Vet Warns Parents Against Buying Bunnies as Pets for Children

In a viral TikTok video, UK-based vet nurse Jade says bunnies are one of the worst pets to give to children, and for good reason.

With three dogs and three tortoises of her own, Jade knows what it takes to properly care for pets.

Her message is clear: rabbits are complex animals that demand time, money, and attention that most kids simply can’t provide on their own.

Why Rabbits Require More Than Just a Hutch

Jade explained that rabbits need a lot more than just food and a cozy cage.

“They require special care, food, husbandry, enrichment, dental care, and costly annual vaccinations,” she said.

They also need six-month checkups and immediate vet attention if they fall ill, otherwise they can die within just 24 hours.

Veterinary charities like the RSPCA and PDSA back up her claims, warning that unvaccinated rabbits are vulnerable to deadly diseases like myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (RVHD1 and RVHD2).

These viruses attack the rabbits’ organs, and both can be fatal within days.

Social and Space Needs Often Overlooked

Another major issue? Rabbits are highly social animals and should never live alone.

They need to be kept in neutered pairs or groups and require far more space than most pet owners realize.

A small hutch won’t cut it. According to PDSA, rabbits need room to roam, mental stimulation, and “boredom busters” to keep them healthy and happy.

Jade added, “It’s great if the parents are educated and want to teach their kids how to care for rabbits—but the responsibility should never fall solely on the child.”

Parents and the Internet Agree

Jade’s post struck a chord with fellow rabbit owners. One parent commented, “The novelty wears off. Kids can be rough without meaning to. I ended up with two rabbits because the kids lost interest.”

Others echoed her concerns, writing, “So true,” “Couldn’t agree more,” and “Future owners should educate themselves first.”

Bottom line: While rabbits are undeniably adorable, they aren’t low-maintenance starter pets.

Parents considering a bunny should be ready to commit to their complex care, or reconsider entirely.

@jade.the.vet.nurs Rabbits are very complex animals that require special care, food, husbandry and attention to detail. They are in no way easy to care for when done properly and if they become poorly, can deteriorate and even die within 24hr if not treated quickly by a veterinarian (costing hundreds-thousands of pounds.) Rabbits need a lot of space and should always be kept in a minimum of pairs because they are social animals. They require costly annual vaccinations, 6 monthly health checks, preventative treatment, special diet, enrichment and dental care etc… it’s a lot of responsibility for a child so they often end up shoved in a tiny cage and neglected due to the child’s lack of education, or the child gets bored of them so they end up being sent to rescue (which are all bursting at the seams.) It’s great if the parents are educated and own rabbits and want to teach their children how to properly care for them, but children should never be given the sole responsibility for rabbits (and yes this happens a lot!) What are your thoughts on children owning rabbits? 🐰 (Note: all of my content is based on my own personal opinions/experiences and does not reflect that of the entire veterinary industry.) #vetnurse #veterinarynurse #vetnurseadvice #rabbits #rabbit #rabbitsoftiktok #bunny #childrenspet #advice #parents #children #no #dontdoit #fyp ♬ no – 🤍

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