I asked a question about whether a male or female rabbit was a better pet for my children, I had heard that male rabbits were more aggressive. I haven't had any answers and wondered if i had managed to post the question properly?
2006-11-04 07:42:40 · 28 answers · asked by hargreas 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It really depends on the rabbit. As long as both are neutered and have been handled lots, both sexes will make good pets. Don't get a rabbit for a child, always get it for yourself and have the child helping you with it. Get a pair so they can snuggle up on cold nights together. Single buns can get aggressive or humpty if on their own. Rescues are much better to get a rabbit from as they can give you a comprehensive advice pack on how to care for your rabbit as well as what to expect. They will also make sure you are happy with your chosen rabbit and will take it back if you are not. Also all the rabbits will have been sexed, neutered, vaccinated, had general health and teeth and claws checked before re homing. Please think carefully as rabbits are the most wonderful, funny pets but do require lots of cleaning out and attention, a larger hutch than those sold in pet shops and access to a good run or room to exercise in during the day. Children do get bored after a while so be prepared. Rabbits can live from 5-8 years. I hope you have lots of fun with your rabbits. Enjoy.
2006-11-04 19:30:08 · answer #1 · answered by india 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a male rabbit and he is not aggressive at all. I think females are known to be aggressive. Males are just VERY sexually frustrated so he will need to be neutered if you get a Buck. If you do decide to get a female anyhow I would get her spayed - this will lessen the aggressive behaviour.
I have always been told females are more nasty. My male licks me and would never ever hurt me. Males are lovely!! Judging by everyone elses replies I think I must just be lucky. He is sometimes hard to hold because he will try and kick out by I just respect that he doesn't want to be picked up and so I just let him follow me like a dog instead.
I would suggest guinea pigs as a second option. They are gentler than rabbits and much more easier for a child to handle (although do not let kids handle them roughlier or on their own).
2006-11-04 09:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by Trina 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi! I too have heard that male rabbits are aggressive. A word of caution, A LOT of kids/people are allergic to rabbits! Make sure there is no reaction before you get one. Also you may want to check with a vet or pet store about the aggression thing!
2006-11-04 07:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by sunkissed 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Male rabbits ARE more aggressive, and tend to bite more. So if you're dead set on a rabbit, go for a female. But females STILL BITE. They bite A LOT. They'll bite out of curiosity instead of maliciousness, male rabbits are just plain mean.
Rabbits, though, aren't the greatest pets. One of my childhood friends had rabbits growing up, and I really learned to dislike them. They are VERY messy, high maintenance, and dangerous for children to handle (I got TONS of deep scratches from picking them up - the hind legs are STRONG). They don't have much personality, and if they get loose in the house, they chew up EVERYTHING. They can't help it. You have to provide chewing materials in the cage, or their teeth can be overgrown.
You have to clean up A LOT of poop. Rabbits CONSTANTLY poop. If you keep them outside, they'll probably get fleas. They need protection from the weather, and cleaning out UNDER the cage is NOT FUN.
Depending on how old the children are, you should consider a different pet.
2006-11-04 07:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Male rabbits can become aggressive if they have competition. If you have a female rabbit and she comes into season the male will try to keep her all to himself and can become very territorial and aggressive. If you add another male into this mix you are heading for trouble because the two males will fight over ownership of the female and all hell will break loose. A pair of females can also become aggressive if one of them comes into season. My advice is to get a lone rabbit of either sex, remembering that female rabbits are the gentler of the two.
2006-11-04 08:02:39 · answer #5 · answered by unna j 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We had a female lived for many many years and dug many many holes....But I am not sure if this is just a rabbit problem..my family had to get on with her...quite simply wanted to enjoy her life without much intrusion...however...she was really great friends with the guinea pigs...she mothered them ah..it was so sweet to see her grooming them......and then they would all snuggle up in the sun...
I have to say that i would never get another rabbit....but guinea pigs are a very good choice but get two..they need each others company.
2006-11-04 10:14:30 · answer #6 · answered by SALLY D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I don't think that any rabbits make good pets for children. Both sexes can be bad tempered, both will scratch kick and bite. Rabbits usually end up neglected in a hutch in the garden because the kids lose interest in a pet which won't interact with them and everyone gets fed up with having to go outside in freezing cold weather to feed, defrost water, clean and play with a rabbit which is anti social.Most rabbits got to be pets for children end up neglected, their teeth are never clipped by the vet, their nails are overgrown and within a year they are unwanted. I know, cos that's when I take them in.
Don't get me wrong. I like rabbits. I have rabbits, but mine live free range and are as tame as they want to be and avoid me when they don't want to be stroked.
2006-11-04 09:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Either one is fine as long as you get it spayed or neutered. I have a female rabbit and she is a bit agressive, but has not been neutered. Still, a dog or cat make better pets for children. Rabbits tend to like to be left alone and can be quite messy and destructive. They will chew any wire or cord they find.
2006-11-04 07:46:31 · answer #8 · answered by J S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From the research I found, male and female rabbits are ok for children. If you plan on getting two rabbits, it was recommended to get two females or one male and one female. It was not recommended to mix two male rabbits together unless they where raised together.
Here are a few links I found that could help your decision on a good breed of rabbit and raise it with your children.
2006-11-04 08:03:18 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly get a female rabbit. I used to have a male rabbit and it was kinda humping everything. Maybe hormones were raging. And yes they are more aggressive too.
Maybe its better to get a male and a female. At least you will have two happy rabbits.
2006-11-04 07:45:10 · answer #10 · answered by NightSlayer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