Is it Bad to Sleep with my Rabbit?

Is it Bad to Sleep with my Rabbit?

Many people love keeping rabbits as pets instead of dogs or cats: bunnies look like fluffy clouds, a bit like plush toys to be petted and cuddled all day long. No wonder then that many people ask themselves, "is it bad to sleep with my rabbit?"

Some people may find cuddling with their pets comforting, and it's true that rabbits can get used to anything - they will learn to jump from your bed and return whenever they feel like it - but before sharing your bed there are some things you must take into account.

In order to help you make up your mind, in this AnimalWised article we'll explain what is the most convenient option for your and your rabbit's rest and well-being.

Is it bad to sleep with my rabbit?

The truth is that there is nothing definitive to keep you from sleeping with your rabbit, unlike the case of other pets like snakes or lizards. It all depends on how well trained, clean and healthy your rabbit is.

Once you have considered all of the above, it is critical that you take into account the following:

  • Your rabbit's fur and germs - no matter how clean it is - could eventually cause respiratory and allergy problems. If you have allergies, asthma or their symptoms, such as sneezing or a red nose, do not let your rabbit sleep in your bed because your condition could worsen.
  • Rabbits are considered crepuscular animals, that is, they are most active at dawn and dusk. Your rabbit will not follow your natural sleep rhythm. It will be very active at night between midnight and 2 am and in the early morning, between 5 and 6 am. While you are trying to sleep, your bunny will be running, jumping, chewing, eating and exploring, which will interfere with your rest.
  • If your rabbit is not used to doing its needs in a particular place, it could choose your bed as a toilet. Remember that your rabbit will also want to mark its territory with urine. Like cats, rabbits can be trained to relieve themselves in a place, but even when they are well educated they may have some accidents.

Your rabbit is very fluffy, but...

We're sure one of the reasons why you are wondering whether it is bad to sleep with your rabbit is that you want to offer it the best care and provide every possible comfort. If you do decide to sleep with your rabbit, here are some health and safety tips:

  • Rabbits are mischievous and they will seek to play with you at night. Your rabbit might even bite your ears or toes for attention.
  • Rabbits are delicate creatures: you could hurt your pet, rolling and crushing it without realizing it during your sleep. Of course, the risk is much lower if your rabbit is of a large breed, like the Flemish Giant rabbit.
  • Try to place your mattress on the floor to reduce your bed's height and prevent your rabbit from falling and getting hurt.
  • Don't forget that your rabbit may seek comfort under the sheets when you make the bed in the morning. Be careful not to put it in the washing machine when changing the sheets or hurting it when making the bed!

If after considering the above tips you have decided that you cannot sleep with your rabbit, don't worry: there is another alternative. Most people who ask whether they can sleep with their pets do so because they don't want to keep them in a cage: you can get a bed for rabbits and place it right next to yours. Although you will not sleep in the same bed, you will know that your pet is nearby and enjoying a comfortable mattress.

Don't miss the following articles:

  • Can I bathe my rabbit?
  • Why does my rabbit lick itself?
  • How much food should a rabbit eat?
  • Abnormal rabbit teeth growth

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