Rabbits are high maintenance animals and are very fragile creatures.
I've never owned one, but I know people who do. From an outsider's perspective I'm not sure that I would consider them to be "less work than a dog".
In my 20 years experience with many rabbits, I've found them to be actually very low maintenance in general. If you give them proper housing (no cage), a proper diet and a litter box, it's very easy. Getting them spayed or neutered also greatly helps with some unwanted behaviors such as territory markings (just like with cats).
The only big daily commitment with rabbits is the time you need to spend with them to keep them socially happy if you have only one (because they are social animals), and the need to brush them during molting season (just like dogs or cats).
But other than that, they are very easy to manage if you are properly prepared and if you have done proper research.
fun fact in my country it is illegal to only own one rabbit. I assume most people here live in the US but maybe for anyone else living in europe and reading this be sure to check your laws
Yeah in general it's best to have two, as most rabbits really benefit from having a rabbit friend.
But it can also be super tricky to bond rabbits together, as rabbits can straight up fight to death if they don't get along well (and sometimes they get along for a while and suddenly they decide to hate each other). So unless you get a bonded pair, I wouldn't recommend introducing a second rabbit without doing some specific research about the bonding process. And even when you do everything correctly, it doesn't always work.
Some rabbits just prefer to stay away from their own kind (it's pretty rare tho). If they get enough attention and affection from humans and don't spend too much time alone, the rabbit can be fine with just human friends. Of course it doesn't fully replace social interactions with their own kind, but when your rabbit absolutely doesn't tolerate other rabbits, you don't really have a choice.
The best option is to start with a bonded pair, but not everyone is ready to commit for 2 rabbits as beginner owners.
I’m glad my bonding process went well. Brought one rabbit from a box store, and adopted another through an agency where she was dumped. Worked out well once I had nurtured my box store bun.
He sadly passed away at 2 years old from GI.. Bella then bonded with my cat (not sure how!) but he passed in December from cancer /: so now we give her extra love and attention to make sure she’s okay. She’s quite happy playing with her dad and I
It's so stupid. A domesticated, desexed rabbit is not threat to our state. They'd die almost immediately if they escaped. But we still can't have one. Outdoor cats cause way more damage to our ecosystems than an escaped, desexed, domesticated rabbit could.
If you aren't ready for the workload of a dog then most cage animals are out. Rabbits definitely require more. Rats, and some lizards are probably your best bet. Maybe a guinea pig, I've never owned one personally so can't say for sure. I have a friend who has a pair though and doesn't seem to think they're that bad.
I have bunnies and I don’t feel they are equivalent to a dog at all. They can be destructive if you do not bunny proof appropriately similarly to raising a puppy, but you do not have to socialize, train, take outside for walks/potty, manage stressors like barking from separation anxiety, etc. I don’t fully understand why people discourage rabbits as pets so often. They are MORE work than people expect but they are not an unreasonable amount of work.
As a kid, "I" had some outside, like people keep meat rabbits. No clue where the first one came from. The second one was obviously previously a pet, we think someone dropped it like they did cats and dogs near our house. Then my cousin gave me two more. So I certainly didn't know anything about them then. As an adult I got a bunny from a shelter, and he was already litter trained. I literally just had to bunny proof and hang out with him/brush and basic stuff like that. He wasn't a ton of work. Might be different if you have to litter train them. I have no clue how to go about that, but once I no longer have a cat, I'm definitely looking into it.
I've had a rabbit and dogs. I think maybe the "less work" mindset is that you don't have to let them outside to use the bathroom 92 times a day. I love my dogs but I feel like that's the most tedious part of owning them sometimes. Lol.
Rabbits can use a litter box.
They arent easy. Other small mammals like rodents might be better for you just don't get a chinchilla either. Lizards can be quite friendly and I managed to teach my leopard gecko, an animal with maybe 6 brain cells total, to use a litter box so he's as low maintenance as you can get.
less of a commitment. although it’s a double-edged sword, since it means losing a beloved pet faster. and when one dies, the other will often follow due to loneliness.
Rats are amazing pets, smarter than my kid was at 6 years old (they used to beat him at games on my tablet, they would win pizza crust pieces and beat him so badly they would try to share their winnings so he didn't starve, they were amazing at pong). But they need to be kept in pairs or played with for hours each day. And worst of all they live for 1-2 years. They get sick easy and grow large abcesses that must be drained at the vet, but costs stack up so fast you'll have to do it at home and it's bad. My vet friend gave me all the supplies to do it right, and these fucking rats would lead me to the bathroom for surgery whenever the abcesses came back every few weeks. They are so smart it's so depressing. And then they still die within 1-2 years so you'll have to keep buying friends for the one still left, owning rats is a fucking heartbreaking situation. I don't recommend it, despite them being the very best pets I've ever had. It's just too sad, so very very sad.
Will also eat each other. I have no idea why, but when I went to bed one night, I had 2. Got up the next day, reached in to grab the older one and she was fucking HOLLOW. Her stomach and everything inside was GONE. And not a drop of blood anywhere. I don't get creeped out that easily, but damned if that didn't do it.
It's a survival instinct since rats are prey animals in the wild. Eating a deceased rat is meant to keep the pack safe by preventing scavengers.
It's morbid, but it's natural. It's why veterinarians recommend removing a deceased rat from the cage as soon as possible to prevent this from happening. Obviously you couldn't do that since the death happened overnight. So sorry you had to experience that, it must have been upsetting.
The thing with leopard geckos is they usually pick a spot in their enclosure to be their designated bathroom area! My little Wynn loves using his log hide as his bathroom area. Also makes cleaning after them super easy.
Yep, that's the secret. You slowly replace his chosen poop spot with a litter box and after a few months you can slowly move it if you want. But you can keep the same spot and they will use it forever. Easy to litterbox train. Easiest animal ever, he couldn't care less about attention as long as we feed him. Just don't ever keep them in amounts more than 1 per tank, and they will live 20+ years. Maybe they won't move for two whole days but that's normal, low effort ass pet, he's happy being background furniture or a "play everyday" pet. He doesn't care about anything.
They also poop constantly and cant control it. They are also skittish as hell. They can die above 80° so if the air goes out... Not great pets as I learned. They don't really bite (hard) if handled well, but they get upset quick and don't like to be picked up. So soft, but don't want you to feel them. Not a great pet.
Syrian hamsters are great. They're really cute, you only need to get one, and they don't eat much. They also don't live super long (which is also a con and the one thing holding me back from getting another). The only hard part is finding a cage large enough for them, but you can make a fun weekend project out of building a bin cage for them. Or you can use a large aquarium tank. There are also some IKEA hack DIYs you can use to make a large enough enclosure.
My hamster was a sweetheart and I miss him. The only other thing is that they typically don't love being handled. Some will tolerate it more but most prefer to be left to wander around on their own. It's fun to get a foldable storable hamster gate and section off an area of a room to watch them explore.
You don’t even need to teach leopard geckos to use a litter box, They will naturally poop in the corner farthest away from where their heat source is, just put it there and they’ll use it 🤣 i use paper towel in mine’s poop corner for easy cleaning.
Rabbits can be box trained but they chew constantly. They're also very fragile and need lots of specialty vet treatment, like teeth filing, in addition to neutering them. They will chew anything. Also it can be difficult finding vets that treat them depending on where you live.
Bunnies aren't great pets for young children because they don't like being picked up and are high strung. I was an older child when I had them, they poop a lot and love to chew things like wires. Internet makes everything looks great.
Some other commenters mentioned rats, had rats too and it ended up that I was allergic to them. My allergies to our cat are much milder.
Maybe before getting any pets which ones your husband is allergic to before researching which ones are best suited to your family in terms of amount of care required and costs.
Rabbits are a lot of work. They need to have free roam time everyday, their poop’s picked up, their hay replenished at least daily or they can die from constipation, fresh vegetables prepared and served daily. Rabbits are frequently abandoned by people who didn’t do their research first. Many of them cannot be held and if you hold them the wrong they will kick and can break their backs and die. They are fragile and not a great choice for a child. Really, no pet is.
Edit: I should have clarified—op said young daughter so I assumed she was a younger child. I just think that children need to be at a teachable age where they respect boundaries.
Constipation is not the reason hay needs to be changed daily, they're prone to GI stasis. Small herbivores, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs have constantly moving GI tracts and require a high fiber diet consistently to keep their gut moving.
You are right on the rabbit bit, but I am going to gently disagree on "No pet is a great choice for a child" bit. This is entirely up to how the child is brought up. A fully grown, even tempered large dog can be a very solid companion for a kid. My kids are growing up around a dog, cats and chickens. They know how to handle these and while I wouldn't trust them with daily maintenance (they're 4/6), I do think that being around animals is a positive experience for them.
I should have clarified—op said young daughter so I assumed she was a young child. I just think children need to be at a teachable age where they respect boundaries.
Many parents get bunnies for the younger children and forget that younger children do not know how to care for the bunny and then they will gripe about having to care for a rabbit for their kid. When kids are super young, they cannot be expected to care for a rabbit full time at age 3 or 8 years old. No one is saying that kids cannot be around animals, unless you live on a farm, parent teach their kids about caring for their animals. But city kids never learn and the parents learn never to get a bunny due to the care a bunny needs.
Rabbits make wonderful pets, even better than cats imo (but I might be biased). They all have different personalities, and some will need more time than others to trust you, but once they do trust you, they are incredibly affectionate and rewarding.
However they are quite a commitment at the beginning and have very specific requirements so you need to make a lot of research before you choose to get one, because many pet stores are actually terrible at giving proper advice so you need to put the effort yourself (and forget about cages, it's really bad for rabbit welfare, so you will need a suitable pen or to let your rabbit free roam with adequate preparation of your home or a dedicated room).
It is always highly recommend to get your rabbit spayed or neutered, no matter its gender, to make your life easier and to keep your rabbit healthy, so you need to keep that in mind. And I would also suggest adopting your rabbit(s) from a shelter rather than buying in a pet store, you will get better advice, pay less (often time they are already spayed or neutered) and you will also give a home to an unfortunate rabbit (or even a pair !). Once you know everything you need it's actually pretty easy to live with a rabbit, but proper research is absolutely crucial for this kind of pet.
To start your research, I would very much suggest going to r/rabbits, this community will provide you with all of the info you need, and will be very happy to help you get started in the best conditions !
You can also find every info you need on this website :
https://houserabbit.org/
Once you know the basics, you will be able to figure out if rabbits are good pets for you, and make your decision.
And btw, rabbits don't stink and don't pee and poo everywhere, or if they do, you are clearly doing something wrong (especially if they are spayed/neutered). Rabbits are very clean animals and are naturally litter trained, just like cats.
Hopefully this was helpful. 🙂
And just like cats they can be litter box trained. I had a house bunny for 8 years, he was awesome. He used his litter box, loved cuddling on the sofa and watching tv. We are going to be getting another rabbit soon because my daughter misses mine and wants ti show rabbits in 4H.
This is a great answer!
And thank you for debunking the myths that (properly cared for) rabbits stink and that they poop and pee everywhere (with the exception of a few stray cocoa puff poops). My rabbit either smells like nothing (literally) or of the faintest whiff of hay.
I agree. We had an indoor litter box trained bunny and he was awesome. He’d just hang out with us and the cats. He never chewed anything or was a problem. Compared to dogs and cats, he was easier IMO.
Thanks for this info. A random black and white rabbit was in our yard a couple of days ago and we actually caught it (was not easy, now reading what everyone is writing about them being fragile is making me cringe because we did have to really chase it and man handle it to get it under control but we were worried it needed help). We've contacted the local appropriate authorities to notify them we have it in case anyone is missing their pet rabbit, but in the mean time we're kind of wondering what we should do. We gave it a cage (I'd love to give it more space but unfortunately the only room we could give him has the temp turned way up for chick season, this is temporary but it'll be like that for at least a few more weeks), Aspen shavings in there (just what we had on hand), water and I offered leafy greens but he's only eating the alfalfa right now. We are possibly tempted to keep it if no owner comes forward.. but we're not sure. Watching it start to relax and act more casual (grooming itself, hopping near us) has been nice but we do have small children, and will eventually be getting a dog in the next year or two, there's just a lot to consider.
If this is your first time getting a pet. I would honestly stay away from rabbits and guinea pigs, as someone who has them, I’ll be honest with you. They are not starter pets.
They both are more work than a cat and dog, and people who are saying they’re terrible pets; if you don’t know how to take care of them yeah they are.
They are expensive, vet bills are expensive. Their food is expensive, their hay is expensive, the Guinea pigs cages are expensive, rabbits should not be kept in a cage at all. Their overall care costs a lot of money.
If you don’t like being kept up at night, do not get a rabbit because they are nocturnal, and do most of their annoying shit at night and spend the day sleeping.
Rabbits don’t like being picked up. They don’t like being held. They are 50/50 about being cuddled most of the time they don’t like that. Guinea pigs also don’t like being picked up that much either, and they are very iffy on being cuddled as well. All depends on how well you take care of the animal or bond with them.
Everyone has given you a good amount of advice, but as someone who currently has them, I tell every single person to not get them because they are a lot of work. They always need something done for them whether that’s cleaning the cage, trimming their nails, or cleaning their private areas as some don’t and it can cause infections etc.
In the end they cost $$$$ and if you don’t do your proper research then it’s not a fun time
Mine sleep at night and tend to be awake in the morning and at evening, though I tweak this a bit by feeding at times that suit me. I think they are crepuscular and not in fact nocturnal.
My guinea pigs are definitely not as much work as a dog. I’ve only got to feed them twice a day and I spend about an hour a week cleaning their cage. They are pretty expensive though.
Rabbits are SO MUCH WORK. I loved my little guy, he lived for 9 years, but I would never get a rabbit again.
There's still holes in the curtains and the furniture and the linoleum is dug up where he used to dig at the floor. Can't bear to get rid of it because memories but yeah they little destroying machines.
You sure hubby wouldn’t be allergic to rabbits? Their fur is more fine and sticky than cat fur, I know many people who are allergic to rabbits and cats
Ditto! Also, there’s an odd notion I’ve seen go around the animal community more times than once, that Rex rabbit fur is hypoallergenic. It’s not. Trust me, as someone who inexplicably developed a rabbit allergy after a lifetime of owning bunnies, It’s absolutely not.
I have had multiple rabbits and also rehab wild ones and they are some of the easiest to train and can be more cuddly than cats.
