Rabbits as Pets [12 Pros and Cons of Having Bunnies] (2024)

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A pet in your house is never disappointing. Whatever you live alone or in a family, if you have a pet of your own; it is amazing. But almost all of us start thinking some questions before having a pet.

How long it will live? Will it be too noisy? Will it become poisonous? What if I can’t make a good bonding with it? And etc…

This article is for them who are thinking about Rabbits as pets’ pros and cons. When you decide to have bunnies as pets then you must know the pros and cons of a pet bunny.

Because, when they are in wild their living depends on them, but when you pet a bunny then it is your duty to give them a beautiful and healthy life.

Bunnies as pets pros and cons

Rabbits are so cute at all ages. They are cute and quiet at the same time. They are intelligent. They can use the litterbox and can be trained to pee and poop at any definite place. They don’t need much space and their foods are also not hard to find.

However, they love to scratch and tear off things they find in their sight. They are sensitive animals who are good at hiding sickness. They need special care than other animals in general.

Let’s check out the advantages of having a bunny as a pet while keep looking at the disadvantages of it.

Rabbits as Pets | 8 Pros of Having Rabbits

1# Rabbits are cute

The main thing I must say is Rabbits are cute. You must like to have a pet which is cute too look. No offense but there are many animals that look not so cute really. Rabbits have not this type of problem. They are cute at every age.

2# Bunnies are noiseless

Another main pro of having bunnies as a pet is bunnies are noiseless. They actually don’t shout or make any harsh noise. They are considered docile animals. It is all about their vocalization. It is extremely quiet.

You may now think how they alert other rabbits when they are in danger?

Well,

rabbits make lower growl noise and thump their legs when they are in trouble. And a happy rabbit can make soft purring noise. I am sure that you would love that sound definitely.

3# Foods are available

Bunny foods are not hard to find. They almost eat up all greeny leaves and vegetables. They love to eat grass and hay. You can give them vegetables, nuts, fruits, etc which are not rare actually.

4# Rabbits make a good bonding with the owner

Rabbits can create good bonding with its owner. Though Rabbits take a bit longer to get known and comfortable with you than dogs or cats. But when they start believing you, they try to make you happy as much as they can.

You know rabbits are mainly prey animals. So the level of their scare is much than other animals.

5# Bunnies can be taught tricks

You can teach bunnies tricks. They can be taught how to use the litterbox. So, you can teach them where they would pee and poop. They can learn from a whistle or any tap sound.

If you give them names then they can respond when you call their name!

6# Rabbits do no harm

Rabbits do never harm to you. Though they are prey animals when they feel no danger they do not attack anyone approaches to them.

Well, sometimes they become angry and try to scratch you but it happens rarely. Only when any of them is sick or disturbed or scared.

7# Rabbits do not need much space

Pet-loving peoples may think before having a pet that “Does my house have enough space for bunnies?” Well, I am telling you Rabbits do not need much space to play or hop around. It is better if you give them some open places to play and explore. But if you can’t then it is okay too.

8# Different Varieties

There are hundreds of breeds of them. There are almost 300 breeds of them. They are different in size, color, behavior and etc. You can choose them according to your house space and your afford level. Some of them are huge and some of them are so tiny and cute. Most of them look good in every color, though it varies from person to person.

Ok,

These are the main advantages of Rabbits as pets. Now let’s take a look at the disadvantages.

Rabbits as Pets | 4 Cons of Having Rabbits

1# Daily cleaning

Bunnies pee and poop a lot. They can chew as much as they can and poop as much as they can! So you need to clean their living place daily. Though they can be trained to use litter boxes and you can teach them to pee or poop at a definite place.

But still,

They need time to learn and there would be one or two of them which will never learn that trick.

2# Chew and scratch

Chewing and scratching everything at sight is a habit of Rabbits. They chew clothes, rubbers, plastics, woody furniture and etc. So, it is a problem for those who intend to pet rabbits inside the house.

3# Rabbits become sick easily

Both over temperature and cold is harmful to them. And they are good at hiding sickness. So, you can’t find out quickly if your bunny is sick or not and most of the time it happens that it is too late when the owner finds that the bunny is sick.

4# Take time to be socialized

Bunnies take time to be socialized than other animals. And as they are fast, you can’t catch them in the beginning. Moreover, as they are prey animals so before socialized they may look aggressive to you.

Things to consider when buying a Rabbit

Your pet is your responsibility. There are pros and cons to every animal as pets. So, when you decide to have a pet, you may have to look at the cons too. Pet an animal is a balance no doubt.

Conclusion

Rabbits as pets have pros and cons too. These cute animals need much care and affection. However, they will love you back when you love them. The cons are not so hard to accept and maintain. Let’s have a bunny today!

