Buying a Bunny for a Child
Rabbits are not always
suitable pets for children, particularly young children under 8-10 years
old.
Sadly, rabbits remain one of the most abused and neglected pets and some rabbits bought as pets for children can end up unwanted, neglected or abandoned while others remain forced to live a lonely existence in an undersized hutch at the foot of the garden, out of sight and out of mind.
This is not the sort of life we want for any of our lovingly-reared bunnies and we urge you to consider whether a bunny will really be a the most suitable pet for your child and family household.
Our aim is not to 'sell' rabbits indiscriminately but to secure the best homes possible for our cherished babies whom we've brought into the world and loving raised for the first few months of their lives.
If you are considering adopting a bunny for a child, please consider the following:
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Rabbits are generally not very suitable pets for young children. Children can naturally be lively and noisy which can be very stressful for a highly sensitive pet such as a bunny. Also, children see their 'cuddly' image and often want to treat them as a cuddly toy which, of course, they are not. Bunnies are ground-loving animals who prefer to be fussed at ground level rather than carried around and children might not always understand this. We do not, therefore, recommend bunnies as pets for children under 8-10 years. |
| All breeds of rabbit require a high degree of commitment and care plus at least 2 hours of handling and social interaction every day. A pair of guinea pigs, rat, gerbil or hamster might be more suitable pets for young children under 10 years of age. |
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Rabbits, like any pets, need a routine and are sensitive to changes in their feeding, cleaning and exercise routines. This will always need to be over-seen by a responsible adult. |
| Children can lose interest in any pet once the initial enthusiasm wears off so, and it is estimated that this can happen within just a few months of adoption. An adult must be aware of this and prepared to consider the rabbits to be their own pets and take full responsibility for their bunnies' care throughout their life which could be 7-10 years. Similarly, if an older child is going to university at the age of 18+ then provisions must be made to ensure there will be a carer for the bunnies. |
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No animal should ever be the sole responsibility of a child. Symptoms of illness, fewer droppings or a change in behaviour which could be indicative of illness might be overlooked by a child. |
Please also read: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/children.html and Fluffy's Story.
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Is
a rabbit for me? |
By
far the best arrangement is that
adults should think of the bunnies as pets for themselves and their
own responsibility - but then encourage active involvement from your
child/children. Allow your children to help with the cleaning and feeding
and encourage their continued interest but, if they become bored, then allow
their interests to change and naturally move on rather than try to force an interest which
isn't there.
'Throw-Away' Pets: Always remember that a rabbit is not a temporary or 'throw-away' pet, or a 'starter pet' for children. Rabbits are living, breathing animals deserving the utmost respect and require the same level of care, commitment and dedication as any other pet animal, large or small.
Teaching
'Responsibility': If the rabbit is adopted to teach
a child to become 'responsible' then there is a high risk that, should the child lose
interest and be reprimanded for this, then they make start to resent the bunny -
and it will be the rabbit who suffers more than the child or parent. Also,
if a situation of resentment continues and the rabbit is eventually 'given
away', this can send out irresponsible messages to children - that pets are
'disposable' animals or that giving up the rabbit could be used as a
'punishment'.
My
own background: I wasn't allowed to have a
guinea-pig or bunny until I was 10 years old and mature enough to
understand any animal's needs and able to provide full care, exercise and
stimulation daily. I had to prove I understood their care needs and
drafted together a care booklet (which I still have!). I also gave short
talks on small animal care at local schools as part of the learning
process. This was in the early days of Punk Rock and I stood at the front
of a class of bored young teenagers who stared at me as though I was from
another planet - but I knew my stuff, even if nobody else was particularly
interested!
Rabbit Care Talks: At the time, I felt my parents were being over-cautious but now I fully respect and understand their concerns. WeI hear only too often of pets being adopted as pets for young children (even as young as 2!!), usually impulse purchases from a pet shop, and within a few weeks the child has lost interest and then the poor bunny ends up neglected at the foot of the garden, usually living a lonely existence without even a companion, in an under-sized hutch while the luckier bunnies are taken to a rehoming centre. Therefore, we try to ensure that anyone who adopts any of our bunnies will have fully considered how their new bunny (or preferably two bunnies adopted as a bonded pair) will fit into their homes and lifestyles for their full lifespan.
