Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum THE LOUNGE Others Don’t Understand Rabbits

Viewing 22 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • pinknfwuffy
      Participant
      660 posts Send Private Message

        This topic is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as I’ve had family come visit a few weekends in a row. I’ve always loved rabbits and have found that most people are curious about them, but few ever understand how wonderful they are unless they’ve had their own. My family has been so supportive of Olaf (he is my first adult pet) but don’t seem to get that he’s not a dog or the like. They bring him gifts and spoil him, but also try to play with him like a dog and are surprised when he’s afraid of too much stimulation. I always talk about how I spend quiet time with him and how he likes to be approached but they always seem disappointed when he just wants to sniff or poke around rather than glom onto you like another pet might.

        I also have trouble trying to not be disappointed when I share a new story or picture with friends or co-workers. I’m not overly pushy with the rabbit blathering but once and a while I’ll get up the courage to share something about Olaf when people are talking about their pets. It’s usually met with suspicion, disinterest, or disgust. If I try to share more information about rabbits everyone’s eyes tend to glaze over. Most people I meet that actually have had rabbits are teachers who kept them as class pets.

        I realize this is par for the course concerning all kinds of pets outside the “norm” but it’s nice to know all of you here understand the little things that make rabbits so incredible.


      • Luna
        Participant
        2219 posts Send Private Message

          That’s unfortunate…what kind of people don’t love cute furry animals?!


        • Vienna Blue in France
          Participant
          5317 posts Send Private Message

            Completely agree – but being a bit off the “normal” scale is par for the course for me, so no-one’s really surprised any more !! LOL

            So have you only ever had baby pets then?…..


          • vanessa
            Participant
            2212 posts Send Private Message

              Agreed. Everyone I know who doesn’t know rabbits – thinks they like to cuddle and play like cats and dogs do and that they are just as open with strangers, as they are with their momma/poppa. Not so. I was surprised myself, when I realized that my rabbits were clearly distinguishing between me and the neighbors. Today, I am not surprised that Guinevere, hides from my guests, but Lancelot begs them for treats. My boyfriend was surprised at how much character rabbits have, and at what great pets they make. It’s so normal and understood to have cats, dogs, and even birds – that I also notice people don’t’ really want to talk about rabbits. It’s one of those curiosity novelty topics, that is only discussed once.


            • pinknfwuffy
              Participant
              660 posts Send Private Message

                Exactly, Luna. They think they’re so cute until they realize they have their own independent minds and spirit.

                Ha! Oh, Vienna. Yes, I live in an alternative universe where all pets are preserved in their baby state. :]
                Adulthood instructions: Step 1. Move out. Step 2. Get a rabbit.

                Good points, Vanessa. It is frustrating when you’e trying to share the experience with people who don’t fully understand. I’m glad your boyfriend has seen how wonderfully diverse and complex rabbits can be.

                Most people seem to think they are rodents, not that there is anything wrong with rodent pets, but I hate how misunderstood our best friends are.


              • Odette
                Participant
                584 posts Send Private Message

                  I read that bunnies are the third most common pet. So, you’d think views will change. I agree, though. People act like you’re housing a velociraptor when you say you have a house bunny. Saying the bunny is litter trained really blows their minds. Its like adding pop rocks to soda– you can see the whaaaat on their faces.

                  I had a former boyfriend who was terrified of my bunny because he’d watched Monty Python. Which just made me roll my eyes until she needed special care in her last months. I had to feed her every few hours overnight. Which bit into our couple time. He balked at that and told me to put her to sleep. I dumped him. That group of friends still thinks I was evil all these years later. I may be evil, but his ultimatum was heartless.

                  My now boyfriend is in love with Odette. He wants his own bunny because she bonded to me. I explained that we’d have to bond the bunnies and he doesn’t get why he can’t have his own bunny and not share with me or Odette. He spoils Odette and she likes him. But he’s learning that bunnies aren’t dogs. His patience is endearing.

