It’s hard to fathom that something that looks so innocent can hold such chaotic evil within. Such animalistic vigor, such disregard for another. Yes, we are speaking about bunny rabbits today, and yes, they are horrendously unpredictable fluffy buns of happiness. Or suffering. Or maybe both if you’re into that kind of thing; we don’t judge! 

The kinds of people who for one reason or another decided that owning a bunny was gonna be sunshine and happiness, but then later found out it was an unending loop of uncertainty and chaos, have come together to form a hub and share their experiences. It’s very fondly called “Bunnies Are [Jerks]” and it houses 186.7K members on Facebook. But we’re here for buns, not numbers. 

Now, if the title, the intro, and the first couple of paragraphs, as well as the first couple of posts, haven’t deterred you from owning a rabbit, then consider these little facts. As stated by the Humane Society of the United States, they’re the third most popular pet in the country after dogs and cats, yet they’re quite misunderstood. 

“House rabbits can live to be 8 to 12 or more years old. With proper care, a rabbit will grace your home with love, sass, and comic relief. But they’re definitely not starter pets that can live in a cage. Instead, they are delicate prey animals that require time, attention, special diet, and expensive vet care,” Red Door Animal Shelter Vice President Toni Greetis told Insider.

In veterinary terms, rabbits are considered exotic animals, so you’ll need to find a specialized vet to care for your fluffy friend. This can quickly become quite expensive. Furthermore, a rabbit’s diet is highly specialized, regardless of what you think Bugs Bunny taught you. Give them lots of space, don’t bathe them, and don’t pick them up to hold them. 

Lastly, as seen in the majority of these posts, you’ll need to rabbit-proof any rooms your bun has access to, as most buns love to chew and dig. If you have lots of plants in your house, you’ll need to move them up high, especially as some plants could be toxic to your rabbit. Baseboards, doorframes, loose bits of carpeting, leather couches, foam, plastic, and anything made out of wood are all attractive to the bunny. 

Some negative bunny behaviors are more normal than others, and it’s important for owners to be able to tell the difference. According to Dana Krempels, Ph.D., from the University of Miami Department of Biology, digging on the carpet or other floor surfaces, chewing on baseboards or wall corners and cords, as well as urinating in corners not designated by a litter box are all normal behaviors. 

“Sometimes a rabbit will learn that a ‘normal’ behavior elicits a negative reaction—and remember, negative attention is still attention—from the caregiver, and so will use it to get attention,” she said. Aside from the craving for attention, health issues could also trigger certain bad behaviors, so if that is suspected, one should bring the rabbit to the vet for a checkup. 

Boredom is the leading factor for bunny misbehavior. “Providing lots of enrichment to promote natural behaviors—like clean cardboard boxes with two door holes cut in the sides to chew on and run through, parrot-safe chew toys or jingly toys, paper towel tubes stuffed with hay or other treats, etc.—will help curb destructive urges brought on by boredom,” said Dr. Krempels. Getting the rabbit a friend to entertain them could be a good option, too! 

Keep in mind that it’s not always possible to “train” a rabbit not to engage in destructive behaviors, either. “Rather than training a rabbit not to engage in natural ‘destructive’ behaviors, the caregiver should provide an outlet for those natural behaviors that doesn’t tear down the house,” said Dr. Krempels. 

Just like any other living creature, bunnies need a certain amount of care and attention, as well as time. But remember, they’re still animals that will behave more on instinct than logic, and you have to be okay with that. At least they’re cute and fluffy, and that should make up for any damage caused around the house! 

As you continue scrolling through this list, make sure you upvote your faves and leave some comments, and I shall hope to see you in the very near future! Stay fabulously chaotic, dear readers, and have a good one!