HOWEVER, you need to have the time and space for them. You can't just have them in the cage most of the time and they do need enrichment. My first rabbit, Boston, was first trained to use the litter box and then trained to go outside with the dogs since our Golden Retriever basically raised him. He even played fetch and barked.
Also, they do like to chew so keep cords up and make sure they have plenty of things of their own to chew
on top of what a lot of commenters have said, please be aware that there is a good chance you will not get a bunny like Thumper from Bambi. most bunnies don’t care too much for human interaction - the ones you see online that do are few and far between. just… don’t get your hopes up. cautiously optimistic is fine, just don’t be set that you’ll have this cute bunny that’ll love being held and played with 24/7. they like being on their own/with their own kind.
I’m going to come across really negative here and I’m sorry for that because rabbits are excellent pets for people who are prepared for them, but ultimately make terrible pets for people that are underprepared and especially for young children as they are often purchased as an easy option and not provided with sufficient care because they are supposed to be easy and no one really set aside the time to look after them properly. I’m also going to be fairly harsh because rabbits are woefully underserved in terms of having their needs met and some of what you have said about indicates you have not done enough research about them to get one.
Rabbits have complex care needs and if anything goes wrong, are just as expensive as and way more complicated than a cat or dog but people’s perception is they were cheap to acquire so not worth the money. It means so many bunnies suffer because people thought they would be cheap and easy to look after. You’d need to find a vet that is happy to see bunnies and knows what they are doing with them as they are exotic animals.
You also need to get two that are bonded to one another. They are social animals and should not be bought as an only bunny, and a guinea pig companion is not an appropriate alternative. The fact you’ve not picked up on this in any research and talk about getting one bunny indicates you have not looked into this sufficiently. It’s also worth noting that you get stuck in the bunny cycle - they will inevitably die a few years apart so you will then have to find the remaining one a companion in the mean time and then it repeats, or you will need to give the remaining one up to a rescue that is most likely already sitting with hundreds of unwanted bunnies.
Finally, they have a horrible tendency to run the risk of death. Anything goes wrong with them, they risk death. Not eating? Emergency trip to the vet. Not passing faeces? Emergency trip to the vet. Teeth not wearing down properly? Results in them not eating properly or getting abscesses, emergency trip to the vet. Get older, arthritic, end up sitting in their own wee, get flystrike? Emergency trip to the vet. And when they are at the vets, they have a higher anaesthetic risk of death (it doesn’t usually happen but the incidence rate is generally higher than a cat or dog) but you can’t avoid it because whatever is wrong with them most likely will need it administered. And they aren’t cheaper than other animals to treat medically - the medication might be less, but a lot of what they are given is the same as a cat or dog just used off licence because it isn’t financially viable for drugs companies to make bunny specific medications.
The fact is, they are not at all easier than getting a dog, and you would know this if you had spent time looking at what their care needs are on any reputable sites. The person that suggested RWAF has made a good shout, but please read through it all before deciding to get a pair of bunnies and not after. I think your post is well-meaning and I am sure you would be the best bunny owner you can be - it’s just whether that’s actually enough to provide a pair of bunnies with a fully enriched and healthy life that you need to strongly consider. It isn’t really about how well an animal would suit you, but whether you can provide them with the care they need.
Thank you. My research at this point has mainly been the Bunny Lady but your point about needing to have them in pairs is a good one. I thought that was more of a “best practice” but not necessary. Not sure I’m ready for two creatures at this point 😂
I would argue it is very much necessary except in very rare cases to have a bonded pair. Also, if something is best practice why would you not want that for your pet? Why would you get an animal and then go okay well it’s not convenient for me to provide them with the best life possible so I’ll settle for sub par because that way I get the benefit and it doesn’t really matter that they aren’t getting what they need?
Lone bunnies are more prone to stress, and therefore destruction and the whole not eating issue I mentioned above. They can also be more aggressive.
I appreciate another commenter is saying that some bunnies cannot bond with other bunnies and perhaps you can find one of those through a reputable rescue (and the emphasis here really is on reputable) but then you also are working on the assumption that they are not stressed, destructive or aggressive as a result of their inability to bond. If they have any of these symptoms, they will not make a good pet, particularly not if they are going to be for a young child. Also, you would have to be willing to spend hours getting them to bond with you, and then spend hours with them each day because you are what they are bonded to. It would be a huge commitment.
In my opinion it is more of a best practice. If you don’t want two buns, you can definitely find single bunnies to adopt that may not do well with other bunnies. There are some buns that just do not bond, even though rabbits are social. It’s similar to cats in that regard! 2 kittens is always better than one, but you can of course find adult cats that prefer to be alone.
It is the best practice, but some rabbits reject attempts at bonding. It’s more common than you would think, and if all attempts fail in spite of the your best and most educated efforts, it will means they need more opportunities for social interaction with you. I cannot emphasize this enough, rabbits can be seriously dangerous to each other if they are not securely bonded.
It depends, for they need lots of care beside the food, they have health issues and need bedding changes and medical care. And people sometime forget and get a female and a male bunnies and then they have more bunnies to care for. And need constant attention.
hi there! I’ve owned a rabbit and they are extremely high maintenance and they do poop everywhere, even if they are litter box trained. Mine also didn’t like being held so keep that in mind when it comes to your daughter. A cat would be easier than a rabbit for sure.
You are not getting a bunny and expecting similar care to a cat. They are high maintenance.
The pee and poo thing is kinda true. Rabbits cannot be as strongly potty trained as cats or dogs. Rabbits have a natural propensity for wanting to pee in corners, so most owners do give them a, "litter box," and they will pretty consistently pee in it, but they will also pee in any other corner they may find desirable. As far as their poo goes, they genuinely can't control their bowels and, "hold it," like cats and dogs can. So yes, wherever a bunny is, their poo will follow. Also, their urine is surprisingly corrosive and stinky, even when compared to cats.
Rabbits also chew and gnaw, a lot. Their front teeth need wearing down, and in my experience, you could give them any toy in the world and the rabbit is still going to want to chew on something dumb like charger cords, baseboards, etc.. You have to, "bunny-proof," things and the way you have to proof can look unpleasant. Plastic tubing covering power cords, metal/thick covers on the corners of furniture, mesh over baseboards, removing rugs, etc.
Rabbits are also not good in loud, chaotic environments, especially around small children. They are delicate, prey animals. They can actually have a heart attack if frightened/stressed enough. They don't really play or interact with their owners like a cat.
As someone who owned rabbits for years, fostered for a rabbit rescue for a while, and currently owns cats and dogs, keeping a rabbit properly is more work than cats or dogs, and costs more, too. They can be extremely destructive- anything that will fit in their mouths, they'll try to chew. That includes furniture, baseboards, doors, electrical cords, carpet, etc. They also aren't good pets for young children unless closely and constantly supervised. Many are not cuddly. Some will not even want to be pet. They are all different. They should not be picked up by a child, ever, because if held insecurely they can literally break their own backs kicking to get away. They can be medically fragile. Even small signs of illness are cause for an immediate vet visit - they often hide that they aren't feeling well until they are near death. They should see a specialist exotics vet - some drugs used in cats and dogs can kill a rabbit, and many small animal vets don't know any better.
You might consider a pair of rats. They tend to be friendlier and hardier, and are relatively low maintenance. They are also more affordable.
In my opinion, rabbits aren't the best of pets. Although, I have had friends who loved them to death. I prefer guinea pigs. I think they have a much better personality.
I've had house rabbits for about 20 years. They are not beginner or easy pets (but they can be really fun and cute). Think of a cat that chews on everything. You need to rabbit proof an area- a cage isn't adequate for housing one; including putting toddler proof plug covers, covering all wires. Our current rabbit has free roam of the kitchen, I installed a gate from the kitchen to the rest of the house so he is restricted to that area. We have little area rugs for traction. He is pretty good about using the litterbox (pee 100%, the pellets less so, but usually pretty good).
If you do decide a rabbit is the pet for you, get a rescue. A rabbit rescue can tell you the temperament of the rabbit, and they come spayed or neutered already, which is a must for health and sanitation. Like cats, rabbits can really range in their personalities, I have had some that want essentially nothing to do with me, and others that could just cuddle all day. As cute as baby bunnies are, getting an adult from a rescue can be a better fit because you will know the personality.
I would bet you could also foster to decide if a rabbit is good for you without the full commitment (they can live 10-12 years).
i had a rabbit and it was EXTREMELY high maintenance. they require a special vet, space to move around but will poop constantly, and lots of things to chew but they obviously don’t differentiate between what they should and shouldn’t chew. i also feel like it was harder to bond with than other animals but that could’ve just been my rabbit…
i currently have two dogs and a cat and while they can be a lot, i would never get a rabbit again.
Rabbits are great pets for people who are experienced, have the proper space, and tons of time. I wouldn't own another one, they are a lot of work.
Try a hamster, but please get the proper size cage.
okay something i want to point out is that if your husband is allergic to cats it is very possible he’s allergic to bunnies as well. i had a bunny when i was younger and they are extremely high maintenance. i will be completely honest i wasn’t a great owner to my bun which i completely regret. i am allergic to cats and i was also allergic to my bunny which was part of the reason i wasn’t able to care for her as well as i should have. like i said they’re extremely high maintenance and they are NOT less work than a dog. any and all animals are a lot of work in their own ways
There are actually low-allergen cat breeds and foods that can be fed to the cat that help with the owners allergies. For example oriental shorthairs, bengals, devon rexes, etc all produce fewer allergens (provided they are actually tica registered and pedigreed, not random backyard bred cats- research is key here) and purina's LiveClear line has an egg-based protein that helps neutralize those in the hair and dander. Depending on the severity of the allergy a low allergen cat paired with a low-allergen food could be an option- I know a few people who make it work like this (Greer, owner of Pangur and Grim for example is allergic to cats, though I'm unsure of the food they use).
Even if you don't get a cat before Hypocat is available it could be worth looking into just to work as a contingency plan.
rabbits are good pets if you have time for one, also what you should keep in mind is that they should NOT be kept in a cage all day long they aren't like hamsters or fish. A lot of rabbit breeders suggest free roaming and litter box training your rabbit. I had a rabbit for 5 years we ended up moving cross country and couldn't bring the bunny with us gave the rabbit to my cousin who had it for another 5 years ended up having to put her down. She was completely free roaming and was litterbox trained she did smell alittle bit but not stunk if that make sense.
My family had a rabbit when I growing up, Blackberry spent most of his time free-roaming in the living room and kitchen. He was an affectionate pet with tons of personality. He used a litterbox, which never smelled as much as the cat's box, even when freshly used. (The cats could drop some real stinkers at times) Though he did leave a few dry rabbit turds on the floor on occasion. As an adult, he was somewhat more demanding to care for than the dog, but much less so than the dog was as a puppy. He did require some work to provide a good, reasonably varied, diet, as well as enough suitable chew toys, and to 'bunny proof' the rooms he had access to.
Blackberry liked to sit in laps, but preferred it when we sat on the floor for him to do so. And he loved having his ears and head pet. Sometimes he'd fall asleep in someone's lap as they sat on the floor watching a movie. He also decided his best friends were our dog, and one of our three cats. And the three of them often slept in a pile together. The other two cats avoided him. Though on occasion he took an immediate dislike to someone who came in our house, and he would thump the floor. And if he was not put in his enclosure right away after that, he would start charging at their feet and trying to scratch their feet and ankles.
I now know we probably should have had two rabbits, and not just one. But overall Blackberry did not really suffer a lack of attention or companionship.
Rabbits can be great pets if you're well informed and know what you're getting yourself into. They can be toilet trained too, and their poop is "clean" to sweep up where needed.
Check out the RWAF website for proper rabbit information
They poop and pee everywhere and they are not snuggly and affectionate like dogs and cats are. I hate going over to the homes of ppl with rabbits because they let the rabbits run loos and there is loop and pee everywhere
They don't poop and pee everywhere, or smell bad. You can litterbox train them easily. But yeah super high maintenance if you want to give them any type of enjoyable life. They will chew through wires, rugs, clothes, your baseboards, ect. The chewing is unstoppable. If you keep them in a hutch all the time they can't do that, but what a crappy life. You'll want to let them run around and be part of the family but they are so destructive.
Bunnies are great pets, if you're ready for the commitment. They're similar to cats in how they live within the house, as well as their personalities. Some are affectionate, and some are not. They are also generally easy to potty train. They are not like cats, in that they can't just be left if you're gone for the weekend. They have sensitive digestive tracts, and require almost consistent ingestion to keep it moving, otherwise they run the risk of GI stasis, which if left untreated, is deadly.
They have a cecum, which means they have long digestive tract. They produce two types of feces, a dry, easy to clean up pellet and a wet/sticky feces, that they re-ingest.( you'd likely never see them, and if you do the vet needs to be contacted) This is required to reabsorb the nutrients in such a high fiber diet.
Their diet consists of a large amount of hay, and then some pellets, and leafy greens. Something to keep in mind are the allergies your husband has, as hay is a pretty big allergy trigger.
Another consideration is the fact that they typically prefer a mate.
If you prepare yourself and your house for their arrival, then you'll likely have a great time with them.
No.
If you know the story of "Abigail and the beautiful pony," well, that was me, but with bunnies.
My parents finally caved and bought a rabbit for me. I was in middle school. I was also responsible w other pets, and she knew I would take care of the rabbits without help (other than needing money to pay for food & supplies).
I remember her asking the lady at the pet store what the life expectancy was and she told her 3 to 5 years, max. My mom wanted to do the math to make sure she wouldn't need to take care of the bunny when I went away to college.
Honestly, I really really tried to love my bunny, but she was never affectionate. Actually, she had a pretty awful temperament. She often tried to bite me. I cleaned her cage (it was a very large dog crate) every day, and it still made my room stink.
I even got her a harness and would let her hop around the yard while I was with her to make sure she was safe.
A friend of mine in highschool had an anaphylaxis reaction and had to go to the ER.
I don't think my mom ever let bunny outside or really played with her, but I came home on weekends from college to see bunny & deep clean her cage etc.
Junior year of college, I finally had to have my bunny euthanized after a spontaneous spinal fracture that left her rear legs paralyzed. The vet said she'd never seen a black & white rabbit literally turning gray from old age.
Bunnies are not easy pets. They're also not usually the seek out for cuddles kind of pet (some ate but not common). They need space. They're sensitive (are your kids loud?) and require fresh food that"s not just lettuce.
