Your mom and dad want a pet. They don’t want a dog as they don’t have a yard and walking frequently is harder for them to manage. They don’t like the idea of a cat scratching their furniture, carpeting, and door frames.
This narrows down their options. A fish might work, but they can’t handle a fish. They don’t want a bird or a reptile. Has your family thought about a rabbit?
Benefits of a Rabbit
A rabbit is quiet. It’s not going to bark like a dog might. It’s unlikely to make much noise at all. It may make noises similar to a cat’s purr. It may cluck a little while it eats, but it’s soft noise that isn’t going to be heard by neighbors.
Rabbits do not need a lot of space. A cage with a cat litter box is usually the bulk of it. With training, the rabbit will use the litter box and keep the rest of the home clean. Your parents may find the rabbit doesn’t even need a cage as long as the rabbit is trained on how to use the litter box.
Chewing is probably a rabbit’s worst habit. They need to chew. Your parents will have to be proactive about hiding cables, plastic items, and blankets. As their teeth continually grow, they need hard things to chew to keep the teeth ground down. Supply the rabbit with plenty of appropriate chew toys and items and chewing doesn’t have to be an issue.
Like dogs and cats, rabbits can learn to listen for their owner and come when called. If they’re handled from a young age, they like being picked up and held. Pet rabbits can be sedate and loving or lively and playful.
Your parents can end up with a rabbit that matches their own lifestyle. They can have a rabbit that likes to sit on the sofa and be pet. They might have a rabbit that likes to play hide and seek or chase. They’re great companions.
Caring for a Rabbit
In addition to making sure the rabbit has things to chew, a rabbit needs fresh water and food. A cage will help contain the rabbit when your parents are not home. The cost of bedding straw can add to the monthly budget. They’ll need to clean the cat litter tray and clean up stray pieces of food that the rabbit hides.
Elderly care services may be better than a pet. If it’s companionship your parents need, caregivers can stop in daily, a few times a week, or once a week to provide friendship. You choose the best day/s and hours. Call an elderly care agency to discuss pricing and make arrangements.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elderly Care in Pinellas Park, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
