Are you considering a furry friend and are wondering “Are rabbits good pets?”
Rabbits are social animals and enjoy having companionship. That’s why they’re generally good pets, especially if you want to own more than one pet at a time.
They’re low maintenance and don’t require too much of your attention. Still, you’ll have to take care of their specific diet and make sure they have enough exercise.
Once you know how to provide the few conditions for a rabbit to thrive, you’ll realize that rabbits are excellent pets.
In this article, we’ll tell you these conditions and delve deeper into what it’s like to raise a rabbit, so keep reading.
Are Rabbits Easy To Take Care Of?
Rabbits can be easy to care for if you have the knowledge and resources.
Since they’re social animals, they need to interact with their owners or other rabbits daily. In terms of the enclosure, rabbits need a clean and comfortable place with fresh food and water available at all times.
Of course, the enclosure should be big enough to leave enough space for each rabbit to move around and exercise freely.
Rabbits need to play a lot as they’re energetic animals, so you should keep a toy or two around. This will keep them stimulated and provide something for them to chew on.
Their diet should include fresh vegetables, a small portion of pellets, and hay.
A rabbit won’t need grooming as regularly as a dog, but you should provide it often to keep their fur looking healthy and shiny.
Not to mention, they also require regular nail clippings, especially if you’re going to let them out of the cage often.
Are Rabbits Good Apartment Pets?
Rabbits make great apartment pets as they’re small and don’t need plenty of space.
Moreover, they’re quiet animals that barely make any noise—this makes them ideal pets for people who live in apartments with shared walls.
Rabbits can also be litter-trained, so cleaning up after them is a piece of cake.
Their gentle and calm demeanor makes them nice to have around, and they make great companions for anyone living alone.
However, rabbits need both exercise and socialization daily. Otherwise, they might fall into depression or even become destructive.
Are Rabbits Good Pets for Kids?
Rabbits aren’t innately dangerous animals. They’re one of the calmest and quietest pets to keep.
Their energy makes them fun for children, and their placidity allows children to interact with them without worry.
In that sense, your children can learn empathy and responsibility by caring for a rabbit.
However, it’s crucial to understand the individual nature of the rabbits you own. Some are affectionate and don’t mind being held, while others can become skittish and even aggressive if you pick them up or cuddle them.
That’s why you should make sure the bunny is happy about their interactions with the kids. Little by little, you can freely allow this contact without stressing, once you know the rabbit likes close contact with people.
Which Rabbits Make the Best Pets?
While all rabbits make great companions, some breeds are better suited to households than others.
A gentle and patient breed would be the best option for families with young children. This includes the Mini Lop and Holland lop—they’re popular among families with kids as they have a calm and friendly demeanor.
If you live in a small apartment, consider the Netherland Dwarf or the Mini Rex. These breeds are small enough to fit in a small apartment without compromising their need for enough space to be active.
Do Giant Rabbits Make Good Pets?
Yes, they do. Giant rabbits or “Flemish giant rabbits” are docile and gentle, even with children.
They’re the largest type of rabbits. They weigh 15 to 22 pounds and are typically 2.5 to 4 feet long.
Despite their threatening size, their behavior is quite friendly and loving.
Can a Wild Rabbit Be a Pet?
It can be difficult to tame a wild rabbit—if not impossible. If there’s any chance, it must be a newborn bunny, as those who have reached a few months old—or weeks—can be significantly harder to handle.
How Do Rabbits Compare To Other Pets (In Care and Cost)?
As herbivores, rabbits need a diet that combines high fiber content and low fat. This diet will consist of plenty of hay to keep their digestive system running properly with the right amount of fiber. Moreover, it wears down their constantly growing teeth, which helps their overall health.
Typically, you’ll need around $40 to $50 to feed your rabbit every month. This is a bit more than the $10 to $42 you’ll need for a cat, around the same you’ll need for a small dog, and a little less than the possible $100 you’ll need for a big dog.
However, when you consider the fact that you might have to raise two rabbits to satisfy their need for socialization, that cost doubles.
Compared to typical household pets like cats and dogs, rabbits require an insane amount of attention. Their social nature makes them need to bond with their owners. You can bond with your rabbit by grooming it, which also keeps its fur healthy and helps with shedding.
As for their nail-clipping, you should do it around once every month. This is less demanding than the bimonthly requirements of cats or dogs. They don’t need it as often because they’re less likely to injure you with their nails while playing, which is the case with dogs and cats.
Generally speaking, rabbits are relatively easier to take care of than dogs and cats. However, if you’re comparing them to fish or reptiles, they’re quite demanding.
In terms of costs, taking care of a rabbit won’t break the bank. However, when you put the need to have multiple rabbits into perspective, the time, money, and effort you need to invest becomes a matter of serious consideration.
What Are the Drawbacks of Having a Rabbit as a Pet?
While rabbits can be great pets, there are some cons to consider before deciding to bring one into your home.
One of the main concerns is that rabbits need a lot of attention and care, despite being low-maintenance when it comes to aspects like feeding and grooming.
To keep most bunnies happy and healthy, owners should spend a lot of time bonding with them.
Moreover, as an owner, you should make sure you clean their cage or enclosure regularly and provide them with a proper amount of exercise.
So, you may have to think twice before adopting a pet rabbit if your schedule is tight or if you spend too little at home.
The specific diet that rabbits need, which is high in fiber and low in fat, can be a little pressuring if you have a tight budget or schedule. That’s why you should make sure you plan how you’re going to keep your rabbit(s) well-fed before opting to adopt.
Add to that, rabbits are prone to dental problems and gastrointestinal stasis. This means you’ll have to make regular visits to the vet. And in the case that they do get any of these illnesses, they can be costly to treat.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the social nature of rabbits makes them need companionship, and that’s why they mostly come in pairs. So, if you’re thinking about adopting a rabbit, you’ll likely end up with two—if not more.
Final Thoughts
Rabbits are cute, social, and low-maintenance in their physical requirements, and provide you with plenty of love to reciprocate your attention—what’s not to love?
However, you have to make sure that you’ll provide their basic needs like enough room to be active, a high-fiber diet, and regular vet visits to keep their health in check.
If you don’t mind those basics, a rabbit would make an excellent pet for you —and possibly your family—.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.