“Keeping rabbits as pets is not natural”

[felmotes]

I got into a heated argument today with someone over keeping rabbits as pets. This all started as a debate over my veganism (I don’t eat meat or animal products because I don’t think it’s necessary for my survival and I like to minimize suffering). I’m nonconfrontational about my lifestyle and I do not bring it up with people who eat meat, but this person just decided to go off on a tirade about how meat tastes good and nature meant us to eat it…

ANYWAY. That isn’t what my post is about.

They went on to say I’m a hypocrite because I keep 2 rabbits indoors. They said it’s cruel and not natural and rabbits need to be outside running around, and if I really cared about animals, I’d let them free???

Now, I know that this is a load of garbage… I let my rabbits run around, they’re litterbox trained, and they’re as friendly and domesticated as dogs and cats.

But for some reason it really got to me. I keep looking at them now and wondering whether.. if they had the choice, would they choose this life?

Do any of you ever think about this?

(and don’t worry! I’m not letting my buns go in the woods somewhere. i know that’s bogus and they could never survive.)

[Crazyt123]

i always look at it this way.For the people who truley love and take care of there aniamsl like rabbits There better off.The rabbits never have to wonder when there next meal is or if they can find water.They have protection and can live longer happier lives not always watching for predators.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi felmotes, I think we’ve all been down this road at least once.   People just like to crawl under your skin to tick you off because how you live isn’t how they would live, they think you’re stupid etc. and really have control issues and by that I mean them wanting to control others and anyone who doesn’t think like them, they like to intimidate and argue with in an attempt to sway them. At least that is my take most of the time and really, I’ve found that the best thing for me is to laugh and say that I feel sorry for them at what a narrow mind they have and what a sad life they must live and walk away.  Not that I totally couldn’t go on a tirade myself with any number of things that they are doing that isn’t “natural” and we’re the humans that domesticated animals so they can no longer live/survive in the wild on its own, but that is exactly what these people are looking for and are “baiting” you.  You’re far better off hanging up some “Make Mine Chocolate” fliers.

Here they are if you are interested:

http://www.makeminechocolate.org/mmcflyer.pdf

I also want to remind everyone about the board rules and to please keep this discussion friendly and light because I could see the potential for this to get ugly real quick and it could be deleted, thanks!

Debates: Let’s keep this board light!  Light discussions and differing opinions about rabbit welfare is fine. Sharing information about products that are free of animal testing is also okay, but please refrain from getting into serious debates about animal rights in general (eg. like anti-vivisection aka: for science/medicine, rabbits as food, and about controversial groups like Peta).   

[BinkyBunny]

 

I think when people say this, they are not educated about House Rabbits. (and like Scarlet pointed out – they think they can try and stick ya based on their ignorance)   I think many people think of rabbits in some ways more as if they are wild. They have been domesticated for hundreds of years. They are no longer the same. For example, a wild rabbit will keep a larger distance between you and it than a feral rabbit, who has never had human contact, would. Wild rabbits are quicker and leaner, and their instincts are on high alert, and though they are curious, you won’t find a wild rabbit as curious about things the same way most domestic rabbits will be. Domestic Rabbits can be curious with much less caution. Wild rabbits can also run from danger. If you put a prey animal, like a domestic rabbit outside , there are tons of of backyard predators that put them into danger and of course domestics should never be just roaming free so all in all having them living outside can be risky business. This doesn’t mean a rabbit can never enjoy the outside if you so choose to allow supervised safe exploration. There are pros and cons for this. Check out the FAQ site section (https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINF…fault.aspx) and click on Question #4 I take my bunnies outside on occasion in a covered xpen, and though they are curious, even if I am out there for hours, I can tell they are not fully comfortable. (and when I take them outside, I always have to put advantage (flea med) on them, otherwise they will always get fleas!). Rabbits, being prey animals, also hide their illnesses so well, and it’s all the little changes and nuances that you can notice only if you spend a great deal of time with them. Having them as part of our families indoors allows for us to provide a safe, secure, fun, loving and health aware setting for them.    EDITED TO ADD:  They  also feel safer in numbers – they are a group animal like dogs- they have hierarchies.  And so whether or not someone has one or more, it doesn’t matter, we humans are also part of their group.  Also, you have to remember, the rabbits that we have are “burrow” type, and though their wild cousins will come at dusk and dawn to forage, they also spend much of their time – indoors….in their burrows. So, if anything, domestic rabbits have the best burrows ever now – temperature controlled, toys, food delivery and tons of head scratches. A burrow of paradise.

