Do Rabbits Make Good House Pets?
August 3, 2018
Rabbits make the most adorable, affectionate, funny little pets and many are finding their way into city homes as an affordable and more manageable alternative to cats and dogs. You don’t need a dog walker for a rabbit!
With so many restrictions surrounding dogs and cats in apartment buildings and condominiums, many residents desperate for the companionship of a pet will opt for a rabbit instead. But there are many things you need to know before you commit to a bunny.
Here’s what you need to know about pet rabbits:
Rabbits need lots of space
A hutch or cage is fine for only a part of the day, i.e. - sleeping. A rabbit needs to run and jump and stand up on his hind legs to get a better view of things. So make sure they have a run, a pen or an area in your home where they can stretch and frolic about.
Rabbits don’t like hot temperatures or humidity
Rabbits love to be part of the action going on in the house, so place their hutch in a dry, cool place out of the sun where the family hang out and let them run around. You’ll soon see how awesome a pet rabbit can be!
Rabbits can be toilet trained
If you’re worried about your rabbit when he’s funning about loose in the house, set up a toilet area for him with a litter box lined in newspaper and straw on top. If you show him the litter box, he should eventually get the message and use it all the time. Rabbits are clean animals that way.
Rabbit-proof your home
A toasty bunny is no laughing matter if your rabbit accidentally chews through some electrical wires. Rabbits love to chew and will wrap their teeth around just about anything so make sure they have no access to electricals, plants, cleaning supplies and other toxic chemicals, etc. Give them plenty of healthy things to chew. Here are a few suggestions according to the House Rabbit Society:
- Apple, willow, aspen branches
- Hay
- Pine firewood
- Cotton towels
- Untreated fresh pine lumber attached to cage so it doesn’t move
- Basket with hay in it; let the bun chew the basket as well as the hay
- Compressed alfalfa cubes
You can also visit your local pet store and check out all the chew toys for rabbits as a treat for his birthday or for just being incredibly cute!
Sounds like a rabbit might just make the perfect roommate. Just remember: house rabbits can live up to 7-10 years. Are you ready for that kind of commitment?
Photo by: Simon Dooley - DSC_3434