I picked up my bun five years ago, and he's been filling my life with wonderful warmth and adorableness ever since. I soon learned that owning a rabbit is not all huggles & snuggles, though. Here are some facts about rabbit lifestyles that I learned from my fluffy bundle of joy!
1. Every rabbit has its own personality and weird quirks.
Rabbits are surprisingly emotional and quirky little creatures, and their personalities will vary much like dogs and cats. My bun likes to flip his food bowl over when he gets fussy and wear industrial toilet paper rolls on his head for fun. I stopped questioning his antics long ago and accepted that it's just part of who he is.
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2. They chew through EVERYTHING.
Whether its your smartphone charger or your favorite knitted sweater, nothing will remain intact unless you rabbit-proof everything in their vicinity.
3. They are easily entertained.
Why spend money on fancy rabbit toys and elaborate contraptions when they'll have just as much fun tearing up cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls?
4. They don't eat carrots as often as you think.
Or at least, they shouldn't. A healthy rabbit diet mainly consists of grass hay, pellets and fresh leafy greens. Carrots are more like candy to them and shouldn't be eaten in excess. My bun will romaine lettuce over carrots any day!
5. They poop everywhere.
Bunnies are total poop monsters leaving trails of round pebble-sized droppings in their wake, but luckily its not too messy.
6. They can also eat their poop.
Which is not as gross as it sounds. Rabbits produce two kinds of poop: one is actual waste, and the other is edible, their food pellets and hay recycled into smaller condensed forms. Rabbits are very environmentally friendly in this respect!
7. They can be potty trained.
It's almost as easy as training cats to use litter boxes. Thank goodness, because their pee stinks
8. They flop when the feel comfortable and safe.
And it's the cutest!
9. They appreciate dark hideaways.
Rabbits instinctively love to burrow and will hide when they feel scared or threatened, so having an underground space in their cage, tunnels in their play area or other dark secluded areas available for them to hide in will let them feel more comfortable.
10. They don't necessarily like being picked up or handled.
Buns prefer interacting with objects in their environment rather than being constantly held and carried around like other small pets. That being said, you should get your rabbit accustomed to being picked up as they grow up so they don't kick up a fuss as adult buns. However...
11. They DO love massages.
And the comfort goes both ways! I personally find it therapeutic to pet my bun when I'm stressed or emotional.
12. They are pro self-groomers.
Because of this, they should never be given a full bath, which could
send them into shock. If they do get dirty or accidentally get
something stuck to their fur (poopy butt happens more often than
you'd think), wipe those areas with a damp washcloth or in a basin with up
to an inch of warm water.
13. They can become BFFs for life.
Rabbits are social animals, and two rabbits who share the same living space can become bonded pairs. They don't necessarily have to be mates (it's highly recommended that they are spayed/neutered), but more like inseparable friends. These bonds are so strong that the loss of a partner can lead the other rabbit to serious depression. If you have a single bun, rabbit matchmaking services exist to help find your bun's perfect soulmate!
14. They will win your heart.
Give into the cuteness. It's inevitable.