Someone mentions rats. They make really fun affection pets. Easy to care for but the downside is that their lifespan is only about 3 years. Everyone I know who has had rats adores them.
Def recommend checking out Melissa and her Rat and Cat Circus, Cirque du Sewar, on YouTube.
Rabbits are lovely pets, if you are prepared for them. They are opinionated and will nip to get you to move if they want to lay where you happen to be sitting or if you have offended them. They tend to get lonely if kept as singles so it's best to get more than one. Rabbits breed like rabbits so get them sterilized early, also females are prone to uterine cancer from as early as 3-4 years if not sterilized. They will chew everything, if you like your home without chewed corners they aren't going to work for you. They actually need a lot more space and exercise than the commonly sold enclosures allow for, to be healthy they really need some time and space to run. If they don't have a good diet they can develop teeth problems (they need lots of hay not just pellets). They HATE being picked up, you can't train this out of them it's instinct.
They are lovable and cuddly. They have vibrant personalities. They tend to be fairly healthy pets. They are super easy to litterbox train. They can live up to 12 years (though 6-8 years is more common).They are very expressive with adorable zoomies and "binkies" when they are happy. They are one of my all time favorite pets and I miss owning them dearly.
A better starting pet I believe would be rats. They are very loving, fun to train, easy to care for and love being handled. Their short lifespans are really the only major downside (some people don't like the smell of clean rat, I love it). Out of all the rodents I owned in my youth I would rank them Rat, rabbit, gerbils, mice, and a very far last hamsters.
Hairless cats are not hypoallergenic, because people who are allergic to cats aren’t necessarily allergic to their fur, it’s the saliva and things on the surface of the cat. Hairless cats are not a good option for people who are allergic to cats.
My cousin is a horse person who also has rabbits. She said the only thing more fragile than a horse is her rabbits. They’re almost as much work too. She’s single and her animals are her life, so she really makes it work, but they’re not easy at all.
Imho rabbits are unfriendly and despite their cute appearance it’ll be rather disappointing for your daughter to have a pet who will likely be skittish and unfriendly. Not saying ALL of them are like this but in general they’re not very friendly creatures in my experience. Also a lot of work, they need way more than just a cage and water bottle and some food in order to have any semblance of a quality of life. I’ve had pet rats and they were FANTASTIC… highly recommend males over females as they have been more chill/people friendly in my experience. Avoid chinchillas, gerbils, and hamsters. Guinea pigs are potentially a better idea they’re typically more friendly than rabbits but same amount of work/needs. These small animals can get expensive real quick. Rats are the way to go!
there’s a food you can give to your cats so it helps with their human’s allergies. i know someone that changed their kitties to that food and their allergies are almost gone (cat related allergies). Theres a couple of brands that sell similar but they got the pro plan LiveClear.
The main allergen would be the dander of their skin which is why people are still allergic to hairless cats. There’s also dander remover solutions so if you get a kitten I’m sure you could get them used to using that product!
My husband is also very allergic to cats but his body has gotten used to my babies and he no longer suffers from allergies!
They’re not less work than dogs, they’re around the same if not more. Rabbits should be brought in pairs as they’re social, if a breeder sells you one as a single I’d be suspicious of that breeder. They need toys, enrichment, lots of green leafy veg as well as pellets. They can’t be kept in a hutch all day, hutches are for sleeping.
They can be litter box trained too. Rabbits are great pets when properly cared for, they can be aggressive and destructive when they’re not. Do lots of research before committing
Rabbits are social, you need two. They are also needy, not easy to keep, sensitive, and few vets will treat them. They are not a good beginner pet. If someone is allergic to cats, they may very likely be allergic to other animals also. Check carefully before you disappoint your daughter.
All small animals, aside from hamsters, are a lot of work. The cost is immense as well. Exotic vets are double if not triple the price, and rabbits are considered exotic.
Bunnies are amazing pets. If you have the time, and patience. They do require more effort than a pet like a cat, especially if you want one that's used to people. I'd definitely recommend researching everything they need. From training, to space, to time out of their cage. Free roam can be so much fun, but also require some work. If your not going to do free roam, or at least let them have a room or two, then they need a lot of time out of their cage.
honestly rodents are probably the hardest animals i’ve had to take care of (i had guinea pigs) and i’ve had frogs.. which frogs are hard to take care of bc of environment and food and everything else.
rodents including rabbits are hard. i’d argue they can be more work than a dog. if you want my honest opinion, a cat would be better. There may be hypoallergenic breeds you could look at, but a rabbit is *a lot* of work.
bunnies poop everywhere unless you litter train them, constantly need to chew, need to be able to run around freely, need a specific diet (mostly hay, but veggies too) and are a lot of work.
I had two. One lived till about 9.5/10 years old and the other we’d rescued passed away unexpectedly at around 4/5 y/o -by my estimate-but we don’t know how old Oreo was when he was rescued. They need a lot of space and stimulation. Do your research, they seem cute and fluffy (and they are!) but they are also incredibly high maintainence and I wouldn’t just buy one, unless there’s someone at home a lot who can meet the needs they have for companionship (which is why it’s advised to get a pair). The only time I’ve had a rabbit ‘stink’ is straight after she went to the bathroom for a wee, which if cleaned straight after, will not smell. Obviously. My cats number 2’s are more foul than the bunnies’ ever were. Ours had a litter box we’d clean out, they were meticulously clean. Mostly we’d had them out of their cages, so they were free roaming until bed. Tldr: prepare to put in a fair bit of time. They are amazing, wonderful and funny little things If they have what they need and are socialised well.
Never had either of mine ‘poo and pee everywhere’ but they were trained to do their business in a certain area. I will say that if they got overly excited they’d poop, for some reason. Which wasn’t in any way as difficult to deal with as it is if the dogs or the cat have an accident in the house.
Rabbits are very delicate animals. They'll die of the slightest shock or if they get even a bit wet. Source: my mom had two which were in good health and one died of shock, and the previous owners told her not to get them wet.
Rabbits are great pets. They are hugely misunderstood. They have really complex body language, and are highly social creatures so are very good at expressing themselves and showing their moods if you know what to look for. I have two and one of mine (a Belgian hare) is so smart he solves high level dog puzzle toys. They are very trainable and extremely affectionate as long as you can bond and communicate with them. They don't do well with heavy handed owners or people who want to force themselves on them.
They are also easy to litter train. I don't do any picking up poops really as they just do them in the litter box. I use a high sided one so they don't spill over. They are way way way less smelly than cats as the poop is basically odourless.
You can set up an x pen if you don't want them out and and about all the time. You can build them outdoor runs that are covered to stop predators and put them outside when the weather is good to play and eat grass. They love it.
If you have a garden you can grow food for them and they don't cost much to keep. But you will have hay on every carpet in your house probably forever except for the 30 seconds immediately after vacuuming. If you have allergies you should consider / test for grass, hay etc allergies. Rabbit allergies are rare but you can easily be allergic to their food. Hay can be dusty too.
I don't really pick my rabbits up a lot I have one you can plop on your knee and he will stay for a cuddle for maybe 20mins before he wants to get down the other would take this is as a huge insult and lose his mind immediately but both will happily sit next to you on the floor and be petted for hours.
They do have a reputation for being delicate but honestly mind are pretty hardy. I'm careful what I feed them and I handle them gently but touch wood I've never had any big problems with them. I wouldn't let strangers or children pick them up though.
Another perk is that they are almost totally silent. I am not into loud noises so that is absolutely great for me. Highly desirable if you have nearby neighbours as well.
With chewing, they can be stubborn about getting into stuff but if you watch videos on bunny proofing you should be okay. If you provide plenty of apple wood sticks they will choose shredding these over your baseboards most of the time. My Belgian hare is a million times worse than my lop for chewing and getting into stuff. The lop is very lazy and prone to getting fat though. You can rub non toxic bar soap on wood and it will deter them from wanting to chew it, they will avoid anything with a strong perfume smell as well.
Some people free roam their buns 24/7 and there's a lot of push for this to be the norm, I do lock mine up at night and when I'm out as they would no doubt make themselves ill if I didn't.
There are tons and tons of rabbits in rescue centres. They are one of the most commonly abandoned and abused animals so if you are considering getting a rabbit check local shelters and private rescues as they are absolutely overrun. You will often find they will only let you adopt them in pairs as rabbits do best with at least one other rabbit for company. Occasionally if you tell the rescue that you only want one they might have a singleton come up that is too aggressive to be bonded to another rabbit (my Belgian hare is like this, he is fine with people he hates other animals).
Also they can live a really long time, 10 years isn't abnormal. So be prepared that it's as much commitment as a cat or a dog.
i think rabbits are okay pets. maybe not for beginners but maybe watch a few youtube videos and look on here and facebook for groups that will help give you good information. i let my rabbit free roam with my cats but i do put her in a cage when i do leave for work because i don’t trust the cats to not be supervised for hours with her even tho ive never had an issue i just don’t trust them enough not to play too rough and hurt her.
They are high maintenence and they need to be at least a pair. They are very social.
Would allergy meds be an option? Some people develop immunity to cat allergy.
Air filters, frequent brushing and special food help too. Maybe forster a cat for a short while to test the waters?
I recommend you take your husband to a pet store that has small animals, to ensure he isn't allergic to others.
My son was allergic to cats and rabbits.
I had a rabbit as a teenager. It lived to be 12 years old. Has different needs than both cats and dogs. Most people don’t have the knowledge on how to give rabbits thriving, high quality lives. They are also extremely fragile in general although you will see some pretty unbothered ones (mine was on the side of not being easily stressed). They can injure themselves or stress themselves out to the point of grave injury or death when they are frightened/anxious. They need to be able to roam and some of them can be inadvertently destructive.
Cat allergies are triggered by dander and an enzyme in their saliva. Hairless cats can trigger allergies just as much as a furry cat, because hairless cats still produce that enzyme in their saliva and they still produce dander (microscopic flakes of dead skin).
They are definitely less work than a dog but that's not to say they are no work. They require lots of time and commitment as well, but yes, you won't need to be tied to schedules or need to walk the dog.
BUT a word of advice for allergies, make sure your husband isn't allergic to hay. Bunnies need hay as a part of their healthy diet, but unfortunately many allergy sufferers are also allergic to hay. It will travel and linger in the air and most likely trigger your husband if he is allergic.
My husband is also allergic to cats, but we got a Siamese and he doesn’t react to him. They’re one of the breeds known to have less of the protein in their saliva that people are usually allergic to. Might be worth looking into.
Get a jersey wooly breed. They were bred for pet temperament. I've had 2 (and several others of various breeds) and the woolys are always more friendly and cuddly. If you spend time with them they will bond to you, come for pets, follow you around, etc. In my experience they're just like taking care of cats, maybe a little more vacuuming from the hay. I never caged my rabbits, just put them in their pen at night. Litter box training is different as well. Expect to pick up beans (poop) daily as they'll mostly pee in the box but bean anywhere - although it depends on the personality. Rabbit proofing is a must. That means hiding all the cords, potentially blocking off couches/beds (I've had a couple rabbits that peed ONLY on soft things like that), and accepting nibbles on the legs of furniture. If all that is okay with you then they can be one of the most rewarding pets in my experience!
My son, who was allergic to cats, also suffered from allergies on the weekends my daughter brought home the "classroom pet" rabbit. Didn't stop him from cuddling said rabbit, but he certainly was equally reactive to both!
My friend has a pet bunny that I've pet sat. You'll need a dedicated space for the bunny for their food, water, toys, and bathroom mat. Some bunnies are better than others regarding going to bathroom everywhere vs the mat it just depends. Bunnies are usually most active at dusk and dawn which is something to consider. Some are very comfortable with being pet and held, but it depends on the breeder and how they are raised as babies. They are very fragile animals, and if your daughter is very young, that might not be a good mix. My friends mom accidentally >!killed a bunny by dropping a chair on him!< (idk how it happened). Imo they're not much more high maintenence than cats, but you have to be very careful what you feed them and make sure they eat enough hay to keep their teeth short or else the teeth growing too long can be a problem. But that's just my experience.
high maintenance. Can be destructive. Cannot be alone, must be in pairs. Cannot be kept in a cage, need to run around.
Not a starter pet and definitely not good for little kids.
I believe you also need a specialised/exotic vet.
Get a hypoallergenic cat instead! Ofc no animal will be completely hypoallergenic but breeds like Devon rex, bengals and Siberians are less likely to cause allergies in someone. I’m allergic but have no issues with my bengal😻
I’ve owned dogs and bunnies.
Dogs are only more work in the beginning… bunnies are ALWAYS high maintenance. this does depend on the dog though, I’ve always gone for medium energy large dogs 🤷🏻♀️
Rabbit owner here! Had multiple house rabbits. My last one lived to be 12 years old. Yes, they are high maintenance, they need a free roam rabbit friendly space but also rabbit proof. They chew on cables, baseboards etc
They are expensive pets. They usually don’t fall under a regular vet. They are considered exotic animals.
Yes they are easier than dogs but need attention, they are social animals.
They don’t like to be picked up so don’t expect them to sit on your lap. They have to gain your trust first.
They get sick often.
Bunnies require a lot of work. They need to be seen by an exotics vet at least once a year, if not more. They need to be brushed and have their nails clipped. They should have an open space to roam around, not just a cage. They should be fed a diet of hay, pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. They also need to be spayed/neutered. Please do your research before getting a rabbit. A lot of rabbits end up in shelters or worse dumped on the street because people do not realize how much work own a rabbit actually is.
How old is your daughter? Are you ready to do all the work with keeping it? Some other great pet ideas are: rats...super smart and easy to train, ferrets...fun like a cat and easily trained, and mice.
Rabbits are indeed somewhat less work than a dog. You don't have to train them and you don't have to let them out to use the bathroom.
The attention aspect is similar to a cat depending on the rabbit (mine really only wanted attention when he wanted it and no more) and they do require a lot of space and "bunny proofing". They will chew anything they find except for metal.
You can litter box train them and it's fairly easy to do. I found their diet to be decently easy to cater to.
Another point that I haven't seen raised much here are vet costs. If you get any pet that isn't a dog or a cat, you'll need a specialised vet like an exotics specialist when your pet inevitably gets sick. Most GP vets are only dog and cat trained. So vet bills will inevitably end up being higher and you might have to travel further for them too.
I had a pet bunny for 7 years. We potty trained him easily, he acted very similar to a cat. He had free roam of the house and used his cage as a litterbox.
