Is a rabbit a good pet for a first grade classroom? How hard is it to care for?

Answer 1

First of all, you might want to get a rabbit as your personal pet before deciding to bring one into a classroom so you know exactly what is required. If you decide that a rabbit is not the best choice for you, consider fish, or even tadpoles(you can catch them for free and then release them later as frogs or toads...feed them cornmeal as they grow) But if you really want something that is more "hands-on" then you should seriously consider a rabbit.

I have small children and I have had pet rabbits for years. Rabbits can make excellent pets...even in a classroom. Because you will be keeping it indoors and it will be around young children, get a female dwarf rabbit. They are quite small and very good natured in general. They require less room in their cage, they're easier to pick up and handle, and they rarely bite(if ever). If you get the rabbit at a young age and handle it alot, you will get it used to it and it will enjoy coming out to play. Ours is litterbox trained, so I don't suppose it would be very hard to do the same for your new rabbit, which of course will make the cage a more sanitary habitat and that will make it easier to clean. The best part of having a rabbit as a classroom pet is that it is gentle, quiet, and generally easy to care for. They don't need nothin' fancy...feed them rabbit pellets, and trim their nails like you would do for a small dog. The kids can take turns on Friday afternoons helping you put fresh bedding and food in the cage and they can help you keep the water bottle full. I give my rabbits a treat every now and then of what ever veggies I have in the house...some apple here, some carrot there. It can be a very educational experience for all involved. Caring for a living thing teaches responsibility and patience, and fosters a love of animals in children.:) Good luck!!

Also, before you get any small rodents for pets instead, a few words of caution. Hamsters and pet mice love trying to figure out how to escape, and when they do, they can sometimes be impossible to catch. Also, mice continually urinate as they walk to mark thier scent...you don't want the kids getting that on thier hands. Plus, I have never been bitten by any of my rabbits, but I have been bitten MANY times by both hamsters and mice. Last of all, most facilities that also provide food(cafetaria) are strictly prohibited any small rodents in the same building, no matter how secure the cage. That is, after all, the reason Wal-Mart stopped selling small rodents in any of their stores years ago.

Here is a website that gives information on netherland dwarf rabbits (these are the kind of rabbits I have)

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/Rabbit_-_Netherland_Dwarf.htm

Answer 2

While Everyone Else Seems to Advise Against It, I Will Give You Some Information About Rabbits. Get a Miniature Or Dwarf Rabbit. The Smaller The Better. They Should Be No Bigger Then A Gunia Pig. You Would Need A Cage Slightly Bigger then a Gunia Pigs (To allow It To Run Arround. Wooden Knaw Toys, A Large Water Tube, As Well As A Daily Ration Of A Fruit And Vege Rabbit Feed, And Some Alphalpha Hay. Fresh Vege's Are Important, As It Helps Maintain Proper Health, As Well As Providing An Interesting Treat During The Day To Keep Their Minds Stimulated. You Would Also Need Whats Called A Rabbit Run. It Is a Round Pen Thats Fencing Is Perfect For Rabbits, They Would Need Placed In The Run To Play Daily. Now On To The Issue Of Scrathing and Biting. Rabbits Do Scare Easily. Yet It Is Also Easy To Teach Proper Handling. When You Pick Up a Rabbit you Must Cradle Their Entire Body, Especially Their Hind End. If A Rabbit Does Not Feel Secure, He Will Try To Get Away, Thus Scratching. To Deal With That Problem, You Can Either Clip Their Nails (Just The Very Edge, Never Too Close To The Quick) Or Make Sure Everyone Is Wearing Something Over The Arms. To Decrease Chances Of Being Bit, You Must Remember To Stay Calm. Overly Loud Noises Can, But Dont always Frighten Small Rabbits. Not If Their Used To The Noise. Never Poke Their Face, Always Pet Along Their Back. a Rabbit Would Teach Students To Be Calm, And Gentle. Both Amazing Qualities to Have. As Well I'd Reccomend Spliting The Clasroom Into Groups Of Five. And Giving Them Each a Turn To Feed and Water The Rabbit. Assign Each Of The Five students a Number, And Assign a Chore To That Number. Like Getting A Small Handful Of Hay, Another To Filling The Water, Another To Getting Their dried Food, As Well As One To Bring a Fresh Treat (Like Baby Carrots, Celery Sticks, Or Lettuce.) and Another To Help You Get The Bunny Out To Play In Its Pen. Twice a week You Would Have To Clean Out Bedding, As Well As Making Sure They Always Have Knaw Toys.

