A Rabbit is a Ten Year Commitment!

As Christmas draws closer you may be seeing more ads in the paper advertising 'cute baby bunnies just in time for Christmas!'. Now granted baby bunnies are absolutely adorable, but there are several things wrong with those advertisements. Rabbits do not stay babies forever and soon after they become adolescents they will no longer be cuddly, they will be hormonal, and will not have that much interest in sitting calmly in a cage. This is the stage where inexperienced rabbit owners will throw in the towel either leaving the rabbit in a hutch, bringing them to a shelter, or in the worst case scenario dumping them outside. The breeders rarely give out correct information and few will take back a rabbit that is no longer wanted. If you want a rabbit it is best to consider getting one from a local shelter as they will provide you with correct information regarding the care of your rabbit and most will take a rabbit back.

No matter where you get a rabbit from you should be prepared to

• Take care of him/her for at least ten years, rabbits can live up to fourteen.
• Neuter/Spay your rabbit. This will stop unwanted babies, cut down on hormones, decrease the chance of uterine cancer by almost 100%, and allow your rabbit to have a bond-mate.
• If you live in Europe or Australia you will need to have your rabbit vaccinated.
• Pay for any medical expenses that come up.
• Feed your rabbit the proper food.
• Brush them at least once a week, more during shedding season.
• Bond them to another rabbit if they have workable temperaments.
• Keep him/her indoors in comfortable, clean, roomy housing.
• Provide emotional enrichment.
• Spend at least three hours a day with them.

If the above list is too much to ask, then you should reconsider getting a rabbit. A rabbit who is not provided with those things will suffer from depression, cage aggression, varying medical problems, and more.

Now have a picture of two happy, much loved bunnies!