I want to get a pet for my family. My daughter is 2 years old and loves kitty cats, but I think she would also like a bunny as well. Which would you prefer, and what are some of the perks of having that pet? Thanks everyone!!
Anonymous
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Rabbits should not be housed in homes with young children. They are far too delicate, and nervous. Young children tend to be loud and want things to cuddle with. Rabbits do not like loud noises, and do not like being picked up, let alone hugged.
The cat is the better option of the two. Rabbits are prey animals, cats are predators. Cats are less nervous, they can be cuddled, they often will enjoy curling up beside you or on you and sleeping for hours without problems. Cats live much longer (an indoor rabbit will live 8-12 years, a cat will live something like 14-20+ years.) they require less extensive feedings (many people are allergic to hay, you'll always need fresh vegetables and hay will get EVERYWHERE).
I have both right now. Neither are really harder to care than the other. I clean out the rabbits' litter boxes, I scoop out the cat's litter box. I feed them, make sure they have fresh water, and clean up any mess throughout the day.
Cats are more interactive. A rabbit will enjoy being pet, as long as all four feet are planted securely on the ground, there aren't many games you can play with a rabbit. Some enjoy playing a game of chase, and others will enjoy tossing toys around. Cats love to hug, to play, to sit around for hours doing nothing, they'll 'talk' to you all day long, and come to find you no matter where you are in the house.
Edit: I just had to add after seeing a response below me: NEVER under ANY circumstances get a cat declawed. It is horribly cruel and painful. If you look at your hand, it's basically like cutting off the first portion of your finger, to the first knuckle. As long as a cat is not harassed, as a responsible parent this animal should always be supervised around your daughter so this shouldn't happen, chances are it will not claw at her. Most furniture can be saved by an appropriate number of scratching posts as well.
Also, whoever said rabbits are cheaper than cats, you are clearly not raising your rabbit right. Rabbits need daily vegetables, unlimited hay, quality pellets. I probably spend 50$+ in a month feeding the two of them, and that's if I don't have to buy hay! Not to mention the litter for their boxes, all of the chew toys they need, the spay/neuter costs, the vet visits, the supplies I need to keep the areas they're in rabbit-proof. Rabbits cannot just be left in a cage all day, they need, at minimum 2 hours a day outside to run around. They can be extremely destructive as well, eating walls, doors, carpets, etc.
Raine
Deffinitely a cat. Less work, cleaner, don't need to be in a cage, no worries of messes in the house, and cats (well, some anyway) are more tolerant of children,
I would recomend looking in to getting a shorthaired tuxedo. They have very outgoing personalities as a general rule, and you wouldn't want a long haired one with a young one running around lol. (can we say big mess?)
If you really want a fool proof way to have a cat entertain, teach your daughter about owning and caring for pets, and be companions, consider adopting 2 kittens from a shelter, preferably from the same litter. That way they are entertaining, and, since kittens need a great deal of play time, if your daughter is more interested in toys at the time, and others in the house are busy, the kittens keep each other occupied, and thus, out of trouble! Not to mention they are really entertaining to watch play together.
First instinct for many would be to get a cat de-clawed if its going to be around young children, I would suggest waiting to see if its necessary, many animals know not use such force with small children, it's instinctive. And 9 times out of 10 de-clawing a cat makes it a biter. Just know that kittens take a while to learn not to use claws, so older cats may be the way to go.
MADDIness
Rabbits are not good pets to have around toddlers. Of course they're adorable, but they are very prone then to the toddler pulling on it's ears. I'm just saying it will probably happen. For myself I would much prefer a rabbit, but if I had a toddler sibling I would not get a rabbit.
micheleann62
Rabbits are furry, adorable and not interested in people. They don't make good pets, especially for a child so small. They don't enjoy being held and they scratch. I suggest a cat, preferably a kitten that has been trained to use a pet door to go potty and isn't so young the child can hurt it accidentally.
alterma
i think of you will possibly desire to get a guinea pig for some motives. One is that chinchillas are so costly. it is with the aid of fact they're lots greater sturdy to reproduce than different small mammals as pets. yet another is that rabbits are truthfully a lot of artwork, better than a cat. They poop lots. they're additionally greater extreme priced. some motives to get guinea pigs is written right here. a individual suggested that guinea pigs make a lot of noise; they do no longer, nonetheless you will possibly desire to no longer keep them on your mattress room. additionally they're particularly much less costly and extremely docile. One reason that they are such sturdy pets is by technique of the fact they're generic for being very mushy pigs. They infrequently ever chew. i've got had 2 men for 3 years and that they've basically bitten me as quickly as complicated. yet another is they're so cuddly. Mine wiggle and yawn and stretch and sleep on me once I carry them and whine once I end petting them for slightly. yet i might desire to characteristic which you will desire to get. they're very social creatures, that's a evaluate their allure, and love companions of their very own species. however the sturdy information is that it is not lots greater artwork than one is.