 

[Beka27]

Like Scarlet said, the rabbits have been DOMESTICATED. Our pets are very different from their natural rabbit cousins that are in our backyards. They might be able to survive in the wild for a short time (probably only a few months at the longest) and I certainly don’t believe they are better off let free.

There might be an argument regarding the people who *initially* chose to breed domesticated buns. I’m not sure when that first became popular or if that was for the sole purpose of using them for fur and meat. I’ll admit I am not completely knowledgable about the entire history of the domestic rabbit.

But regardless… that is many, many years in the past and they are now here and they deserve to be cared for. Whether this person likes it or not, we now have an overpopulation of domestic buns and “setting them all free” is most definitely NOT the answer. My personal opinion on the matter has always been quite clear: I believe strongly that NO MORE BUNS should be brought into the world until every single one is out of shelters and has a home. The same goes for breeders, pet stores, 4H, you name it.

I do not know this person’s situation of course, but do they believe that keeping and caring for dogs and cats is unnatural too and should be stopped?  If they believe that, they are in the minority anyways and they would likely find fault with anything you did.  I agree, it’s best to just ignore them.

[Crazyt123]

I agree with binkybunny! haha wish my post had come out more like that XD

[RabbitPam]

Well said, BB.
If you want to go down the wild vs. domestic path, just remember that dogs were once wild too. But their basic nature was as companion beasts, and I think bunnies are naturally prone to enjoy a lifestyle of love and safety.

What is more base is a human who thinks it is OK to bait a person by attacking their life choices. Scarlet pointed out the inexcusable nature of your taunter, and I would agree. Do not lose sleep over this. You are a caring bunny slave, rather than a slave to ignorance and rudeness. Even wild bunnies have better manners than some humans.

[Beka27]

Great post BB! I think we were posting about the same time!

I was thinking along those lines also… it seems that for every bunny that enjoys supervised trips outdoors, there is a bunny that is terrified of the strange noises, sights, and smells. Everybun is an individual… you cannot lump them all together and say “All buns love this, all buns hate that.”

[felmotes]

Thank you everyone. I feel a lot better now.

And as I sat watching a movie this evening with one bunny hopping onto my lap.. and the other binkying all over the room like a nut, I noticed that they are indeed quite happy, and that’s all that matters, right? ::total bunny slave::

[MooBunnay]

I’m glad you are feeling better. I agree with what everyone else above mentioned. The bunnies that have been domesticated really cannot survive in the wild – it would be cruel to put them out there to defend for themselves with no survival skills, and with no natural defense mechanisms. Most domestic bunnies especially have colorings (such as white and other light colors) that are basically making them a giant moving target for predators.

[KytKattin]

It’s like how I caught Nova. If a slow human like me can do it, a preditor would have no problem! We made it so they can’t survive in the wild.

[jerseygirl]

felmotes, glad you set yourself free of this persons comments. They do seem to have deliberately baited you, knowing what would get under your skin. Why? Who knows. Honestly, it’s their issue so don’t bother taking it on.

I can understand how you started to question keeping rabbits as pets though. I have felt this from time to time and didn’t have any pets for years because I felt “what right did I have” to be dominant over another species in this way (yet I am not vegetarian – so figure that out!!!). But truly, it is a two way relationship between us and animals, and it is so beneficial to us both. If only we could co-exist with other humans as easily as we can with animals!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

As a fellow vegetarian I can say this knowing one hundred percent I’m right-that person who said that to you was just trying to get you upset.

