'Rabbits as pets.'

Rabbits as pets.

endora (24.45.126.104) -

Im looking for a good pet for my daughter who is eight. Would a rabbit be a good pet for her or should i look toward something else?

Comment #1 gwes from OC -

I have never owned arabbit but they do smell very bad.

Comment #2 Goldie from Wisconsin -

Unless you plan on keeping it and taking care of it for as long as you would any other family pet, I would say no. I'm not in any way suggesting that you would do this, but sometimes parents buy animals for their kids like ducks, rabbits etc.. because they are cute and they end up taking them to a shelter.

Comment #3 Bizzy from Hamster Wheel -

Rabbits are a huge responsibility. As has been mentioned, they SMELL. Bad. They can be trained and they can be friendly. Their nails need to be clipped because they get very long.

• Rabbit Care Guide

Comment #4 sammehpants from Canada -

I had a rabbit when I was young, they are as good a pet as anything else for children. Most likely you will have to take care of it most of the time. Rabbits need their nails clipped, they need their cages cleaned, fresh food and water every day, things to chew on so their teeth don't get too long, and that is very important because they can injure themselves. But, if you are getting a pet, a rabbit would be the same responsibility as any other pet. A hamster, guinea pigs, gerbils, ect would all be the same amount of work. Dogs, cats, ect, would be even harder to take care of. If you are willing to take care of the animal if you child looses interest, than I think a rabbit would be as good a pet as any.

Comment #5 Wendi (68.104.204.90) -

Rabbits don't actually smell. Most of them can be easily litter-box trained. They can be very interesting, affectionate, and entertaining pets. However, they do need care just like other animals. They must be handled carefully, as they have more fragile skeletons than dogs or cats. They're not a great pet for young kids, for this reason and also because they tend to be skittish and hyper-alert (they are prey animals), especially in unfamiliar situations or around scary, unpredictable people (like kids!). They do like to chew on things, and this can be dangerous and destructive without proper supervision.

I own a rabbit, and work taking care of rabbits at a no-kill shelter.

Wendi

Comment #6 Rabbits Online (154.5.23.35) -

Rabbits do NOT smell if they're fed properly and the litter boxes emptied, like any pet. From personal experience, they smell the same or less than hamsters, rats, guinea pigs and cats! We don't recommend rabbits for children, but that's mostly for the rabbit's sake, not the child's. If an adult was to be responsible and the child was never allowed to pick up the rabbit (keeping in mind that rabbits do fine as 'free-run' pets and will interact with people and be very sociable, just at ground level) and the rabbit was adopted with a mate as company, it can be workable.

Comment #7 jamie (208.20.204.57) -

i would like to know do baby rabbits chew on wood or somthing else would u tell me because i would like to know

Comment #8 anonymous (169.244.70.147) -

I HATE RABBITS THEY SCRATCH, BITE, CHEW, POOP, PEE, AND MAKE MESSES AND THEY ARE NOT CUDDLY

Comment #9 anonymous (169.244.70.147) -

THEY ALSO SMELL BAD, HONEY I DO NOT RECOMEND A RABBIT FOR A PET

Comment #10 ???? (68.94.47.251) -

im getting a rabbit this weekend.... and it's gonna be a tame (at first wild) one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment #11 Dixie Normis (68.94.25.224) -

I've heard you can train rabbits to use a litter box, and you can get their inscisors removed by a vet (still allowing them to eat) and let them roam around your house.

Comment #12 Dixie Normis (68.94.25.224) -

I've heard you can train rabbits to use a litter box, and you can get their inscisors removed by a vet (still allowing them to eat) and let them roam around your house.

Comment #13 Wayde Forster from New York -

Is it really Normis-what are you-12? Rabbits incisors grow throughout their lives-they can't be removed, and why would you? If you can't handle a rabbit being a rabbit, just don't get one.

BTW-The really large breeds make better, friendlier pets. Some of the dwarf breeds are very bad tempered and hard to train.

Comment #14 hamster lover (146.115.75.32) -

Get a hamster. I have had 3 and if loved and handeled responsibly can be a fun loving pet. they live 2-3 years so its not a huge comitment. they can be potty trained too with little effort.

GET A HAMSRER!!

Comment #15 elizbar from MA -

They only smell if you do not clean them (I have 9 and i am a breeder) if you keep them outside you want to clean them atleast once a week or mor if the are inside clean them every 3 days up to every day. RAbbit are very clean animal most will go to the bathroom in one spot and some can be litter box trained 2 of mine are it is so much easyer.

Hope I helped

Elizabeth

Comment #16 elizbar from MA -

Where are you from I have babys for sale I am the meesag title Baby Mini lops for sale get back to me if you are close anuf and interested

Comment #17 Veronique (71.126.99.82) -

I am a foster parent for rabbits for an animal shelter. A lot of people do abandon their bunny because they are a lot of work.

They do tend to smell, especially if not neutered. I suggest you get a a shelter bunny as they usually are neutered for you. It saves you a lot of money and troubles (they get to an age where they can be very sexually active, with anything), most of the good shelter will potty train them for you as well. They are cuddly and cute though! They usually like to be pet and purr softly.

