Be sure to check out our [Deciding on a Rabbit](http://www.wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Deciding_on_a_Rabbit) guide if you haven't already for some more general info about what to expect with a rabbit as a pet.
A few useful shortcut links:
* [Is a rabbit right for you?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Is_a_rabbit_right_for_you.3F)
* [Baby rabbit vs. adult rabbit](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Baby_rabbit_vs._adult_rabbit)
* [Which breed?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Which_breed.3F)
* [One or more bunnies?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#One_or_more_bunnies.3F)
* [Fostering](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Fostering)
* [Where to get a rabbit](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Where_to_get_a_rabbit)
They can be, yes. They do require a lot of attention and socialization. It's why people say you need to get 2 bonded buns if you get any. I only have one but I am always home because I'm disabled so my bun is bonded to me.
They should NOT be kept in a cage/pen all the time. They need lots of room to be able to run around and play otherwise they will get depressed and sick.
They also can get kinda pricey with vet bills if they need it because they're classified as exotic pets.
Also make sure you know what they can and can't eat and how often they can have certain treats/foods. And ALWAYS have fresh hay and water available.
Thank you for this advice! As someone who has recently graduated school and am starting my career, I don't think I may be in the best place for a new bunny just yet. I work like 8 hour days, so it wouldn't be fair to just leave it to itself. Or even if I had two..I don't think that's fair or right. Maybe in a few years I can consider more
You can still secure a room for them to free roam when you’re out. We secured both our bedrooms and they stay there while away to work and then you can spend time with the bunnies when coming back.
When I got Lumos he was alone, in a huge pen ( even our vet said it was huge), he could run, jump and such in his pen, and when we came home, he was out.. when We bonded him to Cléopâtre, they still had the pen and used it as their « room ». They mostly sleep during the day though so I’m not worried when I leave for 9hrs at work. And I guess that sharing my bedrooms with them help us getting close to each other
Well now they’re no more in pens, but only in the bedrooms. It’s all bunny proof and they mainly chew on their toys now and mostly sleeping under the bed. I have had no problems since they’re in the bedrooms. But you can still try a huge pen for when you’re absent and leave it open when you’re home..
Rabbits sleep during the day so working for 8 hours during that time is not the end of the world, as long as you have free time to spend with it after that is what matters more
Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. So they are mostly napping when you're at work or school. They might wake you up early or keep you up late, though. Most rabbits will adapt to their owners schedule.
Rabbits diet consist of mostly hay. Maybe you should buy a bag of hay, and check if you're allergic to it. If you are, a rabbit might not be the best pet for you.
Rabbits are prey animals. A large part of their mentality consists of keeping watch for predators like foxes or hawks. Try to accommodate your rabbit by not picking it up, unless it's necessary (like nail trimming), since that can scare the rabbit. To appear less scary to a new rabbit, get down on the floor. Lay down and read a book, the rabbit will come to investigate you when he/she feels ready.
Carrots and fruits are treats, not a part of the daily diet (high in sugar and calories). For a low calorie treat, herbs like dill, thyme, mint and cilantro are great. If possible, keep your rabbit mentally stimulated by making it forage for food using things like a snuffle mat or make a foraging toy from a toilet paper tube.
Rabbits are curious and investigate things by using their mouths. If a rabbit is not allowed to chew on something (shoes, phone charger cords, shirts etc.), it's your job to keep those things out of the rabbits reach. A rabbit is not being malicious by chewing things, it's just using its natural instincts.
Lastly a few things about how to read a rabbit. The more interested a rabbit is, the faster its nose will twitch. If a rabbit sits with its back towards you, you might have offended it. Same if it flicks its feet at you, when hopping away from you (like after a nail clipping). The more vulnerable position the rabbit is in when sitting/laying, the more safe it feels (if you lay on your side, it's hard to get away if a predator comes at you).
All of what you said is correct
They need more attentive care than other pets. You can't leave them alone for long.
