Thinking About Getting a Rabbit? Honest Pros and Cons

Why Rabbits Make Wonderful Companions

A well-cared-for rabbit can be a deeply affectionate, loyal friend. Compared with some other pets, they can be:

• Less time-demanding than dogs – especially if you have a bonded pair who entertain each other

• Less financially demanding, provided there are no serious health issues

• Quiet – ideal if you live in a flat with thin walls

• Social and sensitive – many enjoy gentle interaction, learning tricks or solving rabbit puzzles

A pair of rabbits with a generous indoor run or room doesn’t need daily walks like a dog would. They can stretch, zoom and flop in safety, at the times they choose.

Rabbit

Everyday Care: Simpler Than You Might Think

For a healthy rabbit, care is quite straightforward:

• Clean water and unlimited hay

• A balanced diet with a safe amount of greens, fruit and veg and a measured amount of good-quality pellets

• Clean litter trays and bedding

• Space to move, explore and binky in company

  
  

Once in a while, schedule regular health checks with a rabbit-savvy vet.

Rabbits groom themselves much like cats, so you don’t usually need baths - in fact, those can be harmful. The most common health issue in pet rabbits is dental trouble caused by the wrong diet and not enough hay, so nutrition is key.

Coping with Separation or Sudden Change

Most rabbits dislike sudden big changes to their environment, but they can cope with you going away for a few days if the set-up stays familiar.

Ideally, when you travel:

• Your rabbit(s) stay in their usual home environment

• A trusted person visits to feed, clean and socialise with them

• Or you use a good small-pet sitter or “rabbit hotel” that understands rabbit care
  

The Challenges You Need to Consider

Rabbits are wonderful, but they aren’t the right pet for everyone. Before you bring one home, think honestly about these points.

1. Chewing and Safety

Many rabbits absolutely adore chewing:

• Cables

• Door frames

• Furniture

• Clothes on drying racks

Some of those items can be dangerous (electrical wires, toxic plants, plastic parts), others you simply don’t want destroyed. Bunny-proofing your home – and supervising free-roam time – is essential.

2. Financial Responsibility

Running costs for a healthy rabbit are often lower than for many dogs or cats, especially as their diet is plant-based. But:

• Vet care can be expensive

• You may need to pay for neutering, vaccinations and regular health checks

• Housing, runs and enrichment add up over time

It’s important to have a budget and a cushion for unexpected bills.

3. Time and Companionship

Rabbits are social animals. If you don’t have much spare time, it’s usually kinder to keep two bonded rabbits so they have company and don’t feel lonely.

You’ll also need:

• Someone who can care for them if you are ill or away

• A plan for longer holidays (reliable sitter or rabbit boarding)
  

One Rabbit or Two?

A single rabbit living alone with very little human interaction is likely to be bored and unhappy. If your lifestyle means you’re out a lot, a bonded pair is a much better option. They’ll groom each other, snuggle and explore together – and you get double the love when you’re home.

For advice on gender combinations and bonding, you can read our article Two Rabbits at Home.

So… Should You Be Getting a Rabbit?

If you:

• Enjoy quiet, sensitive animals

• Can provide enough space and social interaction

• Are happy to bunny-proof your home

• Have the budget for routine and emergency vet care

…then getting a rabbit – or pair of rabbits – can be an amazing addition to your life.

If you’re unsure, spend time with rabbits at a rescue or with friends first. It’s always better to wait than to adopt on impulse and regret it later.