Rabbit

With a balanced diet, domestic rabbits can live for between nine and 12 years when kept in the right conditions.

A rabbit should eat a good quality dried food mix or nuggets that contain beneficial fibre and natural antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Provide fresh hay at all times, as rabbits need the fibre to aid their digestive health. Supplement their diet with fresh vegetables.

Generally friendly animals that will form a bond with you, rabbits make a great pet for children. They are even suitable for toddlers and younger kids, with adult supervision. With a calm and sociable nature, they enjoy being handled and seldom bite.

There are many different rabbit breeds to choose from. One of the most popular is the short-haired English rabbit, which is a medium-sized breed that has been around for more than 200 years: long-haired, floppy-eared breeds, such as the Angora and English lop, are incredibly cute; they take much more looking after in terms of grooming to keep their long fur clean and tangle-free.

Although baby rabbits are very cute, getting a rabbit aged between four months to two years old from an animal rescue centre is a good option. They will have a fully developed immune system, so they’ll be less prone to illness. They are still adorable and will bond easily with you.