FMT spoke to Vivien Lim about the ins-and-outs of keeping a rabbit as a pet. Lim should know since she has had a soft spot for these sweet creatures and has kept them as pets since her 20s.
Having fond memories of those you have shared her life in the past – Dashy, Dexter, Gus, Rufus and Rascal – Lim is now the proud guardian of Liono, a Lionhead mix rabbit, whom she regards as more of a family member than a pet.
“Like every household pet, bunnies have their crazy antics as well,” Lim shared.
“They can be annoying pests with the way they chew on household items such as power cords, phone cables or furniture, due to their growing teeth as they age.”
One should not think that keeping a rabbit is a short-term commitment, though. They can live from 10 to 13 years, during which they need the utmost care including, but not limited to, food and nutrition, regular grooming and visits with the veterinarian.
If Lim has one piece of advice for potential owners, it’s that they shouldn’t take bunnies as pets solely based on their cute appearance. This is because most pet owners will get bored fast and then release the pet in a park, which is a strict no-no as they do not adapt well to outdoor environments based on her observation.
“There’s also the risk of them getting run over by vehicles on the road or getting killed by stray animals like cats and dogs.”
Lim also expressed her concerns about those who take on the cuddly animal mainly because it’s the Year of the Rabbit. “These people are usually unaware of the amount of work that goes into taking care of them, and it is important to educate themselves and their children before taking on the task.”
Rabbits must be cleaned regularly to maintain good hygiene as they tend to defecate a lot, Lim said.
Another misconception that people have about rabbits, according to her, is that they only like carrots. News flash: carrots actually aren’t that healthy for them.
“They are fragile and at risk of getting ill due to their sensitive digestive system. This includes common diseases like head tilt and GI Stasis, which my previous two pet rabbits succumbed to,” she recalled.
In Malaysia, not all certified veterinarians specialise in rabbit care, therefore it is vital for one to conduct their own research first.
Well, if you still want to take in a bunny as a pet, here are some steps to follow, according to Lim.
“Firstly, do a thorough search and make sure to take in your bunny from a reputable party,” she stressed. “Another thing is a young rabbit under five months should not be up for purchase because they are not ready to be separated from the mother.”
After bringing the bunny home, one should give them time to get used to the new environment. Do not try to interact with them too much initially as the change may be shocking to them and can cause excessive anxiety.
“As for potty-training them, this takes time and patience, as with all pets,” she said.
“Ensure that they have adequate water and hay daily, while alternative food pellets can be added as supplements but not in excessive quantities, same with high sugar dietary foods like carrots and bananas.”
Other than that, it is also recommended that they be spayed or neutered as they have a high fertility rate, hence the idiom “breed like rabbits”.
Lastly, treat them as a happy addition to the family.
“They bring much joy as a demure and lovable pet, not forgetting that they need lots of commitment in time, energy, care and love just like our other human family members!” Lim said.