While parents might think that a real, live Easter bunny might make a perfect gift for children, the impulse decision has ended badly for many small, furry animals.
Year after year, T.H.E. Rabbit Resource’s Davida Kobler sees these Easter bunnies surrendered to shelters or worse, dumped in the wilderness, because the holiday novelty has faded. Kobler is the manager of T.H.E. Rabbit Resource, Central New York’s chapter of the national House Rabbit Society. She has been rescuing rabbits for 30 years.
Depending on the situation, it might be better to stick with Easter bunnies on cards or made of chocolate. To help decipher, Kobler gave some advice on what to know before buying or adopting a rabbit:
Lily was brought to Lollypop Farm in Fairport then fostered before finding her forever home. (Photo by April Rink)
1. Long-term commitment
Rabbits that are spayed or neutered can live for 10 to 12 years. Consider where you are in your life and where you will be in 10 years, Kobler said. Will you be in college or moving overseas?
This chinchilla bunny was a surrender from its owner. (Photo curtesy of Marleiah O'Neill)
2. Not a cheap date
Rabbits aren’t cheap pets. They require annual physicals and maybe emergency care (rabbits are considered exotic animals, so veterinarians should be specialized). Pet rabbits should be spayed or neutered to lessen the potential for aggressive behaviors and uterine cancer in females. For such small animals, rabbits eat a lot. They need an unlimited supply of good quality hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables every day. Rabbits can be litter trained, which is an additional cost. Not to mention the supplies to start off with, like a crate, water and food dishes, toys, and more.
3. More space please
Rabbits require plenty of space and four to five hours of exercise. Domestic rabbits should be kept indoors because they can’t withstand massive temperature fluctuations and outside, there are many predators and parasites that can harm rabbits, Kobler said. It is best to keep rabbits in 8-panel exercise pens, made of metal mesh. They should be around 42 inches tall and measure to be either 4-by-4 or 2-by-6. Larger breeds will need more space. Uncomfortably small cages can cause rabbits to be aggressive.
4. No baths, please
Rabbits groom themselves, but it is important to brush them often because they are physically unable to vomit so ingested fur will remain. Do not bathe them with water or shampoo, or a dust bath. This could be traumatic for them. You can take a wet wash cloth to dirty paws. Rabbit's nails should be trimmed every month or so. Their teeth don't stop growing so they should have stuff that's okay to chew, like cardboard. Fun fact: they actually have 28 teeth although only four can be seen without a specific tool, Kobler said. Vets should check their molars during their yearly physical because rabbits are prone to dental diseases.
This lop rabbit was rescued from Syracuse University outside of an apartment. (Photo curtesy of Marleiah O'Neill)
5. Fight or flight? A little bit of both
Rabbits are prey animals, meaning they like to hide if there is something wrong. This could be if they aren’t feeling well or if they feel unsafe. Rabbits are very affectionate, social animals that love to be pet. However, they will squirm, scratch, and nip if they don’t want to be held.
This small brown rabbit was rescued after a landlord found it hiding behind a refrigerator in an abandoned apartment. (Photo curtesy of Marleiah O'Neill)
6. Cute but destructive
Rabbits are destructive and will dig and chew on things they shouldn’t if they aren’t in a “bunny-proof” area. “What we tell people to do is get down on your stomach on the floor and look around and figure out, if you were six inches tall what could you get into?” Kobler said.
7. Awake in the night
Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They will relax and sleep outside of those hours. They also adapt fairly well their owner’s schedules so if the owner is a night owl, the rabbit might become one too. Sometimes, they sleep with what looks like their eyes open but in reality, they have what’s called a nictitating membrane, or a third eyelid.
To summarize, Kobler compared the time commitments and expenses of a pet rabbit to a dog. Many shelters discourage adopting animals as gifts and some might not allow it at all. For more information, www.rabbits.org provides expertise from House Rabbit Society and contacts for specific needs.