Do bunnies make good pets?

[Sequoia]

Ever since I saw that photo yesterday someone here posted of the cute bunny with the fat pancake on its head I'm wondering if I should consider a bunny for a pet since my little cat died. That photo is so cute I sent it around and have it as computer wallpaper.

Can you let them hang out with you on the bed and hop around the house or should they always be in a cage? (But what fun would that be.) Can you teach them tricks and to go to the bathroom in a certain place like you can do with a cat? Silly questions, but inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.

[Langis]

1. They are a lot of work

You have to have a cage. They poop all over the place. Those little pellets of poo get really annoying. On the plus side they are really cute. A Cat is much easier to care for.

[frylock]

2. we had a dwarf rabbit when i was a kid..

he would play with the cats, and even used the litter box! He was very affectionate, and would cuddle with you.

[Bertha Venation]

3. my nephew has two, loves 'em

Jake and Graham. Graham was Missy Miss Bunny until Jake came along. Then my nephew learned that Missy Miss was Mr. Man. Mr. Man Graham is actually quite loving, doesn't mind being held, and will cuddle up on occasion.

They're both outdoor bunnies in So. California, where they come into the house during inclement weather only, and roam the well-enclosed backyard the rest of the time.

[CO Liberal]

4. Ask Hugh Hefner!

:-)

[DeathvadeR]

5. ahhhh Furry rabbit george, Furry rabbit.........ahhhhhh

Tell me the story again george... Tell me the story!!!!!

[catzies]

6. I have had two for years. One's 9 and the other's 7.

They live outside in a hutch most of the year, but have come inside (in a temp cage) and run around with the cats. The bunnies are fine with them, and vice versa.

But they chew. And they dig.

I got stuck with them when my daughter grew up and left home and didn't take them with her. I'm stuck with them until death do us part.

[mopinko]

7. no

ok, well, i admit, i don't really think cats make good pets, so as a replacement for a cat, maybe a bunny is not so bad. you can litter box train them, but that's about it. they are notorius chewers.
here is a link- http://www.rabbit.org/
if you do decide to get a bunny, please consider one of the many, many bunnies out there in rescue. there are rabbit only rescues, but even many humane societies and city pounds have bunnies.

[soothsayer]

8. you can litter box train 'em

and let 'em roam around. They can be affectionate. They can also be surprisingly aggressive with people they don't like.

[MattPinNC]

9. Mostly , yes ...

I suggest it would HAVE to be an 'in-house' pet only, with no chance of it bolting through a doorway. -and-

Get it as a teeny-tiny bunny, so you can aclamate (sp) it to it's environment (in-house) and knows its boundries.

We had one for years, and they do cute things. Ours was even potty (litterbox) trained.

Good Luck

[judge_smales]

10. Go with a cat if cute and furry is your thing.

Rabbits need to gnaw, and they will gnaw EVERYTHING they can get their little teeth on. Very annoying. ( Q: "Hon, what wrong with the TV? A: "Oh, Mr. Flopsie chewed through the cord" (Grrrrrrrr!!))

[Hand]

11. Yes...

We've had bunnies for the last twelve years and have loved having these perky animals in our home. They're quite intelligent and communicative, but you should understand that they need as much attention as a dog, and some pretty specialized vet care (finding a bunny-savvy vet is important).

Ours have always been uncaged and use litter boxes (they litter train readily). They definitely need to be spayed or neutered to reduce territoriality, and in the case of females remove the very real danger of uterine cancer. Plus you do not want to produce extra bunnies, cute as the babies are.

IMHO rabbits are not a children's pet--they crave a lot of attention, and with a good diet and vet care, can live eight to twelve years (that's a lot longer than we used to believe). They're great indoor pets, and should not live in outdoor hutches where they're exposed to predators.

If you do get a bunny or two, I'd urge you to adopt from a shelter or fosterer. Like so many pet animals, there are many abandoned bunnies in shelters or foster care waiting for permanent homess.

The best place to look for bunny information is at the House Rabbit Society (!) web site. It's got just about everything you need to know.

The House Rabbit Society

[tlmorris]

12. Rabbits as pets

I have two Netherland Dwarf rabbits. They are smaller than your average rabbit, relatively easy to care for, though not as easy as a cat, and, so far, haven't bitten anyone. I've heard that the bigger rabbits do tend to bite a bit, so you might be careful if you go for the larger ones. You certainly can let your rabbit roam the house. If you decide not to, they need a rather large cage, as they really like to hop. If you let them roam, keep in mind they are very inquisitive, and very fast. They will bite any electrical cord they find, so you will have to "bunny proof" your home. I don't let mine roam; we have three cats and they think of rabbits as 1. toys and 2. dinner. You can litter train rabbits, and they will learn some tricks. They like to throw things and they like to nibble. Make sure they have chew toys, mineral stones and pieces of wood to bite on, rather than your furniture. If you handle them quite often, they will lay on you, like a cat. If they really trust you, they'll fall asleep on you.

Hope this helps. You'll find tons of information on the internet doing Google searches. Good luck, and my sympathies on your loss.

[scucci]

13. I suggest adopting a kitty

I've been owned by rats, bunnies, cats and dogs. Bunnies are more intelligent than most people realize but they poop constantly. Mine were litter trained but when they roamed about the house, I'd find pellets everywhere. If you can put up with that then go get yourself a bunny. They're very sweet if raised well (like all animals/people).
Good luck to you but don't forget about the abandoned kitties! I'm biased, so what?

[democrat in Tallahassee]

14. I love my house bunny. She stays in a big

cage inside while we are at work during the day and then comes out to hop at night while we are home. She was very easy to litter box train; she has a box in her house and one outside her house--I think it took one day to train her.
Bunnies are VERY intelligent and clever and she outsmarts us at every turn (in spite of the five degrees in the house!)
Bunnies need quite of bit of attention--especially lots of head rubbing--they will come and stick their heads under your foot in order to get a head rub.
The only problem is that they do like to chew and you will have to bunny-proof your house. We have all the wires put out of the way. But my bunny ate the top off one of our cloth suitcases and got a tummy ache which required an expensive trip to the vet.
The DO love to eat veggies though so be prepared to go to the produce dept a LOT!
Good luck

[displacedtexan]

15. no hopping around unsupervsed!

they eat wicker furniture, chew up chair legs, and poop randomly as they hop around merrily. they also have heart attacks and die if they hear dogs barking. not a good pet choice, imho.

fish are better; kids understand that they don't live very long.

[Demobrat]

16. My friend has one.

It hops around the house and uses the cat's litter box. Actually, I think it thinks it is a cat.

[SiobhanClancy]

17. They make great pets!

As long as your expectations are realistic,and you are prepared to accomodate their needs.(you could say that about nearly any pet).I've had rabbits for years. As has been said,they are not good pets for small children. You can get coverings for electrical cords,which is a big help. Rabbits will always chew..they have to,or else their front teeth will grow extremely long and they will be unable to eat. Appropriate chewing materials must always be provided. I've never had a problem accomodating their needs,because they are charming and intelligent little companions and well worth the trouble. They wouldn't be the best pet for someone who has little time,and intends to keep them caged all the time. They are active animals,and need to hop and move around.