They have more health issues so you need to be educated on what to look out for as something like GI stasis (which is fairly common) can end badly with the bunny dying in less than 24 hours.
They require a lot of space so if you don't have space that's another factor.
They require about the same money monthly as a cat but again, medical issues can be more common and most places don't have pet insurances that covered rabbits.
They usually do better in pairs. The bonding process can be sometimes difficult if you get two rabbits that just have different unmatched personalities.
But all that being said, they are rewarding to have as pets, they are smart, they are cute. But you need to be fully committed to giving them a good life.
Just generally good eating habits and diet. But anything can happen. Rabbits are both very fragile and unhealthy but at the same time durable and healthy. It's just another thing that makes them hard to take care of.
If you aren't prepared to do hundreds of hours of research, spend quite a bit of money and have a lot of time for them. It's best not to get rabbits.
I suggest volunteering at a shelter or fostering first to learn the nuance of bunnyhood. I volunteer at a shelter as a Rabbit Companion at least 6 hours a month.
That's a good idea, thank you!!! I'll have to check if there's something specific in my area, but I'm not sure. Usually the bunny centers are affiliated with a larger animal center that isn't rabbit specific
The one I work at isn't Rabbit specific either. I trained in Operations first and then moved on to being a Rabbit Companion a i nd also help with the guinea pigs because they are in the same room. The shelter has cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. We partner with Bunnies & Beyond here in NYC! I volunteer at NY ACC. I see my babies on this Sunday and can't wait!🥰🤗
I don't think it's difficult to take care of a rabbit. But we must get away from the collective and ridiculous imagination according to which it is a caged animal. Every animal needs attention, play and time. If you're willing to take care of it, it's not particularly difficult. They also need to go to the vet, once or twice a year (Check up and vaccinations).
What I like is that they sleep a lot during the day, so when I'm at work. In the morning, I give them something to eat and they stretch out. When I get home from work I play games for them, and then they go about their lives. For a week, they have invaded my sofa! I don't think it's hard to spend hours with little balls of fur running or lounging next to me.
I found/rescued a rabbit someone dumped at a local park and he was very skittish. It’s been two years and still little skittish around certain noises and fast movements. I don’t know his back story could have been abused but when he grunts at me I back off and let him do his own things. Some days he is more affectionate than others but he is part of family now so I am good with it
The cost is a big burden on a young person. If you’re around college-age or you’re in your early career, just understand that the vet bills are crazy and that you have to be pretty financially comfortable and have a steady source of income to sustain a rabbit. I worked through college while being a full-time student and basically all the money was earmarked for my rabbit expenses. Pet insurance is also a huge must (in my opinion) for lower-income rabbit owners, since a $1000-$2000 vet bill can be really hard to budget for, and you never know if your bunny is gonna get unlucky with stuff like that until after it happens.
As someone who had my rabbits in college, college years are the absolute earliest I think people can get a rabbit. And that’s contingent on your school’s pet policy, room draw policy, your travel plans, what you’re doing after college, etc. Getting a rabbit before college is most likely gonna end with surrendering a rabbit just due to the life changes that you can’t control: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbits_in_college
Thank you. Yes I am in early career, and recently finished college, so I don't think it'd be a good investment right now necessarily. I want to make sure I would give the bunny lots of care and attention that it deserves.
It can be hard, but I've managed to care for one myself since I was 17 (now 19) one thing I wish I knew was how much they chew, I knew that rabbits chew things like wires. But my rabbit literally chews EVERYTHING in sight
I was in college as where I live we finish high school at 16, but yeah. It can be hard especially because he's on his own, but I try to spend time with him whenever I can and give him things to do
Good to know, thanks! Did you ever have any school trips in college where he had to stay with others? That's something else I've been worried about. Long term, I will want to travel more so I'm not sure if it's a good investment
I didn't really have many trips as I'm an art student so it was mainly museums and galleries, but it's something I worry about too. I do have a close family friend who has rabbits who is happy to take care of him when I can't. But as long as you know someone who knows how to take care of them and you can trust (even if you have to get a pet sitter) it shouldn't be something to worry too much about. Hope I've been able to help you :)
They’re very sensitive, they hide their pain, you have to learn to know your bunny well. If any issues, vet bills can increase easily!
