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.

Rabbits need some room in the home to comfortably move around, especially if your rabbit will be spending a lot of time in the home. Choosing a larger home is usually a good rule to follow. Here are some things to consider when choosing a home for your rabbit:

1. What is the adult size of your rabbit? If you have a baby rabbit, it is a good idea for you to consider what size he or she will be as an adult. You may want to buy a home that your rabbit can grow into to avoid purchasing a larger cage in the future.

2. How many rabbits do you plan on keeping in the home? Normally, not more than one or two rabbits are kept in home at one time. Rabbits need to bond to with one another, so it is important not to have more than one rabbit in the home at one time unless they have been bonded.

3. Should you purchase a cage or hutch? A wire cage is great for indoor use and allows your rabbit to have a great view. A hutch, such as the Super Pet Premium Rabbit Hutch 36 in., is great for outdoor use and is made to help protect your rabbit from predators or the elements.

4. Where should you place the home, indoors or outdoors? If you plan on keeping your rabbit indoors, place their cage in an area that won�t be affected by the sun, heat, or air conditioning. If you plan on using a hutch outdoors, place it in a covered area away from the elements. It is a good idea to place a wooden box inside the hutch to keep your rabbit covered on really cold days if your hutch is not covered on the sides.

5. Wire floor or smooth floor? A smooth floor is more comfortable on your rabbit�s feet, but a wire floor is easier to keep clean. Typically, rabbit�s feet are fine walking on a wire floor. In addition, many cages with wire floors have a slide-out pan to make cleaning much easier. You can also place a grass mat on the wire floor to make it more comfortable and your rabbit will also enjoy chewing on it.

Whatever home you choose for your rabbit, make sure that you spend some time everyday with your rabbit and keep their home clean. Check out the great selection of rabbit cages and hutches at RabbitMart.

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1. Rabbit Cages and Hutches: The best place for your rabbit to stay is in a rabbit cage or hutch when not under supervision.

2. Flooring and Bedding Accessories: Both cages and hutches have wire floors to help keep the home cleaner. Wire floors can be very hard on your rabbit�s feet, so it important to have a mat or disposable flooring for your rabbit to sit and walk on. Grass mats are great because they are soft on rabbit feet and can even be nibbled on. You may also want to put down hay, grass or litter for rabbit bedding. A soft cozy bed also makes a great place for your pet to rest and sleep.

3. Water and Feeding Supplies: Make sure that your rabbit has access to clean water at all times. A water bottle for rabbits is ideal for storing water and keeping it clean. In addition, keep rabbit food in a crock or bowl made for rabbits and hay in a hay rack. Keeping food off of the floor is best because it prevents contamination and disease.

4. Rabbit Chews: It is an excellent idea to keep rabbit chews handy in the cage for your rabbit to chew on. Rabbits love to chew and this healthy habit keeps their teeth trim and neat. Wood or mineral toys made especially for rabbits are ideal because they are designed to be safely chewed by your rabbit. Chewing is also a great way for your rabbit to be entertained.

5. Rabbit Toys: Rabbits enjoy playing with little toys made for their enjoyment. Soft toys are great for flipping and tossing and interactive play. Your rabbit might also like to play with balls made of wood or grass. Keeping toys in the cage or hutch is important for the mental health of your rabbit. Toys provide rabbits with extra stimulation and provide entertainment.