Growing up I had some friends that were in 4-H, and they had bunnies (or rabbits, which, to me, doesn’t sound as cute). The bunnies lived outside in rabbit hutches; at least that was where I always saw them. The hutches were in the back yard under a big oak tree next to the neighbor’s fence, far away from the house. The bunny homes were made of wood and wire and stood on tall stilts. Being a kid this seemed odd, but I really did not know much about bunnies.
Now, I know the following things about bunnies €“
- With some minimal preparation, they make great family Pets!
- With proper nutrition, good health care and a healthy home environment, bunnies can live as long as some cats and dogs. Living outdoors in a hutch and being exposed to all the elements and predators could potentially cut several years off their life expectancy as well as make for a frightening experience when you consider how many roaming neighborhood Pets and wild birds there are.
- Bunnies can and should be spayed and neutered to avoid unwanted pregnancy. When I was a kid, the strategy to avoid unwanted baby bunnies was to house males and females in separate hutches. Spayed and neutered bunnies are less likely to mark their territory with urine or by dropping pellets, which is a great benefit! Additionally spaying and neutering prevents infections and diseases associated with the reproductive tract.
- Caring for a bunny is similar to having a dog or cat€”they require time, attention and just as with dogs and cats, need food, shelter, love, training, toys, medical care and other preventive care.
- Litter box training for bunnies is possible, TOO! Who would have thought such a thing for a bunny?
- As part of their natural instinct, bunnies chew everything in sight including electric cords so Pet-proofing a home and constant supervision is a must!
- Bunnies can injure or paralyze their back if their rear legs are not supported while being held or sitting on a slick surface, which is unnatural for them. Knowing how to properly hold a bunny can prevent accidental back injuries, especially when bunnies kick back their legs.
- Animal shelters often have bunnies waiting for adoption that came from homes and families no longer able to provide them with care. Read more about adopting a bunny here.
- Bunnies may not be compatible with other Pets already in your home, especially if your bunny has occasional or continual free roam of its environment.
For additional tips about rabbit care, here are a few good resources from www.hsus.org:
Understanding Pet Rabbits, Video
If adopting a bunny sounds intriguing and you’re up for the responsibilities of caring for a bunny, it will be helpful to do some research before you bring home your bunny. Your Banfield veterinary team, humane society and local shelter will often have tips on training, nutrition, healthcare, housing, grooming and even litter box training techniques. Then it’s just a matter of picking up your supplies, Pet-proofing the areas your bunny can investigate (with your supervision), introducing other Pets slowly to reduce stress on your bunny and enjoying a great family Pet. Good Luck!
