RABBIT

Activity level: Sometimes leaves cage/tank; leaves cage/tank daily.<br>
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Parental involvement needed: Sometimes; always<br>
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Good for ages: 5 and up (though not so young as primary caretakers)<br>
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Kid's daily commitment: Food and water daily. Clean habitat and change bedding one to two times per week. One to two hours of play per day.<br>
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Initial cost: $25-$75 for the rabbit alone; $325 for other start-up costs (spay/neuter, cage, litter box)<br>
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Yearly upkeep cost: $200-$300 (food, annual vet check up)<br>
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They eat: Hay, parsley, spinach, kale. Special rabbit pellets, with apples and carrots in small quantities as treats.<br>
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Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years.<br>
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Pros: Quiet, clean, can be potty trained, good companions.<br>
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Cons: Are not a lap pet and do not like to be picked up and cuddled unless properly socialized (though owners can get on the floor and cuddle them). They chew a lot, so house should be rabbit-proofed. May bite.<br>
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(Sources: PetSmart.com; Petco.com; ASPCA.org; petplace.com; Holly Nash, staff veterinarian at Drs. Foster and Smith and Scott McKay, staff vet at Drs. Foster and Smith, Rhinelander, Wis.; Jay Hreiz, district officer at American Rabbit Breeders Association, Bloomington, Ill.; Lisa Vible, education director at the American Ferret Association, Annapolis, MD.; Mike Selig, staff vet at Barberton Veterinary Clinic in Norton, Ohio; Richard Nye, vet at Nye Veterinary Services in Batavia, Ill., and consultant at Ness Exotic Wellness Center in Lisle, Ill.)

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( Heather Stone, Chicago Tribune / April 5, 2007 )

Activity level: Sometimes leaves cage/tank; leaves cage/tank daily.

Parental involvement needed: Sometimes; always

Good for ages: 5 and up (though not so young as primary caretakers)

Kid's daily commitment: Food and water daily. Clean habitat and change bedding one to two times per week. One to two hours of play per day.

Initial cost: $25-$75 for the rabbit alone; $325 for other start-up costs (spay/neuter, cage, litter box)

Yearly upkeep cost: $200-$300 (food, annual vet check up)

They eat: Hay, parsley, spinach, kale. Special rabbit pellets, with apples and carrots in small quantities as treats.

Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years.

Pros: Quiet, clean, can be potty trained, good companions.

Cons: Are not a lap pet and do not like to be picked up and cuddled unless properly socialized (though owners can get on the floor and cuddle them). They chew a lot, so house should be rabbit-proofed. May bite.

(Sources: PetSmart.com; Petco.com; ASPCA.org; petplace.com; Holly Nash, staff veterinarian at Drs. Foster and Smith and Scott McKay, staff vet at Drs. Foster and Smith, Rhinelander, Wis.; Jay Hreiz, district officer at American Rabbit Breeders Association, Bloomington, Ill.; Lisa Vible, education director at the American Ferret Association, Annapolis, MD.; Mike Selig, staff vet at Barberton Veterinary Clinic in Norton, Ohio; Richard Nye, vet at Nye Veterinary Services in Batavia, Ill., and consultant at Ness Exotic Wellness Center in Lisle, Ill.)