Rabbits can make wonderful companions. But despite their popularity as ‘pets’, there are still many misconceptions about these sensitive animals. Impulse buys and a lack of understanding about the needs of rabbits sadly can lead to terrible neglect, and shelters and vets dealing with surrendered and ‘lost’ animals.
Creating a kinder world for bunnies begins with public awareness. Learn about the special physical and behavioural needs of these misunderstood animals, and help spread the word!
Rabbits are often chosen as ‘first pets’ for children due to their cute and fluffy appearance – however, handling or cuddling can cause them significant stress. Even the practice of ‘trancing,’ where a rabbit is held upside-down and freezes, has historically been misunderstood as relaxing for the rabbit. In reality, being held in such a way triggers a severe stress response.
Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits are prey animals. Their initial response to new environments or strangers is often fear, so handling them requires a gentle approach making them much more suitable as companions to adults. As rabbits grow more accustomed to their human family and surroundings, their endearing and affectionate sides emerge, but achieving this bond requires patience and understanding from their caregivers.
Despite their reputation as ‘low maintenance’ pets, rabbits require as much care and attention as cats or dogs and can live 8 to 12 years, sometimes even longer. Welcoming a rabbit into your family means committing to long-term care equivalent to that of other companion animals.
Rabbits need a combination of food that is not only full of nutrients (such as certain leafy greens and hay), but they also require access to chewable, fibrous material that will help keep their growing teeth in check, like safe twigs, branches and dried leaves. It’s important to make sure that when collecting these for your rabbit, you know they haven’t been treated with pesticides and that the plant is not poisonous to rabbits.
Rabbits need to chew constantly to wear their teeth down, and if this is not adequately facilitated by their humans, this can lead to some pretty severe welfare issues. Vets have reported that teeth care is one of the leading welfare issues with pet rabbits. Make sure you seek the advice of a vet if you are ever unsure about what to feed your rabbit.
There is no more reason to keep a rabbit in a cage or hutch than there is to keep a dog or a cat confined to a cage. Rabbits are inquisitive animals, and need lots of enrichment to express their natural behaviours and keep their minds stimulated. That means they need lots of room (in a safe and secure yard or house) to run, investigate, and explore, as well as toys to play with and chew on.
Mac, a member of the Animals Australia family, spends his days exploring the house and garden, and cozying up between his human family’s feet while they’re sitting at their desks!
If you’re going to welcome a rabbit into your life, why not two? Most rabbits are happiest with other rabbits around – and there’s not much cuter than watching bunnies play together, groom each other, and snuggle up together at night.
Bunnies are known for being quiet, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not constantly expressing themselves and communicating. Unfortunately, many people simply do not know how to ‘read’ their body language very well. A ‘binky’ is a display of excitement, involving a rabbit jumping in the air and flicking out their back legs. They may thump their feet to warn their family and friends of danger, or to express that they’re upset.
And while they will more often use body language to communicate, they also have a range of vocalisations. For example, if you’re especially lucky, a rabbit will run around you making a low humming noise to indicate that they like you. A shrill scream indicates extreme pain or distress, and they may also grunt at you to tell you to go away, and males may ‘honk’ … particularly if they are yet to be de-sexed.
Cats aren’t the only ones who spend a large portion of their day grooming themselves. Bunnies are prolific groomers and will clean themselves, and each other, throughout the day.
They like their environments to be clean, too, which is another reason why they are not suited to living in cages and hutches that can become dirty quite easily. Rabbits are naturally very clean animals and do not like their toilet to be anywhere near their food or bedding area. They can even be trained to use a litter box – and in the right environment, with the right amount of space, they can be quite happy as ‘house bunnies’.
Every year, thousands of rabbits end up in shelters, especially after Easter. These rabbits urgently need loving homes. If you’re considering welcoming a rabbit into your family, please opt to adopt from a local shelter or rescue organisation.
Rescued rabbits await their forever homes at Victoria’s Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage.
Reach out to your local shelter or visit PetRescue or RescueNetwork to find rabbits currently awaiting adoption. Your decision to adopt can not only save lives, but free up space in shelters for other animals in need of help!
Rabbits are endearing and affectionate companions that thrive with proper care and attention! So if you would like to welcome a bunny to the family, remember that adopting rabbits in need helps provide these sweet, social animals with a second chance at life.
Remember, committing to care for an animal is a serious and long-term commitment, so instead of giving an animal as a ‘gift’, kinder alternatives like cruelty-free chocolate and plush toys are more suitable for Easter time and beyond!
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