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re: My 6 year old daughter wants a rabbit for a pet.
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:05 pm to Jake88
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:05 pm to Jake88
That’s what we were advised. Timothy hay is good for them and helped keep things moving along, but it was years ago so maybe things have changed knowledge wise. Re the spay/cancer I’m just going by what my vet had said. Ours was a house rabbit, was pretty cool.
1
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:06 pm to Dixie2023
My experiences were during the 70s-90s. Never heard about all of that.
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:08 pm to boosiebadazz
Dogs are the best pets, but I would recommend a bearded dragon over a rabbit if dogs are not an option. Much lower maintenance than a rabbit.
My friend had a rabbit, and one day his internet wasn’t working. He discovered the rabbit had chewed through the modems power cord. He got rid of it that week
My friend had a rabbit, and one day his internet wasn’t working. He discovered the rabbit had chewed through the modems power cord. He got rid of it that week
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:12 pm to Jake88
Ok, not going to argue. I was just saying rabbits are a little more work than we think and listed our experience. And what I learned when reading up on having a rabbit as a pet (I.e., the hay, etc.).
Posted on 4/19/26 at 10:22 pm to boosiebadazz
Rabbits can make for some pretty fantastic pets, but like any pet they take some work and you need to do things right. Here are some big take aways. if you still seem like you want to go down this road after all of it i can give more info. If not, i can maybe suggest another type of pet.
First, i generally do not recommend rabbits be kept outside in Louisiana. Most of the domesticated breeds are not well adapted for humid and hot weather. Some will flat out die from it. If you are insistent on this, make sure to provide plenty of shade, ventilation, and id recommend fans for the animal to keep cool.
Rabbits can be neutered and spayed like cats and dogs. i strongly recommend this. Not because I'm worried about rabbit populations exploding here. Neutering males can help significantly with more aggressive behavior tendencies and will DRASTICALLY reduce the odor their urine creates. in the case of female, it helps with those two things, but also, female rabbit have a very high rate of development of uterine adenocarcinoma. A fatal tumor in their reproductive track. its nearly a 90% prevalence in some breeds (thats a lot). Remove the uterus, remove the tumor source.
Does your daughter want something she can pick up and lug around a lot? Rabbit can be quite affectionate and will come to their owners for pets. They generally do not like to be picked up though. This can lead to struggling, and scratching up your daughter. Rabbits can also significantly hurt themselves in this struggle (fatally so).
When taking care of correctly, rabbits live a long time. are you prepared for that? im talking around 10 years. Most people think rabbits are short lived animals. they are not.
First, i generally do not recommend rabbits be kept outside in Louisiana. Most of the domesticated breeds are not well adapted for humid and hot weather. Some will flat out die from it. If you are insistent on this, make sure to provide plenty of shade, ventilation, and id recommend fans for the animal to keep cool.
Rabbits can be neutered and spayed like cats and dogs. i strongly recommend this. Not because I'm worried about rabbit populations exploding here. Neutering males can help significantly with more aggressive behavior tendencies and will DRASTICALLY reduce the odor their urine creates. in the case of female, it helps with those two things, but also, female rabbit have a very high rate of development of uterine adenocarcinoma. A fatal tumor in their reproductive track. its nearly a 90% prevalence in some breeds (thats a lot). Remove the uterus, remove the tumor source.
Does your daughter want something she can pick up and lug around a lot? Rabbit can be quite affectionate and will come to their owners for pets. They generally do not like to be picked up though. This can lead to struggling, and scratching up your daughter. Rabbits can also significantly hurt themselves in this struggle (fatally so).
When taking care of correctly, rabbits live a long time. are you prepared for that? im talking around 10 years. Most people think rabbits are short lived animals. they are not.
This post was edited on 4/19/26 at 10:29 pm
Posted on 4/19/26 at 11:53 pm to boosiebadazz
Getting a puppy would be the best of all of the alternatives for a pet.
If that is out, a rabbit is NOT the answer.
Set up an aquarium with colorful fish. See if she can handle a little responsibility.
The truth is, kids ask for a lot of things, and not all are good, because their interests change like the direction of the wind.
The fish tank is nice because it can be easily disposed of when their interest change to something else.
My kids (one of each) asked me for a pet rat when they were 9 & 11yo. They wrote me a letter inviting me to a meeting where they did a full 4 page Powerpoint presentation on the reasons and benefits why we needed pet rats.
My answer was: I praised them for the effort, ingenuity, and creativity in the way they were asking, but the answer was NO. I then explained that there are prosperous businesses on every corner that charge people to exterminate rats and keep them out of peoples houses and businesses, and there was no possible way that I could consciously approve of bring vermin to live in my home.
