9 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Bunny

I think we can all agree that bunnies are extremely cute. They’re soft and fluffy, and their tiny noses are always wiggling.

But what a lot of people don’t realize is that no matter how adorable bunnies are, buying one from a pet store or breeder is a terrible idea. Here’s why:

1. Rabbits are fragile.

Bunnies are “prey animals,” so they get scared when they’re picked up. Because their bones are delicate, they can get hurt and even break their own backs when kicking to get away.

2. A bunny is a big commitment.

Many people don’t realize how hard it is to take care of a rabbit. Rabbits can grow up to weigh 20 pounds—that means they need a lot of space! Bunnies need certain foods, like grass, special hay, and fresh vegetables, and sometimes they need to go to a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits.

4. Many bunnies suffer before being sold.

Laws to protect rabbits aren’t very strict. So the rabbits you see for sale might have been mistreated before they got to the pet store.

5. Baby bunnies need their moms.

Pet stores and bunny dealers often buy rabbits when they’re only 4 weeks old because they take up less space and look so cute. But bunnies that young shouldn’t be away from their moms. Can you imagine being taken away from your mom as a baby and sold to a stranger? Pet stores are miserable places for animals, and if you buy from them, you’re supporting a cruel business that treats animals like products.

6. Rabbits can easily get sick.

They are very sensitive, so any small change can make them sick or even kill them. Signs of a sick bunny include a runny nose, tilting their head to the side, not moving around much, diarrhea, sneezing, no appetite, tooth grinding, drooling, and constipation. If rabbits have spots or scabs on their bodies, it might mean that they have fleas or mites on their skin. Since they’re so delicate, bunnies can die very quickly if they get sick, so they should be taken to see the veterinarian right away.

7. Rabbits need a lot of attention.

Rabbits are very social animals with a lot of personality. Many people don’t understand that they need just as much attention as dogs and cats do, and they can’t be left inside a cage all alone. If they don’t get enough love and companionship, they’ll get depressed.

8. You may get bored quickly.

Once the excitement of having a new bunny wears off, many are neglected, ignored, or abandoned. Sometimes, they’re put outside in cages, left at animal shelters, or just left in the woods, where they probably won’t survive for very long.

9. Bunnies should not be kept outdoors.

Some people don’t know this, so they leave their rabbits outside in cages, even in bad weather. They could be attacked by another animal or even stolen. Many bunnies suffer and die all alone. Since all cages are cruel, every rabbit should be allowed to live indoors and have the run of the house. After all, bunnies are part of the family, too!

9. Grooming is very important.

Rabbits are naturally very clean, and they groom themselves, but unlike cats, they can’t cough up hairballs, so they have to be brushed at least once a week. Bunnies should never be bathed, because damp rabbits can catch pneumonia!

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Are you and your family ready for a lifelong commitment?

Rabbits can live for more than 10 years, and they require care and attention every day of their lives. If you and your family decide that you’re ready to bring a bunny into your lives, be sure to adopt from your local animal shelter, instead of buying from a pet store or breeder. How about adopting two so they can keep each other company?

If you plan to adopt two bunnies, make sure one is male and one is female, since they will get along the best. It’s very important to get them spayed and neutered immediately. They will live longer, healthier lives because they are much less likely to die of diseases like cancer, and they’re easy to litterbox train once they’ve been “fixed. Plus, rabbits are the third most common animal at shelters, just behind cats and dogs. There are already so many of them who need a loving home that it’s just wrong to bring even more of them into the world.

Rabbit-Proofing

Since bunnies are natural chewers, your family should cover all wires and anything else inside your home that bunnies might want to gnaw on that’s within reach. It’s also important to litterbox train your new friends by filling a low plastic bin with litter for small animals and putting some hay on top. Also, put some rabbit droppings in the box to let bunnies know that this is the place to do their business. Make sure you have lots of toys ready. Bunnies love untreated wood, wire cat balls, paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, and things like that.

Want to learn even more about rabbits?