| When my daughter asked for a bunny for her | | | | responsibility for a house rabbit. But with an adult's |
| birthday, I got a mental image of a hutch in the back | | | | supervision, bunnies are incredibly fun for families with |
| yard. Wrong! Backyard bunnies are coming into the | | | | older children.Bunnies need fresh water, bunny food |
| house, to the delight of families all over. In fact, | | | | (which comes in pellet form), fresh veggies, and hay |
| house rabbits are quickly climbing the list of America's | | | | - lots of hay. All of these things are available in pet |
| most popular pets.It's easy to see why. Bunnies are | | | | stores or from the local chapter of the House Rabbit |
| quiet, clean, don't bark, don't bite (unless they have a | | | | Society, the group that specializes in educating people |
| good reason to), and they can even be litter-trained. | | | | about bunny love. They need toys - things like |
| They're terrific housepets - and it's a waste of a | | | | empty toilet-paper rolls make great bunny toys - and |
| great companion (not to mention cruel) to leave | | | | some human attention every day. And they're worth |
| them out in the yard.Here's the scoop on bunnies as | | | | it!Bunnies are incredibly relaxing pets. If you face a lot |
| pets. House rabbits like to bond with fellow rabbits, | | | | of stress at work, a bunny can send you right into |
| and for that reason many Humane Societies and | | | | the chill zone with some cuddly snuggling. Sometimes, |
| shelters only adopt them out in bonded pairs. These | | | | men say "Bunnies are chick pets," but wait until they |
| pairs are fast friends, and groom one another, share | | | | touch one! Bunnies will eat out of your hand, hop |
| their food, and generally have a ton of fun together. | | | | over to you when you enter the room, and quickly |
| But bunnies need human friendship too! They'll get | | | | hop their way into your heart!My daughter's "Can I |
| used to their pet humans, and enjoy being stroked, | | | | have a rabbit?" request started the wheels turning, |
| cuddled and played with. In fact, bunnies are a hoot! | | | | and we are now the happy guardians to four of |
| They'll hunt for treats hidden around the room, and | | | | these little sweeties. Bunnies are popular for a reason! |
| get as comfortable in your house or apartment as a | | | | To learn more, visit your local House Rabbit Society |
| cat or dog. And, bunnies do very well with these | | | | chapter page or ask your local animal shelter for |
| more common housepets, as long as they're properly | | | | more information on owning a house rabbit. You'll be |
| introduced.Bunnies don't make great pets for small | | | | glad you took the time.Liz Ryan is the founder and |
| children. They aren't really delicate, but they can't be | | | | CEO of WorldWIT, the global online discussion |
| picked up haphazardly, and small children may confuse | | | | network for professional women. She is the mother |
| their toy bunnies with the real thing. Kids under the | | | | of five children, two dogs, a cat and four house |
| teenage years shouldn't be given full caretaking | | | | rabbits. Liz lives in Boulder, Colorado. |