What does Easter mean for real bunnies?
The commercialized version of Easter often reminds us of bunnies. Since I was young, I always looked forward to what the big two-legged bunny would leave in a basket beside my bed.
But, what does this commercialization mean for real bunnies?
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the US, besides dogs and cats, but they are also one of the most abandoned pets. Many people assume rabbits don’t live long lives, are easy to care for, and can be kept in a small cage, therefore; rabbits can be seen as good “first pets” for children or a fun Easter morning surprise.
But, consequently there is an increase of bunny sales ahead of Easter and unfortunately also an increase in bunny abandonments the weeks and months following Easter.
As you might imagine, abandoning pet rabbits can cause many issues. They are prey animals, which means they naturally are quite scared and fearful of most things. Rabbits don’t adjust well to new routines or environments, and it can be quite upsetting/stressful to them to be moved or have their surroundings change. They tend not to have the skills and instincts of their wild cousins to build safe shelter, escape predators, fight off illness and survive in the wild. If they do survive for even some time, they can attract new predators and an additional amount of them, which puts the rabbits as well as the predators at risk of being in danger from humans, who don’t want them around. These predators who can be attracted in by the rabbits can also put other pet or livestock animals into harm’s way.
Rabbits also reproduce at an incredible rate. We’ve all heard the term….
Day 1
Week 1
A rabbit’s gestation time is just under a month and they can get impregnated hours after giving birth. So, theoretically they can have 12 litters a year, but luckily on average it is usually more like 7-10 litters per year with an average of 6 babies per litter. Females can start being impregnated as young as 12 weeks old and have babies until they are about 4 years of age. And this is just one rabbit…. All of her female babies this holds true for as well, so you can see how the rabbit population could come out of control very quickly.
Rabbits can make delightful companions, but they’re not easy to care for as pets. They need a lot of exercise, socialization and interaction. Seemingly cute and cuddly, once baby bunnies mature, they can become a handful and need proper exercise, housing and spaying or neutering to curb some of the problems that can manifest for them. They are considered exotic pets, so medical care can be more expensive than for a cat or dog. Rabbits live about 10-12 years when given the proper care, so they are an equal commitment to a cat or dog, when deciding to bring one into the family.
Giving animals as gifts is rarely a good idea, it is a huge decision requiring a lot of thought and a long term commitment. And when deciding to get a new pet, of any species, we always recommend adopting as opposed to purchasing.