| Rabbit Myths vs. Rabbit Realities |
| "Rabbits are easy low maintenance starter pets." |
| Common Myth |
| The Reality |
| Although rabbits don't require long walks like a dog; they do require daily cleaning and feeding, as well as daily playtimes. |
| "Rabbits require no long term commitment because they only live a year or two." |
| A well cared for indoor rabbit will often live 7-10 years, and it is not unusual for them to live into their teens. This is the same lifespan as many dogs, and requires the same commitment. |
| "Rabbits do not require veterinary care." |
| Rabbits must be spayed / neutered, and yearly checkups help to catch disease early while it is easily treated. If your rabbit does become sick or injured, treatment can be expensive and good rabbit vets are hard to find. |
| "Rabbits are happiest outdoors in a hutch." |
| Rabbits kept outdoors are prone to neglect, the elements, parasites, attacks from predators, and disease. Rabbits enjoy the company of humans, and would rather be part of your home, kept inside where they can be near you. |
| "Rabbits are dirty and smelly creatures." |
| Healthy rabbits, once they are past the destructive teenager stage, and have been spayed / neutered are extremely clean. They can be easily trained to use a litter box. With dillignent cleaning of the box, there should be no offensice odor and very little mess. |
| "Rabbits are cuddly and docile" |
| It is not in a rabbit's nature to be agressive, but it is also not their nature to be cuddled and squeezed like a suffed toy. Although many rabbits enjoy being petted and hugged, others do not. Rabbits will bite and scratch if they are afraid or feel smothered. In addition rabbits may "bite" or "scratch" to groom those they love, or to demand attention. Careful training can teach the rabbit to be more gentle. |
| "Rabbits do fine in small cages." |
| Rabbits were built to run, jump and graze. Much like horses or deer. They require plenty of space to run and play in. Rabbits that are confined in small spaces often develop bad habbits, and may be more flighty and agressive simply because they have a lot of pent up energy. Dwarf rabbits require just as much space as large rabbits despite their small size, as dwarfs are often more energetic. |
| "Rabbits can be left alone for a day or two while you're on vacation." |
| Rabbits should never be left alone for more than 24hrs. While you probably needn't worry if you spend the night at a friends house, anything longer is not a good idea. Problems that are relatively minor in dogs and cats, can turn deadly very fast in rabbits. |
| "Rabbits are easy to feed. A bowl of rabbit pellets, a carrot or two, and a bottle of water is fine." |
| Rabbits require fresh water daily, and spring water is best. The high levels of chlorine or flouride, not to mention iron, zinc, and calcium in some tap water, while not harmful to humans can be deadly for rabbits. Rabbits do need rabbit pellets, but they cannot live on these alone. Rabbits require fresh free choice hay as well. Often the hay and pellets available at the local grocery store or pet store are stale and of poor quality. Many of the popular rabbit feeds amount to bunny junk food, and should be avoided at all costs. This means thay hay and pellets will often have to be specially ordered. In addition to hay and pellets, rabbits require daily fresh greens, and lots of them, and often need supplements. |
| "Rabbits are great children's pets." |
| Rabbits and children have very different ideas of what is fun. Children love things they can cuddle and hold, rabbit often do not like this kind of treatment. Children's rough treatment can frighten a rabbit and will likely result in bitten fingers. If you are thinking of getting a rabbit for your child, get a stuffed one instead. Rabbits can be good family pets, only if children are closely supervised and taught to understand what rabbits like and don't like, and how to properly play with a rabbit. |
| Now that we've dispelled some myths, lets move on to the advantages and disadvantages of rabbits over other pets. |
| "Rabbits are stuipid and boring." |
| Rabbits will appear stuipid and boring, if they aren't given anything to do. Rabbits that are given adequate outlets for their energy, will amaze you with the things they can learn and the performances they will put on. For example: My rabbit plays catch, and dances. |