I've known two separate people who had bunnies for pets, and in both cases, they were kept in cages, almost exclusively. In one case, the bunny was a biter, so it really wasn't much of a pet.

I can't comment on the rabbit, but I will say more generally about pets, it is just a matter of priorities. Like most of the readers, I like having my space just so, and my two cats have done their share of scratching furniture, spreading litter, constraining furniture choices, etc. But having them curled up on the couch sleeping next to me is worth way more in happiness than having that white couch or fuzzy rug.

Please contact the House Rabbit Society if you're looking for a bunny. They can help you and inform you about rabbits. There's an article from the SF Chron a few days ago (maybe just on their website?) which I naturally cannot find right now that talks about having a house-rabbit rather than caging the poor things.

An aquaintence of mine has a house-rabbit and it was darling, sweet and friendly. But it did chew things. She had all of her electric cords taped down, for example.

A small piece of advice: if you're more worried about the look of your apartment and how well the pet will blend in with it than with wanting to love and give a home to an animal, I'd skip the pet. They're a lot of work and responsibility and too often get abandoned when they do something perfectly normal like chew or mark their territory. *steps off soapbox* Sorry about that, but I always worry.

I've had bunnies in the past, and I would no sooner keep one indoors with me than I would a sheep or a goat or a chicken.

That being said, I think a small pony would be just fine.

You should know that if you are allergic to cats, you very well may be allergic to bunnies as well. You should spend significant time with a bunny before you bring one home, it would be a shame for you to fall in love and then have to re-home your friend!

Aha! Here's the article!

Please give it a read.

It's totally possible to have a nice bunny cage and accessories, but if you're allergic to cats be careful -- I am too and I had my angora rabbit for a year before my eye doctor told me that it wasn’t the dust from the street in my new city house that was causing my intensely itchy eyes – it was Beza the bunny.

It was really sad to have to find a new home for him.

I have a friend who has an gorgeous duplex type apt. in Ghent Norfolk Va and they have a rabbit who doesn't have a traditional cage, but it's like a wooden fold out gate, but an ugly baby gate. It's all wood, open spindles, probably 3-5 sections that are connected and fold so it's configured to keep her in a large corner of the room. They're bunny is very large and she has a bed, a little box, a few food/water bowls, and toys in there and seems super happy doing her thing in there. Of course if you let them out they will leave droppings around wherever they go, or at least all the ones I knew did, but I don't think it would be a super dirty animal for your apartment. I'm not sure where they got their configuration, but I'll try and find out. Wish I had taken a pic when I was there recently, because the wood of the enclosure and the wood floors just blended in so all you really noticed was bunny.

not to discourage you, bunnies are adorable, but not very affectionate. too bad you're allergic to cats - they make great apartment pets and all you'd have to "hide" is the little box.

I suggest you rethink your wanting a pet. It is a long term commitment. You are taking responsibility for a living creature for the rest of their life. I don't know how to say this without being rude but I don't think you are ready. Pets vomit, poop and pee sometimes on your most favorite item. For instance my dog spreads and leaves his food all over the kitchen and sometimes living room floor. It drives me nuts but I also know that when he is gone I am going to miss stepping on those pellets at night.

My brother has the most beautiful bunny. She lives in a giant cage in his bedroom. Unfortunately she sheds and although litter trained she occasional drops poops everywhere. Despite this she is divine and we adore her.

If you do decide to go for it maybe see if there are any animal rescue groups who will let you foster a bunny. That way you can really see if it is a good lifestyle match before making a big commitment. Then if you like it you get to keep the bunny, and if not they will place it in a good home.

When I used to volunteer at the animal shelter we would get tons of bunny owner surrenders from people who just didn't appreciate the amount of work in keeping a small pet. Many of them would get them around Easter for their kids without understanding what was really involved in keeping them inside an apartment (this was in NYC) Many of those bunnies did not meet a happy ending. Apparently they are quite hard to litter train and if you can't litter train them you end up keeping them i a cage all the time which hardly makes for a great pet. Some of them bite and you would basically have to bunny proof the apartment in order to make sure they get enough exercise and out of cage time to keep them happy and healthy. The ones that like to chew will do a number on electrical cables, table legs, moldings etc.

although i dont have a bunny the same things go along with having a dog. Its a trade off. Hes made 2 holes in my couch, chewed the corners of my rug, has ugly chew toys around the house, and is usually burrowed up in some pile of blankets on the couch making it look not very appealing. But i love that goofy little guy anyway, and he adds more to the aspect of the apartment feeling like home than any piece of furniture.

A little training and patience go a long way with animals, but expect a few decor casualties in the process.

i don't know much about owning an bunny, as i've never been allowed to own one. but i know that my husband is severely allergic to cats, and bunnies have the same kind of dander as cats, so we can't have a bunny. i don't know if you would necessarily have a problem though. it may just depend on the person. [just something to keep in mind since you'd have to live with it.]

<3katie

guinea pigs are super easy and not really biters. Chinchillas, i have heard, are easy.

I had bunnies when I was young and they were a lot of work and very messy. Too bad you are alergic (try claritin non drowsy).... my husband is alergic to cats, but I think he has become immune. Cats are the purrfect little creatures and don't need walking. They are very independent and clean (except for the fur issue) and take up very little space. Good luck!

aaakid -- my bunny was super sweet and gentle. He was house trained, and every morning he would hop up into my arm chair with me while I had my coffee and read a bit. He loved to snuggle and when I let him out of his cage to run around and get some exersize every day he would go almost demented with happiness -- hopping, spinning, doing flips, and doing a shimmy-shake dance that was hilarious to watch.

Cleaning his cage was a bummer, but otherwise he was good company.

Check out the House Rabbit Society. http://www.rabbit.org/

Not only is Amy Sedaris a member but they can answer your questions and give advice.

I've had three and known many pet bunnies. The aren't as demanding as cats and dogs and can be trained to use a litter box. I think they are a lovely starter pet.

Good luck!

I've raised both indoor and outdoor bunnies in the past. Bunnies are naturally clean animals, closely related to cats (which might trigger your allergies - you might want to check that out first) and can be easily litter trained. They do have a habit of leaving pellets behind themselves. And yes, they do need lots of things to chew on. If given enough attention at a young age, and having plenty of chew toys, they should do minimal damage. It is important to remember that rabbits are only minimally domesticated and can turn quickly if not given enough attention. They are very social animals and need interaction. If they are kept in their cages and only taken out minimally, I suspect that both you and the animal will be dissatisfied.

I'd like to cast my vote FOR the bunny. They make really lovely pets if they're sociallized properly (just like a kitten or a puppy, too bad there's no "Bunny Whisperer" on tv to warn the masses) and they can chew furniture or more likely wires (more dangerous for the bunny than for your apartment's aesthetic) depending on your bunny's personality. But the bunny we had liked her hutch (it was two stories and had a ramp and private sleeping quarters) and only came out to play when we were around. More than chewed on furniture I would warn you about all the hay you'll have to clean up.

Sorry to gush, hope it works out for you.

I completely agree with Tiamat . . . if you like your apartment just so, and that's your main concern . . . skip the bunny. They can be a lot of work, they are not especially cuddly animals. And agreed with others above, if you are allergic to cats, you'll probably be allergic to bunnies as well.

If you're more concerned about loving an animal and making it your lifelong companion . . . then GO for it. Animals are wonderful, and my two cats are the two main delights in my life! But I, like Tiamat, worry for the poor innocent animals that are brought into homes that are not prepared for them.

So yes, do your research!

hmmm... anyone have pet suggestions for people that are allergic to cats? I'm a cat person but my husband is allergic, it would be nice to have some kind of pet though. Not a dog person.

Maybe you could foster one for a little while to see if it's something you'd want on a permanent basis?