                  My friends know I’ll dump them if they don’t ask about the rabbit (just kidding). But my friends do get that bunnies are as much a part of my heart as their own pets. Still, it’s nice to be among people here who truly get what a huge chunk of my heart Odette commands. And how all those little cute and sweet things our buns do are beautiful.


                • Luna
                  Participant
                  2219 posts Send Private Message

                    I would’ve done the same thing Odette! Pets will always stay with you longer than (stupid) boyfriends anyway.


                  • Odette
                    Participant
                    584 posts Send Private Message

                      Oh definitely, Luna!


                    • cinnybun2015
                      Participant
                      570 posts Send Private Message

                        Very true, most people don’t seem to think that rabbits hold as strong a place in a home as a dog. True about the litterbox thing, Odette. When most people see Chom, a majority of them will say something along the lines of “doesn’t he poop and pee everywhere?” my relatives do this too. In response, I share the litterbox bit of information, and I’m most often met with a “really?” sort of look. Also Odette, I would’ve done the same thing, awful that he told you to put down your bun. Glad that your new boyfriend seems more understanding though!


                      • Dface
                        Participant
                        1084 posts Send Private Message

                          Hahah I know the feeling Odette! When my hedgehog had babies I dedicated an awful lot of my time to them(she was a rescue hedgie and I worried about a lot of things when one baby passed away after 4 days), so much so it prompted my then boyfriend to say I loved them more than I loved him.

                          Apparently the answer “I doubt I’ll ever love you as much as I love them” is enough to end a relationship.
                          But seriously, don’t try to compete with baby animals(particularly my baby’s babies)

                          I find this forum really helps me a lot with not being ashamed about how I keep and care for my rabbits. A lot of people were so negative when they saw how much effort, time and money I put into them, or how much I view them as my ‘babies.’ (Lucky for me my mom has a dog that she sees the same way so I got support from her)
                          I still dont let a lot of people home to meet them though.
                          I have a few friends who are as lampy about their pets as I am about mine, and they always love evenings of curious bunnies getting braver as the night wears on.
                          I’m openly laughed at or met with annoyance when I cancel plans to stay and keep an eye on my sick rabbit. Because it’s ‘just’ a rabbit.’

                          And people are still in the habit of buying them as a ‘warm up pet’ before moving on to the ‘real’ thing. Most people I know honestly think rabbits have a 4 year life span and that they are cute cuddly teddy like creatures that love to be handled. Most never vaccinate or spay them and in general they are neglected. The rate of abandonment is so high that there is now a lot of microchipping of rabbits being done before they are sold on, to track back to an owner.


                        • MeketatenBun
                          Participant
                          178 posts Send Private Message

                            “And people are still in the habit of buying them as a ‘warm up pet’ before moving on to the ‘real’ thing.”

                            This! I have a friend who said something very similar to this to me, and I know this friend wouldn’t be as serious about a rabbit as she would need to be. I put a stop to that plan of hers when I said: “After two rabbits over 13 years, I can easily say rabbits are THE worst pets. Ever. If they stop eating for 24 hours, they die. They’re like Tamagotchi’s. Their legs are too powerful and they can easily snap their own backs if you pick them up wrong or they wiggle out of your arms. Half of any other veterinary medicines will kill them, including certain kinds of anesthesia, and that’s if you can actually find a vet who actually knows anything about rabbits; which also makes their vet bills SO much more expensive.”

                            Part of it was a rant, part of it was saving the life of a rabbit she might have tried to irresponsibly own. But despite all the hardships rabbits come with, Meki is the most snuggly butt, burnt muffin of a bun I’ve ever met. I’d do literally anything for her, and no, people really DON’T get it =/


                          • Q8bunny
                            Participant
                            6345 posts Send Private Message

                              I get similar reactions from most people. It doesn’t stop me from trying to educate them though.
                              The few who have taken the time to get to know Chewie now enjoy observing and interacting with him. And I have one coworker who from the start was fascinated by him (even though she’s never met him) and asks after him every time we chat the way people ask after other people’s children. She’s a good egg.


