Having a classroom pet has been a crucial component of children’s learning. Teachers use this aspect of learning to help kids develop their social and emotional abilities, like many pet owners.
Choosing a classroom pet requires a lot of careful thought and preparation; every teacher should invest their time in making the best choice available for their students.
Out of the many pet alternatives, the one that comes to mind when looking to purchase a classroom pet is a rabbit – everyone’s favorite furry friend.
In any environment they find themselves in, rabbits are known to display quite a joy. Initially, they may be fearful, but after getting to know their owners, they grow to be loyal to them.
If you are a teacher trying to decide whether a rabbit will make a decent class pet, this article is your guide; you will find adequate information that can assist you in learning the advantages and disadvantages of keeping a rabbit as a classroom pet.
What To Know Before Getting A Pet Rabbit For Your Classroom
There are several things to keep in mind while looking to buy a rabbit. This will help you determine its needs. Below, we will take a look at some of the most vital information to know before getting a pet rabbit for your classroom:
1. Rabbits Require Space to Roam
For rabbits, roaming is not an option; it is a necessary kind of exercise. Every owner who gets a pet rabbit must remember that there needs to be a specific area for the rabbit to roam. This implies that a portion of your classroom, the school’s garden, or even enough space in the animal’s cage will be set aside for this activity.
Additionally, you have to understand that the rabbit’s psychological and mental health may suffer if it is kept in its cage all day. You wouldn’t want to be greeted by a grumpy rabbit.
2. Rabbits Should be Handled Gently at All Times
Rabbits are delicate animals, so you must learn how to handle them correctly. Else, they might scratch or bite out of fear. You must encourage the students to support the rabbits, especially on their hindquarters and front. Not doing this could cause them to injure their spine.
Also, avoid picking up your rabbit by their ears; it isn’t kind.
3. Rabbits require adequate medical care
You should know that keeping a rabbit as a classroom pet entails serious responsibility because it needs specialized medical attention. That’s why you must be prepared for trips to the doctor, as it’s not advisable to wait for the rabbit to become ill. Annual appointments to the veterinarian are crucial because rabbits require specific vaccines and dental care.
Additionally, rabbits also have specialized veterinary specialists. That’s because a veterinarian who is not trained to treat rabbits cannot provide them with adequate medical treatment. Therefore, finding a reputable rabbit veterinarian is necessary for your classroom school pet rabbit.
4. Rabbits Like Schedules
Since rabbits are known to enjoy schedules, it would be best if you thought about having a unique timetable just for the classroom pet. This implies that the rabbit you keep as a pet in your classroom must have a program that dictates their nap, play, and feeding hours.
Making the pupils accountable for the rabbit in this way allows for the creation of roasters and the selection of individuals to execute these tasks. The rabbit will benefit, as well as the students who, by acting out all expectations at the appropriate times, will grow into responsible pet owners.
5. Rabbits Don’t Only Eat Carrots
While occasionally giving your rabbit carrots is fine, giving it hay, romaine lettuce and broccoli has more advantages in terms of providing the nutrients it requires.
You can also spice up the diet with some fruits like apples and pineapples once in a while, that way a nutritious food plan for your classroom pet rabbit has been created.
Pros Of Having Rabbit As A Classroom Pet
There are several reasons rabbits are a fantastic choice for a classroom pet. Here are a few of them:
1. Rabbits are friendly
Rabbits are sociable animals that crave affection and attention, and when they get it, it is simpler for them to be submissive. When you and the pupils have access to the pet rabbit, they start to form attachments to the persons who look after it.
Once an emotional connection has been made, the kids are free to interact with the bunny whenever they choose. Rabbits are also very devoted creatures.
2. Rabbits are quiet animals
You will barely find rabbits in a frenzy mode. Even when your pet rabbit is cranky, it is hardly audible; what other better pet would you want for a classroom than a quiet one?
Thus, you need not worry about the class being interrupted or merely distracted when you are teaching while the rabbit is present in the room. Why wouldn’t you want a calm, amiable furry companion as your classroom pet?
3. Rabbits Can Aid Children in Demonstrating Responsibility
Students’ excellent behavior, such as responsibility, can be encouraged by keeping a pet rabbit in the classroom. For example, they can learn how to feed, clean, and comfort the rabbit as they help with its upkeep and nurturing.
In this way, they can adopt and demonstrate this character not just in the classroom but also at home. Some of them could have pets but struggle with pet care; nevertheless, once they learn how to do it in school, it becomes second nature.
4. Rabbits Can Promote Friendship
The students should get along well beyond being classmates, which can happen by having them participate in class activities together.
Frequently, activities that require group collaboration have been utilized to promote cooperation and unity among pupils.
So, if the students are given a rabbit to care for together, they can quickly develop a genuine bond of friendship not just with the class pet but also with one another.
Cons Of Having Rabbit As A Classroom Pet
Like every other thing, there are some drawbacks to having a rabbit as a classroom pet. These adorable, fluffy creatures have quirks and inclinations that make them unsuitable for some settings.
What are these cons? Let’s see them below:
1. The Rabbit Would Require Constant Cleaning And Maintenance
It is well known that rabbits produce a lot of excrement each day—on average, 300 to 500 pellets—which can be a huge mess to clean up.
Making a routine for this is very hard because it can come unplanned, which means it can clash with class activities. You would want to make sure that the pet’s shelter is cleaned as often as it creates a mess of it.
2. Rabbits Have a Penchant For Chewing
The rabbit’s chewing behavior is not the issue. Instead, the main problem is that they can chew everything they encounter.
They grind their teeth by chewing on wires, rubber, plastic, paper, or anything else to keep them at a manageable length. Most rabbits cannot distinguish between consumables and non-consumables due to this instinct.
Trying to keep the rabbits from chewing everything can be a challenging task that most people would instead not involve themselves in.
3. Rabbits Are Quick
While allowing the rabbit some free time is an exemplary aspect of caring for it, you will also need to keep an eye on it all the time. If not, the rabbit can easily run off.
So, leaving the rabbit unattended could result in a careless error; Not everyone is ready to go through that stress.
4. Rabbits Are Sensitive To Extreme Temperature
Rabbits are not fans of extreme temperatures; they may become agitated or even ill when there is a discernible rise in either the hot or cold temperature.
You must also keep an eye on this since freezing weather may require you to modify the rabbit’s shelter to shield it from the cold.
During extreme weather conditions, you may be required to get a cover for the hutch or even move it to a space where the temperature is tolerable.
5. Rabbits Can Be Mishandled
Usually, the classroom is filled with children from different backgrounds. If a more significant part of their population is quite boisterous, the rabbit can be at risk; it can die from being over-handled by many children.
Do Rabbits Make Good Classroom Pets?
The quiet temperament of rabbits makes them perfect for environments like classrooms, where there won’t be as many interruptions.
Due to their independence and liking for schedules, you will always have time for crucial activities other than caring for or playing with the pet.
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Final Thoughts
Children being around animals may be a good source of education and recreation. This is why teachers incorporate this learning alongside more traditional methods.
In any environment, rabbits are quite a joy. Initially, they may be fearful, but after getting to know their owners, they grow to be loyal to them.
Even though they require additional space for the rabbit run and a few other necessities, rabbits make wonderful pets. All of these efforts eventually pay off, but the main benefit is instilling virtues in the children.
Will you be getting a pet rabbit for your classroom? Let us know.