Rabbits are NOT boring.
 
Placing a rabbit in an outdoor hutch with minimal interaction from you and your family does result in a boring (and bored) pet. However, if housed indoors with regular interaction from you and your family, a pet rabbit suddenly becomes a social, fun-loving addition to a family and a household. 

Rabbits are NOT low maintenance pets.

Rabbits have needs similar to those of other household pets. Rabbits have specific dietary needs just like most pets. Cages and litter boxes need frequent cleaning. A properly cared for rabbit can live 8 to 10 years, sometimes even longer. This is quite a long-term commitment for a rabbit owner.

Rabbits are BAD starter pets for children.

Parents and children should take care of the rabbit together until the child is old enough to care for the rabbit by themselves. This way the bunny rabbit can be enjoyed by the whole family. (you’d be surprised, Dad and Mom – Rabbits are cool). Kid’s may hate to clean the rabbit’s cage. Rabbits often bought for children may become neglected as the child gets older and participates in activities outside the home. The once “new toy” may become “boring” and the child may lose interest in the animal. Parents should be willing to take over the responsibility of the pet rabbit should their child lose interest.

Rabbits are NOT mean but they may bite.

Rabbits are delicate, ground loving creatures. Rabbits are very social animals that enjoy the company of humans and other animals. Some rabbits love to snuggle alot, while other pet rabbits would prefer being petted on the ground. Some rabbits that prefer to stay on the ground may try and escape if they are being held, and may do this by biting or scratching. Spend time on the floor with your rabbit and see the world through your rabbit’s eyes.

Rabbits only eat carrots – HAHA — Rabbits do eat them but …

Rabbits do eat carrots, but these should be given only as a treat as they are high in sugar. A rabbit’s diet should include unlimited hay and this should be available to them at all times. Pellets should be offered in limited quantities to rabbits over seven months old. Do not feed pellets with nuts, seeds, dried vegetables or other “treats” in them to your pet rabbit!  These pellets are low in quality and very high in fat. 

Vegetables such as dark leafy greens should also make up a large portion of your rabbit’s diet. Iceberg lettuce (normal head lettuce) should not be given to rabbits as this type of lettuce causes diarrhea because of its high water content.

Often, rabbits are purchased for children and are considered to be a lessor responsibility than a cat or dog. This can be similar to an impulse purchase to in response to a child’s request. Baby rabbits can be irresistible and are easy to handle for the child. Then quickly the rabbit grows up and takes on the personality of an adult animal. Information on rabbit behavior can be found in on websites such as House Rabbit Society and Rabbit Advocates . There are many positives for kids in owning a rabbit. It is an educational experience in animal care and behavior. Gentleness and love required when interacting with a pet bunny can give your child lifelong lessons on kindness and responsibility. After educating yourself, it will be clear to you that adopting a rabbit is a family decision and not based on an impulse. 

Things to consider before adopting

• Rabbits live about 8 to 12 years. Are you willing to take care of the rabbit after your child grows older? Children develop different interests as they grow and may show less interested in the pet.
• Mature rabbits prefer to be on the ground and are not typically content being carried around or being held for long periods of time. A child, trying to hold his pet, may get nipped or scratched in the rabbit’s efforts to get away. The child may become frightened and not want to interact with it any further or the pet could be injured if dropped. You can watch your child interact and hold a rabbit before bringing home a rabbit to see how they respond to the pet. You can make a judgement at that point whether a rabbit appears to be an appropriate pet for your child.
• Rabbits are very sensitive to sound. Children and their friends can be quite noisy and active. This can place the rabbit bunny in a continuously stressful situation that leads to health and temperament issues.
• Rabbits are not low maintenance pets. Attention to their needs on a daily basis required. Cage or pen cleaning, feeding, and daily interaction are required. It is unlikely a child will be able to take on all these responsibilities themselves. Therefore, consider the rabbit as the adults responsibility which can be integrated with the child.

Supplies needed to care for a rabbit?

