Is it a good idea to get a rabbit and dog as pets?
Posted by admin on 2 January, 2011
5 Comments
This item was filled under [ Pet Gate ]
I love dogs (cute) and rabbits (even cuter). I’m planning to get both of them soon and want to know is it better to get a combo of puppy and baby rabbit, puppy and rabbit, dog and rabbit, ect.
Also, I’ve heard that it’s better to get dogs that we not bred to hunt. Which ones are those.
And, if they start fighting (when young) should I get gates in the house or in the backyard?
If they don’t get along at all, which pet should I keep?
5 Comments on “Is it a good idea to get a rabbit and dog as pets?”
Just a word of warning, when I was young, I had a beautiful golden lab that was extremely gentle and laid back. At the time, I had three cats also and they all got along. I got a rabbit and the dog ATE my rabbit. Be prepared is all I can say. Then again, I guess it all depends on the type of dog and if the dog and rabbit will " grow up together"
Dogs are alot of time and work. If you don’t have the time to properly take care of a dog than I would go with the rabbit. At least the rabbit can poop in its cage if you have to go out. You won’t have to worry about getting home in time to let the dog out.
No matter at what age you get both animals, what breeds they are, or any other factors, remember always that a dog is a predator animal and a rabbit is a prey animal. They should ALWAYS be supervised if/when playing in the same room. Never, ever leave them alone unsupervised. Animals act on their instincts, and they can’t help it. I’m not saying that it’s impossible for you to have both a dog and a rabbit (I did at one point) but there should be safety measures – keep the rabbit in a cage in a seperate room when you are gone, away from the dog; place the dog in another room or install baby gates when the rabbit is having its play time. It will be best for all three of you!
Rabbits and dogs can get along. However, you should not let them out together unsupervised as you never know what could happen. I would not trust a puppy with a rabbit as the puppy does not know the rules and how to behave with a rabbit. The dog needs to be trained how to behave around a rabbit.
If you choose to get a dog and a rabbit, you need to be prepared if they do not get along. You cannot just dump one if it doesn’t work out. You need to understand the needs of both species and be able to provide a safe environment for them. If you cannot provide the proper care, do not get the animal. Both dogs and rabbits can live 10 or more years.
You need to find the breed of dog that suits your lifestyle. You cannot get an active breed if you are nor active. If you are active, a calm breed is not a good idea. There are many breeds that can get along with a rabbit, but only a few that might fit your lifestyle. Find breeds you can live with, then find one that is good with rabbits from that list.
It really depends on the specific dog and rabbit you get! One of my rabbits is horrified of my dog, and the other one doesn’t even notice him. And my dog is awesome, but he wants to play with them, and he is too big, so I have to keep them apart. I would probably say to get them as puppy and baby rabbit so they grow up together, that way they will always be used to each other. I would make sure to supervise when they are together though. And when you can’t be there, I would have a place the rabbit can go where the dog can not bother it.
If you can’t have a place where the dog can not reach the rabbit, I would just choose one or the other. And if you decide to get both, and they never get along and you have to give one away… you’ll have to make the decision of which one to part with on your own, because only you will know which one you are the closest with, which one needs you the most… But PLEASE make sure that if it comes down to that, you find a good home for the one you are unable to take care of.
I hope that helps a bit.
Rabbits and dogs are not buddies – all dogs have a prey drive, even breeds that aren’t bred to hunt. A rabbit will probably lose any fight they may get in. Rabbits are instinctively afraid of predators, such as dogs. It could be very stressful to the rabbit to even have to have the dog around it.
If you plan on keeping them separated, it can work but it sounds like your expectations may be out of line with reality. My dogs are never allowed to have unsupervised contact with my rabbits.