Rabbits as Children’s Pets
➢ Rabbits can make great pets for all the family to enjoy, they are fun and affectionate but it is important to remember that rabbits are a prey species and dislike being picked up, to them this means they are to be someones lunch!
Children must learn to move slowly and speak calmly in order to build a good relationship with their pets, the rabbits should always have the option to move away from humans should they not want to interact with them and it is important that the rabbits have a safe space such as a multi exited hideout where they can retreat to without being followed.
➢ Young children can be unpredictable and can easily scare a rabbit with loud noises and sudden jerky movements, encourage young children to get down on the ground to the rabbits level and teach them how to be calm and quiet before attempting to stroke the rabbits. Do not let children pick up rabbits their small fingers can dig in and hurt the rabbits or they may frighten or drop the rabbits causing serious injury.
➢ Older children can also sit on the ground in the rabbit’sarea and allow the rabbits to come to them, offering healthy treats is a good way to get children to bond with rabbits. Once the rabbits have become used to the children let them give a little scratch on the top of their heads and stroke them down their backs.
➢ Encourage children to spend time with their rabbits on a daily basis so they both get used to each other.
Children must learn to move slowly and speak calmly in order to build a good relationship with their pets, the rabbits should always have the option to move away from humans should they not want to interact with them and it is important that the rabbits have a safe space such as a multi exited hideout where they can retreat to without being followed.
➢ Young children can be unpredictable and can easily scare a rabbit with loud noises and sudden jerky movements, encourage young children to get down on the ground to the rabbits level and teach them how to be calm and quiet before attempting to stroke the rabbits. Do not let children pick up rabbits their small fingers can dig in and hurt the rabbits or they may frighten or drop the rabbits causing serious injury.
➢ Older children can also sit on the ground in the rabbit’sarea and allow the rabbits to come to them, offering healthy treats is a good way to get children to bond with rabbits. Once the rabbits have become used to the children let them give a little scratch on the top of their heads and stroke them down their backs.
➢ Encourage children to spend time with their rabbits on a daily basis so they both get used to each other.
NOTE TO PARENTS:
Almost 67,000 rabbits end up in rescue centres every year because “the children lost interest”. Please, please don’t get rabbits unless you are prepared to look after them for the next ten years – because that is what is very likely to happen!
Almost 67,000 rabbits end up in rescue centres every year because “the children lost interest”. Please, please don’t get rabbits unless you are prepared to look after them for the next ten years – because that is what is very likely to happen!
➢ There are many enrichment ideas for children to make and give to their rabbits to play with or to nibble on, here are just a few ideas -
• Toilet roll tubes can be filled with hay and forage and fresh grass or herbs
• Place willow or apple sticks into these tubes so it looks like a kebab and stick them into a cardboard box to look like a tree. Branches from willow, Apple or pear trees can be hung from the enclosure to encourage the rabbits to reach up.
• Egg boxes with something tasty inside such as herbs and grass can get the rabbits minds active as they work out how to get the treat out.
• Children can fill paper bags filled with hay & their favourite treats. Just pop them on the ground an enjoy watching the rabbits have a good rummage through.
• Willow balls are fun to roll around with the rabbits and they can stop & have a chew.
• Try not to make toys too complicated though as the rabbit may just lose interest.
See the link below for more toys you can make for your rabbits.
www.therabbithouse.com/blog/category/rabbit-toys-enrichment
There are also treat balls or puzzle games which are suitable for rabbits.