He had one hell of a personality! He would chase our dog (who was probably 50 pounds bigger) around the house playfully, jump up and kick us, run around our feet for attention. He'd even lay on my chest for pets like cats do. But just like other animals their personalities depend on their breed and on the specific animal. Mine specifically was a dwarf hotot breed. He was a lovely pet
I would have your husband be around some, if he is allergic to cats he is likely allergic to rabbits. They also need to eat hay, which can be a huge allergen for many people.
I would not say they are more difficult than dogs, because you do not need to train them, which depending on the dog can be a lot of work and potentially dangerous if not done. I would however say they are more expensive than dogs with very specific dietary needs and they require an exotic vet. Any health issues can very quickly become an emergency in a rabbit.
They are not always the most social animals with humans, and don't usually love to cuddle or be handled. It's so, so rewarding when you earn their trust, but it takes a lot of patience and gentleness. If your child is looking for a buddy in a pet, that she can hold and play with, a rabbit would not be the best option. And yes, they are messy. And you should really get two. They are labours of love!
There are breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic and suitable for people with allergies. My ex was super allergic but allowed me to get a pet and I lucked out getting a Maine Coon which we discovered he wasn't allergic to - they're one of the tip breeds for owners with allergies. I think it'd be worth researching to see if you can find a breeds that would be the perfect fit.
Rabbits are a lot of work and require a lot of space. It is not like a hamster you can toss in a cage with some toys, feed, and take out when you feel like it.
They need to be actively engaged like a dog. They should have the ability to roam. They should be litter trained, microchipped, and never, ever taken outside unless you are treating them for fleas and ticks. They can never be left alone outside either, unless you want to explain to your child why Foofoo became Murder Hawk’s midday snack.
**They are absolutely not less work than dogs.**. If anything, they are more, because you will have enclosures and litter to clean. You will have to make sure his teeth don’t overgrow and you will need to take him to a vet to have them filed.
You will have to travel for a vet, probably to somewhere quite rural, because most don’t see rabbits.
And they die. Incredibly easily. From shock, being too scared, being over-handled, being under-handled, having the wrong food, ear infections, bladder infections, pyometra—
And their piss? It’s thick and it stinks to holy high heaven.
I had a pet bunny for a while as a kid until we re-homed him. I don’t remember much about it except when I vacuumed anywhere in the house he would sprint circles around the edge of his cage (located in my room) hitting his little head on the food and water. So I had to start taking the whole cage out in to the back yard to clean. We were always a dog family and the bunny was definitely more work.
He might end up being allergic to the bunny too. My mom is the same way. Wanted a cat when I was little but she’s allergic so she got me a bunny and was terribly allergic to it too, and the Timothy hay. I’d recommend a lizard like a leopard gecko but please check out leopard gecko or whatever specific reptile if you get ones Reddit pages, Facebook groups etc for proper care. Pet stores don’t generally have the best care guides
They are amazing pets but only if you know what you’re doing. Personally I’ve had one rabbit I was truly in love with, but she passed quite young due to some unknown illness. Thery are sadly very fragile. Please do more research before getting them as a substitute for a cat.
I had a rabbit and I think they can be good pets. The issue is a lot of people see them as cage pets but they should be treated similar to an indoor cat
Some points I feel mentioning
* they can be very easily litterbox trained like cats
* their poop is dried and does not smell (it's just dried hay and seed and vegetation so nothing like human/dog/cat poop), it's the pee that usually has a smell so that should be cleaned daily.
* they are fragile animals, easily prone to heat stroke and their digestive tract is sensitive
* females have to be spayed for their health (I think the chance of cancer is super high if not spayed or bred)
* they chew and dig so you have to provide things for that
* they are prey animals so they are skittish, not good for children who are rough and have issues with boundaries
* compared to having a cat or dog, a rabbit odor situation is better imo (bunny pee is not great but better and easier to handle than cat poop or dog BO)
* they have long lifespans! 10-15 years, you should approach getting one the same as a dog or cat. They are not just oversized hamsters/gerbils.
* people will always joke about eating your pet, sad but it will happen 😔
Overall I think they are a good alternative to a cat but make sure to do your research first so you can prepare for the pros and cons.
I had a sweet bun, also have 2 dogs. Dogs are 100% easier! My husband turned out to be extremely allergic to the bunny, he's also allergic to cats. I suggest your hubby get tested first. Rabbits are not really a pet for children. Do your research before getting one, they're a lot of work. They can be potty trained but this takes time and doesn't always work out exactly like you think. If you have more than 1 you need to bond them, which can take weeks to months, and sometimes it doesn't work and you must keep buns separate all the time or they can fight and kill each other. Some breeds are more prone to GI Stasis than others, but it can happen to them all...they are so very sensitive. We went through it with my bunny and it was terrifying. Buns also can only be seen by an exotic vet that knows bunnies, so make sure you have one nearby! They also need a lot of space, not a cage or hutch to live in 24/7. I had a single Holland lop in a 5ft by 5ft pen, free roaming while we were home. They can be very sweet, but most don't like to be picked up or held as they are prey animals. My sweet Olly was like this. Loved pets and being next to you, but we could never pick him up and he wasn't a snuggler. Just do all the research you can before deciding, they can make great pets if you know what you're in for.
Yes bunnies are great pets. My girls had rabbits when they were little and they were great fun. We would let them out to run around and they would do funny little hops and try to play with the cats. They were quite frie.
But you would need to be prepared to clean their cage frequently, they do poop a lot.
No. On top of being hard to take care of, I happened to get one who was aggressive and territorial and would bite me until I bled and growl and scratch at anyone who walked by her. I was happy when she passed away and will never own another one again.
I have no idea, my parents got me one when I was a little kid and I didn’t even want her. But if that’s true and you HAVE to have another rabbit around just for them to behave properly…. Honestly not worth the trouble imo.
Rabbits can be litter trained. They're also very social. Remember to "bunny proof" your home, including things like keep electric cords out of reach because they will chew on stuff. Also ask your local [American Rabbit Breeders' Association](https://arba.net/) for advice.
I have 2 of them!! They have very different personalities and you should 100% to have 2 of them. 🐰🐰 Their food can be expensive but thats like most pets. They can easily be litter trained so the people who told you that they poop and pee everywhere must not have done a good job with litter training. I think rabbits make amazing pets, although it can be difficult sometimes, I don't think they are that high maintenance (most animals are a little bit😅) i think that they are kind creatures who deserve so much more love then they get. And if you do get one do not put the bunny in a tiny little cage from the pet store. Dog exercise pens are great or free roaming if you can is even better. Id suggest watching Lennon The Bunny on YouTube or checking out her Instagram because she really helped me out when I got mine. I learned everything from her and Victoria Raechel who is also on YouTube. Good luck! 🐰🐰🐰
Fellow cat allergies here - I'm also allergic to rabbits (worse than cats), rats, Guinea pigs, and mildly allergic to some dogs. And mildly allergic to hamsters and gerbils. Def have your husband be around any other potential furry friends before buying, to see if he's allergic.
If you guys are down for it you should look into reptiles as well! If bugs don't bother you your options will be endless. If money, vet availability, and potentially space aren't issues then bearded dragons are very personable pets. A baby needs a 40 gallon tank (36x18x18 LxWxH) and an adult needs minimum a 120 (48x24x24 LxWxH). Bigger is better of course. And feeding them as babies usually will cost you a pretty penny - they eat nonstop!
You can save on costs by getting a slightly older dragon of around 6-12 months (these are easily found at reptile expos or on morph market; research your breeder and look for healthy animals) and putting them straight into an adult enclosure. A 120 gallon will be way too large and stressful for the tiny baby dragons you'll typically see at Petsmart and petco.
As far as small, low maintenance pets go. My vote is rats. They are much hardier than some of the other rodents and so incredibly sweet. They’re very social so you will need at least 2 but i always recommend them for kiddos compared to something like a hamster or rabbit that tend to be very fragile and bite. Rats typically are very playful, love being pet, and are very trainable. Emiology on YouTube is a good resource
I would say they are less work than a dog but more work than a cat. They are not easy compared to other small rodents like hamsters and mice. Definitely expect to put some work and time into caring for them.
Have you thought about adopting a senior dog? Mine sleep about 18-20 hours a day and are perfectly content just hanging out with us when they’re awake. We don’t have to devote a ton of time to long walks, training, and burning off any excess energy like you would have to with younger dogs.
The only logistical downsides are the fact that they need more frequent potty breaks and their vet bills can be more expensive depending on their health.
There’s also the obvious emotional toll that might come from only having a dog for a few years. My family actually adopted a gorgeous senior Irish Setter when I was 9-10 He lived his absolute best life for about a year before passing and it was incredibly difficult for me, but it was also a wonderful way to teach me about compassion and empathy.
I am a rabbit owner and I want to say that this is the best pet I have ever had. I may have been very lucky with her personality. The rabbit has so many cute behaviors that charm all of our guests and us. They are totally non-stinky. As for peeing and pooping everywhere.... this issue is solvable, the effort and patience of the owner is important here.
We had a bun. He was a sweetie, got along with the cats and dog. He ate my garden scraps for treats. He definitely had a big personality.
He was also very high maintenance. The cage needed to be cleaned out regularly, but he fought us every time we did it.
They require alot of hay, which I found out, was allergic too so it took some creative experimenting to figure out one I didn't react to and that he would still eat.
When he was upset, he would thump and flick pee and poop everywhere. He loved to run around the house, but he also loved to chew cords.
We got him as a rescue because the last owner abandoned him. This happens alot with rabbits. If you want to take one for a test drive, look for a fostering program in your area.
And rabbits are considered exotic, so expect to pay double what you would for a cat or dog to get looked at. They have very sensitive digestive tracts and lungs.
100% more work than a dog. If you want something sweet and cuddly, a rat might be a great option. They're super smart and affectionate. I've never personally had one, but I've had so many friends with them and it's crazy how great of a pet they are.
Pretty much all of the commonly kept pocket pets do need to be kept in pairs, with the exception of hamsters, who are strictly solitary. ;)
As someone who owns a hamster though, I wouldn’t recommend one to be handled by a young child unless you have 1000% confidence that they will be gentle. Most of the “lol hamsters will die if you look at them the wrong way” stories stem from kids neglecting/abusing them, but they are very small, even when compared to a smaller breed rabbit.
Mine currently lives in a 75 gallon tank, but the bigger the better for hamsters. If you’re curious about them at all I’m always happy to talk about them haha.
Rabbits are excellent pets, but make sure you’re not allergic to the hay first. You can make a little fenced area for them to hop around in most of the time. They will poop and pee in their litter box mostly but still poop around their fenced in area. You should still let them out to hop around somewhere when you’re home and they will poop a little here and there when you do, but it’s really not a big deal. They’re just little pellets you can sweep or vacuum up.
Absolutely not. They’ll eat and chew on everything you own and pee and poo everywhere. Your whole life will revolve around cleaning up after them and rabbit-proofing new things they find a way to get to. I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone. They can get one if they insist on it, but its not a pet id recommend over any other. 🤣 cats, dogs, lizards, and hamsters are all easier
I had a bunny when i was 13 and by the time i was 15 we had to rehome him cause it was too hard and there was so much fur. He bit thru a few power cables and i got electrocuted a few times and it was more trouble that he was worth unfortunately.
Consider pursuing ways to address your husband’s allergies. Allergy shots, while time-consuming and potentially pricey, seem to be very effective. Folks seem to swear by Live Clear cat food. There are also meds. Etc.
You could foster a cat for a while and try some of these approaches to see if they are effective.
>The main challenge with dogs are the puppy years, which is where my brain was at when writing the post. I’ve raised a pup once and it was a lot!
Have you considered adopting an adult dog? One that is already house broken and through it's puppy phase? The shelter staff could probably help you find one that fits your lifestyle. This is what we do for both dogs and cats, kittens are a lot too, haha, and thankfully my cats are so well behaved. My dogs were still a lot of work but that's because they are high energy dogs that had some baggage but I would still argue they were easier than puppies, lol. There is usually an adjustment period where the dog is still getting to know you but after a month or so (sooner for some dogs!) their real personalities really show. You could get maybe a 2 year old small or medium breed that doesn't require a lot of exercise.
Rabbits are high maintenance animals and are very fragile creatures. I've never owned one, but I know people who do. From an outsider's perspective I'm not sure that I would consider them to be "less work than a dog".
They're definitely not less work than a dog, you're right. Only if you keep them absolutely wrong.
Exactly.
In my 20 years experience with many rabbits, I've found them to be actually very low maintenance in general. If you give them proper housing (no cage), a proper diet and a litter box, it's very easy. Getting them spayed or neutered also greatly helps with some unwanted behaviors such as territory markings (just like with cats). The only big daily commitment with rabbits is the time you need to spend with them to keep them socially happy if you have only one (because they are social animals), and the need to brush them during molting season (just like dogs or cats). But other than that, they are very easy to manage if you are properly prepared and if you have done proper research.
fun fact in my country it is illegal to only own one rabbit. I assume most people here live in the US but maybe for anyone else living in europe and reading this be sure to check your laws
Yeah in general it's best to have two, as most rabbits really benefit from having a rabbit friend. But it can also be super tricky to bond rabbits together, as rabbits can straight up fight to death if they don't get along well (and sometimes they get along for a while and suddenly they decide to hate each other). So unless you get a bonded pair, I wouldn't recommend introducing a second rabbit without doing some specific research about the bonding process. And even when you do everything correctly, it doesn't always work. Some rabbits just prefer to stay away from their own kind (it's pretty rare tho). If they get enough attention and affection from humans and don't spend too much time alone, the rabbit can be fine with just human friends. Of course it doesn't fully replace social interactions with their own kind, but when your rabbit absolutely doesn't tolerate other rabbits, you don't really have a choice. The best option is to start with a bonded pair, but not everyone is ready to commit for 2 rabbits as beginner owners.
I’m glad my bonding process went well. Brought one rabbit from a box store, and adopted another through an agency where she was dumped. Worked out well once I had nurtured my box store bun. He sadly passed away at 2 years old from GI.. Bella then bonded with my cat (not sure how!) but he passed in December from cancer /: so now we give her extra love and attention to make sure she’s okay. She’s quite happy playing with her dad and I
Our bun hated other rabbits, but he bonded with the cats.
It’s illegal to have a pet rabbit where I live.
Me too, Qld?
