My Daughter Wants a Rabbit

So, I've always been a cat person - since I was born (and I am now 26) I have never lived anywhere without having a cat. When my mother got a bunny when I was in high school, I thought it was the most ridiculous thing and, while cute, was ready to be happy looking at it in the hutch in the back yard.

Boy, did that rabbit change my tune! You would not believe the PERSONALITY a rabbit can have - Im dead serious! My mother's rabbit was more like a cat in habit - she enjoyed sitting in people's laps, being scratched, held, and loved - she was sweet and playful, and quite clean. She was an indoor/outdoor bunny: she slept in a cage in the house at night but was allowed to come and go in and out of the house to the back-yard as she pleased, and she enjoyed being outside to play during the day. She prefered to be with someone as opposed to alone, and followed my mother around the house like a puppy: she RARELY used the potty outside her cage/in the back yard so there was never any mess (though you have to keep the cage clean - it is an easy animal to clean up after, though, and just the right amount of responsibility for a 10 year old). The only draw back is that rabbits chew wires: lamp cords, cables, tv connectors, anything they can get their teeth on - and they will chew right through them with no heed or mind of the electric shocks they get (in fact, our rabbit seemed to LIKE it!). They will chew on other things in your house too - it just depends on the rabbit. Food and bedding are very cheap - I'd say, go for it. They are easier to care for and much less maintenance than a cat or dog: they don't require the attention, but appreciate it if your daughter has the time to give it to the animal.

Get a dwarf rabbit, as the other breeds can get VERY LARGE - unless you want a huge bunny. I've seen many easily the size of a large cat/small dog - super cute, but since our rabbit was mostly indoors, she needed to be small.

Do allergies run in your family? You might want to make sure no family members are allergic to bunnies before you purchase one. Check out your local petting zoo, or Sulphur Creek Nature Center has an animal "lending library". http://www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html
I thought about getting one for my daughter, but my eyes immediately puff up if I get within 20 feet of a rabbit.

You might want to start there to see if she actually can deal with the responsibility of a pet as well (knowing, of course, that YOU will have to be the ultimate responsible person.)

I am a DOG person, but the responsibility of a dog is too much for a dual working parent family. We are on our 3rd rabbit, who we (somehow) adopted from the humane society when we were there to pick up our cat from being neutered.

Originally, we had an American Fuzzy, which was the most adorable, mild tempered rabbit we ever had. We got him when my daughter was 7. When he died, we got another - from the same mother. That one died when my daughter was 10. [They both died fairly young, and I would consider having this discussion with your daughter.] Remember rabbits are at the bottom end of the food chain, and are sensitive. Nonetheless we got another, when my middle son was about 6 yrs old (This is the one we got from the humane society.) The human society is a great route, because they assess the compatability of your family life style with the rabbit, and give you access to lessons about rabbits, and a book. We even got ours microchipped!

We've had this rabbit for 5 years now, and honestly, we have not been the best rabbit owners this time around. But this rabbit is a survivor! When we make the time to spend time with him, he is such a character! Rabbits like to play (and dig and chew) and are very happy if provided a playful environment. Otherwise they get bored and depressed. Initially, we had him indoor/outdoor - but I developed a slight allergy to his hair (never experienced that before). So, I couldn't have him in the house. And you CAN litter train a rabbit!!! We have a wonderful hutch for him outside and let him out in a play pen in the yard and on the deck (blocked off stairs with baby gates). He is a thumper and territorial, but neutering him helped. He likes to be pet, and has brought us on many a chasing escapade! Throwing a large towel over him during the chase (when he escapes) makes catching him easier. Escaping is usually OUR mistake (unproperly latched door, uncovered pen...)

A rabbit is a great first animal, if the child intends to befriend the rabbit. They are independent enough to be left alone, but social enough to become part of the family.

Go to the humane society and check them out! Have fun!

We had our bunny for 3 years and I absolutely loved him! You have to be prepared to change the litter EVERY day which is pricy, feed the bunny fresh veggies and fruits(which I found encouraged the kids to eat more of them)and let them exercise everyday even if it's just being free to hop around the house. Our bunny was litter trained.

The Humane Societies are the best place to get a bunny cause they will match you with one that is good for children. Also check out the House Rabbit Society for info and bunnies up for adoption.

Bunnies are fragile - so they need to live as part of the family like a dog - and make sure it gets fresh water,food and litter everyday.

After having 2 rabbits, I would say NO NO NO!!!!! We got 2 at the same time, so they could keep each other company while my husband and I were at work. We ended up having to get one neutered and one spayed (even thought the pet shop assured us they were both female), and after spending LITERALLY thousands of dollars over just a couple of years, they both died within a year of each other of a fatal kidney disease.

My husband and I LOVED those bunnies to pieces, and we were really upset when they died. They were so much fun with so much character, and we just laughed and had a great time. They were even litter box trained! BUT they chewed EVERYTHING, ate CONSTANTLY, and cost way too much in the end.