Rabbits make good companions, if you give them the time and attention they need.

After cats and dogs, rabbits are the next most frequently surrendered animals at shelters. Why? Usually because of unexpected problem behaviors like biting, chewing and digging.

Are rabbits trainable? Yes. Can you train them not to chew up your furniture and tear up your carpets? Well…

Veterinarian Jennifer Saver, herself a house rabbit owner, says that a “rabbit person is someone who enjoys observing as much as handling and who does not get overly upset at a rabbit’s natural tendencies to chew and dig.”

It is always a good idea to get some basic information about any pet you are considering adding to your family before you actually bring one home. Time spent learning about basic behaviors can go a long way toward ensuring the right pet fit for you, your family and the animal.

“Rabbit ownership,” says veterinarian Heidi Hoefer, “requires the same commitment as owning a puppy and should be taken just a seriously.”

Marinell Harriman, president of the House Rabbit Society concurs. “A rabbit has the best chance of becoming a well-loved companion if the (human) is well-prepared.”

Rabbits are prey animals who frighten easily. They are physically fragile and require specialized veterinary care. They communicate using very subtle body language and if misunderstood will retaliate by biting, scratching or withdrawing. They are extremely sensitive and require a lot of social interaction to stay healthy.

Rabbits have very strong hind legs which need space to run and jump on a daily basis. And, just as any other pet you bring into your home, adding a rabbit to your family is a long-term commitment. House rabbits can live 8 to 10 years.

Rabbits are inquisitive, intelligent, and sociable once you get to know them. Because of their prey animal status, they need to feel extremely safe and secure before they’ll relax and let their personalities show. Unlike dogs, rabbits do not give love unconditionally; it has to be earned.

Eric Mercer, author of the Web site Language of Lagomorphs says, “Please repeat after me…rabbits are not like dogs, rabbits are not like cats, rabbits are like rabbits! That’s why it’s so important to know how they think and what they want!”

Rabbits are not required to have annual vaccinations like dogs and cats, but annual medical check-ups can help detect small problems before they become big ones.

Common health problems include dental abnormalities, gastrointestinal problems and upper respiratory problems. Pasteurella, a highly contagious bacterial infection, is also a very common health problem for companion rabbits. According to veterinary statistics, over half of all domestic rabbits carry the Pasteurella bacteria in their bodies although they may show no symptoms of the disease. Symptoms include nasal discharge, head tilt, and tooth root abscesses.

It’s also a good idea to find a veterinarian who treats rabbits before you bring one home as not all veterinarians are trained in rabbit health care.

Caring for a rabbit includes providing proper housing, preferably somewhere in your house, several hours of supervised out-of-cage exercise per day, good nutrition (hay, fresh greens, carrots and a high quality rabbit feed), and the willingness to learn to speak rabbit. Just think of it as an exercise in learning the various customs and language of a person from a society very different from yours and you will be well on your way to developing a strong and lasting relationship.

“As it turns out, what all rabbits want more than anything is respect and affection,” says Mercer, “When you learn to give these properly (i.e. like a rabbit) you’ll freely get them in return.”

Rabbits make delightful companion animals. They are curious, comical creatures who are often demonstratively affectionate. Building a relationship with your rabbit takes time and patience but is well worth the effort.

If you are considering adding a rabbit to your family, please contact your local animal shelter or rabbit rescue agency for adoption information. There are so many wonderful, orphaned bunnies out there just waiting for somebody to love.

Christa Clarkson is a companion rabbit educator for the Maine Association of Animal Assisted Healing in Parsonsfield. She can be reached at maaah_org@yahoo.com.