Answer 3

I wouldn't suggest a rabbit. The cage will smell even if cleaned often and the rabbit could potentially scratch or bite a student not to mention the fact that many kids are highly allergic to rabbit fur. I would suggest a bearded dragon. They are non allergenic, don't smell, bite or scratch(if you keep the nails trimmed), they are also extremely educational. They shed and grow very fast. I think it would be very good for girls who may be a little nervous around reptiles to come to see how sweet they are and that they are not slimy or nasty. Just my thoughts though.

Answer 4

Rabbits are wonderful, yet tricky. They require much more work than most people think. Preferably, the rabbit would not have to be kept in a hutch, rather a large enclosed area for adequate room. Daily exercise is a must. Male rabbits should be neutered to prevent or limit marking and aggression. They need a daily ration of fresh greens - collards, cilantro, parsley, spinach, etc...- carrots and fruit in moderation due to high sugar content. I would google "rabbit care" and see what web sites you come up with. I rescued a rabbit last year and had to do a ton of research for proper care. I also contacted several rabbit rescue groups which were very willing to give advice. Luckily, I was able to adopt him out to a rabbit savvy family. But, what I learned it they are a lot more work than most people think. Much more than just putting some pellets in dish. Good luck.

Answer 5

Rabbits are high maintenance and not suitable for being shut in a small cage and handled by a bunch of kids. I had many pet rabbits over the years and they can bite if they get scared or angry, their claws can scratch badly too. They need a good variety of diet, need to be kept clean to stop from getting sick, can suffer from depression if left alone too much, are very fragile and can get injured or even die very easily, like if it was dropped. So, no not good as a school pet no matter how old the children are.

Answer 6

No. Rabbits are high matinence and they can smell bad too.

As for caring for it...
Food and water of course but wool producing breeds like angoras should be brushed every 2 weeks and its cage needs to be cleaned at least once a week. The nails need to be trimmed also.

Rabbits don't exactly get along with young childern either so I would suggest getting goldfish or a hamster insted.

If you do get a rabbit make it a buck. In general the does are more high-strung

Answer 7

I take it you're a teacher?

If you've ever owned a rabbit you'd know they are a mess. The cage needs to be cleaned at least once or twice a week and gets to be costly with the litter.They are sweet and cuddly, but a mess. Since they are 1st graders you will bear the burdon of the cleaning yourself.

A better bet would be a couple of hamsters. They are cute and active and much easier to clean.

Answer 8

Yes. The children love rabbits and they're fairly friendly. You do, however, have to keep the cage clean or it will start to smell. Children love feeding them carrots and lettuce and it's fun when you let the furry cuties roam around the classroom! An excellent pet for young children!

Answer 9

that would be horrible to keep a rabbit in a small cage in a classroom.....go for a hamster or something smaller...rabbits are ALOT of cleaning up too..... the rabbit may be cute, but its more work than you want to take on

Answer 10

I would go for a hamster!! Rabbits are high maintenance & they don't like to be picked up, can bite & leave HUGE scratches with their back claws, can stink after about 2 days if not completly cleaned, They are cute but they can SPRAY urine at you if they don't like you & can just be generally ornery!!! they also have strict diet requirements & can be VERY expensive to take to the vet....