Looking to add an adorable long-eared addition to your family? Rabbits can make fabulous pets, wowing owners with their playful personalities and ability to form close bonds. But with over 50 different breeds to choose from, how do you pick the right bunny for your home and lifestyle? We’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover the various breeds that make ideal pets for both kids and adults. Learn which lovable lop-eared breeds are gentle and child-friendly, the energetic explorer bunnies that thrive outdoors, and the perfect apartment sized rabbits for indoor living. Whether you want a snuggly lap companion or an energetic hopping buddy, you’re sure to find the perfect rabbit breed match here!
Do Rabbits Make Good Companion Pets?
Rabbits can make wonderful companion pets for many people. Here are some of the key considerations when deciding if a rabbit is right for you:
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Rabbits are active and energetic. They require lots of space to hop and play. You'll need to "rabbit proof" your home by protecting wires, baseboards, furniture, etc. Rabbits kept confined in small cages will likely develop behavior problems.
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Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Be prepared for them to be running, jumping, and thumping during their high energy times.
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Rabbits are prey animals, so they may be skittish or frightened by loud noises, quick movements, and new environments. Gentle handling and positive reinforcement training is important.
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Rabbits are intelligent and social. They bond closely with their owners and enjoy interaction and play time. Solo rabbits may get lonely without enough human companionship.
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Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems and require a diet of hay, pellets, and vegetables. Fresh food and water is a daily must. They are prone to GI issues if fed an improper diet.
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Rabbits' teeth grow continuously and require safe chew toys to wear them down. Rabbit proof your home by protecting baseboards, furniture, books, etc.
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Rabbits groom themselves like cats and do not require baths. Regular nail trims and bi-annual vet checks are essential for health.
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Rabbits can be litter box trained, though their urine and occasional droppings may still end up outside the box. Daily litter box cleaning is a must.
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On average, rabbits live 8-12 years. Caring for a rabbit is a long term commitment requiring daily interaction and cleaning. Proper research beforehand is a must.
For the right family, rabbits can be affectionate, playful, curious, and entertaining companions. Their fun antics and unique personalities make them treasured pets. With proper care and attention, rabbits can thrive in homes and brighten their owners' lives.
Top 15 Most Friendly Rabbit Breeds – Best Rabbit Breeds for Kids
When considering a pet rabbit for a child or family, temperament is an important factor. Here are 15 of the most docile, friendly rabbit breeds recommended for kids:
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Holland Lop – Small, cuddly, and tolerant of handling. A gentle breed good with children.
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Mini Lop – Playful and energetic. One of the friendliest rabbit breeds and a great starter pet.
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Netherland Dwarf – Small, cute, and affectionate. Their calm temperament makes them ideal for kids.
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Havana – Affectionate and gentle, they form close bonds with their owners. thrive on human interaction.
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Jersey Wooly – Sweet natured and docile. They tolerates handling and enjoys being a lap pet.
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Himalayan – Calm, gentle, and enjoys being held. A smart breed able to be litter trained.
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Lionhead – Active and playful but usually patient with kids. They have a bold and friendly personality.
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English Lop – An oversized gentle giant with a calm and docile nature around people of all ages.
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Mini Rex – Intelligent and energetic. They are gentle, loving, and eager to play with kids.
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American Fuzzy Lop – Affectionate, gentle, and tolerant of handling. A good-natured breed for families.
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American Sable – Relaxed and easygoing personality. Their soft coat also makes them ideal for petting.
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Silver Marten – Intelligent, curious gentle rabbits that thrive on human companionship.
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Chinchilla Rabbit – Patient calm temperament and cuddly nature make them a perfect fit for kids.
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Checkered Giant – One of the largest yet gentlest rabbit breeds. They have a tolerant, sweet nature.
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Dutch – Energetic and playful but even-tempered. They’re smart, fun loving rabbits for older kids.
Always supervise children with pet rabbits and teach them proper handling. With their friendly personalities, these rabbit breeds can make wonderful, loving family pets when cared for properly.
Which Rabbit Breed is Most Child-Friendly?
For families with young children looking to get a pet rabbit, finding a breed well-suited for interaction with kids is an important consideration. The rabbit's size, activity level, temperament, and durability are key factors when determining the best fit for children. Though every individual rabbit will have its own personality, here are some of the most child-friendly breeds to consider:
Holland Lop – A small breed topping out at just 4 lbs, Holland Lops are sturdy, tolerant of handling, and have an easygoing nature. Their compact size also makes them a good choice for smaller kids to handle. An excellent starter rabbit for children.
