Rabbits As Pets

Every Easter, pet shops across the country stock bunnies or rabbits for people to take home to their kids as an Easter pet. While they are super cute with their ears and little noses, rabbits are a lot more work than just tossing in a carrot.

When selecting a rabbit as a pet, it is a good idea to consider getting a male rabbit. Males make the best pets as they are both attentive and affectionate. In addition, they will interact, are curious, and are easy to handle. If a female rabbit is wanted, it is a better idea to get a spayed female than an unaltered female. Unaltered females will view their cage as a potential nest site and will become very protective of it. As such, they have been known to become aggressive when they are fully mature. Spayed females will have had the biological urge to reproduce removed and so will not be nearly as protective. This is not to say that an unaltered female won't make a good pet so much as pointing out the risks of a female.

Rabbits can be excellent house pets. They are typically clean and can be trained to use a litter box. As they are natural chewers, they will need to have good chewing materials provided. Rabbits do not know the difference between good things to chew and bad things to chew. As such, every room needs to be rabbit proofed. Rabbits need to chew for their health though so expecting them not to chew or trying to prevent any chewing is, ultimately, bad for the rabbit.

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In addition to needing to chew, rabbits need exercise. Keeping a rabbit in a cage with no chance to stretch its legs is not good for it at all. Any pet rabbit needs to be able to move and run. A rabbit run or completely rabbit proofed room is a good idea.

Because of the degree of care and attention needed to keep a rabbit healthy and happy, they do not make good first pets for young children. They are much better for older, quieter children who are more capable of carrying out the various chores associated with a rabbit. In addition, the rabbit will be happier with a child that isn't prone to cuddling it or squeezing it. Rabbits, like most animals and beings, do not appreciate having their innards squished by an over-enthusiastic child.

About the Author:

Joseph Devine

For more information on keeping a rabbit as a vet, please visit http://www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com

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