As a pre-vet student I attended the NYC house rabbit scoiety's care conference last year and it was really interesting! Prior to the conference I had little to no knowledge of rabbit care but I learned a lot. Perhaps there is a similiar society or organization in SF that could be of help in answering questions? From what I gathered, rabbits are not easy to take care of (not as easy as say, a cat) but the owners found them to be incredibly loving and rewarding pets. They can be very social creatures but they are animals of prey and they do think you are going to eat them (at first). Rabbits should not be in a cages exclusively and they will chew on your furniture. However, I think most owners found ways to keep them contained in certain rooms or in areas of their apartments so that there wasn't hay EVERYWHERE. You should also do research about an apropriate vet for your rabbit before getting one. Many vets have limited knowledge of rabbits and may not know how to best treat them (and their specifies specific ailments). Most owners at the care conference took their rabbits to Vets that specialize in exotic animals (so not your average dog/cat vet) which may be difficult to find.

http://www.rabbitcare.org/

we had several bunnies growing up. some can be quite sweet & like to be held. however be warned, bunnies chew & cannot be house trained like a cat or dog & yes, their urine does smell--quite badly. i'd think this through before purchasing one.

I had a pet bunny growing up, which yes, was very cute and cuddly, however, he did chew up everything he could; magazines, shoelaces, corners of wallpaper at the baseboards... which caused my mother a lot of grief.

As with all pets, or children, compromises need to made...

If you have a pet (or kids, or a clumsy SO, even), you have to trade a perfectly spotless home for the joys of companionship, etc. Even well-behaved pets will sometimes gnaw and claw things, knock stuff over, or do their business where they shouldn't.

If I were you, I'd try to do as much research on pet rabbits as possible, try to talk to someone who has one, and honestly assess whether you're flexible enough to accept some imperfection in your abode. I hate it when people don't do any of this, adopt a pet, and then abandon it because it turns out to be more trouble than they'd anticipated.

I have two house rabbits. For the past three years, they've lived in Leith Petwerks Bunny Abode Condo (http://www.petwerks.com/indexpage.cfm?category=1). They're spendy, but better-looking than most and are of high quality. The older bunny, Messi, has recently transitioned into being free-roaming in the house because he's good about only chewing "his" toys. I keep his litterbox behind a pretty screen I picked up at a thrift store, and I keep his hay in box I painted with non-toxic milk paint, so he can jump in to eat it. There's still some stray hay, but cleaning it up as a I see it has become second nature.

I'm thinking about creating a space for them using a doggy pen, FLOR carpet tiles, and a large, potted, bunny-safe plant. Add toys (bunnybytes.com has cute ones), food, water, and voila! You can always find chic dishes for them to eat and drink from.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to get your bunny spayed/neutered. It will ensure he or she is 100% with the litterbox and significantly less inclined to damage furniture and baseboards. My bunnies came from the House Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) and the local humane society, so they were already fixed.

Sorry for the super long comment, but but I had my doubts when I brought my first bunny home in lieu of a cat and they have turned out to be clean, quiet, sweet, ADORABLE pets!

If you're considering a rabbit, please adopt! So many people buy baby bunnies on a whim and get rid of them when the winds change. For people in the Los Angles area, I've had a great experience with Sweetpea Foundation.
I have a four year old mini lop and consider his home to be an great addition to my space. My bun is about 6.5 pounds, so I bypassed the pet store norms and purchased a medium sized dog crate (be sure to purchase a home that has a plastic rather than wire floor for bun's paws). Then, I enlisted the boyfriend to construct a "table top" out of plywood and paint. It covers the entire top of his crate and some of the exposed side. That way, bun gets some privacy and I get some extra surface space-- something of great value to us both.
Aside from his own bunny space, don't forget that you'll need to bunny-proof. When I was bringing home baby, I spent a week and several trips to radio shack to cover all exposed cords with hard plastic. Most buns are chewers and cords pose a risk of electric. I'm lucky that my guy doesn't, but that isn't the norm and wrapped cords are decidedly unsightly.
Everyone told me bunnies are smelly, but my guests never notice a problem. I change his litter every three days and give him fresh hay daily.
All that being sad, my bun is the best and I consider him the perfect addition to my life and my home.

I had a house rabbit a long time ago when I was a single apt dweller. Tiamat has good info and I liked the article she linked. My bun was named JoJo too. They chew everything. Be careful of electric wires and don't let them eat plastic. Rabbits are loyal and loving to their owners. If given attention and affection, they return it.

I strongly second the advice to read the House Rabbit site.
http://www.rabbit.org/

A good friend, a certified wildlife rehabber and rabbit owner, fosters rabbits year round from ppl who think rabbits are jus these cute little bundles of cuddle. They eat a lot. They poop a lot. Some are incredibly smart and can range around a house safely and happily. (her current rabbit does this, including playing with her two Labs and begging for treats) Others will chew every cord, furniture leg and assorted bits a pieces including your fingers, will pee on everything and make you wish you had a hyperactive terrier instead. Plus, most rabbits really need a partner to keep them company. Unless you adopt a pair (fixed, of course) the process of pairing them requires expertise and time.
I've known many of her rabbits over the years and think they're great, but they taught me that I'm better with cats and dogs. Also, some folks are wildly allergic to their hair. And they can have lots.

Like any animal except statues, they require lots of time, money and attention to keep them happy and healthy. Please read and talk to people who have rabbits before you choose to have one. You could also look at fostering and see how that works.

i have heard that maine coon cats (http://www.mainecoonkittens.com/) are great for people with pet allergies. they're not technically cats (i don't know the science, but i think it boils down to that they're a subtly different species). they're more expensive than a standard housecat but it may be worth it if you're choice is expensive kitty or no kitty at all.

as a cat lover, i couldn't go without my 2 kitties!

ammanda- Consider a greyhound, they're basically big cats and aren't particularly dog-like in any traditional way.

You may well be allergic to the bunny. Depends on the type, I have a severe cat allergy and cannot be around angora bunnies but short haired bunnies are fine.
I had two dwarf rabbits in my early twenties and they were house trained (cat litter box) although, like my dog now, they had the occasional accident. I loved watching them hop around the place, but one did nearly electrocute itself on a lamp cord.
However, they are not as cuddly as they look. They are very shy and skittish creatures that do not necessarily like to be held and will hide under your bed at the least provocation. If you want something to love, you may have to wait for a dog friendly home.
BTW, be careful with the idea of building immunity to your cat allergy. I tried that and ended up having much worse symptoms.

Well, I have to comment on this one. Here is my experience - adopt adopt adopt. You will know the bunny's behavior and how clean they are beforehand. I would say contact your local rescue and ask to foster. They will provide you with what you need so that can give you a chance to try it out. Here is my story. I adopted Zuri, a 4 year old mix female. She was sick with pasteurella(kennel cough like, provoked by stress) when I got her , but she was the cleanest one of them all and she was just a sweetheart. I took her home, had to give her two shots of penicilline to help clear the illness. I decided to give her free range to reduce stress. All she has is a big tupperware for a litterbox (newspaper and hay on top), an awesome tent purchased on etsy for cozyness, a blanket to lay on and two nice dishes for food. Most people do not even know that I own a rabbit and she almost never ever has stuff laying around. She was never interested in wires/chewing on furniture because she always has great quality toys, quality hay and great food to munch on! My experience with my current bunny has been lovely. The only thing I have to clean up is the "dust bunnies" under my bed every now end then, because she loves to hang out under there!

Let me preface my comments by saying that I LOVE bunnies. I grew up with an adorable black dwarf bunny who lived in my bedroom. And to this day, I still incorporate bunnies into my decor (tastefully, I swear). BUT there are three things you should seriously consider before taking the plunge...

1) Bunnies chew everything, and unlike dogs, I don't think you can train them not to (at least I didn't have any success in the 7 years I had mine). He ate my carpet (like it was grass), chewed wires, nibbled books, etc. You really have to be alert when they are out of the cage hopping around.

2) POOP. Bunnies poop a lot. And if you keep them indoors, poop=smell. You can clean the cage every day, but I promise, when people walk into your apartment, they will notice (cedar wood chips help, but carry a distinct smell of their own). As for your concern about "spreading hay and pellets all over the place," my bunny always did his business in a nice contained corner of his cage (a self-designated "bathroom area" away from his food) and never on my rug.