Sometimes you just have to sack up, and put your foot down.
Get a golden retriever. They will love it!!
If that is out, a rabbit is NOT the answer.
Set up an aquarium with colorful fish. See if she can handle a little responsibility.
The truth is, kids ask for a lot of things, and not all are good, because their interests change like the direction of the wind.
The fish tank is nice because it can be easily disposed of when their interest change to something else.
My kids (one of each) asked me for a pet rat when they were 9 & 11yo. They wrote me a letter inviting me to a meeting where they did a full 4 page Powerpoint presentation on the reasons and benefits why we needed pet rats.
My answer was: I praised them for the effort, ingenuity, and creativity in the way they were asking, but the answer was NO. I then explained that there are prosperous businesses on every corner that charge people to exterminate rats and keep them out of peoples houses and businesses, and there was no possible way that I could consciously approve of bring vermin to live in my home.
Sometimes you just have to sack up, and put your foot down.
Get a golden retriever. They will love it!!
Posted on 4/20/26 at 3:29 am to boosiebadazz
Four pages and nobody has offered the most basic solution. Get her a guppy and let her feed it daily. Teaches her some responsibility but will not be a hassle. Good way to find out how responsible she is with a pet if you decide to do the right thing and adopt her a dog from a shelter.
Edit: Missed the post above with the same advice about a fish.
Edit: Missed the post above with the same advice about a fish.
This post was edited on 4/20/26 at 3:31 am
Posted on 4/20/26 at 3:59 am to BoomerandSooner
We have a fish and have had it for about four months. She feeds it every day and helps me change its water weekly.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 4:46 am to boosiebadazz
quote:
She’s a good kid, and this is a compromise for not getting a puppy.
Did you not consider this little feller as a compromise?
Posted on 4/20/26 at 6:16 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
o fatten it up
Don't tell her you served it up for Easter dinner. Just tell her the Easter Bunny took the rabbit and left all the candy.
frick that!
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:35 am to boosiebadazz
My kids had a mini Rex inside for years. Great pet. Litter trained too. IF he had an accident somewhere else, which was rare, it was a hard pellet so easy to clean. Doesn't bark, hiss, scratch, etc. I was his favorite so he sat in my lap a lot.
We had a friend that put one in a cage outside. Some neighborhood dogs got under the cage one day and pretty much tortured the rabbit by almost biting a paw off of it. They decided to bring it inside after and has been there since.
We had a friend that put one in a cage outside. Some neighborhood dogs got under the cage one day and pretty much tortured the rabbit by almost biting a paw off of it. They decided to bring it inside after and has been there since.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:35 am to N2cars
quote:
thought you were like 50?
Baw, what’s your point? I’m 50 with a 5 year old
Posted on 4/20/26 at 8:49 am to boosiebadazz
my mom has rabbits. they are all work and no payoff. very skittish, scratch and nip, have specific diets. She has to wrap a towel around them like a mummy to even hold them.
Not that you asked, but I'd pass on this whim. Believe it or not, a pet rat might be a better choice. They are actually smart, don't bite, easy to care for and only live 2-3 years.
Not that you asked, but I'd pass on this whim. Believe it or not, a pet rat might be a better choice. They are actually smart, don't bite, easy to care for and only live 2-3 years.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:08 am to boosiebadazz
If you just want a low maintenance out door animal, why not a cat? They almost certainly will live longer and probably be more friendly.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:11 am to boosiebadazz
quote:
and this is a compromise for not getting a puppy.
What kind of looney tunes operation are you running over there?
Tell the kid she can’t have a dog but you want some shite eating rabbit instead?
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:18 am to boosiebadazz
Neighbor had a rabbit. Dogs or some animal broke into it and killed it. We put it in a shoe box and my younger brother was the reverend. He was about 7 at the time and we all stood there in reverence for my neighbors rabbit.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:41 am to TigerBaitOohHaHa
quote:
my mom has rabbits. they are all work and no payoff. very skittish, scratch and nip, have specific diets. She has to wrap a towel around them like a mummy to even hold them.
This was my experience as well…
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:52 am to go_tigres
Impressed 
But not envious, if I'm being honest.
But not envious, if I'm being honest.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:52 am to boosiebadazz
quote:
I remember having one outside as a kid and that thing eventually got feral and mean.
That's because you kept it outside. If you are not planning on keeping the rabbit in the house where it can be around people giving it attention all of the time, then do not get one. When they are left outside with limited interaction with the family, they turn mean.
Posted on 4/20/26 at 10:04 am to boosiebadazz
I think a guinea pig would be better.
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