There comes a point when kids will beg to have pets, and usually, parents will think of getting them a dog or a cat. But why not a rabbit? The rabbit is actually the third most popular pet in America, with 2.5 million households sharing space with domestic rabbits. They can live for as long as 10 to 12 years if they’re properly cared for, which makes them a good pet for young kids.
Pet ownership has been proven to be beneficial for a child’s children’s health and development. It can teach them responsibility, help with their learning, and even decrease or reduce their risks of developing allergies. However, rabbits present other advantages over other popular pet choices. They’re known to be cuddly and do not need much attention, but here are other reasons why you should choose rabbits as your child’s first pet.
They Are Delightful Companions
Rabbits are good companions for younger kids because of their amiable nature. Unlike other popular pets, like dogs that can be very active and excitable, young kids can easily pet rabbits and spend a quiet time with them. Bunnies are very intelligent, so they can easily adjust to their owner’s nature and actions. For instance, Harlequin rabbits are smart and entertaining. Another breed of rabbit is the Mini Lops, which is known to be quite sociable and very affectionate. There’s also the Dutch rabbit, which is calm and relaxed and will bond with even the most rambunctious child. However, to further prevent the chances of aggression, it is advisable that you get your bunnies spayed, especially if you plan to have more than one bunny at home.
They Are Low-Maintenance
Rabbits are generally easy to take care of. Most of the time, you only need a cage, some sawdust, and some brightly colored rabbit-mix and your kids can enjoy the bunny’s company for a long time. Rabbits also do not make much noise. People know that the most popular pets can be quite loud. Dogs bark, and cats yowl. With bunnies, you and your kid do not need to spend time soothing them to keep them quiet This also means that they won’t disturb you while you’re sleeping at night.
Rabbits also don’t need much space. Though they need exercise to stay healthy, they don’t require much physical space. As long as they are able to run back and forth, they can already get their necessary exercise daily, so they may be kept in apartments or small houses. Also, contrary to popular belief, rabbits do not need to live outdoors. According to a recent study, bunnies are actually happier and safer indoors because there would be no threat of predators and they won’t be exposed to extreme weather.
They Can Inspire Your Child To Eat Healthier
As you may already know, rabbits are herbivores. A pet rabbit’s usual diet may include hay, vegetables, fruits, pellets, or a mix of all of them. They can also eat carrot tops, celery, collard greens, watercress, and other greens. Rabbits can also be given fruits to eat, though it should be limited to one or two tablespoons of fruit once or twice a week. They can consume apples, bananas, and berries. Having a pet who encourages you to stock your fridge with fruits and vegetables is a good thing for a child’s health, since your little one may take inspiration from their pet bunny and eat their fruit and veggies too.
There are countless benefits of letting young kids have pets. You can always go for the popular choices, which are cats and dogs. However, since they make good companions, are low maintenance, and can instill healthy habits in children, among others, there’s always a good reason why you should consider getting a rabbit as your kid’s first pet.