3) Bunnies are not affectionate/loyal like cats and dogs. If you are really looking for a pet who will show you love, a bunny may not be the right fit.

That being said, bunnies are adorable and pretty low maintenance when it comes to pets. When the weather was warm, I would take mine outside and let him roam around the garden or put him on a leash for a hop in the park. My bunny was a great pet when I was 15...I'm just not sure I would do it all over again as an adult.

I don't want to raise false hopes... but my BF is very allergic to cats, but I just can't live without them. So we decided he would take shots, and we adopted 2 kittens... and waited for them to get big enough to be allergenic (they don't produce allergens really when they still have their baby fur). Well, they're huge now, but they never did seem to set off his allergies-- he still gets cat allergies at other people's homes (hives, sneezing, stuffy nose, etc)... but no allergies at all to ours! He basically seems to have gotten acclimated, you might do the same if you had a cat from when it was small and grew used to it slowly.

allisonharris- Maine Coons ARE cats and they DO cause cat allergies. DO NOT LISTEN TO THAT WEBSITE. http://blog.scienceinsociety.northwestern.edu/2009/06/curiosity-killed-the-hypoallergenic-cat/

Sounds like you shouldn't get pets then. A Dog would be my suggestion if you were up for it, because they are essentially the easiest to train and the cleanest except shedding.

I dont like cats because of litter boxes, and rabbits and rodents for the same reason. I love guinea pigs but yeah you will have to deal with an ugly cage and the woodchips were EVERYWHERE no matter how hard I tried to keep the woodchips in the cage. Rabbits, same deal. And they can be out but they WILL leave droppings.

Bunnies can be pretty destructive and require a lot of supervision. My boyfriend had a beloved bunny that he managed to housetrain by diligently catching any accidents - he would unlatch his bunny's cage door whenever he was home and the bunny would excitedly go bounding around the house. If the bunny had an accident, he'd grab the bunny and march it right back into its cage.

He never managed to train the bunny not to chew things. His bunny destroyed some very expensive stereo cables and clothes, and the back of a couch. It seemed to have a sixth sense for finding the most valuable thing in the room within reach and chewing the crap out of it. It was smart enough to wait until my boyfriend wasn't looking, or to chew things that my boyfriend couldn't see from where he was sitting.

I'll second what Auburn said - most people don't realize the amount of work that goes into taking care of bunnies or other animals that live in cages. Bunnies, guinea pigs, and the like are actually very social animals that need your attention and affection. If you're not going to be able to spend at least an hour or two playing with your pet every day you should probably get a fish.

Some people think of small animals as a short-term commitment - not so. My guinea pigs each lived over six years. And small animals do get sick as well, and can run up vet bills just like a cat or a dog.

On the topic of guinea pigs, I had two. I never managed to housetrain them. They pooped and peed all over their own beds and in their food, so I don't think they quite grasped the concept of "it's not okay to do your business here." They also managed to pull up a corner of the wall-to-wall carpet and chewed it up.

That said, they were adorable. And guinea pigs are actually very affectionate and not biters if properly socialized and well-treated. My pigs were content to sit in my lap and watch TV with me for hours, purring away while I pet them. Yes, guinea pigs purr almost like cats - it's more like a funny burbling squeak, it's the cutest sound ever. If they needed a pee break, they would get up and tug on my shirt with their teeth, so at least they never peed on me!

I agree with Tiamat_the_Red about contacting the House Rabbit Society www.rabbit.org to get informed about rabbits and I strongly recommend adopting from them and NOT buying from breeders.

We have two rabbits that live in our bedroom (cage-free). They are trainable like cats and dogs, especially litter trainable. They are happiest as a bonded pair, not single, and would probably be miserable in a cage. But if you are willing to let the bunnies out to play a lot, you could make one of these http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-build-a-modern-rabbit-hutch-designsponge-089590

They do need to chew since their teeth never stop growing, so you'd need to cover all of your electrical wires and probably your baseboards if you have them. We covered our baseboards with hard, clear plastic. I can't assure you of anything in regards to wood furniture. Our bedroom furniture is all metal so we've avoided an issue there. I would recommend giving them apple branches or untreated pine on which to chew to keep them content.

Anyway, good luck with your decision.

Another vote for you to please check out the House Rabbit Society. They are an invaluable resource.

My ex and I had a house rabbit. My ex was allergic to cats; he had no problems with the bunny. The allergen most folks respond to with cats is actually not the fur but is a protein in their saliva. Bunnies do not have the same protein.

Our bun was litter-trained; never once did he pee on the carpet and the only poos he ever left were when we told him "no" about something and he would very purposefully hop over to us and leave a single one on the floor at our feet in an act of passive aggression. He only bit once, and that was because we were trying to syringe feed him medicine. (And you ain't lived till you've tried to syringe feed a rabbit.)

We kept him in a cage when we were not home. Prepare to bunny-proof. It can be done attractively, but I'm very serious about this. Our bun chewed through unprotected Bose speaker wires in exactly two seconds.

Bunnies don't like to be held much; prepare to spend a lot of time on the floor bonding. That's not to say that they are not affectionate. Mine licked my hands and face every morning when I went in to say hello.

Rabbits are, contrary to popular belief, very clean - not unlike cats. They are only as dirty as their humans allow their cages to become. Ours was downright anal-retentive. He picked up his feed dishes in his mouth when he was done with them and stacked them.

In terms of how much of a time commitment you can expect to make, they require more attention than cats and less than dogs. Also, be prepared for your vet bills. Vets consider bunnies "exotics." Their medical bills will reflect this, and rabbits have notoriously temperamental digestive tracts. Make sure you've got a doc in the area who knows how to treat rabbits; not everyone does. Also be prepared to buy them a lot of fresh greens to eat and hay, in addition to dry pellet feed. (This is due, in large, to that aforementioned cranky digestive tract. The good news is, if you like kale, you will always have it in the house.)

I loved that rabbit like crazy. They can live to be about 7 or so years old. It broke my heart when he died.

What about a bird?!?!?

Addendum to house rabbits...

Many vets don't know anything about rabbits which means you have to find the rarer vet who treats "exotics." It can be more expensive and harder to find this species of vet.

honestly, i've never seen or read so much misinformation. the house rabbit society link is the best possible resource, but here are a few observations/realities from someone who has a house rabbit.

1. for starters, rabbits ARE easily house trained. it's natural for them to want to use the same familiar place. mine uses a litter box and roams the apartment freely whether i'm there or not. spaying/neutering practically eliminates stray poops, and will almost 100% eliminate stray urination. rabbits poop/urinate all over to attract the opposite sex. once that need is gone, their nature dictates a normal place -- like a litter box.

2. spaying/neutering helps keep rabbits healthy and can extend their lives.

3. rabbits are EXTREMELY affectionate. if you lived in a 2x2 box all day, you'd be a little irritated, too. they are territorial, nothing more. their houses, or in mine's case, her litter box are theirs. they protect it like any other animal (humans included). give them their own space and they will appreciate it.

4. Roo will almost daily wake me up with a morning visit. she leaps up on the bed and snuggles, licks, and asks for affection. not all rabbits do this, and others of mine in the past have not, but they have been far more affectionate in other ways. some like to be held, some not. the point is, they are all their own individuals, not automatons.

5. Roo is the best of a cat, and the best of dogs. she is trained to use a litter box, come when called, clean, and affectionate. she sheds, but so do all furred animals. grooming is the key. as far as maintenance goes, i'd rather clean her litter box 2-3 times a week and handle a stray pebble, than scoop fresh dog crap. just me. as for other maintenance, i get out what i put in. she gets love, shelter, food, etc. and in return i get the best pet anyone could ask for.

