Should You Really Get a Rabbit?
Lets figure it out!
Some people assume since rabbits are so small the amount of effort you should put in is small and that is definitely not the case! Actually it's the exact opposite the amount of work you put in or should put in is tremendous. Not only is the amount of work you should put in a lot, the amount of money you put in a lot, like a lot a lot. The amount of love you receive back is a dealbreaker and very rewarding for some people. Now let's get into some more points on why or why not you should get a rabbit.
Are you a busy gal?
Bunnies require a lot of attention and if you are going to college or are 6 years old this will not work. Bunnies do not make good pets for young children because children can not afford the pet, will forget about it or lose interest, and do not know how to properly care for the pet. These amazing creatures also will not make good surprise pets because of the amount of work that goes into caring for them. You might be a teenager, who will soon go off to college. What will happen to the rabbit?
How is your financial situation?
Rabbits are very expensive creatures, not themselves but the supplies that come with the rabbit. If you are planning to buy a rabbit from a breeder ( which I don't recommend ) then the rabbit itself may be very inexpensive but to spay or neuter, the rabbit would be 300 - 500 dollars depending on where you live. The start-up cost of supplies would probably be around 500 dollars not including the rabbit and the ongoing cost is very expensive. It may take a little bit of saving!
Pets.......
Think about other pets in the household if any. Do you have room for a bunny? Are you're other pets predators, because bun buns are prey so that may not go so well. Do you have enough time to give both of you're pets love? Finally, do you have enough money to take on the responsibility of another pet, especially one as expensive as a rabbit? Will they get along? What if they don't?
Have you done your research?
Heres what I mean by "done your research"
- If I were to ask you any questions such as, what percentage of an adult rabbits is hay? You would be able to answer it immediately.
- You have read at least 3 different articles or videos on each topic to get an unbiased well-rounded opinion.
- You hear what rabbit owners are telling you not looking for what you want to hear.
- You have met at least three rabbits and interacted with them before getting ready to have one of you're own. This is important because 1 rabbit might love you and 1 might be afraid of you so it's good to know if you truly like rabbits.
- You do not go into pet stores asking for information about rabbits because employees are people who are trying to sell things from their store. Almost all rabbit items from pet stores are NOT for rabbits.
Do you have allergies?
It's important to note that bunnies do shed, and while some are hypoallergenic some are not. To keep up with the shed you should definitely be grooming the rabbit. A lint roller would also be a little helpful to have on hand with all that fur. A big reason why bunnies get dumped is that people think the allergies are coming from the bunny but it might be the hay, you can get tested to see if you might be allergic to hay or just stay around it and see how you react. A good alternative is orchard.
Where do you live?
Think about who you live with, your grandparents, roommate, family. Think about how that would affect them. Don't just think, ask, and see what they say. Note how you want to care for the animal and how it may affect their lifestyle. Or come up with a presentation to go over every single point! Remember to also ask why they think what they think and why they might say yes or no. Lastly don't bring home a rabbit without telling them, they have to live with the pet to and your family or important people should come before a pet who isn't in the family.
Most important thing!
The most important thing is to know whether or not you truly want a rabbit. Do research, visit bunnies, and wait a year or two before you adopt. Make sure your love for rabbits won't fade away and in the 1 to 2-year time span continue doing research and watching videos. Someday you might be able to fit the bunnies in with your schedule and give them the love they deserve, or maybe bunnies aren't quite the right pet for you.