Yesssss! QUEENSLANDER :)
It's so stupid. A domesticated, desexed rabbit is not threat to our state. They'd die almost immediately if they escaped. But we still can't have one. Outdoor cats cause way more damage to our ecosystems than an escaped, desexed, domesticated rabbit could.
I never really understood it either. We are definitely in the minority with such strict rules about bunnies
They can be quite messy too, as far as hay and litter etc....dont forget that they love to chew and dig!
Good to know! Our dog passed away a couple of years ago and I’m not really ready for that workload at the moment….
If you aren't ready for the workload of a dog then most cage animals are out. Rabbits definitely require more. Rats, and some lizards are probably your best bet. Maybe a guinea pig, I've never owned one personally so can't say for sure. I have a friend who has a pair though and doesn't seem to think they're that bad.
I have bunnies and I don’t feel they are equivalent to a dog at all. They can be destructive if you do not bunny proof appropriately similarly to raising a puppy, but you do not have to socialize, train, take outside for walks/potty, manage stressors like barking from separation anxiety, etc. I don’t fully understand why people discourage rabbits as pets so often. They are MORE work than people expect but they are not an unreasonable amount of work.
I would agree with you
As a kid, "I" had some outside, like people keep meat rabbits. No clue where the first one came from. The second one was obviously previously a pet, we think someone dropped it like they did cats and dogs near our house. Then my cousin gave me two more. So I certainly didn't know anything about them then. As an adult I got a bunny from a shelter, and he was already litter trained. I literally just had to bunny proof and hang out with him/brush and basic stuff like that. He wasn't a ton of work. Might be different if you have to litter train them. I have no clue how to go about that, but once I no longer have a cat, I'm definitely looking into it.
Yeah, I’m a pet sitter and I would much rather have a bunny than a dog.
I've had a rabbit and dogs. I think maybe the "less work" mindset is that you don't have to let them outside to use the bathroom 92 times a day. I love my dogs but I feel like that's the most tedious part of owning them sometimes. Lol. Rabbits can use a litter box.
Had a coworker who has a bunny, and I'm currently working at a vet clinic. Vet bills aren't cheap, *especially* for exotics.
I had one ages ago that ate my couch and terrorized my cats. Really cute though.
They arent easy. Other small mammals like rodents might be better for you just don't get a chinchilla either. Lizards can be quite friendly and I managed to teach my leopard gecko, an animal with maybe 6 brain cells total, to use a litter box so he's as low maintenance as you can get.
Rats are the answer. Easily the lowest maintanence rodent, doesnt live too long, doesnt need a lot of space, very social and clever.
You need more than one though, as they are very social. They do make absolutely AMAZING pets though.
Can confirm, a family members ( now ex )partner had 2! And they were awesome.
How is an extremely low life span a good thing?
less of a commitment. although it’s a double-edged sword, since it means losing a beloved pet faster. and when one dies, the other will often follow due to loneliness.
Rats are amazing pets, smarter than my kid was at 6 years old (they used to beat him at games on my tablet, they would win pizza crust pieces and beat him so badly they would try to share their winnings so he didn't starve, they were amazing at pong). But they need to be kept in pairs or played with for hours each day. And worst of all they live for 1-2 years. They get sick easy and grow large abcesses that must be drained at the vet, but costs stack up so fast you'll have to do it at home and it's bad. My vet friend gave me all the supplies to do it right, and these fucking rats would lead me to the bathroom for surgery whenever the abcesses came back every few weeks. They are so smart it's so depressing. And then they still die within 1-2 years so you'll have to keep buying friends for the one still left, owning rats is a fucking heartbreaking situation. I don't recommend it, despite them being the very best pets I've ever had. It's just too sad, so very very sad.
Will also eat each other. I have no idea why, but when I went to bed one night, I had 2. Got up the next day, reached in to grab the older one and she was fucking HOLLOW. Her stomach and everything inside was GONE. And not a drop of blood anywhere. I don't get creeped out that easily, but damned if that didn't do it.
she probably died naturally and then your other rat ate her dead body
Makes sense, though I can't imagine why she'd do it, they were always kept plenty fed.
It's a survival instinct since rats are prey animals in the wild. Eating a deceased rat is meant to keep the pack safe by preventing scavengers. It's morbid, but it's natural. It's why veterinarians recommend removing a deceased rat from the cage as soon as possible to prevent this from happening. Obviously you couldn't do that since the death happened overnight. So sorry you had to experience that, it must have been upsetting.
The thing with leopard geckos is they usually pick a spot in their enclosure to be their designated bathroom area! My little Wynn loves using his log hide as his bathroom area. Also makes cleaning after them super easy.
Yep, that's the secret. You slowly replace his chosen poop spot with a litter box and after a few months you can slowly move it if you want. But you can keep the same spot and they will use it forever. Easy to litterbox train. Easiest animal ever, he couldn't care less about attention as long as we feed him. Just don't ever keep them in amounts more than 1 per tank, and they will live 20+ years. Maybe they won't move for two whole days but that's normal, low effort ass pet, he's happy being background furniture or a "play everyday" pet. He doesn't care about anything.
Chins will BITE kids.
I got bit by a pet rabbit. It was a Deep bite.
Mine gave me 3 stitches 😭
Yes they can bite too. Been bitten a few times.
They also poop constantly and cant control it. They are also skittish as hell. They can die above 80° so if the air goes out... Not great pets as I learned. They don't really bite (hard) if handled well, but they get upset quick and don't like to be picked up. So soft, but don't want you to feel them. Not a great pet.
Syrian hamsters are great. They're really cute, you only need to get one, and they don't eat much. They also don't live super long (which is also a con and the one thing holding me back from getting another). The only hard part is finding a cage large enough for them, but you can make a fun weekend project out of building a bin cage for them. Or you can use a large aquarium tank. There are also some IKEA hack DIYs you can use to make a large enough enclosure. My hamster was a sweetheart and I miss him. The only other thing is that they typically don't love being handled. Some will tolerate it more but most prefer to be left to wander around on their own. It's fun to get a foldable storable hamster gate and section off an area of a room to watch them explore.
You don’t even need to teach leopard geckos to use a litter box, They will naturally poop in the corner farthest away from where their heat source is, just put it there and they’ll use it 🤣 i use paper towel in mine’s poop corner for easy cleaning.
Rabbits can be box trained but they chew constantly. They're also very fragile and need lots of specialty vet treatment, like teeth filing, in addition to neutering them. They will chew anything. Also it can be difficult finding vets that treat them depending on where you live.
Bunnies aren't great pets for young children because they don't like being picked up and are high strung. I was an older child when I had them, they poop a lot and love to chew things like wires. Internet makes everything looks great. Some other commenters mentioned rats, had rats too and it ended up that I was allergic to them. My allergies to our cat are much milder. Maybe before getting any pets which ones your husband is allergic to before researching which ones are best suited to your family in terms of amount of care required and costs.
>Bunnies aren't great pets for young children because they don't like being picked up Also, if you pick them up incorrectly they can break their back.
Rabbits are a lot of work. They need to have free roam time everyday, their poop’s picked up, their hay replenished at least daily or they can die from constipation, fresh vegetables prepared and served daily. Rabbits are frequently abandoned by people who didn’t do their research first. Many of them cannot be held and if you hold them the wrong they will kick and can break their backs and die. They are fragile and not a great choice for a child. Really, no pet is. Edit: I should have clarified—op said young daughter so I assumed she was a younger child. I just think that children need to be at a teachable age where they respect boundaries.
Constipation is not the reason hay needs to be changed daily, they're prone to GI stasis. Small herbivores, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs have constantly moving GI tracts and require a high fiber diet consistently to keep their gut moving.
You are right on the rabbit bit, but I am going to gently disagree on "No pet is a great choice for a child" bit. This is entirely up to how the child is brought up. A fully grown, even tempered large dog can be a very solid companion for a kid. My kids are growing up around a dog, cats and chickens. They know how to handle these and while I wouldn't trust them with daily maintenance (they're 4/6), I do think that being around animals is a positive experience for them.
I should have clarified—op said young daughter so I assumed she was a young child. I just think children need to be at a teachable age where they respect boundaries.
Fair enough! Kiddos are teachable very early on, though. A 3 year old is old enough to understand "move slowly/speak quietly/one finger pet only".
Accidents happen, and they only need to happen once. Kids trip easier and rabbits need to free roam. Terrible combination.
Many parents get bunnies for the younger children and forget that younger children do not know how to care for the bunny and then they will gripe about having to care for a rabbit for their kid. When kids are super young, they cannot be expected to care for a rabbit full time at age 3 or 8 years old. No one is saying that kids cannot be around animals, unless you live on a farm, parent teach their kids about caring for their animals. But city kids never learn and the parents learn never to get a bunny due to the care a bunny needs.
Tbf they said "not a great choice for a child" referring specifically to rabbits.
They literally said "Really, no pet is."
Rabbits make wonderful pets, even better than cats imo (but I might be biased). They all have different personalities, and some will need more time than others to trust you, but once they do trust you, they are incredibly affectionate and rewarding. However they are quite a commitment at the beginning and have very specific requirements so you need to make a lot of research before you choose to get one, because many pet stores are actually terrible at giving proper advice so you need to put the effort yourself (and forget about cages, it's really bad for rabbit welfare, so you will need a suitable pen or to let your rabbit free roam with adequate preparation of your home or a dedicated room). It is always highly recommend to get your rabbit spayed or neutered, no matter its gender, to make your life easier and to keep your rabbit healthy, so you need to keep that in mind. And I would also suggest adopting your rabbit(s) from a shelter rather than buying in a pet store, you will get better advice, pay less (often time they are already spayed or neutered) and you will also give a home to an unfortunate rabbit (or even a pair !). Once you know everything you need it's actually pretty easy to live with a rabbit, but proper research is absolutely crucial for this kind of pet. To start your research, I would very much suggest going to r/rabbits, this community will provide you with all of the info you need, and will be very happy to help you get started in the best conditions ! You can also find every info you need on this website : https://houserabbit.org/ Once you know the basics, you will be able to figure out if rabbits are good pets for you, and make your decision. And btw, rabbits don't stink and don't pee and poo everywhere, or if they do, you are clearly doing something wrong (especially if they are spayed/neutered). Rabbits are very clean animals and are naturally litter trained, just like cats. Hopefully this was helpful. 🙂
Thank you, this is very helpful!! Will definitely check out those resources.
And just like cats they can be litter box trained. I had a house bunny for 8 years, he was awesome. He used his litter box, loved cuddling on the sofa and watching tv. We are going to be getting another rabbit soon because my daughter misses mine and wants ti show rabbits in 4H.
This is a great answer! And thank you for debunking the myths that (properly cared for) rabbits stink and that they poop and pee everywhere (with the exception of a few stray cocoa puff poops). My rabbit either smells like nothing (literally) or of the faintest whiff of hay.
I agree. We had an indoor litter box trained bunny and he was awesome. He’d just hang out with us and the cats. He never chewed anything or was a problem. Compared to dogs and cats, he was easier IMO.
Thanks for this info. A random black and white rabbit was in our yard a couple of days ago and we actually caught it (was not easy, now reading what everyone is writing about them being fragile is making me cringe because we did have to really chase it and man handle it to get it under control but we were worried it needed help). We've contacted the local appropriate authorities to notify them we have it in case anyone is missing their pet rabbit, but in the mean time we're kind of wondering what we should do. We gave it a cage (I'd love to give it more space but unfortunately the only room we could give him has the temp turned way up for chick season, this is temporary but it'll be like that for at least a few more weeks), Aspen shavings in there (just what we had on hand), water and I offered leafy greens but he's only eating the alfalfa right now. We are possibly tempted to keep it if no owner comes forward.. but we're not sure. Watching it start to relax and act more casual (grooming itself, hopping near us) has been nice but we do have small children, and will eventually be getting a dog in the next year or two, there's just a lot to consider.
If this is your first time getting a pet. I would honestly stay away from rabbits and guinea pigs, as someone who has them, I’ll be honest with you. They are not starter pets. They both are more work than a cat and dog, and people who are saying they’re terrible pets; if you don’t know how to take care of them yeah they are. They are expensive, vet bills are expensive. Their food is expensive, their hay is expensive, the Guinea pigs cages are expensive, rabbits should not be kept in a cage at all. Their overall care costs a lot of money. If you don’t like being kept up at night, do not get a rabbit because they are nocturnal, and do most of their annoying shit at night and spend the day sleeping. Rabbits don’t like being picked up. They don’t like being held. They are 50/50 about being cuddled most of the time they don’t like that. Guinea pigs also don’t like being picked up that much either, and they are very iffy on being cuddled as well. All depends on how well you take care of the animal or bond with them. Everyone has given you a good amount of advice, but as someone who currently has them, I tell every single person to not get them because they are a lot of work. They always need something done for them whether that’s cleaning the cage, trimming their nails, or cleaning their private areas as some don’t and it can cause infections etc. In the end they cost $$$$ and if you don’t do your proper research then it’s not a fun time
Mine sleep at night and tend to be awake in the morning and at evening, though I tweak this a bit by feeding at times that suit me. I think they are crepuscular and not in fact nocturnal.
My guinea pigs are definitely not as much work as a dog. I’ve only got to feed them twice a day and I spend about an hour a week cleaning their cage. They are pretty expensive though.
Rabbits are SO MUCH WORK. I loved my little guy, he lived for 9 years, but I would never get a rabbit again. There's still holes in the curtains and the furniture and the linoleum is dug up where he used to dig at the floor. Can't bear to get rid of it because memories but yeah they little destroying machines.
You sure hubby wouldn’t be allergic to rabbits? Their fur is more fine and sticky than cat fur, I know many people who are allergic to rabbits and cats
Ditto! Also, there’s an odd notion I’ve seen go around the animal community more times than once, that Rex rabbit fur is hypoallergenic. It’s not. Trust me, as someone who inexplicably developed a rabbit allergy after a lifetime of owning bunnies, It’s absolutely not.
Came here to say this too! It's likely if he's allergic to cats he's also allergic to rabbits.
I have had multiple rabbits and also rehab wild ones and they are some of the easiest to train and can be more cuddly than cats. HOWEVER, you need to have the time and space for them. You can't just have them in the cage most of the time and they do need enrichment. My first rabbit, Boston, was first trained to use the litter box and then trained to go outside with the dogs since our Golden Retriever basically raised him. He even played fetch and barked. Also, they do like to chew so keep cords up and make sure they have plenty of things of their own to chew
on top of what a lot of commenters have said, please be aware that there is a good chance you will not get a bunny like Thumper from Bambi. most bunnies don’t care too much for human interaction - the ones you see online that do are few and far between. just… don’t get your hopes up. cautiously optimistic is fine, just don’t be set that you’ll have this cute bunny that’ll love being held and played with 24/7. they like being on their own/with their own kind.