Hamster smell too.

Sincerely, if it is a first pet, it is hard. If you like rodents, guinea pigs are great. They are not smelly and make funny noises. They need to be tamed to warm up to you though and are fragile which might frustrate a kid.

In term of work vs kids satisfaction, I suggest a cat: almost no smell except for the litter box, no need to tame, most are friendly.

Anything you decide, think about a shelter animal as it would save a life and allow you to have an idea of the pets personality before hand (babies can be tricky).

Comment #18 Anonymous (65.11.212.246) -

Rabbits are not very good pets in my opinion, My sister had one and it was kind of a pain to take care of. It needs fresh water, and after a while they smell bad also the WILL Destroy wooden furniture and they will chew though electricity cables and the tear up carpet and shed constantly but on the other hand they a cute animals and they are quite popular.Also they constantly poop which mean you have to but new cage litter every week otherwise it starts to get filled with rabit fece's.So unless your going to take well care of the bunny yourself I dont recomend you buy a rabit as a pet.Personaly i prefer reptiles as pets some are very easy to take care of such as a snake they need fresh water and 1 mouse a week and a heat source and thats mostly it but, Good luck with your bunny if you decide to get one for your daughter.

Comment #19 Allen (76.0.101.103) -

Rabbits CAN make excellent pet. Most of that CAN, depends on the bunnies owner. I have a Sable Silver Martin that we have had since 5 weeks old. He is very lovable, likes being pet and held, and loves to play. For a rabbit to be "tame" and like to be handled (within reason) he needs regular attention, once he has become established with his new home (a week or so) for new babies. In my opinion it is best to raise your bunny from a baby, they become attached much easier. As far as "needing too much attention", if you were put in a cage and left their with no interaction, and only thrown some food and water, you wouldn't be very likable either most likely. As far as smell, rabbits that have a PROPER diet, and clean home, absolutely do not smell. I have never bathed mine (bathing is not usually necessary or recommended) and he ALWAYS smells clean and fresh. BUT, he ONLY eats 100% Timothy Hay (Not alfalfa), fresh clean green leafy vegetables, and a Timothy Hay BASED pellet to supplement. NOTE: TIMOTHY HAY BASES PELLETS ARE MUCH MUCH Better for your bunny, it is better in fiber, nutrients in the right amount, and for his digestive system. Cheap pellets that are ALFALFA based are NOT good for your bunny. YES, I know this is the most plentiful and common type of pellets and food mixtures that you can find, but that doesn't mean its good for him, trust me, I speak from experience and ANY knowledgable rabbit owner or breeder will tell you the same. NOTE: MOSTLY TIMOTHY HAY AND VEGETABLES AS MENTIONED, and PELLETS AS A SUPPLEMENT IN LIMITED AMOUNT. If quality hay, pellets, and food is given to him his droppings will actually not stink. Urine is what usually causes smell in his home if at all, and this is why his home should be kept clean and dry. PLENTY OF FRESH CLEAN WATER IN A BOTTLE TYPE WATERER AT ALL TIMES IS ALSO A MUST. Seems like alot but really it's not. But if you just want a rabbit that doesnt need attention and it doesnt really matter what you feed it, then he probably will be stinky and unfriendly, as would you if treated that way! Hope this helps! Good luck!

Comment #20 Amy (70.242.115.132) -

I have 2 bunnies that do not smell, I clean there cage 2 to 3 times a week. my rabbits go to the bathroom in the same spot every time.My bunnies love my 7 year old daughter. the bunnies get along good together. i keep them inside, i never thought about leaving them outside.we adopted the bunnies together. My terrier mix dog doesn't try to eat the bunnies she barely even notices them. i think a bunny would be a great pet for your daughter.

Comment #21 amy (60.241.242.147) -

i have 2 rabbits. they don't SMELL.. they would only smell if you didn't empty the litter box daily..people.. RABBITS don't smell.. they are just like any other pets, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, cats, etc. if proper care is taken, they are very good pets. and yes they are a big respondsibility so i suggest something like a dog, cat.. etc.. if you have young children. if you think they are mature enough then a rabbit would be a good option. they don't cost that much and are very good pets in the long run.

Comment #22 julie (60.241.242.147) -

rabbits are such great pets. they don't smell and they're super cuddly

Comment #23 david (60.241.242.147) -

rabbits SMELL.. i mean it.. They SMELL.. really really bad. DO NOT GET A PET RABBIT. at first they seem cuddly but after a while they start to get annoying. VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE.

* clipping their nails

* maintaining their fur

* loads of vaccinations

* cleaning their cage basically daily

hardly enough time to actually enjoy the pet

dogs are much better

Comment #24 anonymous#12 (190.213.100.50) -

i think all you people who say a rabbit is smelly are heartless they are only smelly because you don't take proper care of them.btw if a rabbit is bad luck then all animals should be bad luck.and further more there is nothing such as bad luck if you truly have faith in GOD nothing will happen to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

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