6. as for chewing, scratching, etc. rabbits are creatures of habit. very much so. redirection is the way to go. give her a scratch box filled with old towels or newspaper, redirect her to it when she wants to dig on something else. she'll get the drift. they learn. i'm not surprised, but i am frustrated with how many people are so unwilling to accept that any animal when given love and direction can easily perform the tasks of a cat or dog. my friends are always "amazed" and that's sweet, but it shouldn't have to be. bunnies are wonderful pets, and if you give them the attention and training they will learn to treat your place like home.

Also - http://www.flickr.com/groups/bunnyloversunite/ :)

oh my god DO NOT GET A BUNNY! my boyfriend's roommate has two bunnies and here is what they do:

-repeatedly miss the litterbox (poop pellets and urine is always on the floor)
-refuse to go to the litterbox if there is a hood on it, so you always have to look at poop and wet newspapers
-eat the drywall
-eat the rubber off electrical cords
-eat shoe soles
-bite
-eat a synthetic fiber rug, then end up in the hospital with a $1000 vet bill to clear out blocked intestines
-eat fresh produce all the time (gets expensive)

Yes, animals make a mess--all animals, I suspect. They cost you money and time. Some (most?) rob you of sleep. Most wreck your stuff, at least on occasion.

That said, I wouldn't trade my golden retriever for the world. He's given us so much more than he's taken from us. Your carpet will get dirty when you invite another creature with a heartbeat to live on it. You just won't care as much. :)

My ex was allergic to everything, including cats. However he didn't have a major problem with my half Persian. She shed in clumps as opposed to little hairs all over the place so as long as he didn't shmooze with her he was ok. Obviously vacuuming the dust bunnies (dust kitties?) regularly was essential.

Also keeping her out of the bedroom so there was a completely clean area probably helped. He didn't have to sleep with her fur floating about. We had radiator heat so that may have helped. I'm not sure if forced air heating and cooling might create some problems disseminating the fur.

I had a bunny in an apartment. HEre are the pros and cons:

Pros:
* It's something alive, other than you, in an apartment.
* it's adorable
* they aren't very expensive to maintain
* they are fluffy and you can pet them (difficult to pet a fish)
* They can be litter-box trained, pretty easily, actually.
* they are super-adorable when they groom themselves. Like stare at them for hours adorable.
* They are quiet.

Cons:
* They often like to bite wires. Mine generally didn't, but one day our cable went out. The bunny who "never chewed wires" had chewed through the entire coaxle cable. Luckily it doesn't carry much current.
* They SHED. Like mad. ALL year long. Not only on your clothes, but EVERYWHERE. It floats in the air.
* They can smell. I used cedar chips in the litter box, but still, there's waste in there so it will smell unless you're diligent.
* They don't make any noise, which can be good (see above), but it's also sort of lonely. We now have cats and we love that they meow.
* They can bite. If you have a friendly rabbit, this will generally be rare. But it's a nip that stings when they do.
* They don't express much excitement at your existence. Cats: aloof, but they act like you're there. Dogs: Uber excited when you come home. Rabbits? No difference.
* They are kinda stupid. It's difficult to train them. Litter boxes are the exception; mine took to that pretty quickly and would get wiggly when I was holding him and he HAD to go. But other than that, he didn't do much. Wouldn't even stay in his bed if I put it on my desk.

Like having any animal in your house there are compromises. My friend has several rabbits in her home and her place is very clean and orderly. She build little condos for them and have their own room. They also are so well adjusted and loving that is because she really works with them and spends lots of time with them.

Here is a link to her site, she is an expert on them.

http://home.comcast.net/~izanagi/rabbit_needs.htm

good luck.

Get a snake instead.

There is a lot of advice about rabbits here, I don't think you need any more.

As for alternative ideas for pets, might I suggest a leopard gecko. If you are not too freaked out by lizards, they are by far the loveliest of pet. They have a leathery skin and are easy to keep. As they are in a cage they will not mess with your decor too much. But they can come out and walk around your hands, mine sometime falls asleep in my hands. Oh - bonus, they only poo in one part of their cage, once you find the spot then you can put down a paper towel and change it 1x/week. They eat meal worms or crickets, and need their water dish filled, they need a warm spot and a hiding spot. That's about it.

i agree with the comments to volunteer or foster different animals to see what works best for you. it will help an animal in need & you can see what happens with your allergies.

any pet is bound to be some sort of mess, so keep that in mind! i've had all kinds of pets at different times & i am now just a dog person (you interact with them more & it means no more litter or bedding or pee & poop staying in my home at all). i know you can't have a dog, so maybe hold out. it took me 2 years to find a dog friendly apartment where i live, but it gave me 2 years to research & learn so much about having a dog before i got one.

i personally am still ocd about my place & things, but after getting a puppy a year ago (& now have a 2nd) i learned to get over stuff or put the extra effort in to deal with it because they are totally worth it! even the little puppy paw print shadows on my white couch when they pull the cover off when playing on it. & the list could go on. but i still have a nice place & things. it just takes extra effort to keep it that way. again, so worth it. (and i'm even back on allergy shots too.)

I once had a rabbit that I absolutely adored, but he was a pee and poo MACHINE.

If you are *really* invested in having a beautiful, pristine home with every precious object safely in its place, then you might think twice before getting a pet.

Pets are wonderful (I grew up in a house w/ several cats & a dog), but they take A LOT of work and attention, if you want to give them the happy, healthy lives they deserve. Pet ownership is a commitment that can last years, and there's nothing sadder than a neglected pet who spends long hours all by itself in an empty apartment or house.

And even the best pets can make a lot of mess -- scratching furniture and floors, chewing things that were never meant to be chewed, peeing in the exact place you don't want them to pee, and so on.

And you will have hair everywhere, no matter how often you vacuum.

Kudos to you for really thinking through whether your lifestyle meshes with having an animal. Every time I walk by my local animal shelter, I with that more people carefully thought through the commitment before getting a pet.

A bunny would be adorable, but please PLEASE read this article about bunnies: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/07/21/petscol072109.DTL which references this site http://www.rabbit.org/ about how to live with bunnies. They can be litter box trained just as a cat and can be taught not to chew on things you don't want chewed on like a dog. It just takes a little know-how. Then you'll just have to read all the posts on here about how to handle litter boxes!

My sister has a bunny (drawf rabbit) and although hes a cutie I was a little concerned when we moved in together. I didn't want to wake up and step in poo on the way to the kitchen or bathtub. Thats another thing she lets it roam around the house, merely leaving the cage door open so he can go back and get food or water whenever.

However she has converted me. Why? because she litter trained her rabbit! its actually quite amazing to me. She has a cat litter box that has one of those plastic grates on it. The bunny hops up on the top, does his buisness which falls through the grate, and then he hops down. No mess, no fuss.

So if your serious about keeping your place tip top and spotless I would advise you do this. Litter train the critter.

after I got a puppy, I was pretty bummed when she chewed on my mid-century one-of-a-kind furniture, I was bummed when she chewed apart one of my couch cushions--at some point, if you own an animal, you just have to get over yourself, your apartment, and stop comparing your living space with the photos you see in magazines and blogs. . they're taken during photo shoots, with great photographers, set designers etc. . .Get the pet, be happy. being happy is more important than looking perfectly pretty. trust me.

If you are interested in an animal with the intelligence level of a dog, you might consider a ferret. Ferrets chew less than rabbits, are as playful as dogs, and more trainable than a cat. They do have a scent, but I understand that neutering them lessens this.

Maybe get a fish?

A friend had a sweet rabbit who was litterbox trained and very affectionate. However, he ate all the newly installed wood trim in their home (they were on their third trim carpenter) and left occasional raisins behind furniture. She loved him anyway but her husband banished the bunny to the garage.

What about some other kind of small pet? We had a white rat in elementary school and she was terrific--great personality, good with kids.

I'd say definitely take previous commenters advice and do your homework. You can have a clean house with intact furniture (I have four cats) but it takes work.

Matty: THANK YOU SO MUCH! for thinking about weather or not a pet will fit into your lifestyle BEFORE getting the pet!

That said, I know little to nothing about rabbits, but there are other pets out there, too. You can go talk to your local SPCA, and they'll help you find a pet that is right for you.