                            • jerseygirl
                              Moderator
                              22338 posts Send Private Message

                                Hahah I know the feeling Odette! When my hedgehog had babies I dedicated an awful lot of my time to them(she was a rescue hedgie and I worried about a lot of things when one baby passed away after 4 days), so much so it prompted my then boyfriend to say I loved them more than I loved him.

                                Apparently the answer “I doubt I’ll ever love you as much as I love them” is enough to end a relationship.
                                But seriously, don’t try to compete with baby animals(particularly my baby’s babies)

                                Is it mean that I laughed a bit too loudly at this?


                              • Odette
                                Participant
                                584 posts Send Private Message

                                  Cinnybun, I lucked out this time. He’s a dog person, but helped me tremendously when my cat was dying– both with vet bills and emotional support and trying to find alternative treatments when everything else failed. All relationships have their faults, but that man is tireless when it comes to my babies. He emailed a fish expert when my Betta became ill. I should probably keep him around. Mostly because if I don’t, he’ll fight for custody of Odette

                                  Dface, some people just can’t appreciate honesty in a relationship I laughed too, but only because I feel the same way. I can hear that come from my mouth! Our babies (and their babies!) come first. Always.


                                • pinknfwuffy
                                  Participant
                                  660 posts Send Private Message

                                    All the replies above are the reasons you guys are all so AWESOME! <333.


                                  • Azerane
                                    Moderator
                                    4688 posts Send Private Message

                                      Wholeheartedly agree that people don’t understand rabbits. I think part of it is that they’ve never had the chance to experience a rabbit properly, and common media perception is not the true perception. Then again, growing up, I had the exact same problem but because we had cats. It’s amazing how many people I’ve heard say “but it’s not the same with cats” or “you can’t be as close with your cat as I am with my dog”

                                      The number of jokes I’ve heard about rabbit stew when people find out I have rabbits is countless, fortunately I’m not terribly sensitive to that sort of thing. What bothers me more is that people don’t take rabbits to be a serious pet.

                                      Even hubby didn’t really think much of rabbits when he first met my Hazel-rah years ago. Not that he didn’t like them, he loves animals, he’d just never had a chance to see how lovable and interactive they are. Once he got to see that his heart was easily won.


                                    • Reesebun
                                      Participant
                                      1034 posts Send Private Message

                                        I don’t like when people joke about rabbit stew when I talk about my rabbits either. (Not that rabbit stew is not delicious, I just don’t like my bunny being made fun of. I would never eat her in a stew )


                                      • Muchelle
                                        Participant
                                        1141 posts Send Private Message

                                          when I get the usual “ah he’s ready to be eaten” (that’s funny about 2 times, then it makes me wonder about people’s brains properly functioning) I have started to reply with “yeah, let’s eat him, he’ll taste good together with your cat/dog/son/whatever”. It works, people.

                                          EDIT: to people that ask me why I don’t have a “real” animal, like my aunt that keeps wondering why I don’t have a cat already – probably cause I’m 30 and single – and that continue asking every effing time even after knowing I didn’t choose to have a bunny, I respond that this little guy here will kill a cat if given the chance. And that he doesn’t throw up on my carpet. This one works less, but with my aunt it worked…


                                        • LBJ10
                                          Moderator
                                          16869 posts Send Private Message

                                            Hmm, my boys must be weird. They love strangers. But only because they think anyone will give them treats… which I guess is true. Anyone will give them treats. Will they play like a dog? No.


                                          • Muchelle
                                            Participant
                                            1141 posts Send Private Message

                                              LBJ, mine played with the never met before A/C technician (that was luckily acquainted with rabbits) cause he smelled like dog (this bun likes dog smell, I don’t think he realizes he’s playing with fire xD ) and didn’t even ask for treats…


                                            • Dface
                                              Participant
                                              1084 posts Send Private Message

                                                Is it mean that I laughed a bit too loudly at this

                                                Not at all Jersey, most of my friends claim it’s the greatest break up line ever told.

