Contrary to popular belief, rabbits do not make good Easter gifts

SEATTLE (KOMO) — During this time of year many people consider buying a rabbit for their child as an Easter gift.

KOMO News' Theron Zahn's rabbit Ricochet made an appearance on KOMO Weekend Morning News to let people know how much work a rabbit is as a pet and why they often do not do well with children.

Rabbits are a symbol of Easter, but think twice before getting, or giving, a real live bunny as an Easter gift.

Every year thousands of Easter bunnies are dumped after families find out they are not always the best match for kids or your other pets.

Bunnies must be spayed or neutered or they become aggressive. Typically, once a bunny is full grown and not fixed, they can bite a child. That is when they are often just set free. Domestic rabbits cannot survive in the wild long like wild bunnies.

Here is what you need to know before adopting a rabbit:

• Getting a rabbit spayed or neutered is expensive.
• Rabbits have special diet needs
• Bunnies can live more than 10 years.

Rabbits can be excellent pets for people who need a quiet pet or have a small home or apartment, but before you welcome a bunny into your home, make sure you know what you’re hopping into.