10 Reasons Why Rabbits Make Fantastic Family Pets
Are you ready to welcome a small, furry friend into your home? Whether it’s a playful companion for your family or a new friend for yourself, rabbits are an excellent choice. With over a million pet rabbits in the UK alone, it’s clear they are becoming a beloved household pet. But what makes them such great companions? Keep reading for our top ten reasons why rabbits might be the perfect addition to your family.
1. Full of character
Rabbits are fun, friendly, and affectionate. Whether it’s binkies in the spring sunshine, zoomies at treat time or a nose-twitching hello when you come home, our bunny friends all have unique personalities. Keeping them supplied with a variety of rabbit toys can help to keep your new pal occupied and prevent boredom – just make sure they are bunny safe.
2. Form strong bonds with their owners
With gentle handling and patience, rabbits will form strong bonds with their human companions. Hand-feeding some tasty treats is a wonderful way to show a rabbit that you’re not a threat. Over time, their affectionate nature will come to the fore, and they will seek out their human friends for strokes, fuss and a tasty morsel or two.
These bonds can be strengthened by another key trait – their sociable nature.
3. Sociable
Of course, human companionship is not enough. Rabbits are social creatures and love the company of a bonded bunny friend. Watching the interactions between a bonded pair can be heart warming. Keeping a pair of rabbits also means that they can be left alone while you’re out at work – just make sure that you start them off on the right foot by introducing them to each other correctly.
4. Intelligent and easily trainable
Training isn’t just for dogs. Rabbits are surprisingly easy to train, especially when there are some delicious rabbit treats on offer. Positive reinforcement (rewarding desirable behaviour) is the most effective way of training any pet, large or small. Stock up with your bun’s favourite flavour and you’re ready to go. How about Tiny Friends Farm Russel Rabbit Twiggies with apple and blackberry, or Selective Naturals Orchard Loops with Timothy hay and apple for starters? You could even try a bunny taste-test to see which your pet pal prefers!
5. Longer lifespans than other small pets
Nowadays, rabbits typically live for over 10 years. That’s a significantly longer lifespan than many other small pets. This lifespan is testament to advances in veterinary care, alongside expert knowledge around the best rabbit diets and the importance of nutrition in supporting rabbit health and wellbeing. Before you buy a bunny, make sure that you can commit to them for that length of time.
6. Live indoors or outdoors
Rabbits are adaptable. They can live outdoors in a cosy rabbit hutch and secure run, or they can live indoors as part of the family. The popularity of house rabbits is growing, and more and more rabbits have an indoor lifestyle. Either way, the whole family can get involved with setting up the perfect bunny space, whether that’s an indoor rabbit cage and a rabbit-proofed room, or an outdoor rabbit hutch and run.
Image credit @ronnietheminilop
7. Clean creatures
Rabbits are hygienic and don’t make a lot of mess. They are also much easier to litter train. Rabbits tend to poo while they are eating, so place their litter tray next to their hay rack and you’ll be halfway there. Although they are usually meticulous groomers, check bunny bottoms twice a day (and more frequently in warm weather) to make sure they are spick and span and to reduce the risk of fly strike. It’s also important to clean the rabbit hutch or indoor rabbit cage regularly with a pet-safe cleaning spray such as Tiny Friends Farm Keep it Clean.
8. Quiet and crepuscular
Quiet by nature, rabbits won’t disturb the neighbours or disrupt your Zoom call. They are also crepuscular, meaning that they are most active early in the morning and at dusk, fitting in with our human schedules-more or less!
9. Herbivores
If you are concerned about sustainability or keen to avoid handling meat-based products, rabbits are an ideal choice. Their herbivorous rabbit diet should consist of an unlimited quantity of good-quality hay such as Science Selective Timothy Hay and a carefully measured portion of high fibre, no added sugar, plant-based nuggets such as Science Selective Adult Rabbit Food, together with a handful of leafy greens.
10. Why not rescue a rabbit?
Last but by no means least, there are many rabbits in need of their forever home. So, if you think rabbits are the right pets for you, why not consider adopting from a rabbit rescue organisation?
As you can see, rabbits make incredible pets with personalities full of charm and a love for companionship. Before you decide to bring one into your home, remember they’re not just low-maintenance pets, but companions that need love, care, and attention. So, why not consider adopting a rabbit today? Your new furry friend is waiting for a forever home!
Still thinking about buying a bunny? Why not read our blog “The 5 essential supplies for setting up the perfect rabbit home” next?
References
1. World Animal Foundation 2024