                                                But honestly:

                                                Who would bother trying to compete with this level of squidge (This is 10 days old for anyone interested)


                                              • Ellie from The Netherlands
                                                Participant
                                                2512 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Aww, what a cute little hedgie! Still prefer my fluffy little mischief-maker though ^_^

                                                  But you’re right: people don’t understand rabbits. The comments we get when we travel on the train with Breintje are so moronic sometimes, especially around Christmas. In the Netherlands there is this song by a comedian named Youp van het Hek, the song is called “Flappie”. It’s about a little boy whose rabbit is missing right before Christmas and his father proudly presents it as the main dish at the dinner table. In the last verse of the song he kills his dad.
                                                  Anyway, people think they’re being very humourous when they quote that song when we’re travelling with Breintje in december.

                                                  Whenever we travel and people are really interested in him, we try to “talk sense” into people: they’re not toys you can pick up and cuddle at any time, they’re not ideal for small children, they actually need more attention and care than cats. It surprises them: rabbits are usually treated like a hamster here: stashed away in a cage somewhere. After a couple of minutes with us, some people see the light. Others never will…

                                                  My dad visited today, and he really doesn’t understand Breintje. He tries to play with him as if he was a dog: waving his hand on the ground, whistling at him, using a loud voice to call him out of his box, moving his toys around with his feet. Breintje will have none of it, and retreats into his box until my dad leaves. Two minutes after he was gone, Breintje came out and wanted cuddles.
                                                  I tried to tell my dad that his way to approach Breintje is making him uncomfortable, and that he’ll start to dislike him if he continues like this. I told him how to approach Breintje calmly, and that especially dwarf rabbits are shy and nervous with people they don’t know well. He just replies: “Then I suppose we won’t be friends.”. Pfff, what can I do with that answer? Luckily he only visits a few times a year…


                                                • Dface
                                                  Participant
                                                  1084 posts Send Private Message

                                                    Honestly it’s not even the not understanding, it’s the complete carelessness that people act with that gets to me.
                                                    My house at home is actually a really busy house, with people always coming and going, and with the amount of animals we have bopping around we never begrudged someone bringing one of their own to visit.(It’s assumed the animal will have manners)
                                                    But because of this when I first got Sampras and was letting him romp around the house he wore a bell (it meant that people were constantly reminded that he was out and about) Even so, we had a sign at the bottom of the stairs alerting people to be mindful of the rabbit.

                                                    I remember one person, who came over(the daughter of a family friend) who brought her rescue greyhound with her. Nearly all rescue greyhounds are racing dogs that weren’t good enough on the track, got injured, or got old-this one had broken a bone in it’s paw making it useless to race.
                                                    (I dunno if all of you know this but where Im from its tradition to ‘blood’ a greyhound before it races, meaning that they are given a rabbit or hare to chase and kill.)
                                                    She saw the signs in my house, but seeing how my own dog was roaming the house she felt it appropriate to let hers off the lead.
                                                    Obviously her dog did what it was trained to do and went straight up the stairs after my bunny, and if it wasn’t for my own dogs intervention I might not be lucky enough to still have him.
                                                    Her honest response was that “Your rabbit must be used to it by now what with your own dog.”
                                                    Like it was nothing more than friendly playing.
                                                    She had no clue that her dog fully intended to kill my pet, and it’s actually a really common theme with people. They refuse to see the predator prey relationship that unfolds when you put a rodent infront of a dog. Even when I go to the vet, people let their dogs come over to the carrier to sniff at the rabbits like it’s cute. Some of these dogs are so big that I cant even move my rabbits away and I’ve been called rude by owners for telling them to control their dogs(who are jumping up on my while I struggle to keep my rabbits out of the way.)

                                                    All of them think Im lying when I say stress can kill a rabbit(Particularly a rabbit who is in a vet office for a prior complaint)
                                                    But if I say Im carrying a cat, the dog is immediately restrained and an apology is issued.

                                                    That turned into a longer rant than I intended

                                                Viewing 22 reply threads
                                                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                Forum THE LOUNGE Others Don’t Understand Rabbits