IS MY CHILD TOO YOUNG?
MY CHILD IS THREE YEARS OLD. IS THAT TOO YOUNG FOR A PET BUNNY?
That's kind of like asking if your Mother at age 75 is TOO OLD to own a bunny..... It depends on your child (or Mother)! The best judge is the bunny! Take the child to select the bunny and see how they respond to one another BEFORE YOU BUY!
Certainly no three year old should be allowed to be unsupervised with any pet. Some children (of all ages) are gentle and loving. Those children will do well with a bunny. Many youngsters prefer bunnies to puppies because puppies jump on them and frighten them.
Under the age of about five (depending on the child) I advise the adult to hold the bunny and let the children pet it on the back. It's tough for toddlers to know how tight is too tight to hold a baby bunny.
CAN BUNNIES BITE?
Certainly! All animals with teeth CAN BITE, but bunnies have to really be provoked. They will typically warn of their displeasure with a charging motion with ears laid back scratching with the front claws before resorting to a bite.
They will taste something stuck through the cage wire that looks like a treat and it's difficult to tell the difference between a carrot and a finger! See CAUTIONS ON TODDLERS
Bunnies do like to nibble on clothes, especially jeans. A sharp "no" will usually discourage him but replacing the clothing with something acceptable to chew on is easier. Fabric softener on clothing can provoke a lot of nibbling and scratching to try to find out what smells good enough to eat.
Always talk to a bunny to let them know who you are and where you are before you pick them up or reach into their cage to avoid startling them. Rabbits sleep with their eyes open so they may be napping when you approach them and think you are a predator. Just a tap on the the cage and a pleasant hello should bring them about facing you. Once they are facing you, pick them up.
CAUTION WITH TODDLERS!
My greatest concern with toddlers is sticky fingers! Little children have food in their hands at some time during the day. If a bunny smells something sweet he is going to be apt to taste it.
I ALWAYS CAUTION PARENTS to be sure the children’s' hands are freshly washed when handling the bunny and that they be encouraged to pet the bunny on the top of the head and back. Don't invite disaster by putting fingers in front of a rabbits' face!