Havana – A mid-sized breed between 4-6 lbs, Havanas are playful but gentle rabbits that love being held and cuddled. They are intelligent and bond closely with their families. Their laidback temperament works well for kids.
Mini Lop – An energetic mid-sized rabbit weighing 5-6 lbs, Mini Lops have an adorable floppy-eared look kids love. They are playful and affectionate and one of the friendliest breeds for children.
Lionhead – Weighing 3-4 lbs, these small rabbits have a distinctive mane of fur around their head. They are patient and typically tolerant of handling and petting from children. Their rounded appearance also prevents injury from sharp angles.
Himalayan – Calm, gentle, and sweet-natured, Himalayans make wonderful companions for respectful children. They weigh 4-5 lbs but their long fur makes them appear larger in size. Himalayans don't mind being held for periods of time.
No matter the breed chosen, it's important parents teach children how to properly pick up and handle rabbits to avoid injury or stress to the bunny. With training and supervision, the right rabbit can make an excellent, loving family pet for kids.
Best Outdoor Rabbit Breeds
For rabbit owners able to provide secure outdoor housing, some breeds are particularly well-suited for living primarily outside. Here are some top outdoor rabbit breeds:
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American: Hardy, large breed able to withstand temperature extremes. Their laidback personality makes them very easy to handle.
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American Chinchilla: With an inquisitive nature, they thrive in outdoor environments given adequate space to exercise. Long lived breed.
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Beveren: Large, long-bodied rabbits that love to explore outside enclosures. Very active and energetic.
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California: A very vigorous breed that requires lots of exercise. Does well in outdoor hutches in mild climates.
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American Sable: Their dense fur coats keep them warm and dry in cold, wet weather. Calm temperaments.
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Silver Fox: Very sturdy and disease resistant. Excellent foragers well-suited for large outdoor pens where they can graze.
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English Lop: Massive gentle giants with laidback personalities. Their large size makes temperature regulation easier outdoors.
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French Lop: An affable breed with thick fur that enjoys being outside if given proper shelter. Laidback and easy to handle.
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Flemish Giant: Huge, hardy rabbits with kind temperaments. Need lots of room to stretch out in outdoor runs.
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Champagne D’Argent: Their silver fur provides camouflage from predators. Heat and cold tolerant. Docile personality.
The ideal outdoor rabbit breed will depend on your climate and the shelter you can provide. Be sure to protect your rabbits from temperature extremes, predators, pests, and injury in any outdoor housing situation. Proper care is essential.
Best Indoor Rabbit Breeds
For homeowners wanting a house rabbit kept primarily indoors, certain rabbit breeds tend to adapt better to living inside than others. Here are some top indoor rabbit breeds:
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Mini Rex: Affable and playful small rabbits that create minimal mess. At 3-4.5 lbs, their size suits them for apartments.
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Netherland Dwarf: The diminutive Netherland is a perfect indoor companion at just 2-3 lbs fully grown. They enjoy human interaction and adapt well indoors.
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Mini Lop: An energetic mid-sized rabbit that enjoys indoor playtime. They are affectionate lap rabbits and their exercise needs can be met indoors.
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English Angora: With frequent grooming, their long fur stays under control indoors. They are relaxed and like lounging with their owners.
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Lionhead: Their small size of 3-4 lbs makes them well-suited for homes and apartments. Lionheads are easy-going and enjoy indoor play.
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Havana: At 4-6 lbs, they are a nice mid-sized rabbit breed. Havana's bond strongly with their families and enjoy indoor time.
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Holland Lop: Small and compact at 3-4 lbs, they do well in indoor spaces. Holland Lops have a mellow temperament and enjoy lounging with their owners.
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Jersey Wooly: As one of the smallest breeds, Jersey Woolies only weigh 2-3 lbs. They are calm, gentle, and make great apartment rabbits.
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Himalayan: Though larger at 4-5 lbs, their calm temperament makes them ideal gentle indoor companions. They don't require much space.
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Tan: At 4-6 lbs, Tan rabbits are elegant medium-sized rabbits with mellow personalities well-suited for indoor life. They are very gentle and intelligent.
With proper rabbit-proofing, litter box training, and bunny-sized furniture, indoor rabbits can make engaging, loving house pets. Be sure to provide them with adequate exercise and enrichment.