Rabbits are precious and adorable. This makes them a suitable gift option, especially during bunny-themed festivities such as Easter. It’s not unusual to find children tugging at their parents for one or two baby rabbits. Or families who are looking to add one more pet to the brood. Suppose you have experienced the dilemma of choosing gifts for friends or family. In that case, you may have wondered, is a pet rabbit for Easter a bad idea?
Unfortunately, as exciting as this prospect may seem, bunnies are not ideal gifts for children or adults.
You should only buy a pet rabbit after careful consideration. It should not be an impulse buy. This is because rabbits are tender creatures who need lots of love and attention. So, you must ensure that you have facilities to take care of the rabbit even when it grows before you buy one.
You might wonder why rabbits are so closely associated with Easter or if they will make the perfect gift for your loved ones. Well, here is some explanation and detail about getting rabbits for Easter. This article contains the following:
- Is a pet rabbit for Easter a bad idea?
- What is the significance of rabbits at Easter?
- Do people buy rabbits for Easter?
- Why you shouldn’t get a rabbit for Easter?
- How many rabbits get abandoned after Easter?
Is it Wrong to Gift a Rabbit for Easter?
It doesn’t seem bad at all to gift a pet rabbit for Easter. In some cases, people look forward to having rabbits in their homes or adding more rabbits to the other rabbits they have. So, if your recipient is prepared to keep and nurture a pet rabbit, getting them one is not a bad idea. You would be placing that pet in a loving and welcoming environment.
Rabbits also thrive when they have buddies to play and live with. So, adding another rabbit to your other rabbits is a great idea, especially if you have only one rabbit. Bunnies like to have partners, and they can form bonds that last throughout their lifetime.
In fact, one of the causes of death in rabbits is loneliness. This is because they are social creatures and need frequent interaction to thrive. So, Easter would be a perfect time to give your single rabbit a new friend or partner.
On the other hand, gifting a rabbit on a whim is a terrible idea. It’s terrible for the rabbit and bad for you. Bunnies are sensitive creatures. Unlike wild rabbits who can forage and fend for themselves, domestic rabbits need proper care and nurturing to grow and live happily. So, if you buy a rabbit without being ready to cater to its needs, you would be hurting it.
What is the Significance of Rabbits at Easter?
From Easter eggs to decorations and the Easter bunny itself, Easter is a celebration that seems to revolve around bunnies. What is so special about rabbits that we seem to have a holiday that celebrates them?
There are many theories regarding what inspired the Easter bunny. The common thread is that rabbits are the symbol of a goddess known for fertility. This goddess is celebrated on Easter. Typically, bunnies bear lots of children at once.
So, it seems appropriate that the symbol of rebirth and fertility is a life-bearing rabbit. Of course, there is also the Christian celebration of the resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus.
Together, these represent newness and fruitfulness. Thus, Easter eggs are shared as gifts to symbolize the fertility associated with the season.
This celebration is popular among children, primarily because of the abundance of colorful chocolate eggs. Children often look forward to these eggs left as presents from the Easter bunny. So, there is a feeling of affection and generosity towards rabbits during this season.
This is why it is lots of rabbits get adopted or bought during Easter. This is mainly done by parents who gift baby rabbits to their children to increase the excitement. It could also be the fulfillment of a wish. Since baby rabbits are so cute and seem easy to handle, many are bought before or during the festivities.
Do People Buy Rabbits for Easter?
Yes, people buy rabbits for Easter. Easter is essentially a rabbit holiday. So, it is understandable that you may be unable to resist those adorable little faces. Of course, it’s not an excellent choice to buy baby rabbits on a whim, but people often do so.
Rabbits make great companions, and they do not require some of the activities that other pets do. For instance, you do not have to walk your rabbit, and taking care of their litter box is easy too.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Rabbit for Easter
There are some things you need to know before buying a rabbit for Easter. We’ve mentioned the most important ones below:
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Time and attention
Rabbits are emotionally interactive animals. They like to receive attention from their human owners and other rabbits. Therefore, you may have to evaluate your schedule to see if you can cater to the emotional needs of a pet rabbit. If you aren’t able to meet up, you could end up with an ill or depressed bunny.
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Learn all you can about their habits
Bunnies have many unique habits which can confuse you if you are unfamiliar with them. For instance, they can sleep with their eyes open. They also like to pee when marking their territory. So, they may pee on you if they like you.
Bunnies sometimes become very aggressive as they grow. You should research and learn about these peculiar traits before you purchase a rabbit. They could be frustrating for children or even adult owners.
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Learn about their diets
Unlike wild rabbits who know how to select their food, domestic rabbits need to be guided. For instance, pet rabbits need a balance of fiber, water, and occasional treats to keep them happy. In addition, rabbits need more than carrots to stay fluffy. So, you should learn these things as well.
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Space for a conducive hutch or cage
Pet rabbits need lots of space to play and live. In fact, it’s excellent to partition bedding areas and lay areas in their cage. If the room is too cramped, they can become destructive or aggressive.
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Consider buying more than one
Rabbits get lonely pretty quickly. Therefore, it would be best to buy them in pairs to ensure they don’t become sad or lonely. So, if you are considering rabbits for Easter, think two.
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Secure the contact of a vet
This will come in handy when your rabbit exhibits strange behaviors or falls ill.
These are some considerations you must put in mind before you buy a rabbit for Easter.
Why You Shouldn’t Get a Rabbit for Easter?
Is a pet rabbit for Easter a bad idea?
Yes. Here’s why:
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They require a high level of care
Bunnies are delicate, more delicate than most pets. Unfortunately, although they are among the most popular pets in the United States, they suffer from inadequate care.
Contrary to some opinions, bunnies are not low-maintenance. You should buy two at once, instead of a single bunny. You should also make a conducive home and diet for them. Since you may be unable to provide this level of care, the bunny will suffer
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They can be destructive
When bored or frustrated, bunnies become destructive. They can nibble at anything and everything in sight continuously. In fact, it is common for rabbit owners to rabbit-proof their homes before getting rabbits.
This is to keep both your properties and the rabbits safe. For instance, rabbits can chew live wires. This will injure or, worse, kill the rabbit while causing damages to your wiring.
It takes a lot of effort and some extra expenses to make your home safe and conducive for rabbits.
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They often die of anxiety or fright
Rabbits have been known to die because a dog’s bark scared them or because a cat crept upon them. So if you have dogs or cats, showing up with a rabbit out of the blues is a no-no.
Their fragile nature also makes them an inappropriate gift for children. As a result, kids may be unable to care for them appropriately, and they may end up with a dead bunny.
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Bunnies can be aggressive
When rabbits are in unfamiliar places, they become defensive or aggressive. So, you will end up with scratches or bites one or more times. But, again, this is unsafe for children. So, it is an awful idea.
How Many Rabbits Get abandoned After Easter?
We once wrote about how long can a pet bunny be left alone. But we weren’t treating the issue of abandonment then. It is unclear how many rabbits get abandoned after Easter. As of yet, there is no poll to give the statistics. However, shelters in the United States recorded many calls from people looking to get rid of their rabbits weeks after Easter. Often, such pet rabbits have grown to adulthood and have become more energetic and less calm.
Most people who buy rabbits during Easter are not equipped to cater to the needs of these older rabbits. So, most of them are let out into the wild, and they often suffer or die from harsh conditions. If you’re thinking of getting a pet rabbit for Easter, the tips in this article must have let you know all you have to consider before taking action.
Don’t just follow the crowd, but do what suits you!