NZW as Pets? For Toddler?

[mir116]

Someone wants to buy one of my bunnies as a pet for a 1 year old. I hate to say NO but I really don't think it is a good idea. What do you think?

I have NZW and NZW/Rex crosses. They are not the friendliest bunch of bunnies - no matter how much I handle them and feed them and pet them. Although the little ones are super cute. :/

 

[DianeS]

I'd say NO. One-year olds don't know how to play with TOYS appropriately, let alone a live animal. And the first time the rabbit reacted by biting or kicking, the parents would be all angry and the rabbit would no longer have a home. It would be killed, or dropped at a shelter, or let loose in the yard.

Now if they had said, "I want a rabbit for myself, and I think my one-year-old would like to look at it, but I'll be responsible and they will only touch when I am holding the rabbit" - well, that's fine. But "I want a pet for my toddler" - no.

People usually say exactly what they mean. (Sometimes you stutter, but what people are thinking is usually what comes out of their mouths.) So think through what this person said at the beginning, and decide if exactly that is what happened, would yoube OK with it.

 

[marlowmanor]

I'd say no too. I know my 1 year old is rough on our live animals. He has to be closely watched. He has petted the hamsters but with supervision. He has petted the chicks as well but we have to watch him closely and show him how to pet them gently. He has a habit of trying to grab because he gets excited. I don't even let my oldest son who is 5 hold the hamsters on his own. He is allowed to hold the chicks on occassion but that is it. A bunny is cute and all but it is a lot of work and a child that young will not understand how to be gentle with the rabbit all the time. I'd hate to have a toddler bit or scratched because they were playing too rough with the bunny.

 

[TheSheepGirl]

If it were me, I'd explain to them the habits that rabbits have. I'd explain that rabbits don't prefer to be handled roughly and that they may bite or kick if frightened.

I'd also explain that it is best to supervise young kids when they handle a rabbit and that it is best for young kids to avoid picking them up. Tell them about holding the bunny themselves and letting the child gently pet it while they hold it themselves. Talk about letting the bunny hop and having the kid watch it, but not touch or chase it.

Explain to them all of the safety things and things you feel they should know before they purchase the rabbit. Also let them know that the rabbit will get pretty big and not stay small and cute, as they may not want a large rabbit.

This is what I do in these situations and most of the time the people opt out of the sale after being told this and I politely suggest a fish or a Madagascar Hissing cockroach as a pet instead. You can't get bitten or scratched by a roach. I also breed these, too, so it works in my favor.

 

[bluemini]

I too would say no .

 

[lcertuche]

A friend of mine had her then 5 year old brother get the end of his finger bitten off by their rabbit. So I vote a big ole "NO".