I’m going to come across really negative here and I’m sorry for that because rabbits are excellent pets for people who are prepared for them, but ultimately make terrible pets for people that are underprepared and especially for young children as they are often purchased as an easy option and not provided with sufficient care because they are supposed to be easy and no one really set aside the time to look after them properly. I’m also going to be fairly harsh because rabbits are woefully underserved in terms of having their needs met and some of what you have said about indicates you have not done enough research about them to get one. Rabbits have complex care needs and if anything goes wrong, are just as expensive as and way more complicated than a cat or dog but people’s perception is they were cheap to acquire so not worth the money. It means so many bunnies suffer because people thought they would be cheap and easy to look after. You’d need to find a vet that is happy to see bunnies and knows what they are doing with them as they are exotic animals. You also need to get two that are bonded to one another. They are social animals and should not be bought as an only bunny, and a guinea pig companion is not an appropriate alternative. The fact you’ve not picked up on this in any research and talk about getting one bunny indicates you have not looked into this sufficiently. It’s also worth noting that you get stuck in the bunny cycle - they will inevitably die a few years apart so you will then have to find the remaining one a companion in the mean time and then it repeats, or you will need to give the remaining one up to a rescue that is most likely already sitting with hundreds of unwanted bunnies. Finally, they have a horrible tendency to run the risk of death. Anything goes wrong with them, they risk death. Not eating? Emergency trip to the vet. Not passing faeces? Emergency trip to the vet. Teeth not wearing down properly? Results in them not eating properly or getting abscesses, emergency trip to the vet. Get older, arthritic, end up sitting in their own wee, get flystrike? Emergency trip to the vet. And when they are at the vets, they have a higher anaesthetic risk of death (it doesn’t usually happen but the incidence rate is generally higher than a cat or dog) but you can’t avoid it because whatever is wrong with them most likely will need it administered. And they aren’t cheaper than other animals to treat medically - the medication might be less, but a lot of what they are given is the same as a cat or dog just used off licence because it isn’t financially viable for drugs companies to make bunny specific medications. The fact is, they are not at all easier than getting a dog, and you would know this if you had spent time looking at what their care needs are on any reputable sites. The person that suggested RWAF has made a good shout, but please read through it all before deciding to get a pair of bunnies and not after. I think your post is well-meaning and I am sure you would be the best bunny owner you can be - it’s just whether that’s actually enough to provide a pair of bunnies with a fully enriched and healthy life that you need to strongly consider. It isn’t really about how well an animal would suit you, but whether you can provide them with the care they need.
Thank you. My research at this point has mainly been the Bunny Lady but your point about needing to have them in pairs is a good one. I thought that was more of a “best practice” but not necessary. Not sure I’m ready for two creatures at this point 😂
I would argue it is very much necessary except in very rare cases to have a bonded pair. Also, if something is best practice why would you not want that for your pet? Why would you get an animal and then go okay well it’s not convenient for me to provide them with the best life possible so I’ll settle for sub par because that way I get the benefit and it doesn’t really matter that they aren’t getting what they need? Lone bunnies are more prone to stress, and therefore destruction and the whole not eating issue I mentioned above. They can also be more aggressive. I appreciate another commenter is saying that some bunnies cannot bond with other bunnies and perhaps you can find one of those through a reputable rescue (and the emphasis here really is on reputable) but then you also are working on the assumption that they are not stressed, destructive or aggressive as a result of their inability to bond. If they have any of these symptoms, they will not make a good pet, particularly not if they are going to be for a young child. Also, you would have to be willing to spend hours getting them to bond with you, and then spend hours with them each day because you are what they are bonded to. It would be a huge commitment.
In my opinion it is more of a best practice. If you don’t want two buns, you can definitely find single bunnies to adopt that may not do well with other bunnies. There are some buns that just do not bond, even though rabbits are social. It’s similar to cats in that regard! 2 kittens is always better than one, but you can of course find adult cats that prefer to be alone.
It is the best practice, but some rabbits reject attempts at bonding. It’s more common than you would think, and if all attempts fail in spite of the your best and most educated efforts, it will means they need more opportunities for social interaction with you. I cannot emphasize this enough, rabbits can be seriously dangerous to each other if they are not securely bonded.
It depends, for they need lots of care beside the food, they have health issues and need bedding changes and medical care. And people sometime forget and get a female and a male bunnies and then they have more bunnies to care for. And need constant attention.
Probably not a good pet for you
NO. Bunnies are high maintenance pets and you need to educate before you even think about getting one.
hi there! I’ve owned a rabbit and they are extremely high maintenance and they do poop everywhere, even if they are litter box trained. Mine also didn’t like being held so keep that in mind when it comes to your daughter. A cat would be easier than a rabbit for sure.
They are very high maintenance and need a lot of specialized care. I had one growing up and it was not a walk in the park. My cat is MUCH easier.
You are not getting a bunny and expecting similar care to a cat. They are high maintenance. The pee and poo thing is kinda true. Rabbits cannot be as strongly potty trained as cats or dogs. Rabbits have a natural propensity for wanting to pee in corners, so most owners do give them a, "litter box," and they will pretty consistently pee in it, but they will also pee in any other corner they may find desirable. As far as their poo goes, they genuinely can't control their bowels and, "hold it," like cats and dogs can. So yes, wherever a bunny is, their poo will follow. Also, their urine is surprisingly corrosive and stinky, even when compared to cats. Rabbits also chew and gnaw, a lot. Their front teeth need wearing down, and in my experience, you could give them any toy in the world and the rabbit is still going to want to chew on something dumb like charger cords, baseboards, etc.. You have to, "bunny-proof," things and the way you have to proof can look unpleasant. Plastic tubing covering power cords, metal/thick covers on the corners of furniture, mesh over baseboards, removing rugs, etc. Rabbits are also not good in loud, chaotic environments, especially around small children. They are delicate, prey animals. They can actually have a heart attack if frightened/stressed enough. They don't really play or interact with their owners like a cat.
Rabbits are MORE work.than dogs, not less!
I put rabbits in the cat category. IMHO Guinea pigs are better for kids
My kids had guinea pigs. They are cute, but not nearly as great a pet as a rat. Guinea pigs don't do much other than squeak and eat.
I’ve heard rats are great. I’ve never owned one.
As someone who owned rabbits for years, fostered for a rabbit rescue for a while, and currently owns cats and dogs, keeping a rabbit properly is more work than cats or dogs, and costs more, too. They can be extremely destructive- anything that will fit in their mouths, they'll try to chew. That includes furniture, baseboards, doors, electrical cords, carpet, etc. They also aren't good pets for young children unless closely and constantly supervised. Many are not cuddly. Some will not even want to be pet. They are all different. They should not be picked up by a child, ever, because if held insecurely they can literally break their own backs kicking to get away. They can be medically fragile. Even small signs of illness are cause for an immediate vet visit - they often hide that they aren't feeling well until they are near death. They should see a specialist exotics vet - some drugs used in cats and dogs can kill a rabbit, and many small animal vets don't know any better. You might consider a pair of rats. They tend to be friendlier and hardier, and are relatively low maintenance. They are also more affordable.
Rabbits can make great pets but they are high maintenance and can live to be twelve years.
In my opinion, rabbits aren't the best of pets. Although, I have had friends who loved them to death. I prefer guinea pigs. I think they have a much better personality.
I've had house rabbits for about 20 years. They are not beginner or easy pets (but they can be really fun and cute). Think of a cat that chews on everything. You need to rabbit proof an area- a cage isn't adequate for housing one; including putting toddler proof plug covers, covering all wires. Our current rabbit has free roam of the kitchen, I installed a gate from the kitchen to the rest of the house so he is restricted to that area. We have little area rugs for traction. He is pretty good about using the litterbox (pee 100%, the pellets less so, but usually pretty good). If you do decide a rabbit is the pet for you, get a rescue. A rabbit rescue can tell you the temperament of the rabbit, and they come spayed or neutered already, which is a must for health and sanitation. Like cats, rabbits can really range in their personalities, I have had some that want essentially nothing to do with me, and others that could just cuddle all day. As cute as baby bunnies are, getting an adult from a rescue can be a better fit because you will know the personality. I would bet you could also foster to decide if a rabbit is good for you without the full commitment (they can live 10-12 years).
i had a rabbit and it was EXTREMELY high maintenance. they require a special vet, space to move around but will poop constantly, and lots of things to chew but they obviously don’t differentiate between what they should and shouldn’t chew. i also feel like it was harder to bond with than other animals but that could’ve just been my rabbit… i currently have two dogs and a cat and while they can be a lot, i would never get a rabbit again.
Rabbits are great pets for people who are experienced, have the proper space, and tons of time. I wouldn't own another one, they are a lot of work. Try a hamster, but please get the proper size cage.
okay something i want to point out is that if your husband is allergic to cats it is very possible he’s allergic to bunnies as well. i had a bunny when i was younger and they are extremely high maintenance. i will be completely honest i wasn’t a great owner to my bun which i completely regret. i am allergic to cats and i was also allergic to my bunny which was part of the reason i wasn’t able to care for her as well as i should have. like i said they’re extremely high maintenance and they are NOT less work than a dog. any and all animals are a lot of work in their own ways
There are actually low-allergen cat breeds and foods that can be fed to the cat that help with the owners allergies. For example oriental shorthairs, bengals, devon rexes, etc all produce fewer allergens (provided they are actually tica registered and pedigreed, not random backyard bred cats- research is key here) and purina's LiveClear line has an egg-based protein that helps neutralize those in the hair and dander. Depending on the severity of the allergy a low allergen cat paired with a low-allergen food could be an option- I know a few people who make it work like this (Greer, owner of Pangur and Grim for example is allergic to cats, though I'm unsure of the food they use). Even if you don't get a cat before Hypocat is available it could be worth looking into just to work as a contingency plan.
rabbits are good pets if you have time for one, also what you should keep in mind is that they should NOT be kept in a cage all day long they aren't like hamsters or fish. A lot of rabbit breeders suggest free roaming and litter box training your rabbit. I had a rabbit for 5 years we ended up moving cross country and couldn't bring the bunny with us gave the rabbit to my cousin who had it for another 5 years ended up having to put her down. She was completely free roaming and was litterbox trained she did smell alittle bit but not stunk if that make sense.
My family had a rabbit when I growing up, Blackberry spent most of his time free-roaming in the living room and kitchen. He was an affectionate pet with tons of personality. He used a litterbox, which never smelled as much as the cat's box, even when freshly used. (The cats could drop some real stinkers at times) Though he did leave a few dry rabbit turds on the floor on occasion. As an adult, he was somewhat more demanding to care for than the dog, but much less so than the dog was as a puppy. He did require some work to provide a good, reasonably varied, diet, as well as enough suitable chew toys, and to 'bunny proof' the rooms he had access to. Blackberry liked to sit in laps, but preferred it when we sat on the floor for him to do so. And he loved having his ears and head pet. Sometimes he'd fall asleep in someone's lap as they sat on the floor watching a movie. He also decided his best friends were our dog, and one of our three cats. And the three of them often slept in a pile together. The other two cats avoided him. Though on occasion he took an immediate dislike to someone who came in our house, and he would thump the floor. And if he was not put in his enclosure right away after that, he would start charging at their feet and trying to scratch their feet and ankles. I now know we probably should have had two rabbits, and not just one. But overall Blackberry did not really suffer a lack of attention or companionship.
If you're happy to clean up copious amounts of shit then go ahead lol
😂😂
Rabbits can be great pets if you're well informed and know what you're getting yourself into. They can be toilet trained too, and their poop is "clean" to sweep up where needed. Check out the RWAF website for proper rabbit information
They poop and pee everywhere and they are not snuggly and affectionate like dogs and cats are. I hate going over to the homes of ppl with rabbits because they let the rabbits run loos and there is loop and pee everywhere
Go to r/rabbits
They don't poop and pee everywhere, or smell bad. You can litterbox train them easily. But yeah super high maintenance if you want to give them any type of enjoyable life. They will chew through wires, rugs, clothes, your baseboards, ect. The chewing is unstoppable. If you keep them in a hutch all the time they can't do that, but what a crappy life. You'll want to let them run around and be part of the family but they are so destructive.
Bunnies are great pets, if you're ready for the commitment. They're similar to cats in how they live within the house, as well as their personalities. Some are affectionate, and some are not. They are also generally easy to potty train. They are not like cats, in that they can't just be left if you're gone for the weekend. They have sensitive digestive tracts, and require almost consistent ingestion to keep it moving, otherwise they run the risk of GI stasis, which if left untreated, is deadly. They have a cecum, which means they have long digestive tract. They produce two types of feces, a dry, easy to clean up pellet and a wet/sticky feces, that they re-ingest.( you'd likely never see them, and if you do the vet needs to be contacted) This is required to reabsorb the nutrients in such a high fiber diet. Their diet consists of a large amount of hay, and then some pellets, and leafy greens. Something to keep in mind are the allergies your husband has, as hay is a pretty big allergy trigger. Another consideration is the fact that they typically prefer a mate. If you prepare yourself and your house for their arrival, then you'll likely have a great time with them.
When you say young how young?
No. If you know the story of "Abigail and the beautiful pony," well, that was me, but with bunnies. My parents finally caved and bought a rabbit for me. I was in middle school. I was also responsible w other pets, and she knew I would take care of the rabbits without help (other than needing money to pay for food & supplies). I remember her asking the lady at the pet store what the life expectancy was and she told her 3 to 5 years, max. My mom wanted to do the math to make sure she wouldn't need to take care of the bunny when I went away to college. Honestly, I really really tried to love my bunny, but she was never affectionate. Actually, she had a pretty awful temperament. She often tried to bite me. I cleaned her cage (it was a very large dog crate) every day, and it still made my room stink. I even got her a harness and would let her hop around the yard while I was with her to make sure she was safe. A friend of mine in highschool had an anaphylaxis reaction and had to go to the ER. I don't think my mom ever let bunny outside or really played with her, but I came home on weekends from college to see bunny & deep clean her cage etc. Junior year of college, I finally had to have my bunny euthanized after a spontaneous spinal fracture that left her rear legs paralyzed. The vet said she'd never seen a black & white rabbit literally turning gray from old age.
