Do Rabbits Make Good Pets?

Everything You Need To Know About Rabbits And Whether Or Not They Are The Right Pet For You

Rabbits are adorable, charming, soft, and lively animals. But, do they make good pets? The answer to this question will vary depending on the person and their living circumstances. The purpose of this article is to cover everything about rabbits and what it’s like to be a rabbit owner. Hopefully after reading this article, you will have reached a better understanding of rabbits and concluded whether owning a rabbit is right for you. 

Pros Of Owning A Rabbit

• Affectionate & Sociable:

Generally speaking, rabbits are very social animals that both need and crave attention. Although they usually don’t like to be held for long periods of time, they do enjoy being pet. Rabbits have even been known to purr like cats when given attention. Like most other mammals, social interaction is just as essential as food, water, and shelter.

• Long Life Span:

According to pets.webmd.com, the average domestic rabbit can live to be between 8 and 12 years old. This makes rabbits great companion animals as they will be around to keep you company for quite a long time. 

• Don’t Smell:

Contrary to popular belief, rabbits are not smelly animals. They are constantly grooming themselves and typically don’t have a strong odor. Their poop doesn’t have a noticeably strong smell either. However, their urine can be smelly because it has a high concentration of ammonia. As long as their cage is cleaned regularly, you won’t even know there is a rabbit in the house. 

• Can Be Litter Box Trained:

Similar to cats, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box. This is because rabbits are typically clean animals, prefer to poop/pee in one area, and are very receptive to being trained. As previously mentioned, rabbit urine can be smelly due to high amounts of ammonia. So, being litter box trained is exceptionally convenient and sanitary. 

• Generally Quiet:

If you prefer a quiet lifestyle, then rabbits are the perfect pet for you. Rabbits are fairly quiet animals and don’t make much noise. This makes them ideal for apartments and/or smaller living spaces. The most noise a rabbit will make is the occasional thumping of their feet when they are angry or frightened.  

• Soft, Cuddly, And Adorable:

One of the most appealing aspects of bunnies is their cute and cuddly appearance and personality. There is no denying how irresistibly adorable rabbits are between their soft fur, small size, big ears, and cute whiskers. If you like cute pets, then you will certainly like rabbits.

Cons Of Owning A Rabbit

• They Need Lots Of Space:

Rabbits are notoriously known for being fast. Their back legs are designed to make them exceptional sprinters to help escape from predators. The downside to having a rabbit as a pet is that they still need a lot of room to run around indoors. Without an adequate amount of space, rabbits will be unable to properly exercise and use their muscles as intended. This inevitably leads to excess weight and subsequently health issues. 

• Don’t Enjoy Being Held:

Although rabbits thrive off of attention and affection, they usually don’t enjoy being held. This is because rabbits are instinctively accustomed to being prey to other animals and will easily feel trapped/threatened when being held. Rabbits make good lap pets, but typically don’t enjoy being held in your arms. 

• They Require A Very Specific Diet:

Rabbits are herbivores, meaning they do not eat meat and have a plant-based diet. A rabbit requires a daily diet of mostly hay, fresh leafy-green vegetables, and pellets. Hay makes up roughly 80% of their diet, leafy-green vegetables make up about 15%, and pellets make up the remaining 5%. 

• They Shed A Lot Of Hair:

The soft and fluffy fur of a rabbit comes at the cost of shedding. Rabbits shed a lot of excess hair throughout the day. If you plan on getting a rabbit, be prepared to clean up a lot of rabbit hair. For advice on cleaning up pet hair, check out our previous article entitled 5 Tips To Keep On Top Of Pet Hair In Your House.

• They Are Sensitive Creatures:

As previously mentioned, rabbits are prey animals. This makes them very skittish and easily startled. Rabbits are also somewhat fragile due to their delicate bone structure. This means you have to be very careful when handling a rabbit so you don’t accidentally hurt them.

• They Can Be Expensive To Care For:

Owning and caring for a pet can be an expensive responsibility. This is especially true when it comes to rabbits. Rabbits have a very different anatomy and medical needs compared to dogs and cats. This makes finding a veterinarian for them more difficult and typically more expensive. Before owning a rabbit, consult with your local veterinarian to ensure they care for small animals like rabbits.

More Articles Like This

We hope you found this article informative and that it helps you make a more informed decision regarding adopting a rabbit. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our other articles under the blog section of our website. Here at ParaMount Pet Care, we love all animals including rabbits and would be happy to offer pet sitting services or general advice for your rabbit care. Check out our website at nepapetsitting.com or give us a call at 570-814-1037. We look forward to hearing from you soon!