Bunny Moments: Pleasures and Perils of Owning and Caring for a Rabbit
76What do you need to know before you adopt a bunny rabbit?
The Unconditional Love of Having a Bunny
Among my menagerie of pets, I have a sweet rabbit named Peaches. He is a long floppy eared bunny, also known as a French Lop Rabbit. He fits in our family wonderfully. I could tell you my rabbit is the smartest bunny in the world, but I don’t have any stories to prove or disprove this. I could tell you he is the most handsome bunny in the world, and I do think he is. I could tell you my bunny can do great tricks and he is the most entertaining rabbit anywhere, but I don’t have any stories either. But it doesn’t matter, because I know he is all of these things, with a great personality too. I love him like I do, my other pets that are part of my life.
The amazing thing about unconditional love, is that Peaches doesn’t have to do anything except be himself, for us to derive pleasure from him. He is very quiet and doesn’t chew on wires when I let him out of the cage. That makes me happy. He is pretty good about doing his business in his cage and not around the house. This makes me happy too. He is comfortable sitting right next to my dogs. He doesn’t run from my cats. He likes to sit on the floor under the bird cage and contemplate about whatever bunnies think about. He gets all excited when I give him a variety of fresh vegetables, hay and other special treats. His favorite hobby is to stretch out in such a relaxed pose, that more than once we ran over to make sure he was breathing. When I open the door to the cage, often he will voluntarily hop back in. Sometimes he will wander, and I don’t know where he is. At this point, I enlist my Golden Retriever, Bonnie, who will joyfully search and find him for me.
Peaches the Bunny Rabbit
Peaches is 4 years old, and we have had him from birth. He is great for recycling the cardboard tubes of the used up paper towels. Peaches has his own personality, and is a special part of our family. He doesn’t have to do a lot of exciting things. He is just sweet and fun and we love him. If you are looking to adopt a rabbit, you can have similar stories to me.
There are some very important things to know about rabbits before you take one in as a pet.
- Taking care of a rabbit is a committment. Their lifespan can be as long as 10 years. They depend on you for food, water, and a clean environment.
- Rabbits can be litter boxed trained, but it is by no means a simple task. You really have to work out. Cats are taught by their mothers. You must teach your rabbit and it takes a lot of patience.
- Rabbits do best in a home where the wires are bunny proofed. Peaches once chewed on the printer wires just because they were there. Luckily the printer wasn’t plugged in. The printer wasn’t so lucky, though.
- If your rabbit doesn’t feel well, you need to go to a vet who knows about rabbits. Otherwise they may prescribe an antibiotic that can rid their stomach of the good bacteria they need and cause further harm to your rabbit.
- Your rabbit needs exercise, stimulation, and affection.
- Vinegar is an excellent and safe cleanser for their cage.
- Rabbits are not demanding.
- Recent studies have shown many health benefits for pet owners, including reduced blood pressure.
- Rabbits frighten easily and are quite timid. If they get scared enough from noises and other situations, they can die from fright, because they have zero defenses, except to run. If they can’t run, they may give up.
- Rabbits can bite
- Their nails need trimming on a regular basis, so they don’t scratch you.
- Rabbits do well with a mixture of commercially made rabbit food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Never feed your rabbit celery, or iceberg lettuce. Believe it or not, this can be dangerous for your rabbit’s health.
- If you have young children, make sure they treat your bunny with care.
- A bunny should never be pulled up or tugged on by their ears.
There Are Over 40 Different Breeds of Rabbits
Do Research Before You Adopt a Rabbit
There are over 40 variety of breeds of rabbits that the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes. The main difference between breeds of rabbits is their cost, their looks and their size. It is a personal preference of which breed of rabbit may be best for you. Do your research on the different breeds before you decide on which rabbit to buy.For more information you can contact The American Rabbit Breeders Association, (ARBA) which is a 24,000 member organization that works to improve the awareness and care of rabbits and guinea pigs (cavies) in the U.S, Canada and throughout the world. The ARBA
even holds rabbit shows. Do your research. www.arba.net is a great place to start gathering information about the different breeds and about caring for your rabbit.
Al the Pug Watches Peaches the Bunny
A Bunny Has No Choice... You Must Do the Right Thing
Choosing to bring a rabbit into your home needs to be a carefully made decision. If you can’t fulfill the responsibility to take care of them, think about what will happen to the bunny. If you let them go to roam and live outside on their own (definitely not a good idea), they will be scared and defenseless. In all liklihood they will not survive on their own. If you leave them on the doorstep of pet stores, which happens often, (Many times my local pet store has called me to help them find a home for an abandoned bunny) this, too is terrible for the rabbit. They are forced to live in a cage in the store, with not much affection or attention, until they get a home, and then they may not make a suitable pet, due to the conditions they were left with. I strongly urge you to give this situation serious consideration before you take on the obligation. The bunny rabbit has no choices, you must do the right thing.
Bringing a bunny into your home can be a wonderful, fun, and rewarding addition to your family, if you can give the bunny a good home and a good life. Choose wisely.
You can read more about pets and animals below the comments section.