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Activity-Game-Around-level/dp/B003TOKTEG/ref=sxbs_bbp_recs_sx_m_p_v1?cv_ct_cx=dog+treat+toy&keywords=dog+treat+toy&pd_rd_i=B003TOKTEG&pd_rd_r=161f3659-f16a-44a0-92bd-76df04657918&pd_rd_w=nxQDf&pd_rd_wg=R3ayP&pf_rd_p=b17ed573-60b9-4289-9ae2-a50e0724a0b2&pf_rd_r=FT7Q8MWAXY7G98E34812&qid=1583728665
smile.amazon.co.uk/Living-World-Teach-n-Treat-Interactive-Toy/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=rabbit+treat+toy&qid=1583728796&sprefix=rabbit+teeat+&sr=8-3
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Plastic-Assorted-Colors-Yellow/dp/B0009586P2/ref=ac_session_sims_199_1/258-9191538-6218134?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0009586P2&pd_rd_r=fa9ed78f-6498-4474-9ce4-543a1667be5e&pd_rd_w=xF4Vv&pd_rd_wg=24Tqi&pf_rd_p=ad8b1e09-585c-417b-9b32-e2893332f5f6&pf_rd_r=ST94FG6F365SX3H3PYVR&psc=1&refRID=ST94FG6F365SX3H3PYVR
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Dog-Activity-Flip-Board/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_3/258-9191538-6218134?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0054Q9TMA&pd_rd_r=939925f9-027c-4a9e-b0ef-04cf88a55e6c&pd_rd_w=oNNmk&pd_rd_wg=dCeSq&pf_rd_p=9d28e87e-eb67-4818-8172-082f76e33448&pf_rd_r=652PHD644XY1SSPD99AH&psc=1&refRID=652PHD644XY1SSPD99AH
Rabbits can also be clicker trained this is valuable in order to not only make the rabbits lives less stressful by lessening the need to be caught or held as they can be taught simple commands. This is also a great way for rabbits to bond with their owners.
See the link below for some tips.
https://m.youtube.com/user/Pewterrabbit1
➢ Rabbits will occasionally need to be picked up by their adult owners in order for health checks to be carried out and for routine trips to the vets. It is important to pick up rabbits correctly to prevent them from becoming scared and panicking and causing injury to themselves. There are some great videos by Guen Bradbury on how to get your rabbit used to being held.
➢ To lift get down close to the rabbit place one hand on the shoulders to steady them and then put your hand under it chest and gently lift using the other hand to support under its bottom. Hold the rabbit close to your body at all times.
➢ To put back down, be careful the rabbit doesn’t try to jump out of your arms as this can cause serious injury. Keeping the rabbit close get down to ground level and gently release. Give them a little scratch on the forehead to let them know you love them. A healthy treat can make the whole experience be a more positive one. Correct handling will be much less traumatic for your rabbit.
➢ Never pick a rabbit up be their ears. This will cause injury to the ears.
➢ Never pick a rabbit up by the scruff of its neck, it is unnecessary.
➢ Never “trance” a rabbit. This is when a rabbit is placed on its back and it goes perfectly still. This is very cruel and causes immense stress, the rabbit is still because it is terrified and is the response by a prey animal when itfeels it is in mortal danger.
➢ Always carry a rabbit in a carrier not in your arms, rabbits can be easily spooked and if it jumps from a height it can cause injury or worse.
➢ Rabbits are social animals and need the company of another rabbit. A lonely rabbit will be bored and develop unwanted behaviours which in turn will prevent a friendship with the children and family.
• Toilet roll tubes can be filled with hay and forage and fresh grass or herbs
• Place willow or apple sticks into these tubes so it looks like a kebab and stick them into a cardboard box to look like a tree. Branches from willow, Apple or pear trees can be hung from the enclosure to encourage the rabbits to reach up.
• Egg boxes with something tasty inside such as herbs and grass can get the rabbits minds active as they work out how to get the treat out.
• Children can fill paper bags filled with hay & their favourite treats. Just pop them on the ground an enjoy watching the rabbits have a good rummage through.
• Willow balls are fun to roll around with the rabbits and they can stop & have a chew.
• Try not to make toys too complicated though as the rabbit may just lose interest.
See the link below for more toys you can make for your rabbits.
www.therabbithouse.com/blog/category/rabbit-toys-enrichment
There are also treat balls or puzzle games which are suitable for rabbits.
