Rabbits can make good pets and may be the ideal pet for people living in small apartments. They do require a great deal of socialization in the early months, as well as intensive litter box training. They are also better suited to families with older children, children well instructed in rabbit care, or for adults with no children. Young children may be too anxious to hold rabbits, and this can result in a rabbit that is poorly bonded.

Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can be litter box trained. They do, however, have the tendency to explore things by chewing, so one should have a rabbit-proofed environment. It is especially important to supply lots of safe chewing opportunities and chew toys. As well, electrical plugs and exposed wires are very dangerous to the rabbit, so these should be kept well out of sight.

A rabbit should also not roam the house without supervision, since investigative chewing is likely to occur under these circumstances. Instead, when one cannot be home with these animals, it is important that they have cages equipped with a litter box, and spacious enough so the rabbit does not feel confined.

Small rabbits should have a cage that is at least 2 feet (.60 m) by 3 feet (.91m), with a height of about 1.5 feet (.45m). Larger rabbits need a bigger cage, and minimum dimensions should be 2.5 feet (.76m) by 3 feet (.91m), with at least a 2-foot (.60) height. This is the minimum. Most rabbits enjoy a slightly larger cage. Multiple rabbits may be housed in large rabbit “condos” that have several levels.

Rabbits can be affectionate, but as irresistible as they may seem, they don’t like to be held. They also usually don’t like to sit on laps. They do however, like to be close to the people with whom they have bonded. One can lie on the floor, and the rabbits will likely stay close by, or cuddle up close.

Since normal rabbit behavior usually involves rabbits living together in burrows, one can understand why the rabbit likes to lay close to a person it likes. Rabbits also may enjoy being petted or brushed, especially if they are trained to accept these behaviors early on.

Rabbits do have strong smelling urine. The smell reduces a little if the rabbit is spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering is very important. It promotes docility and prevents rabbits from feeling the urge to constantly mate. Rabbit health care is slightly more expensive than cat or dog care. Small animal specialist fees may vary.

Certain breeds seem to make better pets. Large lop-eared rabbits seem to be more docile as a rule, and tend to be a bit more affectionate. Smaller rabbits like Dwarfs, and Mini-Rexes, tend toward more behavior problems. Most fans of rabbis will disclaim this however, and point to various examples of each breed that are excellent pets. However, consider choosing a fairly calm pet if this is one’s first rabbit experience.

One won’t get the same interactive quality from a rabbit that comes from a cat or dog. However, rabbits do like to play with toys, and an affectionate rabbit can provide quite a bit of entertainment. Care for the rabbit is a bit more labor intensive than care for an outdoor cat, for example. Many however find that the care is well worth the price for having rabbit friends.