Thinking About Getting a Bunny? Tips and Hints to Help You Make an Informed Decision

July 26, 2016

There’s no denying the fact that bunnies are just plain adorable. But if you are thinking about getting one as a pet, you will want to base your decision on more than just its cuteness-factor. Like any other animal, bunnies come with their own set of “rules” that should be followed to have a successful relationship with your new furry pal. To help you make an informed decision as to whether a pet rabbit is right for you and your family, here are some helpful tips and hints.

Bunny Costs

Many people may believe that a bunny is a lower-maintenance pet that may be “cheap” to keep. According to the experts at My House Rabbit your initial expense for this type of pet can run you around $350. This includes the cost of a quality cage, a puppy pen for those out of cage times, litter box, hay feeder, food dishes, nail clippers, cord protectors if you plan on letting your bunny roam free in your home, and of course the bunny adoption fee itself. In addition, you may have to pay for your bunny to be spayed or neutered (highly recommended) if it is not already done.

Housing Your Bunny

Rabbits are very social animals, so considering the ideal location for your bunny’s habitat is extremely important. You will want to have it in a place where your bunny will feel relaxed, but not so secluded that it isn’t a part of the family. Also avoid direct sunlight or areas of your home that are drafty. These climate extremes can be detrimental to your pet’s health and well being.

Bunny Proofing Your Home

Keeping a pet bunny stuck in a tiny cage day-in and day-out is not really fair to this active creature. For this reason many pet parents will give their bunnies free range in their homes. However, this isn’t as simple as opening the cage door and letting Fluffy free. To bunny-proof your home you will have to cover the electrical cords to prevent them from being chewed, cover the baseboards, block off areas to keep your pet in one room and also put away houseplants that can be toxic to your pet. Bunny proofing your home is not only a practical practice, it is paramount for keeping your rabbit safe and your household items protected.

Bunny Fun

A bored bunny can become a destructive bunny. For this reason offer your pet a variety of cardboard items to chew on. This can include old phone books, cardboard boxes and paper towel and toilet paper rolls, as well as those toys specifically designed for rabbits that can be found at your local pet retailer.

Bunny Nutrition

It’s not a good practice to only feed your rabbit a commercial diet. Even though a high quality prepackaged food is a good base, you will need to supplement your pet with fresh veggies, hay and enough fiber to keep your bunny from becoming constipated.

Bunny and Child

Bunnies can live up to 10 years-of-age. Keep this in mind if you are purchasing a rabbit for a child. Will he or she still have interest in it when they are in their late teens? Most likely the answer will be no. For this reason an adult should always be the prime caretaker in a pet bunny’s life. In addition, some rabbits do not like to be handled and even if they do, young children may have difficulty holding onto a rabbit properly. Before you embark on a bunny for a child, be sure he or she is mature enough to handle all the particulars that comes with this type of pet.

Are You Ready for a Bunny?

Now that you’ve caught a glimpse into bunny parenting, are you ready for one of these lively pets? If you believe you and your family are, than look to your local shelter or a reputable bunny breeder for your new furry friend. Getting a healthy and well adjusted rabbit will make all the difference in the experience you have with these awesome animals.