Below are rabbit supplies you should consider before purchasing your pet. 

• Housing: Cages and pens are the primary choices for rabbit’s living quarters. The enclosure needs to be large enough for the rabbit to move around freely. Consider the adult size requirement if your rabbit is not fully grown. You will need space for the litter box and bowls. It may be worthwhile considering a movable pen/cage in the case that your location needs may change. 
• Litter Box: Rabbits need to be trained to use a litter box to keep the pen clean. If you are having difficulty you can start with a flat pan to make use easy for the rabbit. Upon success you can switch to a larger litter box. 
• Litter: The litter should be dust free and safe for the rabbit if ingested. Consider litters that are organic such as plant fiber, recycled paper and wood. 
• Bowls: Use bowls; one each for pellets, fresh vegetables and water. Heavy, flat-bottomed bowls work best so the rabbit cannot tip them. 
• Water: It is a good idea to use a water bottle in conjunction with a bowl. This provides a supply of fresh water if one is out of water (or knocked over).
  Cage bottom board: If the rabbits pen has a wire bottom it is necessary to have an area with a flat bottom (such as a board) for the rabbit to rest on off of the wire mesh. This should be large enough for the pet to rest, stretched out, in all directions.
• Toys: Toys are important not only for stimulation but also to keep the rabbit out of trouble.  Toys for small pets are sold at retailers. You can also use, hard plastic baby toys (rattles, key rings), a towel to push and bunch, cardboard boxes made into forts and tunnels… Use your imagination. 
• Feed: Pellets should be high quality and contain at least 13% fiber. Store food in an airtight container and the pellets will last approximately six months.

Avoid giving your rabbit foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates and starch because they can make your rabbit sick, obese, or cause death. Food that contains refined sugar, chocolate, or is high in starch or carbohydrates are foods to avoid giving to your rabbit. Treat feeding should be done sparingly even if your rabbit is the correct weight to avoid making your rabbit obese. Closely monitor your rabbit�s intake to help keep your rabbit�s in check and especially when dieting.

If you like to feed your rabbit pellets everyday, choose a pellet formula that is high in fiber-rich timothy hay. Nature�s Promise Premium Rabbit Food is high in fiber and has fresh ground vegetables that are great for your rabbit�s health. This premium food is made with Timothy Hay that is the ideal fiber source for rabbits. Another great pellet food for rabbits is the LM Timothy Diet Rabbit Food. This food is high in fiber because it contains Timothy Hay and is easy for your rabbit to digest.

When trying to slim down your rabbit, choose a food that is high in fiber and low in protein. Look for a daily diet that is high in Timothy hay. Avoid giving your rabbit treats and look out for foods that are high in carbohydrates and starch.

To prevent dental problems, provide your rabbit with hard, crunchy surfaces to chew on, such as the Chew-A-Lot Crunch Bar. The best treats to give your rabbit on mineral or wood chews. By chewing on a hard surface, your rabbit�s teeth will stay trim and will not become overgrown. Also, it is a good idea to periodically check the cheek teeth for uneven wear. If spikes form on the cheek teeth, it will become painful for your rabbit to chew, which could cause your rabbit not to eat and lead to malnutrition.

If your rabbit appears to be having problems chewing, lose of appetite, the tooth growth appears to be abnormal, drooling, or pain when the mouth area is touched, these are signs of dental problems and you should take your rabbit to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner the problem can be diagnosed, the more likely it can be treated. Your veterinarian may be able to easily correct the dental problem if caught early. However, if the problem is severe, then there may be no possible treatment.

For more great rabbit products and supplies, check out RabbitMart for all your rabbit needs.

1. Binkies: If a rabbit is very happy, he or she will jump into the air to let you know. This jump is called a binky.

To find out more about your rabbit�s behavior, a book on rabbits, such as Rabbits, Animal Planet Pet Care Library, is a great resource. Check out Rabbit Mart for all of your rabbit’s needs.