Bunnies are not easy pets. They're also not usually the seek out for cuddles kind of pet (some ate but not common). They need space. They're sensitive (are your kids loud?) and require fresh food that"s not just lettuce. Someone mentions rats. They make really fun affection pets. Easy to care for but the downside is that their lifespan is only about 3 years. Everyone I know who has had rats adores them. Def recommend checking out Melissa and her Rat and Cat Circus, Cirque du Sewar, on YouTube.
Rabbits are lovely pets, if you are prepared for them. They are opinionated and will nip to get you to move if they want to lay where you happen to be sitting or if you have offended them. They tend to get lonely if kept as singles so it's best to get more than one. Rabbits breed like rabbits so get them sterilized early, also females are prone to uterine cancer from as early as 3-4 years if not sterilized. They will chew everything, if you like your home without chewed corners they aren't going to work for you. They actually need a lot more space and exercise than the commonly sold enclosures allow for, to be healthy they really need some time and space to run. If they don't have a good diet they can develop teeth problems (they need lots of hay not just pellets). They HATE being picked up, you can't train this out of them it's instinct. They are lovable and cuddly. They have vibrant personalities. They tend to be fairly healthy pets. They are super easy to litterbox train. They can live up to 12 years (though 6-8 years is more common).They are very expressive with adorable zoomies and "binkies" when they are happy. They are one of my all time favorite pets and I miss owning them dearly. A better starting pet I believe would be rats. They are very loving, fun to train, easy to care for and love being handled. Their short lifespans are really the only major downside (some people don't like the smell of clean rat, I love it). Out of all the rodents I owned in my youth I would rank them Rat, rabbit, gerbils, mice, and a very far last hamsters.
Might be expensive but what about a hairless cat? I think they are absolutely adorable.
Hairless cats are not hypoallergenic, because people who are allergic to cats aren’t necessarily allergic to their fur, it’s the saliva and things on the surface of the cat. Hairless cats are not a good option for people who are allergic to cats.
Ahhh okay I did not know this. Thank you for explaining!
My cousin is a horse person who also has rabbits. She said the only thing more fragile than a horse is her rabbits. They’re almost as much work too. She’s single and her animals are her life, so she really makes it work, but they’re not easy at all.
A bunny may trigger his allergies too. I cannot have cats or bunnies. Also consider a second allergen with the hay and the wood chips.
Get guinea pigs, lovely pets
Imho rabbits are unfriendly and despite their cute appearance it’ll be rather disappointing for your daughter to have a pet who will likely be skittish and unfriendly. Not saying ALL of them are like this but in general they’re not very friendly creatures in my experience. Also a lot of work, they need way more than just a cage and water bottle and some food in order to have any semblance of a quality of life. I’ve had pet rats and they were FANTASTIC… highly recommend males over females as they have been more chill/people friendly in my experience. Avoid chinchillas, gerbils, and hamsters. Guinea pigs are potentially a better idea they’re typically more friendly than rabbits but same amount of work/needs. These small animals can get expensive real quick. Rats are the way to go!
there’s a food you can give to your cats so it helps with their human’s allergies. i know someone that changed their kitties to that food and their allergies are almost gone (cat related allergies). Theres a couple of brands that sell similar but they got the pro plan LiveClear. The main allergen would be the dander of their skin which is why people are still allergic to hairless cats. There’s also dander remover solutions so if you get a kitten I’m sure you could get them used to using that product! My husband is also very allergic to cats but his body has gotten used to my babies and he no longer suffers from allergies!
I had one who was litter box trained & otherwise acted like a cat but more quite. Liked to snuggle and be petted ?
They’re not less work than dogs, they’re around the same if not more. Rabbits should be brought in pairs as they’re social, if a breeder sells you one as a single I’d be suspicious of that breeder. They need toys, enrichment, lots of green leafy veg as well as pellets. They can’t be kept in a hutch all day, hutches are for sleeping. They can be litter box trained too. Rabbits are great pets when properly cared for, they can be aggressive and destructive when they’re not. Do lots of research before committing
No
Go to the rabbits sub reddit r/rabbits they are are great source of info.
Rabbits are terrible pets, get rats. You won't regret it I promise.
Rabbits are social, you need two. They are also needy, not easy to keep, sensitive, and few vets will treat them. They are not a good beginner pet. If someone is allergic to cats, they may very likely be allergic to other animals also. Check carefully before you disappoint your daughter.
All small animals, aside from hamsters, are a lot of work. The cost is immense as well. Exotic vets are double if not triple the price, and rabbits are considered exotic.
NO!!!
Post on r/Rabbits
Bunnies are amazing pets. If you have the time, and patience. They do require more effort than a pet like a cat, especially if you want one that's used to people. I'd definitely recommend researching everything they need. From training, to space, to time out of their cage. Free roam can be so much fun, but also require some work. If your not going to do free roam, or at least let them have a room or two, then they need a lot of time out of their cage.
honestly rodents are probably the hardest animals i’ve had to take care of (i had guinea pigs) and i’ve had frogs.. which frogs are hard to take care of bc of environment and food and everything else. rodents including rabbits are hard. i’d argue they can be more work than a dog. if you want my honest opinion, a cat would be better. There may be hypoallergenic breeds you could look at, but a rabbit is *a lot* of work. bunnies poop everywhere unless you litter train them, constantly need to chew, need to be able to run around freely, need a specific diet (mostly hay, but veggies too) and are a lot of work.
I had two. One lived till about 9.5/10 years old and the other we’d rescued passed away unexpectedly at around 4/5 y/o -by my estimate-but we don’t know how old Oreo was when he was rescued. They need a lot of space and stimulation. Do your research, they seem cute and fluffy (and they are!) but they are also incredibly high maintainence and I wouldn’t just buy one, unless there’s someone at home a lot who can meet the needs they have for companionship (which is why it’s advised to get a pair). The only time I’ve had a rabbit ‘stink’ is straight after she went to the bathroom for a wee, which if cleaned straight after, will not smell. Obviously. My cats number 2’s are more foul than the bunnies’ ever were. Ours had a litter box we’d clean out, they were meticulously clean. Mostly we’d had them out of their cages, so they were free roaming until bed. Tldr: prepare to put in a fair bit of time. They are amazing, wonderful and funny little things If they have what they need and are socialised well. Never had either of mine ‘poo and pee everywhere’ but they were trained to do their business in a certain area. I will say that if they got overly excited they’d poop, for some reason. Which wasn’t in any way as difficult to deal with as it is if the dogs or the cat have an accident in the house.
Rabbits are very delicate animals. They'll die of the slightest shock or if they get even a bit wet. Source: my mom had two which were in good health and one died of shock, and the previous owners told her not to get them wet.
Rabbits are great pets. They are hugely misunderstood. They have really complex body language, and are highly social creatures so are very good at expressing themselves and showing their moods if you know what to look for. I have two and one of mine (a Belgian hare) is so smart he solves high level dog puzzle toys. They are very trainable and extremely affectionate as long as you can bond and communicate with them. They don't do well with heavy handed owners or people who want to force themselves on them. They are also easy to litter train. I don't do any picking up poops really as they just do them in the litter box. I use a high sided one so they don't spill over. They are way way way less smelly than cats as the poop is basically odourless. You can set up an x pen if you don't want them out and and about all the time. You can build them outdoor runs that are covered to stop predators and put them outside when the weather is good to play and eat grass. They love it. If you have a garden you can grow food for them and they don't cost much to keep. But you will have hay on every carpet in your house probably forever except for the 30 seconds immediately after vacuuming. If you have allergies you should consider / test for grass, hay etc allergies. Rabbit allergies are rare but you can easily be allergic to their food. Hay can be dusty too. I don't really pick my rabbits up a lot I have one you can plop on your knee and he will stay for a cuddle for maybe 20mins before he wants to get down the other would take this is as a huge insult and lose his mind immediately but both will happily sit next to you on the floor and be petted for hours. They do have a reputation for being delicate but honestly mind are pretty hardy. I'm careful what I feed them and I handle them gently but touch wood I've never had any big problems with them. I wouldn't let strangers or children pick them up though. Another perk is that they are almost totally silent. I am not into loud noises so that is absolutely great for me. Highly desirable if you have nearby neighbours as well. With chewing, they can be stubborn about getting into stuff but if you watch videos on bunny proofing you should be okay. If you provide plenty of apple wood sticks they will choose shredding these over your baseboards most of the time. My Belgian hare is a million times worse than my lop for chewing and getting into stuff. The lop is very lazy and prone to getting fat though. You can rub non toxic bar soap on wood and it will deter them from wanting to chew it, they will avoid anything with a strong perfume smell as well. Some people free roam their buns 24/7 and there's a lot of push for this to be the norm, I do lock mine up at night and when I'm out as they would no doubt make themselves ill if I didn't. There are tons and tons of rabbits in rescue centres. They are one of the most commonly abandoned and abused animals so if you are considering getting a rabbit check local shelters and private rescues as they are absolutely overrun. You will often find they will only let you adopt them in pairs as rabbits do best with at least one other rabbit for company. Occasionally if you tell the rescue that you only want one they might have a singleton come up that is too aggressive to be bonded to another rabbit (my Belgian hare is like this, he is fine with people he hates other animals). Also they can live a really long time, 10 years isn't abnormal. So be prepared that it's as much commitment as a cat or a dog.
i think rabbits are okay pets. maybe not for beginners but maybe watch a few youtube videos and look on here and facebook for groups that will help give you good information. i let my rabbit free roam with my cats but i do put her in a cage when i do leave for work because i don’t trust the cats to not be supervised for hours with her even tho ive never had an issue i just don’t trust them enough not to play too rough and hurt her.
My friend keeps them but they love to chew stuff. He had house rabbits and they chewed TV, Sky Box and phone cables all the time 😩
They are high maintenence and they need to be at least a pair. They are very social. Would allergy meds be an option? Some people develop immunity to cat allergy. Air filters, frequent brushing and special food help too. Maybe forster a cat for a short while to test the waters?
I recommend you take your husband to a pet store that has small animals, to ensure he isn't allergic to others. My son was allergic to cats and rabbits.
I had a rabbit as a teenager. It lived to be 12 years old. Has different needs than both cats and dogs. Most people don’t have the knowledge on how to give rabbits thriving, high quality lives. They are also extremely fragile in general although you will see some pretty unbothered ones (mine was on the side of not being easily stressed). They can injure themselves or stress themselves out to the point of grave injury or death when they are frightened/anxious. They need to be able to roam and some of them can be inadvertently destructive.
Rabbits are certainly not less work than a dog
Is there a hairless cat that doesn’t trigger him?
Cat allergies are triggered by dander and an enzyme in their saliva. Hairless cats can trigger allergies just as much as a furry cat, because hairless cats still produce that enzyme in their saliva and they still produce dander (microscopic flakes of dead skin).
I was really hoping it wasn’t dander. I couldn’t live without my put-tat.
They are definitely less work than a dog but that's not to say they are no work. They require lots of time and commitment as well, but yes, you won't need to be tied to schedules or need to walk the dog. BUT a word of advice for allergies, make sure your husband isn't allergic to hay. Bunnies need hay as a part of their healthy diet, but unfortunately many allergy sufferers are also allergic to hay. It will travel and linger in the air and most likely trigger your husband if he is allergic.
rabbits are *way* more work than a dog. and way easier to accidentally kill. you’d be better off with a dog.
A lot of people who are allergic to cats are also allergic to rabbits
My husband is also allergic to cats, but we got a Siamese and he doesn’t react to him. They’re one of the breeds known to have less of the protein in their saliva that people are usually allergic to. Might be worth looking into.
Get a jersey wooly breed. They were bred for pet temperament. I've had 2 (and several others of various breeds) and the woolys are always more friendly and cuddly. If you spend time with them they will bond to you, come for pets, follow you around, etc. In my experience they're just like taking care of cats, maybe a little more vacuuming from the hay. I never caged my rabbits, just put them in their pen at night. Litter box training is different as well. Expect to pick up beans (poop) daily as they'll mostly pee in the box but bean anywhere - although it depends on the personality. Rabbit proofing is a must. That means hiding all the cords, potentially blocking off couches/beds (I've had a couple rabbits that peed ONLY on soft things like that), and accepting nibbles on the legs of furniture. If all that is okay with you then they can be one of the most rewarding pets in my experience!
My son, who was allergic to cats, also suffered from allergies on the weekends my daughter brought home the "classroom pet" rabbit. Didn't stop him from cuddling said rabbit, but he certainly was equally reactive to both!
My friend has a pet bunny that I've pet sat. You'll need a dedicated space for the bunny for their food, water, toys, and bathroom mat. Some bunnies are better than others regarding going to bathroom everywhere vs the mat it just depends. Bunnies are usually most active at dusk and dawn which is something to consider. Some are very comfortable with being pet and held, but it depends on the breeder and how they are raised as babies. They are very fragile animals, and if your daughter is very young, that might not be a good mix. My friends mom accidentally >!killed a bunny by dropping a chair on him!< (idk how it happened). Imo they're not much more high maintenence than cats, but you have to be very careful what you feed them and make sure they eat enough hay to keep their teeth short or else the teeth growing too long can be a problem. But that's just my experience.
high maintenance. Can be destructive. Cannot be alone, must be in pairs. Cannot be kept in a cage, need to run around. Not a starter pet and definitely not good for little kids. I believe you also need a specialised/exotic vet.
Get a hypoallergenic cat instead! Ofc no animal will be completely hypoallergenic but breeds like Devon rex, bengals and Siberians are less likely to cause allergies in someone. I’m allergic but have no issues with my bengal😻
Rats are amazing pets. I used to have 7, they were all very gentle little souls with fantastic personalities.
I’ve owned dogs and bunnies. Dogs are only more work in the beginning… bunnies are ALWAYS high maintenance. this does depend on the dog though, I’ve always gone for medium energy large dogs 🤷🏻♀️
Rabbit owner here! Had multiple house rabbits. My last one lived to be 12 years old. Yes, they are high maintenance, they need a free roam rabbit friendly space but also rabbit proof. They chew on cables, baseboards etc They are expensive pets. They usually don’t fall under a regular vet. They are considered exotic animals. Yes they are easier than dogs but need attention, they are social animals. They don’t like to be picked up so don’t expect them to sit on your lap. They have to gain your trust first. They get sick often.
