Please don't buy a bunny for a young child for Christmas unless you know that they're very responsible and that there's an adult that will help out consistently. If you're looking for a first pet for a child I would really consider guinea pigs instead of a bunny. Any pet is a lot of work & a commitment, but guinea pigs are a little easier (from my past experience!) than rabbits are. I had guinea pigs from when I was about 8 until 16 and I loved them!
- Bunnies are a huge commitment (time & financial!), they generally live between 8 and 12 years.
- A lot of bunnies I've met (including Ralphie) aren't fond of cuddles or being picked up. He'll happily sit next to me for hours having his ears tickled or to be brushed but if he thinks I'm going to try and pick him up, he'll be off like a shot.
- Bunnies like a wide variety of veggies to go along with their bunny food and copious amounts of hay. Taking the time to find out what your bunny likes to eat is really important!
- They also like toys to keep them occupied. If they get bored they will probably start to chew anything and everything in sight. Ralphie is quite picky with toys, but he generally loves anything he can nibble and destroy!
- They also need to go and get their vaccinations, especially if they're going to be living outside. They're definitely quite a big financial commitment.
- Bunnies also need a lot of space, I don't think that any rabbit should be cooped up in a small space for a large percentage of the day. If they're going to be mainly living outside, a roomy hutch with a run attached would be idea - just make sure they can't dig their way out and foxes etc can't get inside! Make sure you research different hutch options for outside, I'm not an expert on this so unfortunately I can't offer too much advice.
- Ralphie is a house bunny and lives in a play pen similar to these. He has a wooden house that he sleeps in, which is cosy and comfortable. Whenever I'm at home, I leave the pen door open so he can hop out and explore the upstairs of our home if he wants to. He loves being out, so usually as soon as the door is open, he's off and ready to explore!
- If your bunny will be living inside, please take the time to bunny-proof everything. If they come across a wire, they will chew it! Keep your bunny and your possessions safe!
And if you're absolutely sure a bunny is for you, please consider adopting!
There are a lot of bunnies out there who would really love a new home, where they will be properly looked after.
Love, Jennie & Ralphie
xoxo
Ralphie is so lovely - definitely inspired my choice to rescue a little house bunny a few months ago. He has run of the house when we're home (he's recently learned to jump onto the sofa so can't be free during the day!!!) His personality is finally starting to come through - totally agree they might be a lot of hard work but probably one of the most rewarding! Lovely post :) merry christmas to you both xxx
ReplyDeleteAww that's so cute, it's amazing how high they can jump once they're brave enough! ox
DeleteLovely post. I used to adore my friend's bunnies! x
ReplyDeleteThey're lovely <3
DeleteI love this post! I don't think people realise how hard work bunnies are! Ralphie is perfect.
ReplyDeleteGold Dust
x
It's definitely not easy, totally worth it though <3
DeleteLove this. My Barney is a serious full-time job and I am sorry as hell for him that he's living on his own - but we just don't have enough room for two bunnies. He feels lonely when no one is around and I can't wait to be able to afford a bigger flat and get him a lady to share the space ...
ReplyDeleteRalphie is so sweet and luckie to have a lovely owner like you. I hate that so many people think it's ok to get a bunny and do nothing with it but feed it once a day and keep it in a cage all the time :(
Maria
Aww I'm sure he's happy with you <3
DeleteRalphie is so cute, hopping into a Glossybox - what a stylish bunny! I think you make some fantastic points here as rabbits do need a fair bit of attention and love to stop them getting lonely and bored. I watched a video that talked about sitting on the floor/grass and giving your rabbit a chance to run up to you and then you can see if it would like to be picked up. I think some people don't realise that rabbits might not like to be lifted high off the ground! xxx <3 Really great advice and you make a wonderful pet owner :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHe loves the glossybox boxes hehe! I don't blame them, it must feel so weird being lifted up so high! xo
DeleteOh my, he is so sweet and fluffy!!! x
ReplyDeleteHe's a total cutie (but very naughty hehe!) xx
DeleteThis is the sweetest post. Sometimes people really do need to know what they are getting into with pets. My friend had a bunny she let out around the house and it would follow you around and sit on your lap, cutest thing ever!
ReplyDeleteAwww so sweet <3 <3
Deleteaww Ralphie is so darn cute!! Fab tips Jennie, my friends have just welcomed a new bunny into there home, she hates being picked up but loves a good cuddle. Its only now that iv'e seen how much they've done to bunny proof the house that iv'e realised how much hard work they are. But totally totally worth it :)..sorry for the long comment haha xx
ReplyDeleteThey're definitely worth it. So cutee <3
DeleteAw, I love him. He is so tiny and cute!