Superb pets: However on a more positive note, rabbits make superb pets - I should know, I've had them for +30 years and am looking forward to the next 30! I took a short break whilst away at University for six years but following graduation was then able to resume breeding using the same lines until taking early retirement.
They have much in their favour -
they are clean, quiet, easy to litter-train, affectionate, interactive and
can live indoors or out, in a large house or a small flat. They enjoy
company - either rabbit company or human company (but, preferably -
both!). They can be playful, go for walks on a lead, learn to respond
to their name and simple commands - and they can bond very
closely with their owner. Also, they generally live happily alongside
other pets if they are introduced carefully and supervised.
If your child is calm, quiet, gentle and interested then a cuddly bunny could be the perfect pet for him/her. We've met some extremely caring and sensitive children who show the utmost respect for small animals and it's a delight to meet them and share their enthusiasm.
However if your child is noisy, aggressive or boisterous, then we'd recommend a stuffed toy instead!
These points are not intended to dissuade you from adopting bunnies but have been included in the interests of our bunnies and general bunny-welfare - which is always our utmost priority.
Please also read: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/children.html, Fluffy's Story and How Could You?.
We are members of the Rabbit Welfare Association.
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Is a rabbit for me? |
Extracted from the BBC website, 10 December 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6166113.stm
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Rabbits are the most abused domestic pet in England and Wales, with 35,000 abandoned every year, says the RSPCA. The animal charity said a survey found that 70% of rescued rabbits had been kept hutched 24 hours a day. Almost 40% had had no food, and half had been living in filthy conditions, it told the BBC. It found that people bought rabbits but then quickly lost interest. On average the abandoned pets it came across had been dumped after just three months. Many were simply released in the street or into the wild. Responsibility Rabbits are the third most popular pet after cats and dogs and the RSPCA says that rescue centres are struggling to cope with the 35,000 unwanted pets abandoned every year.
Anne Mitchell from the Rabbit Welfare Association warned that parents needed to realise the responsibilities that go with caring for rabbits. The animals can live for up to eight years and cost £4,000 over their lifetime. "If you didn't have the children, would you be keen to have the rabbit? If you wouldn't, don't do it," she said. "Ninety percent of children get bored, they're tired very quickly of the chores. "You can't treat it like Barbie doll and Action Man and just stuff it in the cupboard under the stairs, although sadly some of these rabbits do end up like that, totally neglected." The RSPCA statistics will be released next week as part of a survey into rabbit welfare. Here are some of your comments: I think the
estimate of £4k to keep a rabbit is a little on the high side. Like with
any pet, you should always make sure you have a contingency fund for
treating any unforeseen illness, but pellets, hay, treats and veg for my
house bunny cost no more than £20 per month. It's a shame to think of
people deciding against rescuing a rabbit because of the expense. I'm
sure most spend twice that on their mobile phone bills! Taking care
of rabbits isn't that difficult. It requires dedication and work, just
as owning any other animal does. People need to be sure they have 8-15
years to dedicate to caring for a rabbit before they buy one - they are
much longer lived than most realize. Many problems
these days seem to be children thinking a rabbit is cute and fluffy and
small, but they grow and require lots of attention, time and money (much
like the children do!) which kids these days cannot deal with. Whilst
rabbits are small and cute, they aren't cheap. Home visits should be
carried out to ensure rabbits are kept in a suitable environment, much
like with cats and dogs. My sisters have not found caring for their
rabbits to be a burden because of the joy that they bring, and it
disgusts me to think that so many parents have such a flippant attitude
towards their actions. Rabbits are
great pets , IF you are prepared to care for them. I have 2 rescue
rabbits and everyone acknowledges they are mine and not the children's.
