That cute bunny you want to gift someone at Easter needs much more than carrots!

The Boksburg SPCA urges the public not to gift “cute” bunnies this Easter because people should never give pets as presents.

According to Boksburg SPCA manager Vicky Finnemore, owning a rabbit can be more challenging than people think.

“They can be high maintenance if not correctly cared for, are hard to housetrain and can escape from grassy enclosures by burrowing,” she explained.

She stressed that the SPCA does not condone giving pets as gifts for any reason because the recipient is often unprepared for the animal’s specific needs or the costs associated with its care.

“Several factors must be considered when getting a pet, including sufficient garden space, body corporate rules, veterinary costs and feeding routines,” she added.

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Things to know before owning a rabbit (www.treehugger.com):

• They can live up to 12 years, which might be the most important thing to know because rabbits need plenty of daily and weekly care for life. Given their long lifespan, it’s a bit more work than just feeding and picking up their poop.

• Giving a rabbit to a child as a pet is a big commitment. That child eventually goes to college, and the rabbit becomes the parents’ or guardian’s responsibility.

• Rabbits are not great pets for small children. They are prey animals and, as such, are easily startled by loud noises and lurching movements. Picking up a rabbit is discouraged because it might think a predator has captured it. Parents should wait until children are older before the family adopts a rabbit.

• Rabbits are social animals that rely on one another to survive in the wild. A sole rabbit must always be alert for potential predators, but if there’s another rabbit, that spreads the responsibility around. Since rabbits only speak rabbit, it helps them feel safer if there’s another rabbit about.

• Spaying or neutering your rabbit is a good call if you have two rabbits, but it’s generally a good idea, even if you stick to one.

• Rabbits need exercise and room to roam. They should get a solid four hours of exercise daily, so leaving them cooped up in a cage all day isn’t the best idea. Exercise for rabbits helps with overall health, including digestion and mental health. If you have the space, a room just for your rabbit is probably a great idea because it gives them plenty of room to run to and fro.

• If you don’t have space, a cage or container holding your rabbit must be at least five times its size. This measurement includes a vertical level so the rabbit can stand on its hind legs without bumping its head. Multi-tiered containers are also recommended.

• You will have to spruce up the rabbit’s area daily and clean weekly. If you don’t have the space for a dedicated rabbit room or a large cage, giving your rabbit free rein in the living area might be your only option, but prepare the rest of the home.

• Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing, so they love chewing on everything, including furniture and cables. Plastic tubing around cables will take care of that chew temptation, or taping the wires up and out of the rabbit’s reach will also work. Make sure your rabbit has plenty of safe and chew-friendly toys as alternatives.

• Rabbits need more than carrots. The common conception is that rabbits will nosh on vegetables all day, and some might want to do that, but providing your rabbit with a varied but healthy diet is crucial. Hay or grass should make up the bulk of their diet, with fresh vegetables providing a smaller portion of their intake. These vegetables can include kale, broccoli, romaine lettuce and parsley. Small bits of fresh carrot, apple and pineapple are treats you should give only once or twice a week.

• Rabbits can need unique medical care and should have annual vet visits to check their teeth, test for parasites and be vaccinated.

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