Rabbits have become increasingly popular as house pets around the globe. Their small size, quiet nature, and adorable personalities make them an appealing choice for many. While rabbits are not the right pet for everyone (I’ll get to that in a different post), they are still excellent pets for anyone who is willing to learn about how to care for rabbits.
If you’re thinking about getting a rabbit, I want to encourage you to check out your local animal shelter. I’ve been volunteering with rescue rabbits for almost 10 years now and I can say there are always rabbits in need of loving homes!
1. Rabbit’s can be litter trained
Rabbits can indeed be litter trained effectively. Similar to cats, rabbits have a natural inclination to use a specific spot for their bathroom needs. While not quite as easy to litter train as cats, with a little bit of time and patience most rabbits will learn to use a litter box, making it easy to clean up after them.
Once you bring a bunny home, they will typically choose a corner to use as their bathroom, so the rest of their enclosure stays clean. Place the litter box in your rabbit’s preferred corner so that your rabbit will use it.
Some rabbits will need a little extra encouragement, so don’t be surprised if your new rabbit takes a little longer with their litter training. Use my bunny litter training tips to help you get started.
2. Rabbits don’t make too much noise
Rabbits are generally quiet pets. Unlike dogs that bark loudly or cats that meow to annoy you. They don’t even squeak loudly, like guinea pigs. Rabbits produce minimal noise, making them ideal if you prefer a quieter environment.
Rabbits do make some sounds, but most of them are extremely quiet. The most common sound you’ll hear is a soft grinding of their teeth (a sign of contentment), or gentle humming sounds when they’re happy.
Sometimes, rabbits may thump their hind legs when they are scared, or they can make some noticeable noises digging into cardboard, but overall they are quite quiet pets.
3. Rabbits are an eco friendly pet
Compared to other household pets, like cats or dogs, rabbits are actually quite eco friendly. They can help reduce household organic waste by consuming vegetable scraps and leftovers. For instance, instead of discarding carrot tops or lettuce leaves, you can feed them to your rabbit, minimizing food waste.
Since rabbits are herbivores, their diet consists entirely of plant-based materials. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with pet food production, especially compared to meat-based pet foods needed for dogs and cats.
Furthermore, rabbit poop is an excellent organic fertilizer for gardens. Unlike some other types of animal manure, rabbit droppings don’t spread disease. They don’t even need to be composted before use. If you’re a gardener, rabbit poop is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients and can benefit your plants and reduce your reliance on commercial fertilizers.
4. Rabbits have adorable personalities
Domestic rabbits are actually extremely social animals. They enjoy human interaction and develop a bond with their people, making them excellent companion animals.
Their personalities don’t stop with friendliness though. Rabbits are also curious creatures who love exploring and interacting with their surroundings. They are quite playful and like to bounce around open spaces, such as your living room, and play with toys, boxes, and tunnels.
5. Rabbits don’t usually smell
Rabbits are generally clean animals. They spend a lot of their time grooming themselves, much like cats. This constant grooming helps keep their fur free of odors. Unlike many other animals, rabbit poop does not have a significant odor either.
That being said, rabbit urine can smell if given the chance to build up. Regularly cleaning their enclosure and litter box can do a lot to prevent these smells. A quick clean every few days and a deeper clean every 1-2 weeks is recommended.
If you do notice a strong odor, it may indicate a health issue. For instance, dental problems, infections, or digestive issues can all cause smells. Regular vet check-ups help in catching these issues early.
6. Rabbits have a longer life expectancy than you think
Many people don’t want to get a rabbit because they are afraid they will become attached to a pet who will die in just a few years. This is not the case with rabbits. Contrary to popular belief, domestic rabbits will can live to about 8 to 12 years on average.
Obviously, factors such as a healthy diet, adequate exercise, good care, and pure luck in avoiding illness all play a role in any specific rabbit’s lifespan. But you can expect to spend more than just a few years loving and caring for a companion rabbit.
7. Rabbits are soft and love being petted
Pet rabbits are known for their incredibly soft fur. Their fur comes in a variety of textures, ranging from velvety Rex coats to the fluffy Angora type, but overall rabbit fur is softer than most cats and dogs.
Most rabbits also enjoy being petted if they feel safe and comfortable. Gently stroking a rabbit’s head or cheeks can be calming for them and creates a wonderful bonding opportunity. Rabbits might show their enjoyment by nudging your hand for more pets, licking you, or simply relaxing and closing their eyes.
Not all rabbits enjoy being petted in the same way. While many love head scratches, some might prefer gentle strokes along their back. Observing your rabbit’s body language can help you understand their preferences better.
8. Rabbits can live inside just like dogs and cats
Rabbits can be indoor pets who free roam around your house the same way cats and dogs do. This helps them become more like companion pets. Think of them as members of the family who provide love and comfort, instead of just a cage pet.
Even if you only have a small apartment, it’s probably the perfect size for living with a rabbit (they are great apartment pets). Just be sure to rabbit proof to make sure your rabbit can’t chew on anything they are not supposed to (learn more about rabbit proofing).
In fact, it’s generally better for rabbits to live indoors instead of outside. Not only is extreme weather (especially heat) dangerous for rabbits, but they are also more likely to catch some kind of parasite (such as ticks, fleas, or mites) outside, or come into contact with dangerous predators (such as racoons, dogs, cats, coyotes, hawks, etc.).
