1. Rabbits are the third most frequently abandoned animal in shelters, after dogs and cats. Adopt an animal from a shelter, don’t buy it from the market!
2. They manage their own territory. If you have a rabbit, you will quickly learn that rabbits set the tone. They quickly decide where they like to eat, sleep and use the toilet.
3. Rabbits are nocturnal, right? Not! They are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn.
4. Rabbits need specialized veterinarians. Veterinarians who are rabbit experts can be more expensive than cat and dog veterinarians and are also harder to find. Make sure you find a quality veterinarian who specializes in lagomorphs in your area.
5. Rabbits tend to get bored. Just like humans, rabbits need socialization, space, exercise, and lots of toys to keep them entertained. With a cardboard box of oatmeal stuffed with hay, your rabbit can play to the delight of his heart.
6. They are not suitable as an Easter gift. Many people think that rabbits need less care than dogs or cats. However, every rabbit owner I have ever met has told me that rabbits need even more attention and effort than cats and dogs. And they can live 10 years or longer, so make sure you’re prepared to take responsibility for their entire life.
7. Rabbits purr when they are happy. It’s not the same as a cat’s purr. It sounds like teeth chattering or champing. Every rabbit parent knows this is the sweetest sound.
8. Their nails and teeth never stop growing. Like humans, rabbit nails are constantly growing and need to be trimmed about every six weeks. Unlike humans, rabbits have teeth that grow all the time! Because of this, it is imperative that your rabbit gets solid food and wooden toys to chew on. If your rabbit’s teeth stop working properly, he will starve. Be sure to keep an eye on your rabbit’s preferences. Even 12 hours without food can be deadly for him.
9. Rabbits running around in the yard are in danger of being hurt or killed by predators. But other animals are not the only danger. My neighbor lost her rabbit after she let it run through the grass on the lawn. She didn’t know that pesticides had been sprayed the day before and they had poisoned her poor little animal.
10. Rabbits that are sick try to hide. Rabbits that are afraid may jump away so abruptly that they may injure themselves. That’s why it’s always important to pay close attention to your rabbit’s behavior and try not to startle it.
11. Rabbits eat their own droppings. Rabbits should digest twice. The hard round granules you see, the second round of elimination.
12. Each rabbit has a unique personality. People often ask me if rabbits look like cats or dogs. I say “No! Rabbits are unique characters. One thing you should ask yourself before bringing a rabbit into your home is whether your rabbit will get along with other animals in the house. Getting used to takes a lot of time and energy. It can be dangerous to leave two animals together if they don’t already know each other.