Looking for an animal
friend to add to your life? Snakes too slithery? Fish too tank-bound? Cats,
dogs, birds just not what you’re looking for? Well maybe a house rabbit is right
for you?! All creatures have their endearing and not so easy to deal with
qualities. Before bringing any pets into your home it is vital that you do the
research and consider if that particular creature is a good fit for you and your
family. We hope that you will consider our top 5 reasons why we think rabbits
make great pets because you may just be
ready for a rabbit!
Number
1: No barking, hissing or squawking
House rabbits are very
quiet animals to share your life with. Aside from a gentle clicking of the
teeth when happy or a low grunt when irritated, rabbits are virtually noiseless
pets. There are a variety of
bunny body language signals that house rabbits use to let you know how they
are doing and even what they want. For example, if your rabbit bows her/his
head down and lies low to the ground, chances are good your bunny is presenting
and wants to be stroked.
Number
2: Bunnies can be very affectionate and personable
When treated with respect
and care, most house rabbits show their love in clear ways. A happy bunny will
give you soft licks akin to kisses. They will also indicate if they are angry or
feel threatened. Of course, each house rabbit’s personality is different. Be
sure to research
breed temperament tendencies and if possible, spend time with the rabbit
before adoption. Once home, a close bond can be encouraged between family
members and the bunny by providing plenty of social time. Rabbits need at least
2-3 hours a day out of their cages or pens and they tend to like to be around
others, especially during those peak activity times of day.
Number
3: Rabbits are Earth-friendly pets
Whether it’s sharing a
salad with your bunny or using her/his waste and litter to enrich your compost
heap, house rabbits are a great complement to a sustainable lifestyle. Rabbits
are vegetarians and can easily share the abundance of your garden or purchased
produce. There are many
diet choices you can make for your bunny rabbit. However, it is vital that
you feed him/her mainly fresh hays and green vegetables with quality pellets as
well. Recycling with your rabbit can happen in countless ways: Providing your
bunny with cardboard tubes as toys, using clean old towels for his/her cage or
pen, or even purchasing litter made from recycled paper are just a few everyday
examples.
Number
4: Compatible companions with your other pets
Contrary to what you might
think, with careful training and gradual introductions, your house rabbit can
coexist peacefully with other pets. Careful consideration needs to be taken
when bringing a bunny into a home already inhabited by other pets. For example,
if your dog is a hunting breed—e.g. beagle—and has been trained to emphasize
those breed tendencies, perhaps a house rabbit is not an ideal match. However,
in most cases, other pets can be trained to treat your bunny with respect and
they may even become buddies! Taking a slow, gradual and consistent approach
when
introducing other pets will help all of the animals in your family
understand how to live harmoniously together.
Number
5: Bunnies are just plain fun!
One reason why house
rabbits are so unique is how playful and personable they can be. Especially
during their most active hours—early morning and early evening—don’t be
surprised to find a happy bunny racing and leaping about your home providing
just about the best entertainment a pet can offer! Yes, providing proper care
can be a lot of work and deciding to adopt a house rabbit in the first place
should never be taken lightly. But one ticklish lick from a nose-twitching
lagomorph (aka rabbit) and we think you’ll agree that house rabbits may just be
the best pet you’ve ever shared your life with!
