In short, no—rabbits are not considered an easy pet. In fact, they are technically classified as an exotic species and should be seen by an exotic specialist vet. There are many factors that any new rabbit owner needs to understand before considering getting a rabbit. However, once you know what you’re doing, it does get much easier in my opinion.
Here are the main things to consider before getting a rabbit:
Diet
Have you ever heard someone say, “Yeah, I used to have a rabbit, but one day it just suddenly died”? This was very likely caused by gut stasis—a condition where a rabbit’s digestive system slows down or stops altogether, which can be fatal within 24–48 hours. Rabbits are prey animals, so they tend to hide signs of illness in order not to appear weak. This means they may look completely normal even when they’re not well.
I have more in-depth articles on the rabbit diet, but for now, just know that a rabbit’s diet is incredibly important. It’s crucial that you closely monitor your rabbit for any abnormal behaviours and make sure you fully understand their dietary needs.
Lifespan
Rabbits are the most neglected pet in the UK, and many pet rabbits don’t live as long as they should. People are often surprised to learn that rabbits can live anywhere from 8 to 12 years, depending on the breed—very similar to dogs. This means rabbits are a long term commitment. A lot of people get rabbits for their kids without realising how long they live. So it’s important to consider: who will take care of the rabbit once the kids grow up or lose interest?
Costs
Rabbits are actually the third most expensive pet to keep in the UK. While their food might be cheaper than cat or dog food, rabbits eat a lot of hay, along with fresh vegetables and a small amount of pellets each day. They also need a lot of enrichment, so expect to spend on toys and boredom breakers. On top of that, they require annual vaccinations, and it’s highly recommended to get them insured due to their lifespan and the variety of health issues that can arise. You will also want to consider getting your rabbits neutered/spayed as this will make bonding easier, reduce territorial behaviours and prevent certain types of cancers.
Accommodation
Rabbits need much more space than most people realise. Most cages sold online are nowhere near suitable. Instead of a cage, think more of a very large pen, a dedicated room, or ideally letting them free roam (and yes, you can litter train them!).
Cleaning
Due to their super high fibre diet and unique digestive system, food moves through rabbits very fast and they drop around 100-200 poops per day. Which is why I highly recommend litter training your rabbits, this will make cleaning so much easer than having to clean out a full cage everyday. But expect to hoover A LOT and be warned that hay seems to get everywhere and certain breeds shed a lot!
Handling
Many people think rabbits are super cuddly and great for kids, likely because that’s how they’re portrayed in the media. But, as mentioned earlier, being prey animals, rabbits are naturally timid and don’t usually enjoy being picked up. Some may tolerate it, and many do enjoy being petted, but bonding with your rabbit can take time. Don’t expect them to be as instantly affectionate as a cat or dog.
Companionship
You’ll often see single rabbits online, but there’s a lot of research showing that rabbits value companionship even more than food. They are extremely social animals and are much happier when they have a bonded partner.
Some people argue that their single bunny seems happy, but remember—rabbits communicate very differently from us and are excellent at hiding stress or loneliness. Unfortunately, human companionship cannot fully replace that of another rabbit. Trust me, when I got my rabbit a friend and bonded them, they became insepparable. They do everything together—cuddling, grooming, and playing all day long.
So in short, rabbits are not “easy” pets by any means. But they certainly can make great pets for the right people! If you are interested in getting rabbits, I would recommend looking at your local rescues as they are swamped with abandoned rabbits of all ages! Both of mine were rescues and are the sweetest rabbits ever!