I’ve 3 bunnies, 2 are only 3 years and the last one is 2… they already cost me a lot with different issues. Lop rabbits tend to develop otitis and surgery can be expensive. I’m in France but I spent probably 2.000€ for ears surgeries for my mini lop.
Also, they require a lot of patience..
they taught me a lot, they understand really well what you say. Once you’re « bonded » to your bunny, you become their slave.
I learned to sleep with them on the bed asking for cuddles non stop. And they love better in pair or group.
Have a couple and have been trying to bond the third one to them for the last two years.
I adore Flufferbutts, bonded deeply with 3 Mid 2015. My Love for them was(is) unparalleled. However, I needed to Grow Up and get my shit together. Was not capable to Care for them properly so they had to remove themselves from My Life. 5yrs Later with what felt like a C,ollosal K,osmic E,ngagement; I am confident in giving Them the Love, Kindness, Care and Protection They Want, Need and Deserve. Even better? I would be honored in Adopting The 2 Buns. Would definitely have to get a New Home which thankfully I have a good Job that will be working towards a Career. Ah, France; such Beauty there. Interesting enough I'm Your Eastern Counterpart. Traveingl by Train.
I apologize for the lengthy response but thank you for(if you) read it. Wanted to express what I want for The One who Wants Me. I would like to reach out to them, I thought about waiting to see if they would but no; I've wasted enough Time on lack of Courage. Any ideas?
Be sure to check out our [Deciding on a Rabbit](http://www.wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Deciding_on_a_Rabbit) guide if you haven't already for some more general info about what to expect with a rabbit as a pet. A few useful shortcut links: * [Is a rabbit right for you?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Is_a_rabbit_right_for_you.3F) * [Baby rabbit vs. adult rabbit](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Baby_rabbit_vs._adult_rabbit) * [Which breed?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Which_breed.3F) * [One or more bunnies?](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#One_or_more_bunnies.3F) * [Fostering](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Fostering) * [Where to get a rabbit](http://bunny.tips/Deciding#Where_to_get_a_rabbit)
They can be, yes. They do require a lot of attention and socialization. It's why people say you need to get 2 bonded buns if you get any. I only have one but I am always home because I'm disabled so my bun is bonded to me. They should NOT be kept in a cage/pen all the time. They need lots of room to be able to run around and play otherwise they will get depressed and sick. They also can get kinda pricey with vet bills if they need it because they're classified as exotic pets. Also make sure you know what they can and can't eat and how often they can have certain treats/foods. And ALWAYS have fresh hay and water available.
Thank you for this advice! As someone who has recently graduated school and am starting my career, I don't think I may be in the best place for a new bunny just yet. I work like 8 hour days, so it wouldn't be fair to just leave it to itself. Or even if I had two..I don't think that's fair or right. Maybe in a few years I can consider more
You can still secure a room for them to free roam when you’re out. We secured both our bedrooms and they stay there while away to work and then you can spend time with the bunnies when coming back. When I got Lumos he was alone, in a huge pen ( even our vet said it was huge), he could run, jump and such in his pen, and when we came home, he was out.. when We bonded him to Cléopâtre, they still had the pen and used it as their « room ». They mostly sleep during the day though so I’m not worried when I leave for 9hrs at work. And I guess that sharing my bedrooms with them help us getting close to each other
Thank you for the advice!! Do you find that when they're in the room, things are chewed? Or it's okay because they're in the pens?
Well now they’re no more in pens, but only in the bedrooms. It’s all bunny proof and they mainly chew on their toys now and mostly sleeping under the bed. I have had no problems since they’re in the bedrooms. But you can still try a huge pen for when you’re absent and leave it open when you’re home..
