Caring for rabbits; are you ready to commit?

Have you been considering adding a rabbit to your family? Rabbits are curious, amusing, and intelligent animals that will certainly surprise you over time. They make great additions to a family, but there are many things to consider first. 

Some things about rabbits you may not know:

• Rabbits can be litter box trained
• Most rabbits will be happiest and healthiest indoors
• Rabbits requires daily exercise 
• A rabbit's diet should contain fresh hay and vegetables
• The life span of a house rabbit can be up to 12 years
• Most rabbits do not like to be held
• Spaying and Neutering can lengthen life span and reduce bad behavior

I would like to share my own personal experience with rabbits to help you make a decision, and to help you make your new family member feel welcome in your home.

Bringing Home Bunny

My rabbit, Rocky, was rescued from Hurricane Katrina. When I went to adopt him, I was told that he was very young, and would need lots of care to get accustomed to my home. This meant that he would spend his first day in his new cage covered with a blanket. He was very scared, but the slow adjustment to the smells and sounds of his new home made him feel more comfortable. The next day, after bunny proofing the house, I allowed him to run around the apartment whenever I was home, for at least 6 hours each day. He showed his appreciating by performing acrobatic twists in the air.

Interaction and affection

 I was surprised to hear that rabbits do not like to be held, however, I was happy to hear that he might enjoy my presence if I spent time on the ground with him, on his level. After Rocky had been living with me for a few days he began to show interest in hopping over to me. He would sometimes push me to let me know that I'm in his way, or not paying enough attention to him. After a few months, he began to show affection by "kissing" my nose, "grooming" my clothing, and laying next to me or even hopping on to my lap. It was not until he got much older that he began enjoying being held; as an elderly rabbit, he loves to spend time in my warm lap. Should you decide to pick up your bunny, ensure that his back end is fully supported, and that he is held close to your body. Rabbits can break their back if they decide to twist out of your arms, so ensuring that they are held properly is essential. It is not considered safe for a child to hold the rabbit, but rather that they should interact on the rabbit's level. Your rabbit will be more friendly as a result, and not fear you coming in to the room to swoop him up.

In closing, I hope that you enjoyed reading my story of adoption. Rocky is about 8 years old now, and happily lives in his own bunny proof room; a sunny room where he is always near his humans. He loves hopping over to greet us and circling our feet, getting scratched behind his ears, and eating bananas. He has traveled with us from Florida, to Maryland, to New Hampshire. Remember that a rabbit is a long commitment, and needs lots of care! Take your time to make your decision, and enjoy the hoppiest new member of your family!

Heather Leary, written for Internet Business Fundamentals, Kaplan University