are so interesting when you take the time to be with them their habbit's mannerisims really come out and they have such great personalities. what i will say is that buns are quite fragile animals and do need love attention and effort but if you put it in you'll get loads back from them.

I hope you make the right decision for your family and the potential buns you get

regards

J

 

[georgina2508]

Thank you for your comments my 4 year old is so grown up and has been bought up around small animals so therefor is not a problem it's only really my 8 month son I'm concerned with bit hopefully he will pick up tips from his big sister? Has anyone ever owned guinea pigs do they make better pets for younger children?


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[Bville]

I'm a recent rabbit owner and I think they make wonderful pets. I'd recommend you get a rabbit from a shelter or a local breeder and spend some time getting to know it before you buy it. Your kids will probably want to pick up and snuggle the rabbit so you'll need to find one with a personality that is okay with that. Not all rabbits are like that, as I found out after I got mine. My daughter expected to be able to hold and snuggle our rabbits, but so far they don't like it.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Make sure you understand what rabbits are like. They are really not a cuddly pet. I also don't feel that are good pets for children as they are delicate and need patience. Some individual rabbits can be ok for some children and it can be a case by case basis, but generally they are not a pet I would recommend for young kids. They are as much work as a dog or a cat, so don't be expecting an easy pet.
You and your husband should be the ones wanting the rabbit or any pet. Kids that cage cannot be expected to care for any pet. They might be able to help with feeding and cleaning, but it is helping and not doing it all themselves. You should be getting a rabbit because you want one and not because your kids might want one. Rabbits can live 10+ years, so it is a long commitment, as much as a dog or cat. Any interaction between the children and the rabbit needs to be closely supervised. I would not let childrend that age hold or carry a rabbit, they can sit on the ground and have the rabbit on their lap as long as the rabbit wants to be there. If the rabbit doesn't want to be held, it is easy for them to just hop off a lap and not get hurt.

Rabbits are great pets and can be good for families. You need to have realistic expectations for them and know what you are getting into.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat:We really feel that rabbits and small children don't make for a good fit.
They require a lot of care, are fairly delicate, and some can be little attack oriented monsters that are hard for me to control and I've been rescuing and rehabbing for more than ten years now.

 

[Blue eyes]

Yes, I agree with Korr & Sophie. I actually got a rabbit when I had a 5 yr old and 2 yr old. BUT, I got it for me and not "for" them. They were the exception for their age in that they knew how to be gentle, nevertheless, I could see that a rabbit would not have made an appropriate pet 'for them.' Rabbits are finicky and have their moods. Sometimes they just don't want to be bothered. That is a difficult concept for a small child because children's attention spans are so brief. They don't want to have to wait a couple hours until bunny is in the mood for interaction. By that time, the child has lost his interest.

Guinea pigs may be a more appropriate choice for now. You can always get rabbits when the kids are older and you've had more time to hang around a forum like this and learn the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[flemish giant]

I found rabbits to be worse than rabbits. Mine did not like to be picked up. None of the 6 I've had. Some would let you pet them in your lap for a minute but it was really the same as a rabbits.

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[Azerane]

While rabbits and young kids can be done, it really needs to be the right rabbit and make sure the kids are well instructed. They should not be allowed to interact wi th the rabbit on their own. I personally don't agree with young kids having rabbits, they are fragile animals that are dropped easily and have sensitive stomachs. I personally feel cats are a much more appropriate pet, most like to be held and cuddled and if one were to accidentally be dropped, they handle falls very well, unlike rabbits which do not. Cats also eat and poop a lot less, lol.

In addition to all that,playing with a rabbit is a much less interesting experience for many kids because you can't play with them in the traditional sense, whereas with cats they're usually up fora game of chasing something.

 

[bunnychild]

I agree that this will have to be your pet not your kids. However, you can teach your children a lot by showing them the ropes.
A rabbit is a fantastic pet if you are willing to put in the effort and love them.