This is how you know you really want a pet: You are willing to let them piss and shit and puke all over the place because you love them enough to clean up after them. You don't mind that no matter what you do, from rollers to vaccuums to grooming, there will be fur everywhere. From your desciption, i don't think you're ready, especially for a rabbit.

But if you insist, my friend used to have a trained rabbit who pooped and peed in their tub. that being said, the rabbit was never alone. and rabbit piss STINKS

@wrenx it sounds like the questioner is in California. I'm just guessing but since this is on AT:SF, it's a decent one. If she is, then she can't legally buy a ferret, which isn't to say people don't have them, but they're hard to get.

Get a parakeet. Birds tend to go well with decor, pretty to look at and all, and if you just get one, it will bond with you and love you. They do have important needs and will require a little research (no calla lilies or teflon for instance) to keep them healthy and happy, but I know rabbits smell pretty bad and the clean up is a big job. A little bird on the other hand might be better for a first time pet owner.
Then again, it's all up to what you're willing to handle...

Try a toy poodle instead. Their fur doesn't shed, so they're good for people with allergies. Bunnies aren't. Neither are guinea pigs or any other kind of furry rodent.

If you have a pet, you have to accept that your home might not be "perfect." I have a well-trained Bouvier, but he's 13 now and incontinent. He pees all over everything, even though he used to be well trained. We're not going to put him down because of that -- we just live with it. If you can't, don't get a mammal.

My best friend has had a bunny in her NYC apartment for years now. Maddy is cute as can be, and super soft with adorable floppy ears. But she could care less about humans and she eats everything. I mean everything. The buttons on the remote control. The wiring for the computer and cable. Magazines. My duffel bag, which I now know not to leave on the floor when I visit. And on and on. She's hard on high-end decor.

I agree with jessbink that birds are ideal first-time pets. Parakeets and cocktiels will sit on your finger or shoulder and sing to you. You can also let them fly free in your home (if you cover up mirrors and windows.) They only poop right after you feed them.

Like many others, I urge you to please check out the house rabbit society.

Bunnies are very different than cats and dogs.

They really should not be kept in a cage all the time, and can make quite a mess when they roam free. If you like "everything in its place," they may not be right for you.

Bunnies are great pets! Maybe not such a great idea for a first-timer. I have a pet rabbit. He lives in the house (they should not be kept outside), & does not leave hay/pellets/etc. all around the house. He is litter trained, so no worries about those messes.
I've had rabbits in the past that were very affectionate & some that were not. A rabbit that is kept in a cage 100% of the time will be less affectionate. My rabbit stays in a large cage while I'm away & plays all around the house when I'm home.
The only real complaints are shedding (I vacuum a lot) & chewing (rabbits will chew on EVERYTHING!).

Too cute. You may want to look into getting a dwarf bunny. They stay small = less mess.

I never knew that people put leashes on their bunnies and take them out until I saw this funny website. http://www.disapprovingrabbits.com/. Might be one way to let it out of the cage from time to time w/o messing up your entire place.

You cannot generalize all rabbits as "easy to litter-train" or "biters" as I have had 5 rabbits and they have all had completely different personalities, as do cats and dogs. I've had some that only went pee/poop in their box, some who would only go in their cage, and one who I nicknamed "Destructo". Some were very affectionate, some were skittish and shy. My current bunny, "Alley McBunny" uses her litter box and also tends to think outside the box which is probably due to the cats getting in there from time to time and sleeping in there. I let my bunny free-range in the kitchen, because there are no dangerous cords, and it's easier to clean up. Alley is also a beggar and goes completely nuts when I open the refrigerator door. Cuteness personified- but also a lot of work. Also, rabbits (and chinchillas) can get what is called Gastro-intestinal Statis which causes them to quit eating and pooping, and requires immediate and sometimes expensive, vet care. I'm with the other posters who said that if a pristine, no pet-hair-environment is your priority, or you're getting a pet that will go well with your interior design scheme- please do not get a pet.

Oh, I forgot a photo of Alley McNaughty http://www.flickr.com/photos/julesschroom/3515750629/in/set-676224/

There's a bunny that lives in a local bookstore and they had to move all the bottom rows of books because he chewed on them too much.

He was massive and adorable though. None of the chain bookstores have bunnies following you around when you're shopping.

That's all I know about bunnies.

If you're so worried about how your apartment will look and having "cute" pet things...get a fish & create an elaborate set up in their tank. Chusmabilly said everything right...your pet will be the king or queen of your place...not you.

Before you adopt any pet, do your research. Best suggestion is to contact a rescue organization for that particular species. Their job is to be that animals advocate...and they'll be more honest about the pros and cons of the critter than someone who is just WILD about bunnies, or pot belly pigs, etc.

I am so far over on the spectrum toward NOT keeping my house perfect that you'd think I wouldn't mind pets, but after my current beloved elderly gentleman cat goes (and it could still be years) no more pets for me. I'm not a good hausfrau to begin with and the cats have made it nearly impossible for me to have a house the way I want it. I recommend a Chia Pet!

Re: the suggestions above about getting a bird instead. If you're considering this, be careful and again, do your homework. Some of them live longer than cats or dogs (decades) and can become very attached to their humans, to the point of being aggressive with other people.

I currently have a rabbit in my apartment and like those I have had in the past, he does chew. Although while my last rabbit chewed the baseboards and the spines off my books, this rabbit only wants to chew fabric.

They can be totally affectionate, but I'd steer clear of lionheads if that's what you're after. They are notoriously territorial and agressive (but still lovable!). Whatever you end up getting, if you end up getting a rabbit - know the commitment, they live quite a long time if care for properly, AND GET IT NEUTERED (for smell, health and temperment - SO WORTH IT.).

Matty my dear, you do not need a pet.

You need a boyfriend/girlfriend.

I keep a pristine house and I have a dog. She is a 10-pound Rat terrier and Chihuahua mix and she makes less of a mess than my husband. She has a lot of energy and loves to run around but I trained her not to pee and poo on the rugs, and I trained her not to chew on anything other than her chew sticks or toys. The only thing she ever chewed was part of a book and that's because it was left on the floor.

When we leave the house, we let her roam in the office and kitchen but not the rest of the house. The point is, if you take the time to train your pet, it will do just fine. Oh, and when I say pristine, I mean pristine.

I want a cute little creature to spoil who will love me. I'm thinking of a bunny rabbit...

"Bunny rabbit"? Good grief, are you six years old?

It's funny you should meantion this. I just read an article on making a modern Eames inspired rabbit hutch on a budget! The result was really really great and I think it'd work wonders for you!

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/07/diy-project-nicoles-modern-bunny-hutch.html

I didn't get the chance to read through to see if anyone else suggested getting another pet all together... okay you said you can't have dogs, thats probably because of your landlord... you're allergic to cats... bunnies are super messy... but what about something totally different? I can't say from experience and I'm not going to look it up on the internet but farrets are kind of like crazy hyper cats but I would think their fur would be different... they stink but you can get their "stinky" glands removed i've heard... or I also knew someone who had a sugar glider.. they are basically like flying squirrels but she used to take it everywhere with her, she had it like wrapped up in one of those baby sling things (i thought it was weird at the time) but it seemed that it might be affectionate with it's owner... might be worth looking into since you can't have a basic cat or dog. I don't know though I might be completely wrong... But I wouldn't think they would chew on stuff as much?

Check out volunteer opportunities at the San Francisco Animal Care and Control:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp

And the SF SPCA:
http://www.sfspca.org/

Check out this dog volunteer program at ACC:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp?id=6662

You get to LEARN via their free programs to teach. You get to interact with a wide variety of dogs. Practice leash walking, playing, etc.

This benefits the dog and you. You get to enjoy their company, but they never mess up your house. They get to enjoy playing and walking and getting used to different people, which is very important for finding them a good home.

You can LEARN about other animals while you are there. Like all the small animals, which may include rabbits. And you will get to learn about cleaning up after them, because that is part of the job of caring for an animal.

