What could be cuter than a soft, furry baby bunny in the Easter basket? It can be a fun surprise, even better than a chocolate rabbit or a stuffed animal. But what happens after Easter? Long after the candy is eaten and the stuffed animal becomes the dog’s favorite toy, the bunny will still be there.
Although bunnies are super cute, not everyone wants to have a pet or is able to take care of one. Kids may be enchanted at first but then lose interest. An adult may simply not have the time, space, or inclination for a pet. Bunnies are high-maintenance creatures, requiring daily care and at least an hour per day to run around the house and play. Bunnies are also very smart and need enrichment and stimulation. They also have a strong sense of etiquette and it’s important to be patient with them. Rabbits also need a vet that specializes in bunny care.
Also consider that any pet is a lifetime commitment. A baby bunny becomes an adult bunny who can live 10-12 years. Young bunnies should be spayed or neutered at 4-6 months. You’ll also need a habitat: a large cage, hutch, or enclosure that should be cleaned once or twice a week. Bedding, hay, food pellets, and chew toys are all necessities. Bunnies need fresh vegetables and seedless fruit on a daily basis, plus monthly nail trims and weekly brushing. An annual checkup is also important because bunnies don’t always let you know when something’s wrong.
A bunny is much more fragile than a dog or a cat. Dropping or grabbing a bunny could cause serious injury…and a serious vet bill! A bunny is also a prey animal, which could spell trouble if there’s already a dog or cat in the house. Being a prey animal also makes a rabbit a more skittish pet because they can bite or claw or turn into a fighter when they’re picked up.
If you decide that a bunny is a good fit as an Easter gift, be sure to check out rabbit rescues before you head to a pet store. There are local rescues such as Badger Farms Rabbitry and Rescue (https://www.facebook.com/BadgerFRM/about), and Columbus House Rabbit Society (https://www.columbusrabbit.org/).
Many Easter bunnies end up in shelters and are one of the most euthanized pets in the U.S. Unwanted bunnies are often simply dumped in the wild, but domestic rabbits aren’t equipped with the survival skills to live outdoors. Dumping a bunny often means an early death from exposure or a predator. If there won’t be a commitment to the rabbit, it’s best to let Peter Cottontail keep on hopping down that bunny trail and put chocolate and toys in that Easter basket instead!