Rabbits can be passive lovebugs who enjoy being held and petted or ornery, bad-tempered bullies who bite and claw anyone who crosses them. Some are quiet and cuddly while others are active and endlessly inquisitive. They love attention but generally prefer to be the one to make the first move toward friendship.
If you think rabbits are right for your home, and your home is the right place for a house rabbit, here are a few things to consider:
*An unspayed/unneutered adolescent rabbit is trouble with a capital "T." Besides the obvious potential for lots of little bunnies, if you have more than one rabbit, there are unseemly behaviors like spraying, aggression, and chewing. Today, you can find many vets who specialize in small animals, and the operation is safe and relatively inexpensive. The House Rabbit Society's local chapters can provide you with recommended vets in your area.
*Rabbits and children is not necessarily a good combination - at least not for the rabbit. The typical bunny is likely to find a toddler's natural exuberance and high noise level unsettling. Running toward a bunny or making a sudden grabbing movement will trigger the rabbit's natural instinct to flee. And most very young children simply haven't learned to be gentle enough to handle a rabbit properly. A rabbit's back is extremely flexible and easily damaged if he's picked up without supporting the back legs, and rabbits can't withstand the rough petting a dog or cat might tolerate.
*Rabbits should be kept in the house, not in an outdoor hutch. They are highly social and need to be part of the family just as any more conventional pet would be. Even in a hutch, they can still be reached by some predators, and exposure to the elements, lack of sufficient exercise, and boredom will shorten their lives considerably. A house rabbit can live for 8-10 years.
*House bunnies require a rabbit-proofed home. Little bunnies have sharp teeth, the better to gnaw through electrical wiring with. Or furniture and woodwork. Or your shoes and clothing. I know this from experience.