Animals are like children that never grow up and move out. You'll always have to care for them, clean up after them, make their meals, take them to the vet, for their entire life.

Retraining an animal that likes to chew is not that possible. It's in their genes to do so...as it is with cats to claw/scratch. If you don't understand the nature of the animal, and accept the consequences, you shouldn't HAVE the animal in the first place.

Get a cute stuffed animal. Get a bird cage as decor without the bird. Get a neat water fountain without the fish.

My cats have NEVER vacuumed the floor, and they never will. No matter how much I want them to...LOL! They'll never do their own dishes or clean their own boxes. Worst of all, they will never be able to speak the same language to tell me what specifically they really want or need.

And I will never be able to explain to them why I can't always have clumping litter they really like (because it's too expensive and is a total carpet disaster).

Learn the nature of the animal.

And, if that still doesn't clue you in, try traveling to another country where you don't speak the language which also has different customs and try to express your needs.

You want to use the bathroom and after much leg crossing, someone finally shows you this:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4jJ_n6R9NSZ1-JZ6OxXSzg

It's sort of like that, for cats. And all animals, I'd guess.

"You want me to do what?...in the what?"

I just got my rabbit a little over a month ago (she is just over two months old) and so far only a couple trim boards and one wire have been chewed. The most important part about having a rabbit is to give it something that it CAN chew, since their teeth grow throughout their lives. The best thing that I have found for her so far is a woven cube from IKEA. At night, when she is kept in the cage, it gets chewed on, and during the I just keep my eye on her.

Also, rabbits are relatively east to litter box train. If you get a young one, you just have to have patience. Our rabbit has two boxes because she tends to go in two different areas of the house. And while she might not always go in the box, she always goes in the vicinity of the box. Since she is so young, it will take longer for her to pick up on.

Over all, it isn't hard to take care of a rabbit. It is very enjoyable. Our rabbit is a licker, and LOVES to be pet and scratched behind the ears and along the jaw (She is a cute Lion head-Rex mix).

hamster. get a hamster!

I would really urge you to look at a a non allergic breed of cat, there are a few types and they will be MUCH better company than a bunny, I've had rabbits and they are great pets but they don't really give the love back.

Allergy free cats don't all look like those crazy hairless Mexican things (although I'm sure they are great pets too). try the Devon Rex or the water loving Sphynx! A couple I know have reported being allergic to cats, however found that they were not allergic to Siamese kitties, as they are REALLY low shedders.

Also as a little note unless you keep your bunnies cage or area super clean (i mean daily cleaning and changing of litter, bedding etc... ) their little homes can start to small like a barnyard.

Somehow the thought of an animal meant to be hopping and running around forced into a motionless life in a cage now seems selfish to me (no, not a PETA member) I had a girlfriend with cute bunny as a pet which chewed on sofa legs, table legs, boxes, china cabinet, books, practically anything wood or paper till it dawned on us that it has those 'cute' front teeth have a purpose.

My dwarf rabbit pooped on everything (the Scottie dog followed her around like an M&M dispenser...). Though, I'm not sure we ever tried to litter train her. She also chewed all the rubber off many many cords.

Sorry if anyone already said this; there were just too many comments to read! I have two rabbits that are cute and wonderful, but they do like to destroy things. My rabbits are housebroken (literbox trained) so they are allowed to run around the apartment in the evening. They love to eat wires and any wood that sticks out (they won't mess with round furniture legs). You MUST get a rabbit spayed or neutered or they are harder to litter box train, chew things even more, and develop a few nasty habbits like spraying. I love them to death, but they do make a big mess!

i second the vote for a chinchilla!!

chinchillas are a bit easier than rabbits. they are the cutest things ever and can be very affectionate if treated well. they still chew things, but not as much. if you provide them with adequate "wood chew blocks", they don't chew your furniture. both rabbits and chinchillas MUST chew something or else the teeth can grow upwards into the brain and kill the animal.

chinchillas are not prone to as much biting, kicking or burrowing the cedar chips as rabbits are. i had a male, he was not fixed and in 5 years never sprayed anything. you can't litter box train them, but their poop is dry and solid and can easily be picked up with a swift dustbuster.

they are great house pets as long as you don't live in a hot, tropical climate. they have dense coats, and need to stay kind of cool. they cannot get wet, so they bathe themselves in volcanic ash that you buy in pet stores. this is hilarious to watch (youtube the term: chinchilla bath, you'll see)

I read that article, have been a vegetarian since I was 10, had cats since I was 5, and no way in he|| would I try to make my cats vegetarians! Who would think cats that catch mice and birds were ever supposed to be vegetarians?

Glad to hear bunnies can be affectionate animals, though.

I have had a cage-free rabbits for five years in very nice apartments with much success and I think they make wonderful pets with some work. We just adopted a new baby and are in the process of training him. Rabbits should NOT be kept in cages. It is like keeping a cat in a cage. It also makes it very difficult to train them not to chew. Rabbits explore with their teeth, so if the space outside their cage is not very very familiar, they will destroy it. It also leads to obesity and poor social skills. Rabbit are as affectionate as puppies when raised properly. They love to cuddle and give kisses and will follow you around every where you go. They are very smart, come when you call and listen to you when you tell them no. They also are very good staying clean and using a litter box. It takes a lot of time and attention and sometimes a spray bottle to train a rabbit. They are in no way low-maintenance, but they make such great pets. I recommend getting a baby (no younger than 8 weeks) male, they will grow up to be the most affectionate. Good luck.

Also, importantly: the choice of litter is so important. Cedar chips give bunnies liver problems and they smell. I use low-dust clay litter, like one would use for a cat and there is virtually no smell at all unless it has been more that two weeks. I get comments all the time about how good my apartment smells and how you would never know I had pets. Also, I am allergic to almost all animals; cats, dogs, horses, etc. But not to rabbits at all.

"ammanda- Consider a greyhound, they're basically big cats and aren't particularly dog-like in any traditional way."
posted by Mocena

I second that - I have ex-racers (who often come with severe behavioural problems due to abuse during their racing days) and if you have the time and energy, they are definitely amazing dogs who will love you and who have massively cat-like personalities.

3 other things:

1. I second the idea that cat allergies can be overcome by acclimatising yourself, I'm allergic to house dust but never my own;

2. be aware that every bit of love, joy and affection you get from a pet will be equalled by the grief (and often baseless guilt) you'll inevitably feel when they die, often unexpectedly or after an illness that's devastating to witness, as your little friend suffers in wordless misery and bewilderment;

3. don't buy from breeders - 7 million or so domestic pets are put to sleep in America alone each year, because greedy people over-breed while good animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, all kinds, are turfed out of their homes to a speedy death at the hands of strangers.

Really consider how much you're willing to take on, in terms of commitment, and emotional investment - I love my dogs (past & present) more than anything, and they've enriched my life and made me a better person, but if I'd known beforehand exactly how much grief, expense, hassle and worry they'd cause me, I would have seriously reconsidered the decision to adopt them.

« Apple tree branches make good chewing sticks for bunnies and look good in a nice heavy (so they dont tip it over) vase or container.
« Get a bunny to compliment your style. I had a brown bunny called Gumbo Thunder who always looked out of place. Now I have two grey ones, and they look so much better running around my mostly black/grey/white stuff. They chew ( Gumbo didn't ) and while I did have to change these bookcases, ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2f8iyerZNI ) the new legs i put on them stopped that.

another poster has already pointed out the large amounts of misinformation here, but please do not put your bunny in the bath. If they jump up they will slip and could break their backs on the hard surface.

I have a Holland Lop who was given to me at 4 months old by a friend who moved into a dorm and could no longer keep him.

At first, he was a nibbler. He didn't bite, but he sure nibbled, and yeah, it could hurt. But I couldn't resist his cute little face, and so I took him in.

He did nibble on the wooden legs of my couch when I first got him, and when I would catch him doing it, I'd "thump" my hand down on the carpet which is rabbit lingo for "warning" or "danger." He learned very quickly that my thumps meant "no!" I gave him is own toys to nibble on and he's left my furniture alone ever since.

