🐰✨ Vet Guide 2025: Should I Get My Kids a Rabbit for Easter? — By Dr Duncan Houston

Easter brings tempting images of fluffy baby bunnies—but adopting a rabbit is a long-term commitment, not a temporary gift. 🐇 In this 2025 guide, I'll help you weigh responsibilities, understand care needs, and set your family up for a happy, healthy rabbit life.

1️⃣ Rabbits Are Not Impulse Pets

• 🎯 Rabbits live on average 8‑12 years—making them long-term companions :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 🧠 Their care more closely resembles that of cats and dogs—not small rodent pets :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• 💡 Avoid impulse Easter gifting—80% of rabbits are surrendered post-holiday :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

2️⃣ Space, Diet, Enrichment & Vet Care

• 🏠 Require large, rabbit-proof habitats and 3+ hours of daily exercise :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• 🌾 Diet must be high-quality hay, pellets, and leafy greens—not just carrots :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• 🩺 Need specialized vets, spay/neuter, annual check-ups, dental care :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

3️⃣ Rabbits & Young Children

• 🐰 As prey animals, rabbits are easily scared and can be injured by improper handling :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• 🧸 Building trust takes months—rabbits aren't cuddly toys; they need time to bond :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Child involvement should be guided and always supervised :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

4️⃣ Companionship Matters

• 🐇 Rabbits thrive with a same-sex partner—loneliness can lead to stress and illness :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

5️⃣ Pros & Cons of Easter Rabbits

• ✅ **Pros:** quiet, litter trainable, rewarding companionship :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• ❌ **Cons:** care intensive, long lifespan, need for space and vet care, potential abandonment :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

📌 Rabbit Readiness Checklist

1. Ready for 8–12-year commitment?
2. Have rabbit-proofed space & time for daily exercise?
3. Can you feed quality hay, pellets & greens?
4. Access to rabbit-savvy veterinarian?
5. Can supervise children’s gentle interaction?
6. Will you adopt from rescue or breeder?
7. Can you provide bonding time, toys, grooming?
8. Is another rabbit companion included?
9. Budget for food, bedding, vet care?
10. Plan for long-term dedication?

🌈 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Rabbits can be wonderful companions—but only if their long-term needs are met. For families thinking of an Easter bunny, consider delaying until you're prepared with time, space, financial resources, and rabbit-savvy knowledge. Adopt, take it slow, bond first, then bring them home 🌿. And as always, the Ask A Vet app is available to guide you every hop of the way! 🐾📱