The care involved is huge, as much as owning a large dog. they need
daily hygiene, a minimum of 2 hours of exercise, play and entertainment,
some need daily grooming and all rabbits need a varied diet including
mixed fresh vegetables. I have advised many friends that have asked
about rabbit ownership to consider the amount of care involved before
making any purchases, and I try to ensure they understand how many
bunnies need rehoming before they look at the cute bundles of fluff in a
pet shop. I rescued my
pet rabbit, She'd had been locked in a cage 24/7.. She now has a happy
life here with us, she lives in the house with us & makes a great little
pet.. How can people be so cruel? If you have a rabbit make sure the
hutch is big enough & please please make sure they have a decent size
run.. I cant
understand some people. How hard is it to look after a rabbit? we
decided to get my son a rabbit and we got a northumberland dwarf as they
don't grow very big, a little tip for people with a medium sized cage,
also we got a male as they are they are the less aggressive type, and
he's gorgeous. we keep him in a hutch and he is fed twice a day, twice a
week he has a treat of fresh veg, when weather is not too bad we just
let him run about for an hour and he loves and springs about, we
recently had his nails clipped and the vet said he was very healthy, he
now comes to you when you feed him and nuzzles your hand, and do you
know what I find it ten times easier looking after our rabbit than
keeping up with all the housework, so come on people, no excuses!!!!!!!! We took a
rabbit from one of the national pet shop chains as he looked in poor
condition and cowering in a corner. Our rabbit is still very timid, over
2 years on and he has had some severe health problems which means he
cannot live outside, he lives in our house now and has the free run of
the house, in essence, he's a house bunny. If you are going to get a
rabbit, ensure that you can look after them, they need food, water,
fruit and veg every day, plus hay. They need grooming, neutering and
plenty of exercise and attention. We adore our rabbit and he gives us so
much pleasure but they do require a lot of love, care and attention.
Rabbits give so much back but if you can't afford to give them the time
they deserve, please don't buy one and please don't buy one as a
Christmas present. I have 3
rabbits. To give them up or to abandon them is just not a option. It is
hard work looking after the hutches in winter but i still get out there
when its cold and clean them and feed them. In the summer i trim there
nails and let them out for runs. They are the nicest creatures ever. Animal
Cruelty still shocks me every time I hear it. I myself have 2 rabbits, 2
guinea pigs & 2 hamsters and I love them all so much. I was surprised of
how much hard work looking after a rabbit it. There about the same hard
work as a dog. all animals need excersise and a good diet and love and
attention of course. but rabbits have a very sensitive stomach, need at
least 2 hours of love & and affection a day and of course need to be let
out of there cage for a few hours at least! The punishment for animal
cruelty should be firmer. not just a slap on the hand! Yes, I've
rescued a rabbit and i'm waiting to rescue my next one. It's terrible to
read what's happening as rabbits make fantastic pets. All you need is a
bit of space and then watch them run, jump and play. They are so funny
to watch but sticking them in a teeny weeny hutch doesn't let children
(and adults) see their full potential. They're more playful than adult
cats for example. If you want a rabbit get the biggest hutch you can and
a large run and get in there with them - you're kids will be soon like
my 3 year old son - can't get enough! We found a
rabbit in the gutter five years ago. Nobody claimed her so we kept her
but she has cost a considerable amount of money in vet bills over that
time. As much as we like her, a rabbit would not be first on our list of
pets. To throw a rabbit into a hutch and think that that's all the life
it needs is just wrong and cruel, they need a lot more mental
stimulation than that. As for them being a good children's pet, that's a
myth, children will grow bored of them quickly, and rabbits are more
fragile than people believe, serious back injury not being uncommon if
they fall or jump the wrong way. They should not be a disposable
commodity in this disposable society. We've had rabbits in my family for years and we always get them for RSPCA rescue centres. It's beyond me why anyone would pay for one at a pet shop when there are so many who needs homes and might be put down if they don't find one. To buy a pet
without realising what's involved and that you might get bored of it is
sheer idiocy. Get a rabbit because you have compassion towards animals
and rabbits and want it to be part of your family. Don't get it if you
really can't be bothered to pay for it, clean its hutch or let it run