ReplyDeleteDon't be fooled, he's super naughty! xo
DeleteRalphie is really cute - my friend had bunnies and one was a house one, a giant species (I'm not sure what type it was) and she used to chew everything. Wires, shoes, etc - she was much worse than a puppy!
ReplyDeleteThey love to chew! xo
DeleteRalphie looks adorable in all these photos! He makes me want to have a rabbit again. -Hanna Lei
ReplyDeleteAww <3
DeleteGreat post, I considered getting a bunny. We used to have 4 living next door and I could watch them while working from my back bedroom, and pat them through the gaps in the fence. Then the people moved and I really missed them. I didn't end up with a bunny as I would have struggled for someone to mind him if I went away. I've now got a golden retriever puppy who's quite a handful! (but my family have dogs and are ok with minding a dog more than a bunny)
ReplyDeleteAww that's so lovely! <3
Deleteyour right in that having a bunny is a bigger responsibility than people assume! ralphie is adorable, i love these pictures xx
ReplyDeleteLittle Blue Backpack
He can be a handful, but he's worth it! ox
DeleteWhat a lovely post & what a cutie Ralphie is!
ReplyDeleteSophie <3 soinspo
<3 <3
DeleteI have 6 Rabbits and 10 guinea pigs and the rabbits are a lot of work especially the giant rabbit we have :) although he is dopey. All of our pets live outside in a luxury shed come hotel haha :P Ralphie is a cutie though! :P xxxxx
ReplyDeleteAww that sounds very impressive hehe xo
Deletei adopted a bunny back in college (a friend didn't want her anymore...) and definitely agree that they are a lot of work. and as a first timer owner i had no idea how to care for it really! thank god for google... your tips are great, hopefully no innocent bunnies become christmas presents for kids this year!
ReplyDeleterachel x
blush&brunch
google is the best, the amount of times I've had to frantically search for something!! xx
DeleteHe's adorable. I've always wanted a bunny but I knew they'd require so much commitment so I never bought one. Instead, I used to make my parents take me to the local pet shop every so often so that I could see the bunnies there!
ReplyDeleteIAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk
Aww that's so cute! <3
DeleteYour bunny is super cute! I have one as well, I love those tiny animals. So cute and fluffy :)
ReplyDeletexo Mel
Selfhelp | Inspiration | Positivity
<3
DeleteExcellent post, I think its great that you've highlighted all aspects of owning a pet like Ralphie, think a lot of people don't realise how much responsibility it is!
ReplyDeleteNick | N.E. Boy
They're certainly a lot of work, totally worth it though!
DeleteI don't think bunnies are for me but I still really enjoyed reading this post (and all the cute pictures!) :)
ReplyDeletehehe don't be fooled by the cuteness, he's naughty!! x
DeleteOh Ralphie! He's so adorable. Thii is such a helpful and informative post for anyone considering a bunny. :)
ReplyDeleteTara xo
Thank you sweet <3
DeleteAw Ralphie is adorable! xx
ReplyDelete<3 <3
DeleteSo cute! I had two bunnies when I was 13, I loved looking after them and would love another one now but I just have the time!
ReplyDeleteCornelia - Ineffable Beauty
Aww <3 <3
DeleteEeep! I"m in love how cute is your bunny!
ReplyDeleteEmma x
http://www.beautyandrags.co.uk
<3
DeleteI have a house bunny too called Bonnie! She's lovely but everyone is always so disappointed when she scrabbles when you pick her up! She's soo loving and comes over for kisses and cuddles but like every other animal she has her own personality and for her she doesn't like being picked up, if she wasn't affectionate I would be a bit disappointed but it doesn't bother me knowing she still loves a fuss! So many people get a pet thinking they're going to get the ideal teddy like animal, I think it's great you pointed this out and hopefully people will read this before going into a commitment they're not ready for! Great post! Plus Ralphie is a little cutie! xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd like being picked up either so I totally understand why they don't like it!
DeleteRalphie is so cute! I've always fancied a house bunny but don't know much about them, I had no idea that they live for 8 years! I reckon I'd be constantly treading on their 'presents' too (ew) but will keep cooing at them in the pet shop :) x
ReplyDeleteHehe I do that too, love going to see all the tiny ones <3
DeleteSo so cute!! and the sweetest name as well =)
ReplyDeleteMy little brother had two bunnies, but since they wouldn't play back with him he just got so sad!
{Teffy's Perks} X
aww :(
DeleteAwwwwwwwww, loveliest thing ever! I'm pathetic with bunnies, I'm always afraid I could accidentally hurt them... They seem so fragile! xx
ReplyDeleteAww! They're not as fragile as they look <£
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