When many people decide to get a pet, the follow up question is usually: ‘Cat or dog?’ However, one type of pet that people tend to overlook is rabbits, when in fact, they’re one of the best furry friends you could ask for. Depending on who you are and what your lifestyle is, a rabbit could be the perfect pet.
When it comes to rabbit ownership, the level of commitment needed is much lower than with other pets. They can be as cuddly and interactive as a dog, but you don’t need to take them out for walks. And they can have as much personality as a cat, minus the bursts of extreme energy that so many cats are prone to. In short, rabbits are a happy medium between many of the most popular pets and might be a great choice for your home. Here are nine good reasons why bunnies make great pets.
1. They’re quiet creatures
Contrary to dogs or particularly vocal cats, rabbits are very quiet animals. They make the occasional sound, but by and large, they’re not much for making noise. This is perfect for people with various needs when it comes to having a pet.
For those living in a small home, noise is a very important factor to consider when choosing a pet. Many people can’t handle noisy animals in their own home, or they don’t want to risk being woken up in the middle of the night by a restless animal. The good news is that rabbits are some of the most soft-spoken pets out there, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking for peace and quiet.
2. Bunnies are full of character
Just like with larger pets, every rabbit is a little different in their personality. Some are full of energy and love to play, and others are a little more on the shy side, and prefer relaxing. This is why it’s a great idea to take some time with a rabbit before adopting them and ensure their personality is a good fit for yours.
If you’re a more low-key individual, a laid-back rabbit might be the best choice for you. If you’re a high energy person with lots of time to play with a pet, you’ll want a rabbit that’s a little more excitable. No matter what the personality of your rabbit, you’ll find that all of them are very affectionate and love to interact with people and the world around them in their own special way.
3. They’re easy to train
One of the lesser-known facts about rabbits is just how easy it is to train one. Not only are rabbits fairly quick to learn to use a litter-box, they’re also fully capable of doing tricks, running mazes, and completing obstacle courses. There’s no special method of training that’s specific to rabbits; you can actually train them with most of the same principles you’d use to train a dog. Typically, all it takes is a few minutes of training a day, along with some positive reinforcement.
4. Rabbits are space-effective pets
This is another great advantage of rabbits for people in smaller homes. They’ll be more than happy to spend time in a small to medium-sized crate, and just need a bunny-proof area to run around, stretch their legs, eat, drink, and use the litter box. Beyond that, how far you want to go with your bunny’s area is up to you.
5. Rabbits form strong bonds
Rabbits are intelligent and emotionally complex creatures. Any rabbit owner will tell you that their bunnies form as strong a connection with them as any cat or dog. Rabbits learn to recognize their person by sight, sound, and smell; some of them even respond to their name! It’s also not uncommon for a rabbit to follow their person around the house, and lots of them like to cuddle as well.
6. There’s a breed of bunny for everyone
There are more than fifty unique breeds of rabbit, and they truly come in every shape, size, and colour. From the truly enormous Flemish giant rabbit, all the way down to the tiniest dwarf breeds, there’s a type of rabbit for everyone. Just make sure to do your research when considering adopting a rabbit of a certain breed, as they often have different temperaments and personality traits.
7. There are many rabbits in need of rescue
We often encourage people looking for pets to rescue and adopt their animals from a shelter wherever possible. Sadly, rabbits are also often abandoned, and there’s typically always at least a handful of them in need of rescue and a loving home. Do your research and see if there’s a rabbit in need before buying one from a breeder or pet store.
8. Rabbits live long lives
Considering their size, rabbits tend to live surprisingly long lives. Rabbits will live, on average, about seven to ten years, some get even older. When taking in a pet, it’s comforting to know that you’ll have a long time to share together, and this is especially true for rabbits.
9. They’re (generally) clean pets!
Admittedly, bunnies aren’t the cleanest pets when they haven’t been litter-box trained. However, if you can get through the initial messy period and train their behaviour, you’ll find that they’re generally very tidy creatures. Beyond a litter box area, you’ll also want to supply their sleeping area with absorbent, dry bedding in case of urine. Additionally, rabbits like to keep themselves clean and will usually groom often enough to be self-sufficient. Depending on the breed of your rabbit, you may need to give them a brush from time to time to prevent any tangling or matting of their coats, but aside from that, they like to keep things fairly clean.
If you’re beginning to warm up to the idea of owning a rabbit, that’s great! They’re some of the most wonderful animals you could ask to have in your home. If you’re considering adopting a rabbit, you’re looking for more guidance on how to raise, train, and care for your bunny, or you’re looking for a veterinarian to care for your new pet, contact us or book an appointment with our rabbit vet. We’re happy to help answer any questions you might have about rabbits, and we’d love to meet yours!
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