Rabbits as pets?

Question

does anyone else find it terrible how many people get rabbits as pets for easter or becuase they think they are cute and cuddly? Rabbits are seeming more and more like a throw away pet. Most people don't even know about breeds or basic upkeep. I think rabbits are great pets but the reality is that most do not like to be cuddled or bathed or anything else. When are pet stores going to be accountable for educating people before they sell these animals?

this isn't a question about a problem rabbit that i own, i don't have rabbits anymore but when i did i knew what i was doing.

Answer 1

I agree; the problem starts with pet stores - at best they're mis-educated. I've heard some terrible things coming from the mouths of pet-store employees especially Re:Bonding ("they'll either get on or they wont").

People don't think that rabbits need more attention than dogs - but they do. Not many people research any pet (let alone a small one) - they just rely on word of mouth.

I've had rabbits for around 10 years and even now I'm still learning and researching them.

Pet stores should be banned from selling rabbits; and as with cats & dogs you should either go to a rescue or a breeder for your pet.

Answer 2

I have had many rabbits over the last 25 years. They make excellent pets under the right conditions. Rabbits are quite clean and they can be litter trained very easily.
Since bunnies will eat just about anything, you have to make sure that the area they are in is a safe place. No wires or harmfull consumables should be within their reach.

Most rabbits are very social and will play and snuggle with humans. They like children but most bunnies don't like to be handled roughly.
I have two bunnies right now. Melba and Gunther (They came with the names) are brother and sister that are about 8 years old.
I did not always know how to raise rabbits. I found out most of my information through the "House Rabbit Society"
http://www.rabbit.org/

One of the main purposes of the HRS is to educate people about rabbits and how much fun they can be.

Answer 3

1. Pet stores if they are reputable will at least have literature available for education purposes, hopefully people will become educated before they buy.
As with any pet, education should be a must but is not the norm.
2. Bunnies as a pet - by law should be 8 weeks old before being sold. Some breeds are better temperament wise as a pet then other breeds.
When little, they should be held often, by the breeder before being sold as a pet. These bunny's are more easily held and "cuddled."
3. Personally I would not bath one, when they clean themselves they in jest their fur, but unlike cats/dogs, they do not vomit it up. Instead it mats in the stomach and leads to death.
4. My one objection to those uneducated as rabbit owners is if they not longer want the animal, they will set it free in the wild instead of taking it to an animal shelter.
Domesticated rabbits do not know how to depend themselves and run as the wild rabbit does.
The will sit still when frightened and are easy pray for predators.

Answer 4

How is a rabbit a throw away pet? People don't throw them away. I have never heard of anyone getting rid of thier rabbits.They are wounderful pets and more and more people are getting them because they are considered hypoallergenic. My old rabbit loved being bathed and he became like a lap rabbit, he was very social. And btw most people that buy rabbits do buy the information books.

Answer 5

I agree with you, although I think its the job of the buyer to do their own reserach, that is almost always never the case. So yeah its a good ides for pet shop to educate the buyer. But what happens when the pet shop is just as bad, like the one that was shut down by my house last year for selling sick animals...tough but I'm with you, Pet shops need to have higher standards.

Answer 6

in the beginning, replaced into the rabbit that have been given moist in a cage. If it replaced into it may no longer bypass and discover look after while a wild rabbit will dig a hollow underground for look after. additionally puppy rabbits are weaker than wild rabbits and that they have not got that survival instinct. puppy rabbits % somebody to guard them while wild rabbits can guard themselves. additionally you won't understand if a wild rabbit died except you take place to return for the duration of it, yet they could often stay in aspects with grass and trees.

Answer 7

rabbits are not a throw away pet - I've had one for 5 years
Rabbits almost need to come with a warning label, because they are high maintenance pets, mine does like to be held alot bit somethings she does bite - people should be aware of this and at pet stores clerks should suggest this before buying

Answer 8

I agree with you that people need to educated about rabbits before buying them as pets- but what's wrong with thinking they are cute and cuddly? People who don't think rabbits are cute and cuddly aren't going to have them as pets to begin with.

Answer 9

I agree with you, we have a serious problem of people buying rabbits in NY and then leaving them in the wild when they don't know what to do with them. I think PETA should step in instead of having their models walk around in cow suits in Times square.

Answer 10

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION ON WEATHER OR NOT THEY'D BE EDUCATED ON A RABBIT. IF IT WAS ME... BEING A SMART PET OWNER.. ID BUY BOOKS AND READ OUT THEM BEFORE GETTING ONE.