Peter Cottontail is soon to be hopping down the bunny trail and if you are not up for a long term, committed relationship, you need to let him keep hopping. Many people make the mistake of buying a cute little chick or a real fuzzy bunny for chocolate bunnytheir kid’s Easter baskets. While the intention may be good, it is not a wise idea to buy a live animal for the holiday without first thoroughly researching the care and expense involved.Bunny rabbits are cute, especially the little baby ones. However, babies grow up to be adult bunnies that can enjoy a life span of 10-12 years. While it may appear that bunnies sit around in a cage all day and are content, the real truth is that bunnies can require care more typical of a dog. Bunnies need to be taken out of the cage each and every day for several hours. Rabbits have a need to socialize much like a dog or a cat. They need to be played with and pet but they do not enjoy being picked up and carried around. Because of this, bunnies are not the ideal pet for a young child. Rabbits that are allowed to roam around inside the house can be put in danger if the house is not properly “bunny-proofed”. Because of their propensity for chewing, bunnies can be seriously injured if they chew on wires or other electric cables. They can also destroy furniture or ingest other items you leave at ground level.

Additionally, the day to day living expenses of a bunny can be even more significant than a dog’s. The cage and bedding supplies need to be cleaned daily and rabbits require a healthy and balanced diet. If you live in a seasonal climate, special care need to be taken to ensure the animal is always warm or cool enough if they do not live indoors.

Bunnies also require veterinary attention, including spaying or neutering. If rabbits are not fixed, they can be susceptible to behavioral problems including aggression and spraying like dogs and cats. Bunnies need to visit a vet and receive shots regularly. It is also important that owners consider the special medical needs of a rabbit, such as the importance of emergency medical treatment for a rabbit that does not eat. Unlike a sick dog or cat that may skip a few meals due to illness, a bunny that doesn’t eat needs to be rushed to a vet.

There are always special considerations when buying or adopting any pet. But for any one who is considering a cute Easter pet this time of the year, plan ahead and make sure you know what you are getting into before spending a lot of money. It is also important to note that the majority of holiday animals are turned over to an already overcrowded shelter and risk euthanasia. If you are not ready for such a long-term commitment, stick with the animals of the stuffed variety.



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