by Angie Pollock

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: December 16, 2011

Like with all animals, there are advantages and disadvantages of ownership. Raising rabbits takes as much care and dedication as any other pet. They have needs that only you as their caregiver can provide. While rabbits are unique pets and provide genuine companionship, there are disadvantages to owning them that many do not realize until after they have brought their bunny home.

Daily care and training

Rabbits are not easily trained. When they are kept indoors, they need to be taught to use a litter box which takes time and dedication. Some rabbits catch on quickly while others require weeks of training. And with litter-box training, comes cleaning of the litter box which needs done regularly to prevent odors.

While these jumpy bundles of joy are roaming, they tend to gnaw on anything they can get their teeth into which means rabbit-proofing their space. Just when you believe you have removed anything destructible, your rabbit has found something new like the baseboards and carpeting. Just like having a toddler running loose, rabbits can cause damage to personal processions.

Outdoor rabbits

Even outdoor rabbits have their share of disadvantages, mainly their health. Outdoor rabbits are more susceptible to diseases especially those caused by parasites. They also require special care during extreme weather conditions. Extreme heat can cause heatstroke suddenly which can lead to the death of your rabbit. This may require owners finding a more appropriate space for their rabbit during unpleasant weather conditions. Outdoor cages need sanitized regularly and droppings removed from underneath hutches to prevent flies and odors.

These mammals are also prey to most carnivores and need close monitoring especially when outdoors. Birds of prey and roaming dogs and cats all would like to have a bite of your pet which requires owners to supervise their rabbits whenever they are roaming free. Even indoor rabbits that socialize with other pets have been known to be injured by their housemates - remember, rabbits really have no way to protect themselves except by running away.

Vet care

Unlike cats and dogs, finding qualified veterinarian care for a rabbit can be a task. Rabbits have special needs and some medicines which are safe for other pets can be detrimental to rabbits. There are several antibiotics that are not only unsafe but are deadly to rabbits. A rabbit's teeth are a main concern for owners as they constantly grow. When they don't wear down during chewing, the teeth may need trimmed. A novice rabbit owner will have to find an experienced vet to do the procedure.

Boarding

Taking vacations is worrisome as most pet-sitters do not have the knowledge of rabbit care and what to do in case of an emergency. There are some boarding facilities that care for exotic pets but the surroundings can be too stressful for rabbits with the yapping dogs close-by in their kennels. You will be concerned for the rabbit's safety as many sitters may not know what to watch for when it comes to the rabbit's safety. Be prepared to find competent rabbit care or a "rabbit sitter" well in advance to your departure.

There are many advantages to owning a rabbit but before acquiring one of the unique creatures, you should weigh the disadvantages first before making that ultimate decision of rabbit ownership.

Learn more about this author, Angie Pollock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.