Rabbits can be wonderful indoor house pets. They are affectionate, naturally clean, and can also be house trained. Rabbits are very loving, social animals, which means they not only love to spend time with their humans – they require it. Without human interaction, rabbits can get bored, even to the point of becoming lonely and depressed. While toys can alleviate some of their boredom, they still need human attention and interaction.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, they're the third most popular pet in the country after dogs and cats. Yet they're disproportionately misunderstood. There is a common misbelief that house rabbits are a low-maintenance pet option, in reality they require a lot of care and attention. You will agree they are worth the extra effort, and not only because they're extremely cute. If you are thinking about getting a pet rabbit, here are the most essential things you need to know.
1. Rabbits are not short-term pets — they can live 8-12 years or more.
Most of us have seen those adorable pens full of baby rabbits at a pet store at some point. When they’re young and tiny, it’s easy to think of them like hamsters, mice, and gerbils if you don’t know any better. Rabbits aren’t rodents, they’re lagomorphs — and they have completely different needs and life expectancies. House rabbits can live to be 8 to 12 or more years old. With proper care, a rabbit will grace your home with love, sass, and comic relief. But they’re definitely not starter pets that can live in a cage. Instead, they are delicate prey animals that require time, attention, special diet, and expensive vet care.
2. Locating a rabbit-savvy veterinarian is a necessity — rabbits are not like cats and dogs internally and require special knowledge and care.
In veterinary terms, rabbits are considered exotic animals. You wouldn’t expect a dog specialist to necessarily be up to speed about salamanders — you’d look for a reptile specialist. Rabbits are mammals, not reptiles — but they still require someone who knows rabbits well. Rabbit anesthesia, medication, and surgery are delicate, precise things that you don’t want to trust to just anybody. Just like you would not go to a dermatologist for a problem with your eyes, going to a person who sees rabbits means you will get the best care for your rabbit.
3. Most rabbits do not like to be picked up and held — which means they’re not good pets for young children.
Rabbits are prey animals — and even after they get to know you, being picked up can be a bit too much like getting carried off by a hawk for their comfort. Although they are cute, rabbits are NOT good pets for children. They are prey animals who hate being picked up from the floor and cuddled. Rabbits do not have flexible spines like cats, so improper handling can cause serious or fatal injuries. Of course, you’ll have to pick up your rabbit once in awhile. It’s inevitable. Make sure you know what you’re doing before picking up your rabbit to go in a carrier to the vet, or for any other reason.
4. Forget what Bugs Bunny told you — carrots aren’t good for rabbits.
In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about the human microbiome — all those bacteria in our guts that greatly affect just about everything we do. Rabbits have delicate guts as well — and too much sugar can seriously throw things out of whack. Even the natural sugars found in fruits and some veggies can be too much. They shouldn’t eat almost any carrots, no matter what Bugs Bunny does! It’s too much sugar for them. Gastrointestinal stasis can arise if your rabbit’s gut bacteria get out of whack for any reason — and it can be life threatening. You should do everything you can to avoid it.
5. Setting a domestic rabbit free is a death sentence for that rabbit — don’t ever do this.
It’s time for some real talk about rabbit abandonment. Domestic rabbits are many times removed from wild rabbits. They don’t have the same instincts or experience — and will likely die if you decide you can’t care for them and dump them outside somewhere. Ideally, you shouldn’t dump any pets outside — but especially not prey animals, like domestic rabbits. If at any time you reach the difficult decision that you can no longer care for your rabbit, please call your nearest shelter, rescue or chapter of the House Rabbit Society to arrange for a safe surrender. Also, many shelters that adopt out rabbits may take that rabbit back if it is absolutely necessary — contact them to check.
