A Rabbit Around the House

I confess, despite the many pets I have had in my life, I have never had a pet rabbit. My good friend in the U.K. did though. The bunny, simply known as “Rabbit,” was a house rabbit. Rabbit had run of the house. In fact, he wasn’t happy that I would close the door of the guest bedroom, keeping him out. Invariably, at some time during the night, he would throw himself at the door to try to get in.

I will further confess, till I met him, I never thought of a rabbit as a viable pet, having seen only undersocialized ones confined to cages at the edge of the garden growing up. To me, keeping rabbits seemed cruel and pointless. But a house rabbit is different thing. Rabbit was paper trained, and my friend told me he rarely had a accident, unless sick. He was moderately affectionate, though not with me. Perhaps because I locked him out of the guest bedroom.

Given this month is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, here are a few things our adoption staff want you to know about pet rabbits:

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals. When given plenty of attention, they make affectionate and rewarding family pets. They can be trained to use a litter box and are more enjoyable, responsive pets when living indoors as house rabbits. Given appropriate care, rabbits can live 10 years or more. Before adopting a rabbit, consider the following:

Rabbits need daily exercise and play

Rabbits need nutritious food, fresh water and a clean habitat

Everyone in your household should understand how to hold and play with a rabbit, and be eager to welcome a rabbit into the family

Some rabbits can be destructive. They like to chew on books and wooden furniture and electrical cords, and will need to be monitored

For more information about rabbits and their care, visit www.ottawahumane.ca/?s=Rabbits.

For rabbits and other small pets available for adoption right now, visit https://ottawahumane.ca/adopt/small-animals-and-birds/.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director