He loves to dig, so I put down a towel on my rug so that he doesn't pull out the wool. And I cut up toilet paper rolls that he loves to toss around; it keep him busy for a long time! These are easily stored away when company comes over.

My rabbit is extremely affectionate -- not sure why most people insist that rabbits aren't. He "grooms" my eyebrows, arm and face regularly. And he loves to be cuddled and petted.

Rabbit pee WILL ruin your rugs/floors if you don't treat it immediately. There's a spray I bought at PJ's Pet Store that contains enzymes to neutralize the pee. A few spritzes, and the yellow disappears, as does the pungent smell. You need this spray -- regular carpet stain neutralizer won't work. Just a heads-up.

And you can also buy a litter pan with a wire top which helps to keep your rabbit's bottom and feet clean. My rabbit pretty much only goes in his litter box. I occasionally find the odd poop in the living room where he runs around the most, but that's it.

My rabbit also goes through 2 major sheds a year (spring and fall) where enough tufts of hair can be removed to create a whole other rabbit lol! Just make sure you have a great vacuum and it won't be a problem.

I am very design conscious and my rabbit has not interfered with my decor. I wouldn't trade him for the world ... I love that little guy!

When I moved into my first apartment, I chose a couple of bunnies as pets instead of cats (my cat allergies did not translate into a bunny allergy.) They had free roam of the house whenever I was at home with them (and a large hutch to live in while I was away) and I can vouch for the fact that they are clean animals (even the poop is clean- the first time I had to scrub up a giant, messy pile left behind by an ill dog, I pined for my bunnies) but they do chew everything in sight.
They aren't "affectionate" insofar as they don't like being grabbed, picked up, or held on your lap- but mine loved to hop up my legs while i sat on the couch and crawl into my hoodie.
Bunnies are lovely house pets if you adequately prepare for what you are getting yourself into- if you havent had a pet before I would suggest starting small- hamsters or guinea pigs- in order to see if you are being realistic about how much time/clean up you are actually willing to devote to a pet.

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/february-jumpstart-2009-entries/how-to-make-a-house-rabbit-littergarden-sookis-february-jumpstart-project-2009-077053?image_id=1856

As a suggestion for an alternative pet, how about fish? I’ve had fish and I have a dog, and also took in a guinea pig for someone for a bit.
Whereas the guinea pig would poo like there was no tomorrow (and rabbit bite), fish are beautiful that way. It’s really soothing looking at them. It’s much easier to get a feeder or someone to pop in and feed them if you are away. The only hassle is cleaning out the aquarium. In terms of aesthetics, I don’t need to even tell you how lovely an aquarium can look and how many wonderful ways the mini ecosystem can be arranged! The only cautionary note there would be suiting the surroundings to the fish ie don’t put coral in with freshwater fish (a mistake I made as a child).
You could even colour coordinate your fish to your decor to some extent!!

I don't know about the bunny -- but the yellow nail polish has to go.

i agree with animo...

Another pet idea for you would be a hedgehog. If you get one with a good temperament, you will find yourself with a sweet, fairly low maintenance, hypo-allergenic, and surprisingly affectionate pet. I had one for almost five years and found it to be a wonderful companion.

I have a rabbit- his name is Sweetpea and he is one of 5 rabbits I've had, 3 of those have been albinos I've found abandoned on the side of the road. He is one of those albinos, when I rescued him he fit into the palm of my hand!

Rabbits get a bad wrap of being boring and unaffectionate, but if you spend a lot of time with yours, you'll help bring out its personality and make him/her really friendly and fun. Keeping them in a cage and not interacting is a sure way to make them bored and lonely, rabbits are really social...and nosey. Gosh are they nosey.

Mine knows his name and comes when called, and makes the cutest happy rabbit soft grunting noises. He also will lick you feverishly when you scratch his hips and groom your hair.

He also loves to be cuddled, he'll sit in your lap and melt while you pet him. He'll position himself in the crook of your neck and coo.

And yeah, their pee smells terrible and stains. But, they are really easy to potty train.

Rabbits!

I had a rabbit as a kid and what people are saying is right on the money. Mine was litter trained but still chewed everything including woodwork and electrical wires. I would never have a rabbit in an apartment because of the cadge/litter changing issue, without an outdoor space it could become very messy and unpleasant.
My preferred apartment pet is cat but in your case I would suggest a gerbil, guinea pig, snake or lizard, you can find one that would show as much affection as a rabbit and would fit your lifestyle much better.

One of the more low-maintenance pets is a greyhound. They don't need a lot of exercise (more sprinters than long-distance), love to curl up and relax on the couch, and don't have a "dog odor"! They are more like cats than dogs- read up on them and see if they would work for you!

Rabbits are demons! (Cute, but demons nonetheless.)

I have two mini-lops now, and had one before that died of jaw abscesses, a common complaint and a nasty one. Our clinic vet practice didn't know what to do. Now one of our other rabbits has an abscess, too. This time we are seeing an exotic pets specialist and giving subcutaneous penicillin shots, currently every three days, at home, to try to reduce or eliminate the abscess prior to surgery on her jaw at the end of January. The shots cost about $11 each when administered at home (for MONTHS.) The surgery will be between $800-$1200. Any pet can have problems requiring veterinary care, but this is a very common problem with rabbits, and not a joke.

Cedar chips have vapors that many believe cause kidney problems for rabbits. Don't use them.

Clumping cat litter can be ingested by rabbits when they groom themselves and cause fatal gastric blockages. Don't use that either.

(We spend about $75 every six weeks or so for "Carefresh" bedding material to use as litter, a recycled newspaper product that is absorbant and not harmful to the buns. I get it mail order from Petco.)

Our buns eat a small salad of greens, broccoli, green peppers, etc. in the morning and evening, plus alfalfa pellets (1/3 cup per meal) plus fresh Oxbow hay every meal. The pellets are cheap but for ideal health we should get timothy hay pellets, which are more. The Oxbow hay, nutritionally better than other kinds, costs $25 a bag which lasts maybe 1-2 months. Much is wasted if they pee in it, and they do, because you don't want that sitting around... They get a baby carrot each and a one inch slice of banana as treats most days, and sometimes a dried cherry, although the sugar content of these things is not good for them, so we have to watch it.

In our old house, the bunnies were free to roam -- they generally slept under one of our beds, meaning they had hay there as well. Vacuum cleaners choke on hay. A factor nobody has mentioned is that rabbits have a two part digestive process. After eating they exude cecum, which looks like wet clusters of poop and which smells absolutely obnoxious, particularly if under your bed!!! Generally they do this at night. They eat this material which contains a lot of essential nutrients (sort of like a cow chewing it's cud...) If their diet is too rich, they make too much cecum and it ends up on the flooring. (Certain medical conditions cause this as well.) When this dries it is hell to clean up. We bought small bound carpet remnants (5x6') and put them where they lived, and threw them away periodically.

Rabbits are actively attracted to cords (they look like vines) and chew on them a lot, causing many bunny deaths. In our house, they chomped on at least 2 $70 fire wire cables a few years ago -- might be cheaper now. It only takes a split second. You might get a bunny that doesn't do this, but you can't rely on that, so you need to buy cable covers and clips to protect any cords, especially power cords, and try to block access to hidden areas (behind desks and tvs) as well. I have lots of books. We bought perforated metal radiator cover panels and cut them the heights of our bottom book shelves, bending ends in to fit like bookends around the books. (You had to pull them out to see what was on the shelf, but they didn't look bad.) The bunnies still pulled books off the next shelf up, though, and destroyed them.

If you get a bun with the right personality (and that is hard to ascertain) you might have a fun playful critter. But most rabbits do NOT like to be held and if you lift them off the ground they kick (hard, with claws) to escape. Because their bone structure is fragile (they are prey animals in the wild, after all) just the struggle (or fall)can break their spines and kill them. Most do not like being lap pets, and forcing them can severly stress them out which can also be fatal. It is recommended that you get on your stomach on the floor face to face to interact with them. Might work for you, but I'm getting kind of old and arthritic for that.

