Things To Know Before Getting A Bunny

Thinking about getting a bunny as a pet? I can tell you all the things you need to know before bringing a bunny home. After reading the article, I’m sure you’ll have a clear idea of whether you’re ready to get a bunny or not.

Space Requirements

The first question you want to ask yourself when getting any pet is, where is that pet going to live and do I have the space for it? If you think you can keep them in a cage all day, then you have a misconception.

You can keep them in a cage or in a pen, but you should also provide your rabbit with a space or a room where they can roam freely for at least 4 to 5 hours. As long as they have the space to run, play, and express themselves openly and freely, they will be happy and also stay healthy.

Finances

Yes, bunnies cost a lot of money. They are truly a lot more expensive than you thought. If you get a baby bunny, you’re going to have to pay in a few months to get your bunny spayed or neutered, which is upwards of hundreds of dollars.

Plus, you’re paying for their housing, toys, food every month, and bunny-proofing supplies. You need to pay for wellness checks each year. You never know what emergency is going to come up.

If you can’t put money aside for a bunny emergency fund each month, it isn’t worth bringing another life into that as well. It’s only going to add extra stress for you.

Allergies

Many people are allergic to hay, which is the main ingredient in a rabbit’s diet. It’s important to be aware of this potential issue before bringing a rabbit into your home. I’m also highly allergic to Timothy hay, so I use a hand glove when handling it.

Emotional Attachment and Loss:

Before acquiring a bunny, one must consider that they will eventually pass away. Now, this is true for most people when they get attached to their pets, unless you’re like a sociopath. Hopefully, you’re not, but it’s not something that people generally think about when they acquire a bunny or a pet.

They don’t think like, “Oh, you know, the loss of this pet is going to generate an infinite amount of sadness and misery and depression. But there are no guarantees, and usually, like 12 or 13 is as old as they’re gonna get, and you have to be prepared for that.

So just remember that when you’re getting your bunny, it’s a lifelong commitment, but that commitment eventually does come to an end.

And it doesn’t mean like, don’t enjoy your time with them or constantly think about their death, you know, that’s no way to live, obviously, live in the moment.

But just remember that it does eventually come to an end, and when you have to part ways with your pet, it is one of the saddest things that you’re gonna go through.

Personal Schedule

You need to think about your personal schedule and your work-life balance. Rabbits are not independent creatures at all; they are very bonded to their owners, other bunnies, and they need constant attention.

Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they sleep during the afternoon and are most active in the morning and at night, so they’re actually really great for nine to five.

But what you need to evaluate is, are you away from home more than that six to eight-hour chunk of the day?

Let’s say you’re working and after work, you love going to happy hour almost every night. You’d love to travel every weekend.

These are the things you need to start asking yourself because if you’re going to be away from your bunny ten to twelve hours every single day or almost every day, your bunny is going to get really lonely and depressed.

So in situations like that, you either need to have a partner for them so that they aren’t alone, or you shouldn’t bring a bunny into that type of lifestyle.

There’s nothing wrong with that lifestyle at all, but that lifestyle is not ready to have something that’s depending on them.

Single vs. Pair

Rabbits are social animals, right? They’re happiest when they’re living with another rabbit. While I fully support you if you choose to get a single bunny and do everything you can to ensure that bunny is happy and healthy, and you have the time to spend with them, this table will help you decide whether you want a single rabbit or a pair of rabbits.

Aspect	Single Rabbit	Pair Rabbit
Companionship	Seeks companionship from humans; may feel lonely	Provides companionship to each other; less likely to feel lonely
Behavior	Relies solely on owner for social interaction	Interacts with mate, exhibits natural social behaviors
Responsibilities	Primary caregiver responsible for all interaction and care	Shared responsibility for care and socialization
Financial Burden	Lower initial cost; potential for higher costs for socialization	Higher initial cost; shared expenses for care
Emotional Support	Offers emotional support to owner; may require more attention	Provides mutual emotional support; less dependent on owner

So, if you are okay with those points I mentioned, then you can bring a rabbit into your home.

Necessary Steps Before Bringing Rabbits Home

Before bringing a rabbit into your home, it’s important to know some basic care and things you should do.

House

You want to make sure that you have an enclosure set up for your rabbit. Now, this is important, even if you are planning to free-roam your rabbit eventually. You want them to get used to the space in an enclosure first and then slowly open them up to the rest of the room so they don’t get totally overwhelmed all at once.

Bunny-proof your room

The room you decide to keep rabbits in must be bunny-proof. Protect wires with tubing or keep them out of reach. Be prepared to block off carpeted areas or cover them with protective materials. For baseboard chewing, you can use physical barriers such as wire mesh or plastic guards.

Litter box

Buy a litter box, and you have to train your rabbit to use it. Otherwise, your rabbit will poop everywhere in the room or the cage. If you litter train your rabbit, they will poop in a fixed area that you desire.

Those are the things you should complete before bringing your rabbit home. Also, read those articles to learn more about their basic care, daily routine, and dietary needs.