around for a few hours a day. It just causes suffering. As a vet with a large primary and referral caseload in rabbits I see this every day. People get bored of the rabbits very quickly, and haven't researched the costs and keeping of their animals at all. It's sickening to think I only see the ones who are honourable enough to bring their animal to us and admit their failure. If a rabbit is healthy we do what we can to rehome it but it's a losing battle. I regularly see rabbits living to 10 years old, some to 12, and those are the lucky ones. The second commonest cruelty cases I consult for the RSPCA are abandoned rabbits, and we investigate those thoroughly - those we catch are prosecuted. It is heartbreaking to see animals just dumped in the middle of a park with no food or water simply because ignorant people got tired of taking care of them. With housing facilities at breaking point we have to be ruthless about those we keep, and those we have to euthanase. It's disgraceful we're put in that position by those who take on what they cannot care for. The estimate of costs for keeping a rabbit in the article is about right. The other problem is people not feeding their rabbits properly. Hay. Grass. Hay. Grass. That's it. Perhaps a supplement if you want to. "Mixes" and so on will just end up in dental disease, and a lifetime of pain and discomfort, and a huge vets' bill. Think before
you buy. I was given a rabbit about 6 years ago as a gift. To be honest in the first week I wasn't sure if I wanted him as I knew nothing about rabbits and I was bit nervous if he would bite me and from the way he would sprint around the room so fast I just got put off and at night would put him back in the hutch. Six years later I still have him and would never give him away as he is so intelligent, fun and affectionate and crafty I sometimes forget his a rabbit from the way he behaves. He is litter trained and when he knows I have been into the kitchen he comes sprinting towards me as he knows his getting a treat. The bottom
line is although rabbits are not like other animals and don't really
make noise they are very sociable animals and the more time you spend
with them the end results are amazing. Just because they are quiet and
not like a puppy or kitten that doesn't mean people should abuse them in
anyway as they are also very delicate animals. I love my bunny so much I
let him I sleep in a massive indoor cage that I purchased that has ramps
and toys for him. Rabbits get very stressed easily and it is not right
to keep them locked in their hutch for too long. I strongly feel that
people should not be allowed to purchase rabbits or any animal for that
fact if they are going to think of it as a short term interest. Rabbits
are hard work as i know how many times I clean his cage and feed him
because its not humane to let them stay in a dirty cage. Jay jay has
been a really nice experience for me that six years ago I would have
laughed but if you give it a chance and spend time with your rabbit the
rewards you get back are priceless. Rabbits are social animals and so need company. If you are going to keep a Rabbit outdoors in a hutch they should be kept in neutered/spayed pairs for company. The best combination is a male and a female. If kept on their own Rabbits can become very depressed. A hutch should be large enough for the rabbits to stand up on their back legs and have a permanently attached run for exercise. If you are going to keep rabbits with enough attention to their welfare then please bear in mind that they are not cheap pets. The initial set up costs for a pair of rabbits with a suitable hutch, vaccinations, neutering/spaying and food is around £600. If you aren't prepared to spend this sort of money then you really shouldn't buy them because to not provide all they need is cruel. Having said
all that rabbits make excellent pets, we have two which actually live in
the house and give us many hours of pleasure. In case you are wondering
they are very clean and are easily litter trained! I recently took on a rabbit that someone no longer wanted. He was kept in a tiny hutch 24 hours a day and rarely had any water or adequate food. He now has a 7ft enclosure and run of the garden when we are home. I have bonded him with my female and they are totally happy. Rabbits are NOT kids pets. They can be feisty, hard to hold when fully grown and territorial when not neutered. Only get a rabbit if an adult will ultimately be responsible for it. Kids cannot be expected to take sole responsibility for one. Rabbits should not be kept alone, or with a Guinea Pig. They should be neutered, vaccinated, have time spent with them, get regular daily exercise, a good diet including a supply of hay constantly, the list is endless. Please,
please, do not buy a rabbit on a whim without giving it a lot of
thought. Please also do not buy from a pet shop when there are so many
animals in rescue. In 1997 we
found a french lop rabbit that had been dumped and she was most probably
was an unwanted easter bunny that was bought for a kid who grew bored of
her. Many parents sadly give in to temptation and buy rabbits as pets
for their kids on the spare of the moment no thought in their future
care etc, not meaning to be cruel but the children just lose interest
after a while and therefore the poor bunny suffers, locked up in its
cage or even has no food or water. Many cages are way to small that they
sell in pet shops and the poor bunnies who once fitted in them as babies
and then soon row soon outgrow their enclosures and therefore have no
room to move. Thumper was lucky we rescued her and lived a very long and
happy life estimated to be between 9-13 years old, many parents need to
be aware of the costs rabbits can occur in their lifetime which can be
7years or more! and also they need to be aware that they need
vaccinating against deadly diseases such as vhd and myximotosis. BBC News. |
If you
didn't have the children, would you be keen to have the rabbit?
