Rabbits: Great Pets for Adults

by J. A. Young

Sure, you know those pretty Easter cards that feature children huddled around the fluffy bunny in the basket. Well, scratch that. The amount of delicacy and care required to meet the needs of a healthy rabbit is best served by a bunny-loving adult who understands the learning and expense that go into keeping a bunny in the home.

Pet stores like Petco no longer even sell bunnies during the Easter season because so often rabbits are purchased without careful consideration and knowledge of what goes into keeping one. While they seem the ideal pet for little Susie - cuteness matched for cuteness - rabbits may actually be a better pet for Sue once she’s out of college. Here's the lowdown on why they make great pets for grown-ups, as well as some advice about their care.

Cost. First, check your bankbook, you would-be rabbit owner. As the owner of a mini-lop, I generally spend $30 per month on bedding, pellets and timothy hay and $10 per month on fresh vegetables. This is $480 per year for the basics for a relatively small sized rabbit. However, there are additional costs for vet visits, proper cage, water bottles, clippers and brush, not to mention salt-licks, honey-sticks or other treats, and toys, if you are generous to little Fluffy. If your rabbit gets sick, medication can be expensive, as are flea sprays and shampoos.

Space and Climate. Another important consideration is location. It seems like a no-brainer not to buy a hundred pound dog if you live in a one-bedroom place (although I made that mistake once), but where you live and where you expect the rabbit to live should be considered before buying a bunny. I suggest something inside with temperatures suited to what best suits us. A rabbit doesn't like a 90 degree day any more than we do. Also, the type of cage you buy should be large enough for the rabbit to hop around or sprawl out in, but take care that it is easy to clean. Avoid wood hutches indoors as they are likely to retain strong urine odor. Plastic cleans up quite well.

Housing. Consider also how much time you will allow the rabbit out of its cage. If you are a workaholic and the bunny will be caged for most of the week, spring for a bunny mansion as I call them. If you are home all the time and are determined to let your rabbit roam freely (once he's potty-trained of course; and yes, it can be done) than you might be able to get away with a decent cage you find at a garage sale. In any case, the rabbits quarters must be kept clean on a regular basis to keep the rabbit healthy and to keep your home from smelling gross.

Food. There are lots of choices in what you feed your rabbit. I recommend standard pellets supplemented with lots of fresh vegetables and occasional treats of fruit plus a daily supply of timothy hay needed to keep your rabbits digestive tract clean. As a city girl, I buy my supplies at the local commercial pet store, but others may find supplies at farm stands, farms, or their own backyard garden. The House Rabbit Society recommends that you feed your rabbit the following:

Unlimited timothy, grass hay, oat hay, straw
1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies)
Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight
Fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. (2 TBL) per 6 lbs. body weight
Your rabbit should be fed and given fresh water every day. I double up the water bottles in summer just to be safe. Rabbits can dehydrate quickly so take preventative measures.

Interaction. The best part of owning a rabbit is of course interacting with them. This is where so many parents go wrong by introducing them to Susie or Bobby the moment they bring them home. Patience is truly a virtue in this area. It took three months before my lop remained still so I could pet him. I would let him romp around the basement while I would simply watch, getting a kick out his antics - the chinning (which I didn't understand at all), the richochet moves and kickouts, the giant leaps. Finally, at about three months, the rabbit became curious of me and finally let down his guard and hopped in my lap.

The key, again, is patience. Rabbits can be skittish and have a mind of their own. An eager child understandably wants to cuddle their cute creature, which can lead to tears and scratches. An adult may be better able to assess the rabbit's temperament which leads to smoother integration. Yet even adults need the proper information in order to care for the rabbit. Rabbit guides teach how rabbits should be held as well as pertinent advice on dealing with a sick rabbit and even how to select a veterinarian - not all vets will see a rabbit.

I've lived with my rabbit for five years now, have read multiple books on their care and regularly visit the House Rabbit Society's web site, which I highly recommend. While rabbits require a great deal of time and attention, they can be every bit as gratifying to live with as a cat or dog. Their innate sociability comes to the surface of their nature, in time, making them a joy to watch and interact with. They are quite fun. A responsible, older child may be a great rabbit owner, but ideally supervised by a responsible adult.