On our farm, the rabbit nursery is the children's favourite place. We see even the shyest child light up when a rabbit first sniffs at their palm. Yet when a family asks us whether they should get a rabbit, we always say the same thing: yes, but only if you know what you are taking on. That is what this article is about.
According to the recommendations of the RSPCA and rabbit welfare organisations[1][2][3]
In short Who is a rabbit right for?
👍 A good choice if…
- an adult takes on the care (children help, but are not responsible);
- your children are older and can sit calmly and quietly next to an animal;
- there is space where the rabbit can run around every day;
- you will still be happy to care for it in 10 years' time.
✋ Better to wait if…
- the rabbit would be a "gift" that a child looks after alone;
- your children are still small and would want to grab and hug it;
- the rabbit would spend all day in a small cage;
- you only want it for one season, such as Easter.
How long will it be with us?
Many people think of rabbits as short-lived "starter" pets, but a well-kept domestic rabbit lives for 8–12 years on average[3]. So a child who is 6 today will be with it until roughly the end of secondary school. According to the House Rabbit Society, a rabbit is a commitment of more than ten years, which is why they recommend rabbits for older children[4].
What does a rabbit ask of a family?
Lots and lots of hay
About 85% of a rabbit's diet is hay and grass, about 10% leafy greens, and only about 5% pellets. Carrots and fruit are occasional treats because of their high sugar content[1]. Chewing hay also wears down its teeth, which grow throughout its life.
A companion
Rabbits are social animals. In one experiment, rabbits "worked" almost as hard to be near another rabbit as they did for food[5]. That is why rabbit welfare organisations recommend keeping them at least in pairs[2][3].
Space to run around
A small cage is not enough. For a pair of average-sized rabbits, the UK Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) recommends a connected space of at least 3 × 2 × 1 metres, where they can run, hop and stand up on their hind legs[6].
A vet
Rabbits need regular vaccinations against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), because these are often fatal without them[7]. A vet who knows about rabbits can tell you how often.
How can a child make friends with a rabbit?
Rabbits are prey animals: in nature, anything that grabs them from above is a predator. So according to the House Rabbit Society, rabbits instinctively panic when lifted, kick out, and can hurt themselves or scratch the child[4]. The good news: a rabbit can love you with its feet on the ground.
- Sit on the floor. The child should be at the rabbit's level and let the rabbit come to them, not the other way round.
- Slowly and quietly. Sudden movements and loud noises frighten rabbits, and they will settle next to a calm-voiced child much sooner[4].
- Stroke its forehead and back. Most rabbits like this. Leave its tummy, feet and tail alone.
- Only adults lift it. If it has to be picked up, an adult should do so, supporting all four feet and its hindquarters[8]. Never by the ears.
- Always supervised. Younger children should only play with it when an adult is there.
If you see this, the rabbit is happy: it jumps in the air with all four feet off the ground and twists (a "binky"), or lies stretched out at full length: this means it feels safe[9].
If you see this, let it rest: it thumps its hind foot, flattens its ears back, freezes or hides. This shows alarm or discomfort[9].
How to share out the tasks
| Task | How often | Who can do it? |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh hay and water | daily | children too, checked by an adult |
| Giving leafy greens | daily | children too |
| Running around, playing together on the floor | daily | children, with supervision |
| Cleaning the bedding and toilet corner | daily, more thoroughly once a week | an adult (older children can help) |
| Checking droppings and appetite | daily | an adult |
| Vaccinations, vet | as advised by the vet, and when needed | an adult |
Rabbits usually choose one or two corners as a toilet, so they can be house-trained with a litter tray[10]. If a rabbit stops eating or stops producing droppings, do not wait: this can quickly become dangerous in rabbits, so take it to a vet straight away.
Try it before you make a final decision
The House Rabbit Society also suggests that a family first takes in a rabbit temporarily, to find out whether they are ready without making a commitment[4]. This is exactly why we rent out our rabbits, with two weeks' worth of hay, feed and bedding and a carrier. If it turns out that the time is not right yet, you can bring the rabbit back. And if it becomes one of the family in the meantime, nothing would make us happier.
Meet our rabbits!
Rent a rabbit at any time of year, or come to the farm and stroke them in the rabbit nursery.
Sources
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit (the ratio of hay, greens and pellets, carrots as a treat, the role of soft droppings). rspca.org.uk
- RSPCA Australia: Thinking of adopting a bunny? Read this blog. rspca.org.au
- Woodgreen Pets Charity: How long do rabbits live? Understanding rabbit lifespan. woodgreen.org.uk
- House Rabbit Society: Children and Rabbits. houserabbit.org
- Seaman S. C., Waran N. K., Mason G., D'Eath R. B.: Animal economics: assessing the motivation of female laboratory rabbits to reach a platform, social contact and food. Animal Behaviour, 2008; 75(1): 31–42. refinementdatabase.org
- Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund: Inadequate housing for pet rabbits (A hutch is not enough). rabbitwelfare.co.uk
- RSPCA: Does my rabbit need vaccinations? rspca.org.uk
- PDSA: How to pick up and hold rabbits. pdsa.org.uk
- RSPCA Australia: What does my rabbit's body language mean? kb.rspca.org.au
- UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: Litterbox Training Your Rabbit: The Basics (PDF). vetmed.ucdavis.edu
