If you are thinking of buying or adopting a rabbit, you may wonder what kind of pet rabbits make.
This is an honest question, and is one that I asked myself long ago when we were first thinking of raising rabbits on our small hobby farm.
At the time I did some research and came up with a pretty complete picture of what it might look like to have one (or multiple!) rabbits as a pet.
In this post, we will share all of that information with you so that you can make an informed decision about welcoming a bunny into your life!
Are Bunnies Difficult Pets: What You Need To Know
When it comes to raising one or multiple rabbits, there are three primary facts about a bunny’s needs that you must be aware of.
The first is the type of diet they require, the second is how to house rabbits safely and properly, and the third is the attention and exercise they need to be happy and healthy.
American Humane also provides the following 5 Freedoms as “the gold standard of animal welfare” that includes providing for the mental and physical well-being of all pet and homestead animals through:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- Freedom to express normal and natural behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress
Top 5 Reasons Why Rabbits Are Good Pets
We love having rabbits on our hobby farm, so let’s start off with our top 5 reasons why rabbits can make great pets!
- Rabbits are quite animals that are ideal for all ages
- Rabbit feces are natural fertilizer for all home and farm gardens
- Adopting or purchasing a rabbit is often more affordable than larger pets
- Rabbits can be litter box trained
- Not many people are allergic to rabbit fur
Rabbits Make Good Pets – Guidelines
The Best Rabbit Diet
One of the first things to know about rabbits is their particular digestive system which is unlike that of other common pets or homestead animals.
While dogs are omnivores and cats are carnivores, rabbits are strict herbivores.
A rabbit’s digestive tract and metabolism is completely dependent on high fiber plant foods that are low in sugars and moderate in protein content.
This is why we feed our rabbits a daily diet that is
75-80% Unlimited hay
10-15% Quality Rabbit Pellets
5-10% Leafy greens, Vegetables, and Treats
Now there are variations on this diet that some other rabbit owners will opt for (we discuss more on this in our How Much Rabbit Pellets post), but we have found that keeping high quality hay as our rabbits’ primary nutrient keeps them healthy and happy.
That isn’t to say we don’t offer our bunnies yummy fruit or veggie treats once or twice a week, we love to watch them enjoy themselves!
But if you are considering raising a rabbit make sure you will have access to the high fiber foods they need most.
Read more about different hay options for your rabbits in the following posts:
Orchard Hay vs. Timothy Hay For Rabbits
How To House A Rabbit
Without doubt, housing your bunny is an essential detail that must be thought out before adopting or buying a rabbit.
New owners often ask what kind of house or hutch is best? Should a rabbit’s house be inside or outside? And, Do pet rabbits need to live in pairs?
For starters, the type of house or hutch you choose depends on the space and resources available to you.
While a rabbit tractor is a fantastic idea for folks with more outdoor space to use, the basic dimensions of a sufficient hutch is one that allows your bunny to hop three or four times in all directions and stand on their hind feet without their ears touching the ceiling.
You can find great rabbit hutches and houses at local pet and farming stores or even build your own if you are handy.
In addition, your yearly climate and any local rabbit predators will greatly influence whether it is okay for your rabbit to be housed outdoors and what security measures must be taken.
Finally, rabbits are very social animals. In fact, wild rabbits live in large groups and share much of their time together. Domestic rabbits are no different and it is wise to think about having at least two rabbits (I always suggest this for new rabbit owners).
But at the end of the day, pet rabbits do not need to live in pairs and a well attended solo domestic rabbit can live a happy and long life.
I have personally found the Rabbit Basic Science resource to be of utmost help with thinking about the housing needs and best health of your rabbit, I encourage giving it a good read!
Rabbits As Pets – Exercise And Social Interaction
As stated, rabbits are naturally very social animals; they are also incredibly active and energetic!
So for anyone looking into raising a rabbit or two, you must tend to their exercise and social interaction needs.
Rabbits aren’t the type of pet that can or should stay in their house or hutch all day.