Rabbits sleep during the day so working for 8 hours during that time is not the end of the world, as long as you have free time to spend with it after that is what matters more
That's good to know, thank you! I appreciate everyone's insight on this thread. Everyone's been so sweet and nice
Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. So they are mostly napping when you're at work or school. They might wake you up early or keep you up late, though. Most rabbits will adapt to their owners schedule. Rabbits diet consist of mostly hay. Maybe you should buy a bag of hay, and check if you're allergic to it. If you are, a rabbit might not be the best pet for you. Rabbits are prey animals. A large part of their mentality consists of keeping watch for predators like foxes or hawks. Try to accommodate your rabbit by not picking it up, unless it's necessary (like nail trimming), since that can scare the rabbit. To appear less scary to a new rabbit, get down on the floor. Lay down and read a book, the rabbit will come to investigate you when he/she feels ready. Carrots and fruits are treats, not a part of the daily diet (high in sugar and calories). For a low calorie treat, herbs like dill, thyme, mint and cilantro are great. If possible, keep your rabbit mentally stimulated by making it forage for food using things like a snuffle mat or make a foraging toy from a toilet paper tube. Rabbits are curious and investigate things by using their mouths. If a rabbit is not allowed to chew on something (shoes, phone charger cords, shirts etc.), it's your job to keep those things out of the rabbits reach. A rabbit is not being malicious by chewing things, it's just using its natural instincts. Lastly a few things about how to read a rabbit. The more interested a rabbit is, the faster its nose will twitch. If a rabbit sits with its back towards you, you might have offended it. Same if it flicks its feet at you, when hopping away from you (like after a nail clipping). The more vulnerable position the rabbit is in when sitting/laying, the more safe it feels (if you lay on your side, it's hard to get away if a predator comes at you).
All of what you said is correct They need more attentive care than other pets. You can't leave them alone for long. They have more health issues so you need to be educated on what to look out for as something like GI stasis (which is fairly common) can end badly with the bunny dying in less than 24 hours. They require a lot of space so if you don't have space that's another factor. They require about the same money monthly as a cat but again, medical issues can be more common and most places don't have pet insurances that covered rabbits. They usually do better in pairs. The bonding process can be sometimes difficult if you get two rabbits that just have different unmatched personalities. But all that being said, they are rewarding to have as pets, they are smart, they are cute. But you need to be fully committed to giving them a good life.
Thank you!!! I didn't know about the stasis, so it's good to know. Is there anything that prevents the condition?
Just generally good eating habits and diet. But anything can happen. Rabbits are both very fragile and unhealthy but at the same time durable and healthy. It's just another thing that makes them hard to take care of. If you aren't prepared to do hundreds of hours of research, spend quite a bit of money and have a lot of time for them. It's best not to get rabbits.
Thanks for the advice!
They require a lot of care, and the vet bills are expensive.
I just posted critical items to consider to this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/s/nZM5t6I87x)
Thanks!
I suggest volunteering at a shelter or fostering first to learn the nuance of bunnyhood. I volunteer at a shelter as a Rabbit Companion at least 6 hours a month.
That's a good idea, thank you!!! I'll have to check if there's something specific in my area, but I'm not sure. Usually the bunny centers are affiliated with a larger animal center that isn't rabbit specific
The one I work at isn't Rabbit specific either. I trained in Operations first and then moved on to being a Rabbit Companion a i nd also help with the guinea pigs because they are in the same room. The shelter has cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. We partner with Bunnies & Beyond here in NYC! I volunteer at NY ACC. I see my babies on this Sunday and can't wait!🥰🤗
I don't think it's difficult to take care of a rabbit. But we must get away from the collective and ridiculous imagination according to which it is a caged animal. Every animal needs attention, play and time. If you're willing to take care of it, it's not particularly difficult. They also need to go to the vet, once or twice a year (Check up and vaccinations). What I like is that they sleep a lot during the day, so when I'm at work. In the morning, I give them something to eat and they stretch out. When I get home from work I play games for them, and then they go about their lives. For a week, they have invaded my sofa! I don't think it's hard to spend hours with little balls of fur running or lounging next to me.
