Bunnies are some of the cutest pets you can have. But as with any pet, the decision to bring one home should not be made on impulse. Like people, rabbits have different personalities -- some may be friendly, some may be shy, some may be mischievous. If you have never owned a pet rabbit before, it is in your best interest to know as much as you can about rabbits before adding one to your home. Knowing certain things about them ahead of time -- such as how to properly care for them, and how to protect your home from their tendency to chew -- is essential in determining if a bunny is the right pet for you.

A cage for your rabbit is the most expensive commodity you will need to buy. Which type of cage you buy should be determined by where you plan to keep your pet (indoor or outdoors). A rabbit kept indoors is likely to make a better pet because you will have more opportunities to play with him or her, whereas keeping it outdoors tends to limit the time both of you can spend together.

TYPES OF CAGES

As fun as they may look, refrain from buying two- or three-story cages, because these are mostly made for ferrets and are not suitable for rabbits (because they are not natural climbers). The packaging of the cage should have labels determining which animal it is meant for.

Make sure that you are able to comfortably reach all areas within the cage, as it will make your daily chores much easier. Also, the cage should have one opening (doesn't matter where) large enough for you to safely extract your rabbit without effort.

DO NOT keep your rabbit in a cage made of glass or plastic. This type does not provide sufficient ventilation and is extremely dangerous for your pet.

Same cages come with floors made of wire. These floors allow droppings to fall through into a tray below, making the process of cleaning the cage easier. However, rabbits have very sensitive feet. Spending too much time on wire floors may cause them to develop a condition called ulcerative podododermatitis, which basically means sore feet. This can be avoided by providing an area of solid, flat floor large enough for your rabbit to comfortably sit on. Anything as simple as a piece of cardboard or wood will do.