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Activity-Game-Around-level/dp/B003TOKTEG/ref=sxbs_bbp_recs_sx_m_p_v1?cv_ct_cx=dog+treat+toy&keywords=dog+treat+toy&pd_rd_i=B003TOKTEG&pd_rd_r=161f3659-f16a-44a0-92bd-76df04657918&pd_rd_w=nxQDf&pd_rd_wg=R3ayP&pf_rd_p=b17ed573-60b9-4289-9ae2-a50e0724a0b2&pf_rd_r=FT7Q8MWAXY7G98E34812&qid=1583728665
smile.amazon.co.uk/Living-World-Teach-n-Treat-Interactive-Toy/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=rabbit+treat+toy&qid=1583728796&sprefix=rabbit+teeat+&sr=8-3
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Plastic-Assorted-Colors-Yellow/dp/B0009586P2/ref=ac_session_sims_199_1/258-9191538-6218134?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0009586P2&pd_rd_r=fa9ed78f-6498-4474-9ce4-543a1667be5e&pd_rd_w=xF4Vv&pd_rd_wg=24Tqi&pf_rd_p=ad8b1e09-585c-417b-9b32-e2893332f5f6&pf_rd_r=ST94FG6F365SX3H3PYVR&psc=1&refRID=ST94FG6F365SX3H3PYVR
smile.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Dog-Activity-Flip-Board/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_3/258-9191538-6218134?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0054Q9TMA&pd_rd_r=939925f9-027c-4a9e-b0ef-04cf88a55e6c&pd_rd_w=oNNmk&pd_rd_wg=dCeSq&pf_rd_p=9d28e87e-eb67-4818-8172-082f76e33448&pf_rd_r=652PHD644XY1SSPD99AH&psc=1&refRID=652PHD644XY1SSPD99AH
Rabbits can also be clicker trained this is valuable in order to not only make the rabbits lives less stressful by lessening the need to be caught or held as they can be taught simple commands. This is also a great way for rabbits to bond with their owners.
See the link below for some tips.
https://m.youtube.com/user/Pewterrabbit1
➢ Rabbits will occasionally need to be picked up by their adult owners in order for health checks to be carried out and for routine trips to the vets. It is important to pick up rabbits correctly to prevent them from becoming scared and panicking and causing injury to themselves. There are some great videos by Guen Bradbury on how to get your rabbit used to being held.
➢ To lift get down close to the rabbit place one hand on the shoulders to steady them and then put your hand under it chest and gently lift using the other hand to support under its bottom. Hold the rabbit close to your body at all times.
➢ To put back down, be careful the rabbit doesn’t try to jump out of your arms as this can cause serious injury. Keeping the rabbit close get down to ground level and gently release. Give them a little scratch on the forehead to let them know you love them. A healthy treat can make the whole experience be a more positive one. Correct handling will be much less traumatic for your rabbit.
➢ Never pick a rabbit up be their ears. This will cause injury to the ears.
➢ Never pick a rabbit up by the scruff of its neck, it is unnecessary.
➢ Never “trance” a rabbit. This is when a rabbit is placed on its back and it goes perfectly still. This is very cruel and causes immense stress, the rabbit is still because it is terrified and is the response by a prey animal when itfeels it is in mortal danger.
➢ Always carry a rabbit in a carrier not in your arms, rabbits can be easily spooked and if it jumps from a height it can cause injury or worse.
➢ Rabbits are social animals and need the company of another rabbit. A lonely rabbit will be bored and develop unwanted behaviours which in turn will prevent a friendship with the children and family.
Forage walks where you collect wild plants for your rabbits can also be a fun activity to do with children
www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging/wild-plants-to-pick-for-rabbits
www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging/wild-plants-and-trees
Grass, dandelion, plantain, willow, rose, hazel, Hawthorn, Bramble, Apple Twigs and leaves are always firm favourites
There’s a list of poisonous plants you will need to avoid here www.https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-diet/poisonous-plants-rabbits/
www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging/wild-plants-to-pick-for-rabbits
www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging/wild-plants-and-trees
Grass, dandelion, plantain, willow, rose, hazel, Hawthorn, Bramble, Apple Twigs and leaves are always firm favourites
There’s a list of poisonous plants you will need to avoid here www.https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-diet/poisonous-plants-rabbits/
Here is a helpful guide to making friends with your new bunnies http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/becoming-best-friends-with-your-bunnies.html
Video from Wood Green on children and rabbits safely interacting with each other https://youtu.be/MNosD2S_pN0