Oh, the excitement of Easter! The new outfit. The eggs. The chocolate. And the bunnies! Love the bunnies.
When you think Easter, you think bunnies too. Right? It’s hard not to. They are part of the decorations, the songs, the lore. They are a huge part of the holiday. So much a part that some parents go all out and get a rabbit for their kid to find in their basket.
I get it. Rabbits are cute. They are fuzzy. They have a little nose that wiggles that just makes you squeee so much. Who wouldn’t go gaga at the Easter surprise?
But when that chocolate bliss wears off, what happens to the bunny?
Is it relegated to the back corner of the garage where’s it’s lucky if someone visits once a day? Does it get rehomed after mom freaks out because the kids won’t clean the cage?
There are a lot of reasons to get a pet bunny. “Because it’s Easter” is not one of them. The sad fact is many families aren’t prepared for the care a rabbit needs and many of these bunnies end up homeless.
Reasons a Bunny isn’t the Pet for You
So what are some reasons a bunny isn’t the right pet for you?
- You expect a pet that will just sit there letting your child love on it, then carrying it all over the place.
- Yeah. That’s a stuffed animal. Contrary to popular belief, most rabbits are not cuddle buns. In fact, many can get pretty aggressive. Getting them neutered helps reduce aggression, but treating them with respect and not forcing them to be handled in a way they aren’t comfortable goes far in keeping them from feeling like they have to protect themselves.
- Your child has plans for the next 10+ years and a pet wasn’t part of those plans.
- The lifespan of a rabbit is over 10 years and a lot of life happens in that short a time. Kids become involved in school activities. They start dating. They head off to college. Where is the bunny during all this? Does it get less attention? Does it go off to school with them?
- You want to teach your kid responsibility.
- Is this the same kid who can’t keep track of their iPad? If they can’t be responsible for an inanimate object, how can they be responsible for something that needs fresh food and water and exercise every day? Do you really want to be nagging at them to clean the cage all the time or making sure the bunny has water? And in the end, are you really teaching them how to be responsible when the threat to get rid of the bunny becomes reality and they don’t care because it’s a relief they no longer have to be care for it? Seems the one who loses in this lesson is the bunny.
- You like a pristine house and nothing will keep it from being anything but pristine.
- Hahaha! Are you sure you want a pet? Bunnies, like most pets, leave little bits of themselves where ever they go. That means there will be fur, there could be poop, and there may be pee. Hay may be found rooms away from the cage. Not that your house will turn into a dump, but you’ll need to do a bit more cleaning.
- Having to spend money on a bunny never crossed your mind.
- Surprise. Surprise. Rabbits cost money. Food, hay, treats, toys, and the fresh veggies. They all cost money. Then there are the vet costs. Caring for a rabbit means ongoing costs. Is there room in your budget for a bunny?
Rabbits aren’t for everyone. The important thing is to know this before getting one as an Easter gift and having it become part of the homeless bunny statistics.
Easter Basket Substitutes for a Real Rabbit
There are other ways to add excitement to Easter morning. Here are some cute bunnies that would be perfect for the Easter basket.
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1. carter’s Kids’ Genna Girl’s Bunny Mary Jane Flat
2. ALEX Toys Craft Color and Cuddle Washable Bunny
3. Bunny Marshmallow Peeps earrings by VVsGrotto on Etsy
4. Bunny Pajamas- Some Bunny Loves Me by DipsyDoodlebug on Etsy
5. Hooded Bunny Blanket
6. Easter Bunny & Friends Squishies
If you are interested in adding a bunny to the family, consider adopting one of the many bunnies looking for a home. Visit your local animal shelter or find a nearby rabbit rescue to adopt from.
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Excellent (or should I say “egg”cellent) article! As a former twice bunny-grandmom (a lop-eared albino bunny, and later a dwarf who loved to watch TV, hang out with my young daughter and pup, go for rides with her in her Barbie car, play in her Barbie house, and was housebroken (okay, at least for four hours he was!)…and having had someone gift a bunny to my daughter when she was very young without first consulting me, this is such an important topic! Of course I kept my daughter’s first bunny as she was too young to care for it and I believe once in my family, always in my family) and loved it so, but I shudder to think of how many people do this and the number that wind up homeless – similar to gifting puppies at Christmas. Such a timely “must read” article. Sharing and Pinning!