Rather, your rabbit(s) should have time outside of their hutch to move, run, and explore. This can be within the house or outside in a safe area.
Note that some other common housepets or homestead animals such as dogs and cats may pose a threat to your rabbits and can easily hurt them, even if they are just being curious about your furry friend.
For this reason, I like to place our rabbits in a fenced area in our backyard field where they can safely nibble fresh grass and socialize together without fear of local predators (or our dog).
In addition, holding, petting and brushing your rabbit is another important practice. This allows you to become familiar with them and their usual behaviors which will help you notice when something is off due to sickness or infection; aka a daily health and hygiene check.
Daily gentle handling will also help your rabbit bond with you, making them feel safe and secure and encourage docile behavior.
Do Rabbits Make Good Pets – Potential Cons
Now that you know all the great benefits and most important factors of raising a rabbit, let’s check out some potential cons to having a rabbit as a pet.
Traveling With Rabbits
It is true that traveling with a rabbit isn’t as easy as traveling with other pet animals.
Why is it harder to travel with rabbits?
Because rabbits are naturally nervous and prone to stress. They are quickly frightened by unknown noises, surroundings, and beings.
This disposition demands a lot of organization, patience, and forethought on your side before hopping in the car, bus, or plane with your bunny.
And at the worst, it may limit your ability to travel and move with your rabbit in tow, as a rabbit in extreme shock usually fails to recover and dies.
A Rabbit’s Average Lifespan
Rabbits are not short-lived animals, so if you are thinking about having a bunny as a pet you must know that your rabbit may be with you for many years.
While the average lifespan of a rabbit is about 8 years, the oldest rabbits lived to be 15 years! And one of our oldest rabbits lived to a ripe old age of 10.
So, depending on what is going on in your life, a rabbit may not be the best pet decision due to their long-life and the long-term commitment they require.
Rabbits: Attentive Care Required
Raising a rabbit can be more responsibility than you are looking for right now if you don’t realize that, just like other pets, they can have issues with mites, ticks, and other pests.
In addition, keeping your rabbit healthy and happy does require things like clipping bunnies’ nails, taking them to vet appointments, and ensuring they remain clean and well-groomed.
A neglected rabbit can suffer from serious health issues that can include:
- Loss of hair
- Sore hocks
- Ear infections
- Fly Strike
- Rabbit Wet Tail
All of these issues are serious and can greatly reduce the quality of your rabbit’s life and cause premature death.
Breeding Like Rabbits
The final detail to note about rabbits as pets is that due to their biology and life history, they are frequent breeders.
Along with this, female rabbits (does) and male rabbits (bucks) naturally exhibit sexual behaviors that may not be desired.
For example, does are often very territorial, bucks will urine spray, and both sexes may be aggressive to smaller bunnies.
However, these sexually driven behaviors can be greatly reduced (if not completely eliminated) by spaying or neutering your bunnies.
Spaying and neutering is a procedure that many rabbit owners decide to do as it poses little risk to your bunny.
And once your rabbit is recovered, there is no need to worry about surprise litters or hormonal driven behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Rabbits Are Good Pets
Are Bunnies Difficult Pets?
Bunnies are not hands-off pets, it’s true. But we wouldn’t go so far as to call them difficult pets. Because as long as their basic needs are met, they are happy furry companions for all ages!
Are Rabbits Good Pets For Kids?
A rabbit can be a great pet for kids. In fact, my daughter Olivia was the primary caretaker of our very first rabbits, when she was only eight years old!
However, as rabbits do require daily attention and tending, they may not be an ideal option for kiddos who are highly involved in school, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Final Thoughts on Do Rabbits Make Good Pets
What does it all come down to when thinking if rabbits make good pets?
Just ask yourself the following questions:
- Can I properly provide for the basic food, housing, and social needs of a rabbit?
- Am I ready for a multi-year commitment to a pet bunny?
- Do I have enough time in the day to devote to a rabbit?
We love the reasons this video shares on why rabbits make great pets, give it a watch!