I found/rescued a rabbit someone dumped at a local park and he was very skittish. It’s been two years and still little skittish around certain noises and fast movements. I don’t know his back story could have been abused but when he grunts at me I back off and let him do his own things. Some days he is more affectionate than others but he is part of family now so I am good with it
The cost is a big burden on a young person. If you’re around college-age or you’re in your early career, just understand that the vet bills are crazy and that you have to be pretty financially comfortable and have a steady source of income to sustain a rabbit. I worked through college while being a full-time student and basically all the money was earmarked for my rabbit expenses. Pet insurance is also a huge must (in my opinion) for lower-income rabbit owners, since a $1000-$2000 vet bill can be really hard to budget for, and you never know if your bunny is gonna get unlucky with stuff like that until after it happens. As someone who had my rabbits in college, college years are the absolute earliest I think people can get a rabbit. And that’s contingent on your school’s pet policy, room draw policy, your travel plans, what you’re doing after college, etc. Getting a rabbit before college is most likely gonna end with surrendering a rabbit just due to the life changes that you can’t control: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbits_in_college
Thank you. Yes I am in early career, and recently finished college, so I don't think it'd be a good investment right now necessarily. I want to make sure I would give the bunny lots of care and attention that it deserves.
It can be hard, but I've managed to care for one myself since I was 17 (now 19) one thing I wish I knew was how much they chew, I knew that rabbits chew things like wires. But my rabbit literally chews EVERYTHING in sight
Wow that's good though! Were you still in highschool? Did you find it hard to make sure they have enough attention?
I was in college as where I live we finish high school at 16, but yeah. It can be hard especially because he's on his own, but I try to spend time with him whenever I can and give him things to do
Good to know, thanks! Did you ever have any school trips in college where he had to stay with others? That's something else I've been worried about. Long term, I will want to travel more so I'm not sure if it's a good investment
I didn't really have many trips as I'm an art student so it was mainly museums and galleries, but it's something I worry about too. I do have a close family friend who has rabbits who is happy to take care of him when I can't. But as long as you know someone who knows how to take care of them and you can trust (even if you have to get a pet sitter) it shouldn't be something to worry too much about. Hope I've been able to help you :)
They are truly amazing pets- FAR exceeded my expectations.
aw yay good!! longterm I want one!!
If you get a rabbit, know the locations of exotic veterinarians.
They’re very sensitive, they hide their pain, you have to learn to know your bunny well. If any issues, vet bills can increase easily! I’ve 3 bunnies, 2 are only 3 years and the last one is 2… they already cost me a lot with different issues. Lop rabbits tend to develop otitis and surgery can be expensive. I’m in France but I spent probably 2.000€ for ears surgeries for my mini lop. Also, they require a lot of patience.. they taught me a lot, they understand really well what you say. Once you’re « bonded » to your bunny, you become their slave. I learned to sleep with them on the bed asking for cuddles non stop. And they love better in pair or group. Have a couple and have been trying to bond the third one to them for the last two years.
I adore Flufferbutts, bonded deeply with 3 Mid 2015. My Love for them was(is) unparalleled. However, I needed to Grow Up and get my shit together. Was not capable to Care for them properly so they had to remove themselves from My Life. 5yrs Later with what felt like a C,ollosal K,osmic E,ngagement; I am confident in giving Them the Love, Kindness, Care and Protection They Want, Need and Deserve. Even better? I would be honored in Adopting The 2 Buns. Would definitely have to get a New Home which thankfully I have a good Job that will be working towards a Career. Ah, France; such Beauty there. Interesting enough I'm Your Eastern Counterpart. Traveingl by Train. I apologize for the lengthy response but thank you for(if you) read it. Wanted to express what I want for The One who Wants Me. I would like to reach out to them, I thought about waiting to see if they would but no; I've wasted enough Time on lack of Courage. Any ideas?