Rabbits as Pets [12 Pros and Cons of Having Bunnies] (2024)

FAQs

What are the pros and cons of having a bunny? ›

Rabbits are amazing, affectionate, and social pets. They can be great house pets if you take the time to socialize them and learn about their basic body language. However, rabbits require a lot more care than people typically expect, so it's important to be prepared before bringing home a new bunny.

Should a 12 year old have a rabbit? ›

Despite their reputation as low-maintenance starter pets, rabbits are actually better suited for older children that understand how to be responsible with the care of their pet. They are very social creatures that crave attention from their owners and will require a significant time and care commitment.

Are rabbits good or bad pets? ›

Rabbits make great pets. In general, rabbits need appropriate housing, exercise, socialisation and a specific diet for good welfare. Some breeds of rabbits, particularly the longer haired rabbits, may require daily grooming.

Is owning a bunny hard? ›

Rabbits make great pets, but like other small pets, they need lots of care and attention. You'll need to make sure you have plenty of time to spend with them every day. Rabbits with long fur also take much more looking after as their fur can become matted quickly and they need grooming every day.

What are 5 benefits of owning a rabbit? ›

Here are nine good reasons why bunnies make great pets.
  • They're quiet creatures. ...
  • Bunnies are full of character. ...
  • They're easy to train. ...
  • Rabbits are space-effective pets. ...
  • Rabbits form strong bonds. ...
  • There's a breed of bunny for everyone. ...
  • There are many rabbits in need of rescue. ...
  • Rabbits live long lives.
May 3, 2021

Why do bunnies lick you? ›

Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it's a sign of affection as you'll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.

What age is best to get a rabbit? ›

Despite popular beliefs around Easter, rabbits often aren't the best match for very young children under the age of 7. The lively and loud nature of toddlers can be overwhelming for rabbits, who prefer a peaceful environment and are not typically suited for frequent handling and cuddling like some pets.

What is the cleanest pet to have? ›

What pet is the cleanest? Cats are famously fastidious in their cleanliness, but they will leave trails of litter, fluffs of hair, and the occasional hairball (or other things) for their human to clean up. The cleanest pets include amphibians, fish, reptiles, and rodents.

At what age do rabbits hit puberty? ›

Depending on his/her genetic makeup, a rabbit will reach sexual maturity somewhere between the age of 3 to 8 months. Once the sex hormones start flowing, expect to see behavioral changes.

Do bunnies like to cuddle? ›

Many bunnies enjoy cuddles and affection

You can bond with your bunny by relaxing at home and petting them quietly. When they're enjoying a good cuddle, they'll “chatter” by clicking their teeth together. Bunnies are super-soft, and many will love cuddling with you as much as you love cuddling with them.

Do pet rabbits bite? ›

Bunnies will nip to get your attention or to politely ask you to move out of their way. Rabbits usually don't bite, but if one does it generally doesn't mean they hate you. There are many reasons that might cause a rabbit to bite — for example, if you grab at a rabbit or surprise them.

What is the downside of owning a rabbit? ›

Destructive behavior: Rabbits have a natural instinct to chew, which can lead to destructive behavior in your home if you do not provide them with appropriate chew toys. 3. Messy: Rabbits can be messy pets, as they tend to scatter their bedding and litter around their living space.

Is owning a bunny expensive? ›

Rabbits. On average, rabbits cost their owners between $600 and $1,100 per year. You might be surprised, but rabbits can be high maintenance pets. MyHouseRabbit.com estimates you'll be spending around $85 a month on your rabbit essentials: litter, hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables.

Will a bunny cry? ›

Unhappy Rabbit Sounds

A rabbit will only scream if they are scared, stressed, or frightened. Hopefully, you never hear a rabbit scream, it is eerily chilling. Some other sounds of anger, pain, or fear include: Growling: Rabbits certainly can growl and it often precedes a lunge and possibly a bite.

What are bunnies weaknesses? ›

Biological & behavioural weaknesses

Rabbits are dependent on warrens or other shelter so destruction of these will greatly reduce the local rabbit population1. Rabbits are also highly susceptible to predators and disease.

Is it worth having a rabbit? ›

Owning rabbits can be extremely rewarding. Rabbits come in a variety of breeds, shapes and sizes, and each bunny has their own unique personality. They typically live for 8 to 12 years, but some may live for longer. Take a look at our rabbit care advice to find out how to keep your bunnies happy and healthy.

Do bunnies like to be held? ›

Rabbits don't usually like being picked up and held unless they've become used to it from a young age and even then handling must be done carefully and gently. Sometimes you may need to pick up your rabbits and it's important you do this safely.

Are bunnies good indoor pets? ›

Rabbits can make good indoor pets, if you know how to properly care for them! Pet rabbits live for between 8 to 12 years, and there's no reason why your indoor rabbits can't reach a grand old age.

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