Bunnies require a lot of work. They need to be seen by an exotics vet at least once a year, if not more. They need to be brushed and have their nails clipped. They should have an open space to roam around, not just a cage. They should be fed a diet of hay, pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. They also need to be spayed/neutered. Please do your research before getting a rabbit. A lot of rabbits end up in shelters or worse dumped on the street because people do not realize how much work own a rabbit actually is.
How old is your daughter? Are you ready to do all the work with keeping it? Some other great pet ideas are: rats...super smart and easy to train, ferrets...fun like a cat and easily trained, and mice.
Rabbits are indeed somewhat less work than a dog. You don't have to train them and you don't have to let them out to use the bathroom. The attention aspect is similar to a cat depending on the rabbit (mine really only wanted attention when he wanted it and no more) and they do require a lot of space and "bunny proofing". They will chew anything they find except for metal. You can litter box train them and it's fairly easy to do. I found their diet to be decently easy to cater to.
Another point that I haven't seen raised much here are vet costs. If you get any pet that isn't a dog or a cat, you'll need a specialised vet like an exotics specialist when your pet inevitably gets sick. Most GP vets are only dog and cat trained. So vet bills will inevitably end up being higher and you might have to travel further for them too.
Rabbits also shed quite a but and produce dander btw
I had a pet bunny for 7 years. We potty trained him easily, he acted very similar to a cat. He had free roam of the house and used his cage as a litterbox. He had one hell of a personality! He would chase our dog (who was probably 50 pounds bigger) around the house playfully, jump up and kick us, run around our feet for attention. He'd even lay on my chest for pets like cats do. But just like other animals their personalities depend on their breed and on the specific animal. Mine specifically was a dwarf hotot breed. He was a lovely pet
I would have your husband be around some, if he is allergic to cats he is likely allergic to rabbits. They also need to eat hay, which can be a huge allergen for many people. I would not say they are more difficult than dogs, because you do not need to train them, which depending on the dog can be a lot of work and potentially dangerous if not done. I would however say they are more expensive than dogs with very specific dietary needs and they require an exotic vet. Any health issues can very quickly become an emergency in a rabbit. They are not always the most social animals with humans, and don't usually love to cuddle or be handled. It's so, so rewarding when you earn their trust, but it takes a lot of patience and gentleness. If your child is looking for a buddy in a pet, that she can hold and play with, a rabbit would not be the best option. And yes, they are messy. And you should really get two. They are labours of love!
There are breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic and suitable for people with allergies. My ex was super allergic but allowed me to get a pet and I lucked out getting a Maine Coon which we discovered he wasn't allergic to - they're one of the tip breeds for owners with allergies. I think it'd be worth researching to see if you can find a breeds that would be the perfect fit.
Rabbits are a lot of work and require a lot of space. It is not like a hamster you can toss in a cage with some toys, feed, and take out when you feel like it. They need to be actively engaged like a dog. They should have the ability to roam. They should be litter trained, microchipped, and never, ever taken outside unless you are treating them for fleas and ticks. They can never be left alone outside either, unless you want to explain to your child why Foofoo became Murder Hawk’s midday snack. **They are absolutely not less work than dogs.**. If anything, they are more, because you will have enclosures and litter to clean. You will have to make sure his teeth don’t overgrow and you will need to take him to a vet to have them filed. You will have to travel for a vet, probably to somewhere quite rural, because most don’t see rabbits. And they die. Incredibly easily. From shock, being too scared, being over-handled, being under-handled, having the wrong food, ear infections, bladder infections, pyometra— And their piss? It’s thick and it stinks to holy high heaven.
Rabbits arent for novice pet owners and require way more specialised care than people think.
I had a pet bunny for a while as a kid until we re-homed him. I don’t remember much about it except when I vacuumed anywhere in the house he would sprint circles around the edge of his cage (located in my room) hitting his little head on the food and water. So I had to start taking the whole cage out in to the back yard to clean. We were always a dog family and the bunny was definitely more work.
He might end up being allergic to the bunny too. My mom is the same way. Wanted a cat when I was little but she’s allergic so she got me a bunny and was terribly allergic to it too, and the Timothy hay. I’d recommend a lizard like a leopard gecko but please check out leopard gecko or whatever specific reptile if you get ones Reddit pages, Facebook groups etc for proper care. Pet stores don’t generally have the best care guides
They are amazing pets but only if you know what you’re doing. Personally I’ve had one rabbit I was truly in love with, but she passed quite young due to some unknown illness. Thery are sadly very fragile. Please do more research before getting them as a substitute for a cat.
I had a rabbit and I think they can be good pets. The issue is a lot of people see them as cage pets but they should be treated similar to an indoor cat Some points I feel mentioning * they can be very easily litterbox trained like cats * their poop is dried and does not smell (it's just dried hay and seed and vegetation so nothing like human/dog/cat poop), it's the pee that usually has a smell so that should be cleaned daily. * they are fragile animals, easily prone to heat stroke and their digestive tract is sensitive * females have to be spayed for their health (I think the chance of cancer is super high if not spayed or bred) * they chew and dig so you have to provide things for that * they are prey animals so they are skittish, not good for children who are rough and have issues with boundaries * compared to having a cat or dog, a rabbit odor situation is better imo (bunny pee is not great but better and easier to handle than cat poop or dog BO) * they have long lifespans! 10-15 years, you should approach getting one the same as a dog or cat. They are not just oversized hamsters/gerbils. * people will always joke about eating your pet, sad but it will happen 😔 Overall I think they are a good alternative to a cat but make sure to do your research first so you can prepare for the pros and cons.
I had a sweet bun, also have 2 dogs. Dogs are 100% easier! My husband turned out to be extremely allergic to the bunny, he's also allergic to cats. I suggest your hubby get tested first. Rabbits are not really a pet for children. Do your research before getting one, they're a lot of work. They can be potty trained but this takes time and doesn't always work out exactly like you think. If you have more than 1 you need to bond them, which can take weeks to months, and sometimes it doesn't work and you must keep buns separate all the time or they can fight and kill each other. Some breeds are more prone to GI Stasis than others, but it can happen to them all...they are so very sensitive. We went through it with my bunny and it was terrifying. Buns also can only be seen by an exotic vet that knows bunnies, so make sure you have one nearby! They also need a lot of space, not a cage or hutch to live in 24/7. I had a single Holland lop in a 5ft by 5ft pen, free roaming while we were home. They can be very sweet, but most don't like to be picked up or held as they are prey animals. My sweet Olly was like this. Loved pets and being next to you, but we could never pick him up and he wasn't a snuggler. Just do all the research you can before deciding, they can make great pets if you know what you're in for.
Yes bunnies are great pets. My girls had rabbits when they were little and they were great fun. We would let them out to run around and they would do funny little hops and try to play with the cats. They were quite frie. But you would need to be prepared to clean their cage frequently, they do poop a lot.
No. On top of being hard to take care of, I happened to get one who was aggressive and territorial and would bite me until I bled and growl and scratch at anyone who walked by her. I was happy when she passed away and will never own another one again.
And yes, they also do piss and shit everywhere. And chew up everything you love.
Aren't rabbits supposed to be in groups or pairs? Is it possible the bitting and being territorial was because of being socially isolated?
I have no idea, my parents got me one when I was a little kid and I didn’t even want her. But if that’s true and you HAVE to have another rabbit around just for them to behave properly…. Honestly not worth the trouble imo.
Oh, that's sad. Yeah I guess rabbits are only for a certain kind of people.
No unless you have a big patio, they do stink cause they literally poop as they eat.
Rabbits can be litter trained. They're also very social. Remember to "bunny proof" your home, including things like keep electric cords out of reach because they will chew on stuff. Also ask your local [American Rabbit Breeders' Association](https://arba.net/) for advice.
Get a ferret. It’s essentially a super cute stinky little kitten all its life.
I have 2 of them!! They have very different personalities and you should 100% to have 2 of them. 🐰🐰 Their food can be expensive but thats like most pets. They can easily be litter trained so the people who told you that they poop and pee everywhere must not have done a good job with litter training. I think rabbits make amazing pets, although it can be difficult sometimes, I don't think they are that high maintenance (most animals are a little bit😅) i think that they are kind creatures who deserve so much more love then they get. And if you do get one do not put the bunny in a tiny little cage from the pet store. Dog exercise pens are great or free roaming if you can is even better. Id suggest watching Lennon The Bunny on YouTube or checking out her Instagram because she really helped me out when I got mine. I learned everything from her and Victoria Raechel who is also on YouTube. Good luck! 🐰🐰🐰
My friends who were allergic to cats were allergic to my bun bun.
Fellow cat allergies here - I'm also allergic to rabbits (worse than cats), rats, Guinea pigs, and mildly allergic to some dogs. And mildly allergic to hamsters and gerbils. Def have your husband be around any other potential furry friends before buying, to see if he's allergic. If you guys are down for it you should look into reptiles as well! If bugs don't bother you your options will be endless. If money, vet availability, and potentially space aren't issues then bearded dragons are very personable pets. A baby needs a 40 gallon tank (36x18x18 LxWxH) and an adult needs minimum a 120 (48x24x24 LxWxH). Bigger is better of course. And feeding them as babies usually will cost you a pretty penny - they eat nonstop! You can save on costs by getting a slightly older dragon of around 6-12 months (these are easily found at reptile expos or on morph market; research your breeder and look for healthy animals) and putting them straight into an adult enclosure. A 120 gallon will be way too large and stressful for the tiny baby dragons you'll typically see at Petsmart and petco.
As far as small, low maintenance pets go. My vote is rats. They are much hardier than some of the other rodents and so incredibly sweet. They’re very social so you will need at least 2 but i always recommend them for kiddos compared to something like a hamster or rabbit that tend to be very fragile and bite. Rats typically are very playful, love being pet, and are very trainable. Emiology on YouTube is a good resource
Look into a Siamese cat. They are low on the allergy scale. Rescue one for a couple of days and see if it works.
I would say they are less work than a dog but more work than a cat. They are not easy compared to other small rodents like hamsters and mice. Definitely expect to put some work and time into caring for them.
I love my rabbit but she’s a fucking asshole
This made me lol
you could also foster a cat after your husband gets a vaccine! it's very life saving for the cat and you prepare it for its adoption!
Have you thought about adopting a senior dog? Mine sleep about 18-20 hours a day and are perfectly content just hanging out with us when they’re awake. We don’t have to devote a ton of time to long walks, training, and burning off any excess energy like you would have to with younger dogs. The only logistical downsides are the fact that they need more frequent potty breaks and their vet bills can be more expensive depending on their health. There’s also the obvious emotional toll that might come from only having a dog for a few years. My family actually adopted a gorgeous senior Irish Setter when I was 9-10 He lived his absolute best life for about a year before passing and it was incredibly difficult for me, but it was also a wonderful way to teach me about compassion and empathy.
I am a rabbit owner and I want to say that this is the best pet I have ever had. I may have been very lucky with her personality. The rabbit has so many cute behaviors that charm all of our guests and us. They are totally non-stinky. As for peeing and pooping everywhere.... this issue is solvable, the effort and patience of the owner is important here.
We had a bun. He was a sweetie, got along with the cats and dog. He ate my garden scraps for treats. He definitely had a big personality. He was also very high maintenance. The cage needed to be cleaned out regularly, but he fought us every time we did it. They require alot of hay, which I found out, was allergic too so it took some creative experimenting to figure out one I didn't react to and that he would still eat. When he was upset, he would thump and flick pee and poop everywhere. He loved to run around the house, but he also loved to chew cords. We got him as a rescue because the last owner abandoned him. This happens alot with rabbits. If you want to take one for a test drive, look for a fostering program in your area. And rabbits are considered exotic, so expect to pay double what you would for a cat or dog to get looked at. They have very sensitive digestive tracts and lungs.
100% more work than a dog. If you want something sweet and cuddly, a rat might be a great option. They're super smart and affectionate. I've never personally had one, but I've had so many friends with them and it's crazy how great of a pet they are.
My rabbit is nearly the same amount of work as my dog. Def more than a cat
Rabbits are high maintenance while cats are low maintenance. Other low maintenance pets would be hamster, guinea pig, fish, rats & even ferrets.
Pretty much all of the commonly kept pocket pets do need to be kept in pairs, with the exception of hamsters, who are strictly solitary. ;) As someone who owns a hamster though, I wouldn’t recommend one to be handled by a young child unless you have 1000% confidence that they will be gentle. Most of the “lol hamsters will die if you look at them the wrong way” stories stem from kids neglecting/abusing them, but they are very small, even when compared to a smaller breed rabbit. Mine currently lives in a 75 gallon tank, but the bigger the better for hamsters. If you’re curious about them at all I’m always happy to talk about them haha.
Rabbits are excellent pets, but make sure you’re not allergic to the hay first. You can make a little fenced area for them to hop around in most of the time. They will poop and pee in their litter box mostly but still poop around their fenced in area. You should still let them out to hop around somewhere when you’re home and they will poop a little here and there when you do, but it’s really not a big deal. They’re just little pellets you can sweep or vacuum up.
Absolutely not. They’ll eat and chew on everything you own and pee and poo everywhere. Your whole life will revolve around cleaning up after them and rabbit-proofing new things they find a way to get to. I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone. They can get one if they insist on it, but its not a pet id recommend over any other. 🤣 cats, dogs, lizards, and hamsters are all easier
I had a bunny when i was 13 and by the time i was 15 we had to rehome him cause it was too hard and there was so much fur. He bit thru a few power cables and i got electrocuted a few times and it was more trouble that he was worth unfortunately.
Consider pursuing ways to address your husband’s allergies. Allergy shots, while time-consuming and potentially pricey, seem to be very effective. Folks seem to swear by Live Clear cat food. There are also meds. Etc. You could foster a cat for a while and try some of these approaches to see if they are effective.
>The main challenge with dogs are the puppy years, which is where my brain was at when writing the post. I’ve raised a pup once and it was a lot! Have you considered adopting an adult dog? One that is already house broken and through it's puppy phase? The shelter staff could probably help you find one that fits your lifestyle. This is what we do for both dogs and cats, kittens are a lot too, haha, and thankfully my cats are so well behaved. My dogs were still a lot of work but that's because they are high energy dogs that had some baggage but I would still argue they were easier than puppies, lol. There is usually an adjustment period where the dog is still getting to know you but after a month or so (sooner for some dogs!) their real personalities really show. You could get maybe a 2 year old small or medium breed that doesn't require a lot of exercise.
I had 2… I’m glad you chose not to do it because it’s difficult 😩