For some reason I’ve found people like to pick on veggies-likely just to start a conversation/debate or even an argument if they’re the mean type. You should practice deflections to cut them back down and let them know you are up for a debate (if you are) or not, but not a fight etc. I can cut down some one who wants to pick on my vegetarianism in seconds…I basically threaten to harass them with terrible pictures images and stories to make them sick if they don’t back off and accept that I don’t eat meat as I accept that they do You’ll find what works for you

[MarkBun]

For what it is worth, Maryann is/was a feral rabbit. She had been ‘born and raised’ on the beaches of Alameda Naval yard without any human contact. So what happened when she saw her first human? She hopped over to the ranger and sat there until he picked her up and took her home (well to the shelter but you get my drift). She didn’t flee him nor did she struggle when he picked her up – well she did the usual bunny “ack!” with the pickup but once in his arms, she just sat there and didn’t try to escape but ‘snuggled down’ with him.

There are wild dogs and wild cats and there are feral ones and there are domesticated ones. The same about rabbits. Again, we (as in the general populace) are so used to seeing them as little caged animals that are only good for meat and fur the idea of them actually being a pet is foreign to them.

[Deleted User]

ah, ya…. the ‘not natural’ argument! I hear it lots, too. When I had my rabbit neutered I got a load of it.
What is natural? Is it natural to live in apartment buildings as humans tend to do? Shouldn’t we be migrating in groups for safety and survival?
My point is, the world has been altered by humans. Pets are the luckiest of animals because they are safe (or at least supposed to be safe) from traffic, poison, trapping, torture, etc… all unnatural concepts. I am told frequently that my dogs are meant to roam, but i will not allow them because they will get hit by a car… cars are not natural… i think the world is at odds with what is natural, we can only strive for what is healthiest with the given evils around us… and so you do for your rabbits by giving them what you know is adequate.

[Sage Cat]

As a meat eater, chef and all around animal lover – Good for you for being Vegan, in other words – deicing what is right or you and doing it!

I know all of the pets I have had the honor of living with were and are happy, healthy and loved.

felmotes – It sounds like this person was feeling quite righteous and just wanted to belittle you – Bummer. Now if someone wants to have a discussion about how and why they feel vs how and why I feel and we can both learn something – awesome! However if they just want to insult me – Not so much!

[MimzMum]

My first bunny came to me about two years ago as a dump. He and his two compatriots appeared happy enough just hopping around my husband’s workplace, but we knew with winter coming, they didn’t stand a chance if we didn’t get them homed. So one local took one of them, I took Mimzy and sadly, the last one we don’t know what happened to.

At first, I kept Mim in a shed outdoors in a homemade hutch. And he does love to be outside and playing around in the little yard we enclosed there…but once again, by the time summer came to a close, I had grown quite attached to him and very carefully pleaded his case for being an indoor bunny. It was surprisingly easy with the hubby, who even believes cats and dogs should be allowed free outdoor reign whenever possible. (He found out the hard way you don’t let my baby cat outdoors if you want to have a happy home.)

Now Mimzy (and Pip and Fiver-my other bunnies) live in my bedroom with me and the only guilt I feel is that they don’t get nearly enough exercise time in their indoor run. But to put them outside and let them take their chances with the elements and feral creatures and…just the LONELINESS?
It’s not even an option.
I see plenty of wild cottontails around here (or evidence of same.) I think they are beautifully content where God put them. They have their life and my house bunnies are happy in their environment.
And yet I have neighbors who keep their house bunnies outdoors, even in the winter here, that can reach temps of -40 F, and summers that can go as high as 80 F with humidity. Now THAT I don’t understand.

I have plenty of family who think I am nuts for keeping bunnies, but I’ve never looked back. I have found my perfect animal companion. And I adore my cats and dogs…but rabbits are definitely the best when it comes to indoor pets. ^_^

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