Takeaway rabbit may not be great idea
It's the Year of the Rabbit. Pet shop windows are dotted with adorable baby bunnies. Their twitching noses, innocent eyes and furry coats are bound to send you into a frenzy, but can you give them a warm new home?
'Rabbits aren't just cute and fluffy,' Rebecca Chui, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says. 'They're high-maintenance animals that require significant resources, equipment, attention and veterinary care.'
Some pet owners believe pet rabbits are no more work than hamsters and guinea pigs. In fact, the amount of care rabbits require resembles that of dogs and cats.
Before succumbing to the temptation of bringing a rabbit home, you should thoroughly understand its requirements. This checklist for a typical day's care should help. 1 Clean the cage, bedding, litter box and accessories. 2 Replenish food bowls and water bottles. House rabbits usually feed on grass hay or pellets with a high concentration of Timothy hay, while fresh leafy vegetables and carrots make healthy snacks. 3 Brush their hair, especially the long-haired variety, to avoid them swallowing or choking on ingested hair. 4 Let them out of the cage for a couple of hours to exercise so they can stay fit and active. 5 Talk to them, pet them and interact with them.
It is also important to draw your attention to certain household hazards and daycare tips. Rabbits like biting. They chew on fabric, furniture, paper and even exposed wires to wear down their constantly growing teeth. Owners have to keep all these items out of reach and cover electrical cords to prevent rabbits from swallowing them.
As prey animals, rabbits associate being picked up with being hunted and eaten. The animal generally does not like being carried or cuddled. If you do pick them up, take care of their fragile skeletons by supporting the belly and bottom.
Rabbits are alert and timid creatures that startle easily. They are easily frightened by loud noises and sudden movements, making them ill-suited for a home with young exuberant siblings. You will also need to take your pet to the vet to get them spayed or neutered.
Rabbits have an average life span of six to eight years, but they can live up to 15 years.
Because many people do not understand what they are getting into when they buy a rabbit, animal shelters are overstocked with abandoned pets.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has sheltered an average of 240 rabbits each year over the past five years. Last year, 194 were surrendered to the SPCA.
A good number of owners get rid of their pets when they become pregnant. Many become tired once the novelty of having a rabbit has worn off, while others find that they cannot afford the time or money, or devote enough space in their home.
People are urged not to buy on a whim. Think twice about making the commitment.
'If your heart is set on a rabbit then, rather than shop, adopt,' says Dr Jane Gray, the SPCA's chief veterinary surgeon.
