Recently, we posted about a case of a father who bought a baby rabbit for their young daughter. That went from fairytale to nightmare very quickly when they find the rabbit too big and fiesty. We realized it can be hard for some to comprehend how a cute little fluff can bring so much ‘pain’ to a family so here’s some reality checks our ‘J’ babies will like to share:

✅ RABBITS GROW BIG, FAST!
The baby rabbits you find in petshops are often young at 6-8 weeks. They are so tiny which led you to believe all you need is a small cage, a small bowl and a small bottle. However, within months, they may bloom into the size of a foothball (or more!). That’s when some people realized they are not prepared to carve out their own space for a pet.

✅ RABBITS NEED LOTS OF DISCIPLINE!
Much like a puppy, baby rabbits do require training to stay well-behaved. The most obvious one will be litter-training. It may not be difficult in the beginning but once they hit puberty, they may start peeing and pooping everywhere again. This can happen within months so a new/busy owner may get frustrated and lose interest very quickly.

✅RABBITS NEED LOTS OF ATTENTION!
Baby rabbits are curious about anything and everything. At the same time, they do require physical and mental stimulation to grow and learn. If you are not patient, you may end up restricting them and that can lead to negative or even aggressive behaviors. Hence, it’s important that owners have the time to interact with them daily.

✅RABBITS ARE EXTREMELY FRAGILE!
Much like human babies, baby bunnies have sensitive immune system and a fragile anatomy. Snuffles, diarrhoea, fractures are rather common and can be fatal if unattended to. It’s important that from day 1, you are prepared to provide them with proper veterinary care to ensure they remain safe and healthy during your caregiving.

✅ ALL IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG!
If you think the above problems will go away as the rabbit grows, you are definitely in for a big challenge! Rabbits do stay ‘baby’ most of their life and as they grow, you will learn new things about them and will have to continue tackling these growth issues to ensure they stay healthy and happy throughout their 10 years lifespan!

While we understand the beautiful idea of ‘caring for pet from young’, we hope owners consider all practical aspects prior to making this decision. Especially for those acquiring a pair, please do not mix the sexes as that can easily turn into an accidental litter. We hope our advice helps you determine the right approach to acquiring a rabbit.