With so many stories and images of children and rabbits enjoying each other’s company, many parents often think of getting a rabbit as starter pets for their kids. In reality, this is not the scenario.

By nature, rabbits are sensitive and fragile, thus they require special care and handling. For a small child, “loving” a pet means holding, cuddling, or carrying the poor animal around. These are precisely the actions that frighten most rabbits.

A rabbit can’t cry out when anxious or frightened. Instead, it may start to display defensive actions including scratching or biting to protect themselves from children who have no idea what they’re doing is wrong.

Thousands of pets are abandoned or turned over to animal shelters every year for this very reason. A child may also accidentally drop a pet rabbit, resulting in broken legs and backs.

While a rabbit will make a great pet for your family, an adult should be primarily respo ... Read more »