Indoor rabbit

I had a friend who had an indoor rabbit for years. He was very tame and hopped around the house.

Didn't always use the tray though, and left pellets around the house.

AND had a huge cage where he went while she was out/in bed etc. Took a LOT of cleaning out.

Cats ARE easier. Are you sure you couldn't take to one? If you found the right one (a rescue maybe) you could make sure it was friendly and affectionate.

BradfordLass, we used to have a house rabbit. They are lovely creatures but quite spirited and easily bored. We loved him but he did chew the furniture! You cannot have any loose electrical wires/flexes around at all! It's unnatural for them to live alone so they require lots of company and entertainment.

I still have the scars from when I once picked him up and he kicked his back legs to 'escape' taking the skin off my wrist. White scratch lines remain. Although easy to house train, they do also have a very distinctive smell, especially males!

Have you considered a couple of Guinea pigs instead? They are altogether gentler and sweeter creatures. I now believe it's unfair to keep any rodents without company of their own kind.

I have had indoor rabbits. I had 2 at the same time. to be fair they were both indoor and outdoor rabbits as they had learnt to use the cat-flap. They were house trained , did not poo or wee indoors and never nibbled things they shouldn't , the only concern that I have is that bunnies are not solitary animals and prefer to have a friend of their own kind as well as a human companionship.

I would suggest a pair of dwarf lops and if they can access the garden as well as being allowed in the house you could all be happy.

They don't smell, are easy to house train and mine were very affectionate .

Or have you thought about fancy rats? I have had these and they can also be affectionate and make great pets. clearly they are caged most of the time but can roam around when you are home.

NanKate it is unnatural but not necessarily cruel. Cruel is buying an animal that lives in colonies and keeping it in solitary in a cage fir its whole life.

We had several indoor rabbits when the kids were young. Rabbits can make wonderful pets but they are a mixed bag and it's wise to get one from a breeder who handles them from a young age.

Breed is important too, dwarf lops used to be known as the friendliest. As you've got a friend with a particular breed, perhaps she can tell you more about her dwarf agouti.

Our best rabbit has become a family legend. He was was wonderful. He would indeed sit on your lap, sit by the fire, leap hilariously on and off the sofa, play with the cat! You can house train rabbits but you have to beware of their habit of chewing, we had to replace several telephones because he chewed through the wires and he used to pull the spines from books and eat them. The latter especially annoyed DH. Like all pets they require time and commitment but I thought having a rabbit was great fun.

I found this for you

House Rabbits

My friend’s daughter had one in her flat and it chewed the electric wires. IMO I think it is cruel and unnatural.

I know someone who had an indoor rabbit and it worked well. I know so many of these poor creatures who are bought as pets, single pets, then live out their existence alone and forgotten in cages. If you train it from a kitten and it gets to enjoy gentle handling then it could make a good companion.
Rabbits don’t smell and they can be trained to use litter trays. They do chew though and you might be advised to crate it when you go out.
There must be internet data on this surely?

I would be worried the rabbit would smell or chew carpets/ furniture but I have never had a rabbit so may be wrong.

We only ever had one rabbit when our children were young - it was a huge lop eared one and quite vicious - it used to chase the cat round the garden and try to mount her!! Eventually an employee who had a small holding took him and he had a much better life!

I do know someone though who had a pet house rabbit who was quite a character - he would lie in front of the fire and watch TV, loved being cuddled and she was totally devastated when he became ill and had to be put to sleep - he was quite old by then. He used a litter tray so was house trained.

Personally (and it’s a personal view only) I think it’s a very unnatural life for a wild animal to have to live to entertain an adult wearing a harness and using a litter tray are not normal for a rabbit and to me is no different to a caged bird or a trained circus animal
I can understand your quest for company and an animal is ideal company I hope you find an answer