Adopting a Bunny is a Long Term Obligation
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Hi Drbj,
As usual, I am so glad you stopped by. I guess bunnies, like people, come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. He may have only stayed a week, but he lives in your heart forever. Thanks for sharing your story.
We had for bunnies when my children were young and enjoy them very much. I like your hub with all the tips for owning a bunny has a pet.
Thank you so much for this hub. My grandson wants a rabbit and I was toying with the idea of giving him one for Easter.
After reading your excellent hub, I think I'll get him a chocolate bunny and call it a day.:)
up/useful
Hi toknowinfo, whats up doc ? whoops sorry wrong rabbit .
Great and interesting information on rabbits and caring for them . They make great pets if cared for right !
Awesome and vote up !!!
We have never had a rabbit and I doubt one would be safe with our dog. we did have a dog that chewed up my printer cord, so they have something in common.
Their "cuddliness" is off the charts. Thanks again toknowinfo.
Hi Pamela, Thanks for sharing your pleasant experiences with bunnies. Since you were a rabbit owner, I appreciate your kind comments.
Hi Fay,
I am really glad my hub helped you. I wrote this to help people make an educated decision before they bring the bunny home.
Hi Kashmir,
Bugs Bunny was the right rabbit. I think he may be a lop eared like Peaches. Thanks for the up rating and your humor.
Hi Dahoglund,
You got a taste of what it is like to have a rabbit when your dog ate the printer cord.
Hi Micky,
It is all about their cuddliness! Thanks for reading and commenting.
If anyone wants any info on bunnies, this is the hub.
Up and useful.
Oh how adorable, I love Peaches, Some surprising information you've shown us ToKno, Very interesting!
Peaches is adorable and also fortunate to live in a loving family with both human and pet companions. I enjoyed your hub and appreciate your warning to do the research before adopting a rabbit. Excellent advice, especially with Easter coming up.
Thanks for sharing this great hub that i rated up useful.
I really enjoyed this hub. I've been toying with the idea of a bunny, but not sure how my 3 cats would take to him. You have given really useful info. And your bunny/dog pic is too cute....your pug looks either like a watchdog or like he is waiting for his turn.
I felt like a kid again reading your wonderful Hub on Bunny Rabbits. "Peaches" sounds like such a wonderful pet and has brought you and your family a lot of Love...thanks for sharing...very enjoyable!
A lovely hub. I think rabbits are perhaps the most attractive animals. From babies to adulthood they always look so cute.
When I was teaching, I rescued a rabbit which had been kept in deplorable conditions in a London Secondary school. When she was clean and better (She needed veterinary treatment as result of the way she had been kept) she spend some years in my class room, but went home every night with me so she wouldn't be lonely. Lovely old lady! Bill the Bunny.
Years later a friend of a friend said that he mother wouldn't let her keep her rabbit and it was going to be "put down".
I had another rabbit at that time, Harold. Of course I said I would rescue her. I called her Maude (The Movie -'Harold and Maude) but wasn't aware that she was pregnant when she arrived. She and Harold, a year later, passed each other in the garden ... only passed... and she had another litter as a result.
I never made the mistake again, but I ended up with twenty-eight rabbits!!!
Cool tips on bunnies and having a rabbit as a pet. I'll check back with this when my daughter ask for a new bunny this Easter. :) Katie
Interesting bits of information: a "rabbit" is the young of a coney (Old English name for what we now know as a rabbit).
A rabbit isn't a "rodent", but a "lagomorph".
Isn't that fun information?
Your Peaches looks like a real sweetie. Adopting any animal be it rabbit, cat, dog or another should always be a lifetime committment. Enjoyed this hub. Rated useful and up.
What a sweet pet you have. Peaches looks decidedly cute and adorable. I can see how you give him unconditional love. Thanks for educating about rabbits. I have lots of them running in the backyard and they all gather in the fading sunset to gnaw on free lawn. I love watching them. Rated up.
This was so great. I love rabbit very much. Thanks for writing this. I am glad to follow your tips above and I learn much from you. Rated up. Take care!
Prasetio,
Great information about pet rabbits - and your's does look cute indeed.
Thanks for sharing the rabbit moments!
Love and peace
Tony
Great job on the hub. What a funny little bunny. I love how you have to make sure it's breathing when stretched out.
Hi Amillar,
Thanks for making me your bunny source.
Hi Fossillady,
I am glad you got some good information out of this hub. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Betty,
Easter is a popular time for people to adopt a bunny. They often see the cuteness, but not the work, the negatives, and the obligation. It is an important decision to adopt a pet and I want to help people make the right decision.
Hi Im,
Thanks for stopping by and for the up rating. I appreciate very much.
Hi Random,
I hope my article helps you make a decision that is good for you and your cats. If you ask me, my pug, Al is probably silently communicating with Peaches to save some for him.
Hi B,
I am so happy you stopped by and you enjoyed reading about Peaches. Always glad to help you feel like a kid again.
Hi Twilight,
I laughed so much about your rabbit story. 28 rabbits -wow. Regarding rabbits being called a rodent, I think that would get them hopping mad. Thanks for the info, and as usual, you make me happy whenever you stop by. Thanks.
