The Bane Of Pet Rabbits...Small Children
Yes, pet rabbits can be cute, cuddly, balls of wonderful fun, but they are also fragile creatures that require care, quiet, and patience.
Small Children and Pet Rabbits
Bunnies are, indeed, very soft and cute. However, pet rabbits aren't very cuddly creatures. Rabbits rarely like to be held and can seriously injure themselves and a small child in an attempt to get away. Rabbits are equipped with very sharp claws that can cause deep cuts on the body. If your small child were to try and hold that rabbit when the rabbit doesn't want to be held, it can result in lacerations for your child and broken bones for your bunny. Small children do not understand when something doesn't want attention.
Small children are loud and rambunctious; this isn't the kind of environment that a pet rabbit likes to be in. In some cases, a pet rabbit can die of heart failure due to severe startling. If your child were to sit quietly, your pet rabbit may actually hop over to see what the child is up to. Rabbits like people, they just don't really trust what people do (this fact is true of some people, too).
Despite what you may wish to think, small children and pet rabbits don't mix. Once your child is older, you can offer him or her the opportunity to have a pet rabbit, but you must be sure that they are capable of taking care of something as skittish and fragile as a rabbit. Rabbits need to be fed and watered daily. The rabbit's cage needs to be cleaned at least twice a week, and your pet rabbit needs to be let out to roam once in a while. Rabbits need to be watched over at all times. Rabbits are easily startled, threatened, and damaged.
Older Children and Pet Rabbits
Older children are ideal owners for rabbits. If they feel like they are ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a rabbit (hopefully they have done some research into the care required for a rabbit), then get them one. Older children have the perfect amount of energy required to take care of a rabbit on a consistent basis. Just remember that if your child becomes lax in their pet rabbit duties, someone (most likely you) will have to step in and care for the rabbit. Rabbits need food and water everyday just like any child.
Pet rabbits are great pets to have. They are gentle, quiet, and affectionate when given the chance. If you have small children, please reconsider your intentions to purchase a rabbit for a family pet. Pet rabbits should be savored by older children and adults.