by Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Before you start, you should treat you and your bunny to a copy of The House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman. It is the most up-to-date and accurate book on rabbit care available, and it is quite inexpensive. It's available at most major bookstores, or they can order it for you. No rabbit home should be without it. [Bunny Magic Note: We also have this book for sale, and many local libraries carry a copy of it.]
Probably
the single most frequent question we get about rabbits as companions is,
"Is a rabbit more like a cat or a dog?" The answer: neither. Dogs and
cats have been bred for centuries to not be afraid of humans. Rabbits have been
bred primarily for meat, fur and physical characteristics. That means that when
you adopt a bunny, you adopt a lovely, domestic animal with the heart and spirit
of a wild animal. It is much more challenging to win the trust of this
sensitive, intelligent creature than it is to win the heart of a puppy or
kitten, who has been bred to trust you from birth.
And
the myth that certain rabbit breeds make better pets is just that: a myth. We
have known aggressive lops (supposed to be gentle and friendly),
super-affectionate dwarfs (supposedly hyper and mean) and every type of
personality you can imagine in our hybrids. There are as many rabbit
personalities as there are rabbits!
If
we had to compare a rabbit to any other animal, we might say they have a
temperament more like that of a parrot. Rabbits are highly intelligent, social
and affectionate. They can also be bratty, willful, destructive and vengeful.
They are very...rabbit. And it takes a special type of person to be able to live
happily with such a complex, intelligent, demanding little soul! One of the most
common misconceptions people have about rabbits is that they like to be held and
cuddled. This is probably because they look like plush toys. Unfortunately, many
people buy rabbits without realizing the true nature of rabbits, and that's one
of the main reason these lovely, intelligent creatures are "dumped"
shortly after they reach sexual maturity and begin to assert their strong
personalities.
Many
people are disappointed to learn that their bunny does not like to be held. But
consider for a moment the natural history of the rabbit. This is a
ground-dwelling animal, and a prey item for many predators. It is completely
against the nature of the rabbit to be held far above the ground where it cannot
control its own motions and activities. When you force her to be held against
her will, you reinforce her notion that you are a predator who is trying to
restrain her. Holding her while she struggles and kicks is not only dangerous
for the human (sharp claws!), but also for the rabbit. We wish we didn't know
how many young rabbits come into our vet's office with broken legs, necks and
spines because people (usually children) insisted on carrying them around and
handling them against their will. If you love your bunny, you won't let this
happen to him/her.
To
understand rabbit behavior, begin to think more like a rabbit! Here's a
starter's guide...
Step
1. Buy a copy of The House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman. It's the most
accurate, up-to-date book about rabbit care on the market.
Step
2. Remember that a rabbit, unlike a carnivorous, predatory dog or cat, evolved
as a prey species. Hence, most rabbits are naturally shy. It is up to you, the
flexible human, to compromise and alter your behavior so that the bunny
Here's
the best way to win your rabbit's trust:
Imagine
what the world looks like to this bunny. She's surrounded by a new environment,
and there's a big, strange-smelling animal that's always looming over her. She
has no idea you're trying to be friendly. Her "hard wiring" says:
"AAAAAAAA!!! It's going to EAT MEEEE!!!!" Imagine yourself in her
bunny slippers: No one speaks her language, she has been taken from her family
and maybe the only home she has ever known, and she has no idea whether you plan
to
You
and bunny should be together in a private, quiet room. No other pets. No
distractions.
Have
a little treat, such as a carrot or piece of apple, banana or a little pinch of
oats in your hand.
Lie
on your tummy on the floor and let the bunny out of her hutch. (This should be
at ground level, so that the bunny can come out and go into the hutch as she
pleases. Having to grab the bunny every time you want her to come in or out can
Don't
expect her to approach you right away. Remain quiet and patient, even if it
takes an hour or more. Rabbits are naturally curious, and eventually, she will
come over to sniff you.
Resist
the temptation to reach out and pet the bunny. Instead, let her sniff you, hop
on you and just get to know your smell. This will teach her that you are not a
threat.
If
the bunny finds the treat you have, hold it while she nibbles. Resist the urge
to pet, if she's shy!
Do
this every day. Gradually, you can start to pet the bunny by giving her a gentle
"scritch" on the forehead (bunnies love this!). Never force anything,
and never chase the bunny. This, too, will only undo all the patient sitting you
have done to gain her trust.
Once
the bunny learns that you are a friend, she will bond very strongly to you. It's
important to have him neutered/ her spayed once s/he reaches sexual maturity,
because otherwise s/he'll want to make love to everything.
In most cases, children and rabbits are not ideal companions. A rabbits delicate skeleton and prey-species nature predisposes him/her to be fearful of the attentions of most active, happy children, however well-meaning. It takes a very special, mature child, who is willing to follow all the above steps, to make a good companion for a rabbit. Some people are disappointed that the rabbit is "not turning out to be the sort of pet we wanted for our kids." Rather than being disappointed that the rabbit is not what you expected (most rabbits never learn to like to be held and handled extensively), take this opportunity to teach children respect for a new kind of animal. If they really want something to carry around, they need a stuffed toy--not a live rabbit.
And of course, an adult should always be the primary caretaker of the rabbit. Young children don't have the sense of responsibility necessary to properly care for a rabbit, and the parents should be ready to take over the duties of the teenager who goes off to college, leaving Fluffy in their care.
She
is a Sentient Being, not a Toy. Now look at your rabbit with new eyes. She is
not
a toy; she is a highly intelligent, potentially loving, loyal creature who can
become a member of the family if you allow her to be what she is--a rabbit!
If
you can do that, you are in for the most delightful companionship of a lifetime!
Join
the Family of the Rabbit!
copyright
1998 - Dana Krempels