Are they ready for a pet rabbit?

Unfortunately, rabbits are still thought of as an ‘easy’ introduction to owning a pet for children — a way of teaching them how to be responsible for another living being and every-thing that goes with this. Sadly, the enthusiasm for looking after a rabbit can soon diminish after the novelty wears off and the once exciting pet that isn't quite as cuddly as originally thought quickly becomes last year's favourite ‘toy’ — forgotten about.

Of course children can enjoy learning about rabbits and interacting with them, but perhaps not in the manner that they had originally hoped. It is important that if a rabbit is bought for a child (or indeed bought by an adult for themselves), that expectations are well managed to avoid later disappointment.

Rabbits don't enjoy being picked up and cuddled and they are easily frightened. They often feel that the only way to keep safe is to run away and hide from enthusiastic children who understandably want to make friends with their new pet, and some rabbits may learn to use aggression if all else fails.