11 Rabbit Facts Prove the Point: Bunnies Aren’t ‘Starter Pets’

Humans are naturally drawn to rabbits’ expressive faces and cuddly appearance, but these animals are not decorations, plush toys, or learning tools. They are unique individuals who can be affectionate and playful, but also standoffish, cautious, fearful, angry, depressed, or frustrated. Caring for rabbits is often more challenging and expensive than caring for dogs and cats. Read on to see why you should give careful thought to adopting a rabbit—and never buy one. Then, see how you can take action for these often-misunderstood individuals.

1. Rabbits are the third most common animals brought to animal shelters after dogs and cats.

Pet stores sell rabbits to anyone with a few dollars in their pocket, frequently sending these delicate animals home with buyers who are uneducated about their specialized needs and unable to provide them proper care. As a result, rabbits can suffer from overgrown teeth, parasitic infestations, painful urinary issues, and life-threatening digestive failure. Even small mistakes in their diet or environment can quickly escalate to life-threatening emergencies. Unprepared buyers then relinquish the animals to shelters or rescues, or sometimes even abandon them outdoors, leaving them confused and terrified. This cycle exacerbates the overpopulation crisis while funding the industries that fuel it. If you are certain that you can provide two rabbits—they must have at least one compatible companion of their own species—with a lifetime of quality care, always adopt, never buy.

2. Rabbits are highly territorial.

Rabbits feel secure when they can establish familiar living spaces and will carefully guard their territories and belongings. They need a minimum living space of 12 square feet with an attached exercise area of at least 24 square feet and have strong preferences about where they eat, sleep, and use the litterbox. It may be necessary to move them to a safe location in order to clean their habitat.

3. Rabbits need a quiet environment day and night.

Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dusk and dawn. They nap throughout the day and night and must always be in peaceful, quiet surroundings. They can suffer serious health issues if deprived of sleep, and guardians must respect their schedules.

4. Rabbits need specially trained veterinarians.

Rabbits are sensitive animals with unique biology, and they must be cared for by veterinarians who are experts on lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pikas). These vets are often more expensive than cat and dog veterinarians and harder to find. If you’re considering adopting a rabbit, be sure to identify an experienced vet who specializes in lagomorphs in your area first, as well as a nearby after-hours emergency hospital that accepts rabbits—many do not.  

5. Rabbits must have interesting, fulfilling lives.

Social, curious, and active, rabbits require mental stimulation, companionship, engaging toys, and space in which to exercise. In understimulating environments, they can become despondent, withdrawn, and even destructive. Guardians should provide ample opportunities for safe exploration, digging, chewing, and problem-solving. Toys such as a paper towel roll or a cardboard oatmeal canister stuffed with timothy hay and hidden treats will allow rabbits to roll, chew, and solve a puzzle.

6. These animals are not Easter gifts.

Animal shelters and rabbit rescues dread the “post-holiday dump” that occurs every year after Easter. Photographers buy baby bunnies to use as props, and parents shell out a few dollars to plop a living rabbit into their child’s Easter basket in place of a toy. The animals are commonly abandoned when the reality of providing a decade or more of costly, time-consuming care sets in. Worse, some people strand domesticated rabbits outside, where they have no chance of survival. With no knowledge of how to fend for themselves in nature, they succumb to malnutrition, dehydration, predators, vehicle strikes, illness, and injury.

7. Their nails and teeth never stop growing.

Rabbits’ nails grow constantly and need to be trimmed about every six weeks. Their teeth also grow continually, and it is imperative that they have access to unlimited Timothy hay and specialty chewing blocks that help keep teeth at an ideal length. Overgrown teeth can pierce the skin or even push up into the skull or down through the jaw, causing painful wounds and infections, or make eating difficult or impossible, leading to starvation. Guardians need to perform weekly oral exams to check for overgrown teeth and may need to have teeth manually trimmed by a veterinary professional. It’s important to strictly monitor each rabbit’s eating habits as even 12 hours without food can be deadly.

8. Some never enjoy being picked up.

As prey animals, some rabbits may never enjoy being picked up by human hands that approach from above, just as a predator would. Guardians must respect their boundaries and never touch a rabbit who is showing signs of fear. Animals who panic and struggle to get away can injure themselves.

9. Rabbits hide injuries and illnesses.

Prey animals mask pain and signs of sickness or weakness, and guardians may not notice any changes until a condition is advanced. Adopters must be diligent in watching for even subtle changes in behavior, routine, and appearance, and be ready to visit an urgent care or emergency veterinary hospital at a moment’s notice.

10. Rabbits eat their droppings.

Rabbits need to digest their food twice. Healthy rabbits will eat soft cecotropes directly from their posteriors, so some rabbit guardians may rarely see this type of stool. Hard, round pellets are the second round of elimination, expelled once nutrient absorption is complete.

11. Every rabbit has a unique personality.

It may take adopters months to learn about and understand the complex personality traits of their companion. Bonding can take a considerable amount of time and effort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rabbits

Do Rabbits Like to Be Cuddled?

As prey animals, some rabbits may find it frightening to be handled or held. Every rabbit has a different personality, and many enjoy physical touch. It’s important to be respectful of the animal’s boundaries and body language and learn their preferences. Rabbits who are happy may purr or even binky (jump for joy).

What Do Rabbits Eat?

About 85% of a rabbit’s diet should be fresh Timothy hay along with some fresh grass. Another 10% should consist of leafy green vegetables and herbs, such as spinach, celery, kale, cabbage, broccoli, parsley, rosemary, mint, and dandelion leaves. High-quality pellets containing no seeds, nuts, colored pieces, or other fillers can provide additional nutrients, but should comprise no more than 5% of their meals. An occasional carrot or apple slice works well as a treat.

Do Rabbits Use Litterboxes?

Healthy adult rabbits will typically designate a preferred area in which to relieve themselves. A bunny litterbox should be lined with newspaper or hardwood shavings topped with hay. Never use pine, cedar, or cat litter, which can be dangerous and even deadly.

Do Rabbits Have a Good Sense of Smell?

Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell, so it’s vital to keep their litterbox and living area clean.

What Is a Rabbit’s Life Expectancy?

Rabbits can live for 10 years or more.

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You can spare rabbits from suffering in the pet trade by encouraging everyone you know never to buy them from a pet store, a breeder, websites like Craigslist, or anywhere else. If you are ready to give a pair of rabbits a lifetime commitment, always adopt from your local shelter or rabbit rescue.

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Learn more fascinating facts and read more inspiring stories about rabbits and other animals in the bestselling book Animalkind.

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