Is a Rabbit the Right Pet for Me?

When looking for a pet, many people consider rabbits. They are adorable, sociable, easy to obtain, and can even be litter trained. It’s easy to be tempted into getting a rabbit without giving it much thought, but it’s important to realise that they are actually high-maintenance pets. So, what are some points to keep in mind when deciding if a rabbit is the right pet for your family?

Quiet Companions

Rabbits are naturally quiet animals. This makes them suitable companions for apartment living as it ensures they won’t disturb neighbours. This makes them also suitable pets if you live a more quiet lifestyle.?

House Trained

Rabbits can be house-trained by teaching them to use a litter box, making them a suitable indoor pet. They don’t require outdoor walks like dogs do, and as a result caring for a rabbit is less physically demanding when it comes to their toilet needs. When getting a pet rabbit in the UAE, they will need to be kept indoors most of the time, as they will not be able to cope well with the heat.

No Smell and Clean

Rabbits are naturally clean animals and do not need to be bathed. They also have little to no body odor, except for their urine. Their lack of scent is thought to have originated from being a prey animal in the wild, where it helps them evade predators.

Shedding and Messiness

While rabbits are naturally clean animals that rarely need baths, they can still be quite messy. Rabbits shed a lot, even those with short hair, so their fur will end up everywhere. And while they can be litter trained, they still tend to be messy when it comes to scattering hay around.??

Descent lifespan

While many small pets have relatively short lifespans, rabbits can live an average of 8 to 12 years with proper care. This makes them a long-term commitment.

Social and Affectionate Pets

Rabbits are highly social animals that enjoy interaction and companionship. They thrive when kept as indoor pets, surrounded by their human family. Due to their natural prey instincts, they may take time to bond, but once they do, most rabbits become incredibly loving and affectionate. Rabbits should also be kept in pairs to prevent boredom and loneliness.?

Affection and Handling

While most rabbits are sociable, they typically don’t enjoy being held, carried, or tightly cuddled. They are delicate animals and can easily injure themselves, with their fragile bones being prone to breaks. In fact, their strong legs can cause serious harm if they struggle to escape, and they can even break their own backs. Because of this, rabbits are often less suitable for younger children and require gentle, careful handling to prevent injury.

Chewing

A rabbit’s teeth keep growing throughout their life, so they have a natural need to chew to keep them at a right length. While they will chew on appropriate materials you provide, they are also likely to target household items like furniture and baseboards. Chewing is a natural instinct, and not something that can be easily unlearned. Providing safe chew toys and materials is essential to protect your home and keep your rabbit healthy, but be prepared for chewing damage that might happen.

Complicated and Expensive Diet (When Done Right)

A rabbit’s diet should be primarily made up of high-quality hay or grass—around 85 to 90% of their daily intake. In addition to hay or grass, rabbits should be given approximately 2 cups (about 10% of their diet) of mixed fresh vegetables and herbs each day. Suitable options include broccoli, bell peppers, kale, basil, carrot tops, cilantro, tarragon, dill, watercress, parsley, rosemary, oregano, celery, zucchini, lettuce, and cabbage. Fruits like apples and carrots can be given as occasional treats in small amounts, as they are high in sugar.

Commercial rabbit pellets or nuggets should only make up about 5% of their daily food intake (roughly 25g per kilogram of your rabbit’s weight). Avoid overfilling the food bowl, as it may discourage them from eating enough hay. It’s best to avoid muesli-style rabbit food, as it can lead to digestive and dental problems.

Conclusion

While many believe rabbits are low-maintenance pets, it’s quite the opposite if they are cared for like they should, and they actually require a lot of specialised care and attention. But if they fit your lifestyle, they can be amazing pets.?If you would like to know more about taking care of pet rabbits, have a look at our article describing their basic care needs.

If you would like more information about our bunny sitting service, feel free to send us a message. We will be happy to help.