The facts about rabbits
Rabbits like to cuddle, rabbits are low maintenance… the myth list goes on when it comes to rabbits! There are a lot of myths about rabbits out there – but which ones are true?
When it comes to rabbits, our research shows that a lot of people can sometimes get the facts wrong! We’ve been busting some common rabbit-related myths.
Myth: Rabbits love cuddles
As adorable as they look, unfortunately our bunny pals don’t actually like being lifted up for big cuddles from their owners! Rabbits are prey animals, which means they’re more likely to panic if they’re suddenly scooped up. While it can be hard to resist, it’s better to show your bunnies you love them by giving them lots of toys or their favourite veggies. If you want to be close to your rabbits, sit with them and wait for them to come to you (if they do want to cuddle they can hop up on your lap), but we wouldn’t recommend picking them up too much. If you do, follow our advice on how to do it safely.
Myth: Rabbits don't need much space
In the wild, rabbits roam, run and forage in fields and forests with areas much larger than your average garden and hide and dig in their underground warrens. Just like their wild relatives, our domestic bunnies need plenty of space, too. We would always recommend at least 3 x 2 x 1m (10 x 6 x 3ft) enclosure for a pair of rabbits – but the bigger, the better! Both indoor and outdoor rabbits also need places to dig, run and hide and access to a secure outdoor run. You can read more about the ideal home for your rabbits on our website.
Myth: Rabbits don't need vaccinating
It’s really important to get your rabbits vaccinated! The main diseases rabbits are commonly vaccinated against (myxomatosis, RHD-1 and RHD-2) can be fatal to our bunnies if they aren’t vaccinated. These disease can be spread by pet rabbits, wild rabbits, other pets, biting flies or fleas and even on our clothes and shoes. Vaccinations protect our rabbits against these infectious diseases. It’s vital you get your rabbits vaccinated and keep on top of any boosters.
Myth: Rabbits are happy to be kept with guinea pigs
Before rabbits were commonly neutered, they were often kept with guinea pigs to give them a friend but avoid unwanted litters. These days, neutering is safe and common and our vets would never recommend introducing rabbits and guinea pigs to live together. Despite the myth, they don’t get along well, as rabbits will often bully guinea pigs because they can’t understand each other’s body language. They can also carry bacteria which are dangerous to guinea pigs. It’s not worth the risks! We recommend keeping rabbits in neutered pairs as they prefer to be with their own kind.
Myth: Rabbits are happy to be kept alone
A rabbit on its own is a very lonely rabbit! Rabbits are social animals, used to living together in family groups in the wild. They need the company of another neutered rabbit to keep them happy and mentally healthy. Unfortunately, no matter how much attention and company we can give to our rabbits, we just can’t replace the company of another rabbit!
Myth: Carrots are good for rabbits
Carrots might be good for cartoon rabbits, but not for our pets. A whole carrot would be very high in sugar which is bad for our rabbits’ teeth and full of calories which can affect their waistlines. It’s OK to give them a little bit of carrot as an occasional treat, but it shouldn’t be part of their main diet. We recommend feeding your rabbits fresh greens and good quality hay every day to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need. Carrot-tops are a much better treat!
Myth: Rabbits are low maintenance
Rabbits require just as much care as any other pet and come with a similar cost. Your bunnies will need lots of attention from you every day, not to mention daily cleaning, checking, feeding and regular check-ups at the vet. Bunnies come with lots of responsibility – if you’re not sure they’re the pet for you, you can take our quiz to find the ideal pet for your situation.
Myth: Rabbits are dirty animals
Rabbits are actually very clean animals and can even be taught to use a litter tray! They tend to prefer toileting in one area away from their food and sleeping areas anyway. Grooming each other is a great social bonding activity for rabbits (and completely adorable!) and also part of their daily routine to keep clean.
Myth: Rabbits don't live very long
If fed the right diet and given enough exercise and the healthcare they need, rabbits can live a lot longer than you might expect! While their wild counterparts only live a couple of years, domestic rabbits can live as long as 7-10 years as they don’t have the threat of predators to contend with. Vaccinating your rabbits can also improve their chances of living longer as it means they are less likely to die from fatal diseases.
Myth: Rabbits are great pets for kids
Contrary to popular belief, rabbits aren’t always the best pets for children. While having a pet can have lots of benefits, it’s important to choose the right pet for you and your family. Children often prefer a pet they can interact with and while rabbits are enjoyable to watch, they don’t really like being picked up and petted a lot which younger children can’t always understand. If your kids want to interact with your rabbits, ask them to sit on the floor or a low seat in an area where the rabbits have free run and give them some of your bunny’s favourite treats to encourage them to approach.
