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Little girl with scared, white, Easter bunny in a field of flowers - FamVeld from Getty Images

6 Reasons Why It’s Never a Good Idea to Give Someone a Rabbit as an Easter Gift

As the Easter weekend approaches many excited kids are dreaming of receiving live Easter Bunnies. Are you one of the animal lovers who can’t wait to give the joy of animal companionship to someone special?

6 Reasons Why Giving Someone a Rabbit is a Bad Idea

Perhaps you have found the perfect bunny already? Please think carefully before giving him away. Here are a few reasons why it is never a good idea to give someone a rabbit as a gift.

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  1. He will grow up and lose his ‘cute’ factor.
    As rabbits grow older, they develop strongly independent characters and are not as pliable as when they were young. Use this litmus test: would you be able to give this person a fully grown rabbit?

  2. Rabbits are high-maintenance companions.
    The entire family will need to bunny-proof their home. Rabbits love chewing and nothing escapes them: electrical cords, shoes, curtains, duvets, books, pot plants, door mats, and even your TV remote.

    If left outdoors they have been known to eat entire bushes and decimate gardens. They dig burrows too.

    The entire family will need to commit to taking responsibility for keeping these items out of his reach. Rabbits are natural grazers, you can’t expect him to control his own instinctual drives as it is not something he can unlearn.

  3. They are not always as cuddly as they appear.
    Rabbits are prey animals. Being grabbed and clutched to your chest signifies being captured by a predator and they will often panic and struggle. As they have incredibly powerful back legs and strong claws they can scratch you badly.

    Being picked up is something rabbits never like, even when they learn to comply.

  4. How can you choose someone for someone else?
    We would never choose a roommate for our friend, so why do we think that choosing a rabbit who is cute and the right color will automatically mean they will get along? They need to meet each other to see if they make a connection.

  5. Taking care of an animal is a lifelong commitment.
    Rabbits are sentient beings with needs, wants, likes, dislikes, character traits, and idiosyncrasies. Their natural lifespan is 9 years. The child you are giving this rabbit to will need to commit to caring for his needs throughout the ups and downs of their teenage years whether they feel like it or not.

    Can you in good conscience make that decision on someone else’s behalf? To take responsibility for another living being’s needs for the rest of his life?

  6. Living in a cage is not a life worth living.
    Rabbits can easily be house-trained to use a cat litter box. They will come when called and cuddle with you just like any of your other companion animals. They are very active and love nothing more than to race laps around the house.

    Rabbits need to be free to move between the outdoors and sheltered areas. They are also affectionate, needing constant attention and interaction. If left in a cage unattended they sink into a deep depression and often get sick.

Ultimately, this rabbit’s life is in your hands. Please do not introduce him into a home where they will keep him imprisoned in a cage. Since you gave them the rabbit, whatever abuse they impose on the rabbit will be your responsibility.

Inquisitive white and grey rabbit on a green lawn - SQUAMISH from Getty Images Pro

What Happens to the Easter Bunnies When They Grow Up?

So what happens to all the rabbits people don’t want anymore? Some are dropped off at already overtaxed shelters where they are most often put down within two weeks. In some cultures, they are simply eaten. The vast majority of people abandon their unwanted bunnies on the mountain to fend for themselves.

One can only imagine how terrified and defenseless these rabbits must be in the great outdoors. They are domesticated breeds, purposely bred to be gentle. Many have lived their entire lives cooped up in a cage and as such have no survival skills, which means they are easy prey for hungry animals.

Are you still dead set on getting a rabbit for somebody? Then please do not support breeders or pet shops.

Why not adopt someone from a shelter? At least you will be giving the gift of life to a rabbit who might otherwise not survive much longer.

Karen Johnson - The Elated Vegan

Author Karen Johnson
Karen is passionate about vegan education, health, nutrition and fitness. She is a Nutritarian Coach certified with Joel Fuhrman M.D. Karen founded Elated Vegan in 2007 to raise awareness for farmed animals, and added the Elated Vegan Health marketplace in 2020 to source vegan supplements, and help people be healthy vegans.

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