Hi Katie,
I am glad to help with any questions you may have about bunnies.
Hi Peggy,
You are so right. Pet adoption needs serious consideration. Bringing a pet into your home can be so rewarding if it is the right choice.
Hi Anglnwu,
Seeing wild run outdoors is such a cute thing. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by.
Hi P30,
Rabbits are soooo cute and fun too, that is why I shared my story about Peaches. Thanks for visiting and for your nice comments.
Hi P30,
Rabbits are soooo cute and fun too, that is why I shared my story about Peaches. Thanks for visiting and for your nice comments.
Hi Tony,
I am glad you enjoyed my hub. My rabbit moment stories are all true.
Hi Healing Touch,
Thanks for stopping by. Peaches is naturally funny. Cuteness is in their genes, and I am glad he provided entertainment for you.
I want Peaches! I want Peaches! What an adorable love ball!
what dose it mean when your binny bites your t-shert
I had 2 bunnies and 2 miniature long haired dachshunds that always played with my bunnies, Thumper and George.
Check out a picture here
Hi Sidney, A bunny biting your shirt could mean a lot of things from wanting to nibble on something to being agressive, to a sign of affection.
Hi BB, the picture is adorable. Thanks for sharing. We once had a bunny named Thumper too. I am glad you stopped by with your photo.
Great information about "Pleasures and Perils of Owning and Caring for a Rabbit" Bunnies are so cute. We had one when my daughter was younger. We got her as a tiny baby and she grew to be huge and lived for several years.
Hi Linda, Thanks from me and Peaches for stopping by.
Hi Becky,
Thanks for sharing you bunny story. There is something so cute about them always. Glad you stopped by.
When my rabbits were finished playing with the dogs, they just ran "home" into their rabbit hutch my husband built for them.... I love the way animals interact (as long as they are nice to each other) :)
Hi Bodybreak, It is a lot of fun to see animals play together nicely. Thanks for contributing your bunny experiences.
I used to keep rabbits as a child and I still hanker after having them, especially since we bought our farm house in France which has a magnificent rabbitry with 9 large hutches. Perhaps if I ever retire and have the time needed to care for them properly.
If you ever decide to have rabbits, they will be very lucky bunnies.
I have a floppy ear bunny, and he is just too cute and hyper.
he has a lot of personality and he poops everywhere.
i tried to train him..but it dont work too good.
Some facts were good to know! :)
I love my Black Bunny
Hi Anna and Your Black Bunny, I am glad you stopped by. It sounds like you love your bunny a lot! I am happy that this hub helped you learn some new things. Thanks for adding your comments.
Hey toknowinfo,
I just got a bunny few days back, just a day before Easter... never had a pet before, other than fish, and my aunt had a dog a long time back. I am definitely feeling good with my bunny, although, yes she does bite. But I guess it is upto us that we dont let them bite right? I mean, the way you answered to someone s comment up here sounded as if it is very very very difficult to take care of a bunny. That is now scaring me if I did the right thing by getting Minchu home... :( She s gotten comfortable with us now. She doesnt like to be held, but definitely approaches us when we open her cage to talk to her, hops onto my lap, chews my clothes, sometimes my fingers, but I dont let her do that :). She likes to play with us with her chew toy, and when we feed her, she totally enjoys it. Now, am I doing anything wrong uptil now here? Please advise... im kinda concerned...
Hi Savita, You sound like you are giving your bunny a wonderful home. Some people think bunnies have no needs and no feelings and discard them easily. As long as someone understands that taking care of a bunny is a commitment of love and care, they are easy pets to take care of. In some ways they are one of the easiest pets to have.
Just a few things to know: never ever give your bunny iceberg lettuce or celery, the water content is very high in these foods and can be dangerous for them. Bunnies like hay. Depending on the age you can give them Timothy hay or Alfalfa. Timothy hay is good for young rabbits and rabbits of all ages. Alfalfa is only good for older rabbits.
It is great to socialize your rabbit and make her part of your family.
Rabbits make great pets and I think you and Minchu sound like you are having a wonderful relationship. Enjoy her and she will enjoy you.
Feel free to ask me any other questions.
On a totally other topic, I wrote a hub about Totem
Poles and it was just nominated for the Top of the Class Contest. If you like my hub about Totem Poles and choose to vote for me, I would be very appreciative.
not many people likes rabbits as pet, and there are only a few people who knows to properly take care of their bunnies. Thank you for taking the time to write and share this articles, this helped me a lot and wishing that many bunny lovers will find this article to know how to properly take care of their bunnies. Will wait for more . . .
Our local shelter has sweet rabbits and guinea pigs that can be adopted for $15-$25, including neutering. I'd encourage anyone wanting a rabbit to call their local shelter or rescue.
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drbj Level 8 Commenter 14 months ago
I once had a bunny, tki, but he adopted me. I was preparing to back my car out of the driveway when all of a sudden two bunny eyes were looking at me from under the car. He stayed for a week and I fed him and then he disappeared.
I guess he was just a tourist. Thanks for the interesting hub.