I learned very recently that people give out bunnies as gifts during Easter, and I thought that was very cool. Then I learned that most of these bunnies are given up to shelters very shortly after, and I think that is very not cool.
What many people don't understand is that rabbits aren't the easiest pets to take care of. Although they are small animals, they are very fragile and need extensive care. They need a lot of time and attention. People don't seem to do their research before going out and getting a rabbit, and end up having to give them up, leading to them being killed. Rabbits are actually the 3rd most euthanized animal in the United States.
In terms of expense, you first need to keep in mind that this is a long-term pet. Rabbits can live up to 10 years, if taken care of correctly. You also need to understand that rabbits need vet care, and it can be difficult to find. I personally have to drive almost two hours to get to a good rabbit vet. If you don't have any good rabbit vets near you, you might need to postpone your rabbit dreams until you can relocate. Here's a list of rabbit veterinarians by state.
Another thing a lot of people don't understand is that bunnies need a lot of room to play around. Many rabbit-owners keep their rabbit in a small cage, and this is very inhumane. Adequate exercise is crucial for rabbit health. Their muscles atrophy if they do not get to move around enough. The smallest your rabbit's cage should be is about 4x4 feet, and even then, you should let them out to explore and play every day. You also need to make sure wherever the rabbit goes, it can't get to anything dangerous, like electrical cords or wires.
There are many common misconceptions on how rabbits behave. One of these common misconceptions is that rabbits like to be held, and this is not always the case. In fact, many rabbits hate being picked up. They're also not always in the mood to be touched or pet. If you're looking for a pet to snuggle with, you might want to look somewhere else.
In my opinion, the pros of owning a bunny outweigh the cons. My rabbit (his name is Turbo) is a lot of work, but he's very fun to watch over. When he's happy, he runs around the living room and does flips. He also is a pretty friendly bunny, and he likes to be pet. Sometimes you get lucky and adopt a rabbit who does like to be touched.
Overall, rabbits are a long-term responsibility and you should only get one if you are ready. I consider myself a pretty competent rabbit owner, but I still get worried every time my rabbit gets sick, or refuses to eat. If you feel as though you are ready, then by all means, find yourself a rabbit. They're a lot of work, but the work is definitely worth it. Just make sure you do your research, and to adopt or rescue your rabbit, if possible.
I cannot stress this enough. Do. Your. Research. It's not that hard. If you don't know if a certain food is safe for your rabbit, look it up. A simple Google search could be life or death for rabbit.