Bunnies have to constantly have food moving through their systems at a certain rate. They are subject to blockages and these can be (you guessed it) fatal. If they stop eating even for two meals, you could need to administer IV fluids, syringe feed them with dissolved pellets, and give them metachlopromide pills, and giving a bunny a pill is ever so much fun. Not.

Oh, and that adorable little bunny in the picture with the yellow nail polish? Baby. Lasts less than two months, then they grow up to adult size. With mini-lops (and that baby seems to be one) that's about 6.5 pounds of fluff, so they are roughly the size of a mid-sized cat. There are dwarf breeds that stay smaller.

In our current house, we have a closet under the stairs made into their hutch and a doorway from that into our family room for an extended pen area. The pen consists of a 4x8 plywood board (over the wall-to-wall carpet) covered with peel and stick vinyl tile for easy cleanup, with the pen itself made from 3' high metal dog pen from Petco. We let them run through part of the house (with a fairly nice wooden "baby" gate protecting the area where the library and home office and bedrooms are) for a few hours at night when we are home. So they have a fairly big enclosure for when we are at work and more freedom the rest of the time. We seriously clean the whole bunny zone about once a month and it takes a couple of hours to scrub everything. We scoop the litter box (a large uncovered plastic storage bin with a doorway cut into it) every night.

I love my pets, more or less, but they are a lot of work, a lot of expense, and frankly not a lot of cuddles. I will never do this again, and when these two die (they can live up to about 12 years if well taken care of) that's it. I also have two cats, and by comparison they are SO much easier and more affectionate. I know other people have varying levels of success with rabbits, and mine may not be average, but I can't recommend them as easy pets -- especially if you take the responsibility seriously and do your best for them nutritionally and medically... your mileage may vary.

I'm a neat freak and also like to keep things in their place. I adopted my rabbit from a friend who was unable to keep her as an indoor rabbit (she's terrified of large dogs). I was worried that she wouldn't adjust well to being indoors...but I was wrong! She's very friendly, and pretty clean. She loves having her face massaged and loves to cuddle on the floor next to me. I don't really have a problem with her chewing on anything. I have hardwood floors, and she refuses to leave the living room rug. She does occasionally kick her litter out of her cage, but that only takes a few seconds to clean up.
I would recommend reading up on rabbit care before choosing to get one. Oh! a previous poster commented on animals causing messes such as vomit, but rabbits are incapable of vomiting, coughing up hairballs, or releasing gas. Lol, sorry. I'm full of weird facts.

One more thing I forgot to mention in my lengthy post before... Our first (neutered male) rabbit needed a pal, so we adopted a baby (spayed female) and they adjusted to each other in a couple of weeks and bonded. Then the first rabbit died, so we decided to get another hoping the two would also bond. We picked a very people-friendly rabbit about the same age as the female from the shelter -- he was adorable, charged us and abruptly stopped at our feet with his head on the ground for petting... it took over six months of separate pens and breaking up vicious biting/kicking/clawing fights (they both have scars on their ears) before they FINALLY worked out the dominance issues and got along. Our area House Rabbit Society liaison said sometimes they NEVER get along and have to be kept separate for life. During that time they had adjacent pens with a couple of inches clearance between (to prevent biting) -- one got to be free in the house while the other was penned. Everyone thinks bunnies are cute and benign. Having to wear heavy leather gloves to break up a literal fight to the death doesn't support that image.

Rabbits really do live happier lives in a pair bonded couple, but maybe getting them already bonded is smarter, or getting two babies together... mixing two adults can be problematic.

Bunnies can be litter-trained but that is such a loose term with bunnies. It basically means they won't pee on the carpet and about 90% of their poop pellets will go in the box. Since your aim would be to have the bunny around you and free from its cage when you are home, you have to have a designated area safe from cords and with a litter box.

There is always a four foot space around her litterbox that our rabbit leaves poop pellets in. Every day, we have to pick them up, twice. She chews on books and magazines left around and I have headed her off from chewing the moulding more than once. There are also ALWAYS bits of hay strewn about.

I would not recommend a bunny for someone who likes their home a certain way, unless that person was absolutely a bunny lover and was willing to take on the inconvenience of the extra cleaning etc.

One little side note. LOTS of bunnies end up in shelters because they are cute little babies who can grow up to be destructive and can get mean or ill if not cared for properly or interacted with. They are social creatures and if you aren't home alot, its better to adopt a spayed/neutered bonded pair. White rabbits are the hardest for shelters to adopt out, and since they were originally bred as lab animals, it is in their genes to be handled alot (that's what we have).

To all of those chinchilla nominators, Read First before you adopt a chinchilla.

YOu should not have a dog, cat, bird, or any other animal along with a chin because stress is usually what kills them and they need lots of routine with no stress.

They need lots of love, or they will become mean, so plan on holding and playing with them every day.

They need quiet during the day while they sleep and they are nocturnal, so make sure they are in a place that won't keep you up at night.

They are lovely. I just put my 13.5 yr old to sleep on monday (waagh!) and am looking to buy another one, but hear this -

they require time and you need to educate yourself before getting one.

As they get older, they need to have their teeth trimmed down by a vet (preferrably - an exotic vet) and it costs $150 each time as they have to be under anesthesia. Some require this expensive treatment every 3 months, so make sure your pocketbook and calendar can accommodate this BEFORE buying one.

They cannot run free as they chew everything to investigate it, and many fry themselves on electrical cords or eat something harmful to them.

Please read these sites or buy a book (not from a pet store) before you invest in one, and don't buy a chin from a pet store; get it from a breeder as they are healthier and more socialized and friendly.

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/chinchillas/p/Chinchillas.htm
http://www.chinchillaplanet.com/
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/pets/chinchilla.htm

I'm sorry to be so direct, but I'm so sad that people do not research poor, helpless animals before buying, and then the animal is mistreated for it's natural behaviour, or abandoned because they are not what the owner expected.

Rabbits are giant mice, they CHEW everything to file thier teeth down!

A cranky female bunny has less to do with treatment, but more so to do with hormones. A rabbit going through adolescence and becoming an adult will become territorial and defend its home and be easily offended nipping and grunting. Seems to happen more often with females than males.

Spay/neuter can help, but is not a sure thing. I used to work in a rabbit rescue and I have to say it's far better to adopt an adult that is already spayed/neutered and you will know EXACTLY what personality you are getting from the get-go (you can visit as much as you want before the adoption to get to know them - if they let you pick them up and pet them right away, that's a really good sign).

People usually abandon their bun when they go through the nippy stage. But a larger cage and a spay usually helps. I have a female that will still nip though even with a newer larger home and a spay. I just know how NOT to offend her, but she will still get territorial now and then.

I've had 5 males - all the same, easy going, neutered or not. Plus the male neuters are way cheaper and safer with a rabbit specialized vet. Sometimes they call themselves "pocket pet" vets. Ask their success rate with spays before going to a vet that is going to do the surgery. Females can have complications as it's a more serious surgery with a spay, vs. a neuter. Also, some rabbits don't do well with anesthesia - I had one female that just wouldn't go under, so she could never be spayed.

Males will stop spraying to mark territory after a neuter and that seems always 100% if done when they are younger. I'd go for an adult neutered male if I had a choice. If you don't neuter a male - he will spray urine like a skunk on your pant legs and furniture.

Despite all that craziness, I still have 2 young males and one very old little cranky female Jersey Wooly that is 8 years old and going strong. Can't imagine life w/o rabbits. I try to adopt unwanted ones.

I realize this is an old post, but I had to type here because it very much applies to my lifestyle. I have a rabbit who is both wonderful and an absolute terror. Yes, rabbits can be litter trained. Don' let anyone tell you different. Rabbits are much more easily litter trained when they are neutered/spayed/fixed. Many people skip this important step. Males tend to behave better and be less aggressive. Females have an extremely reduced rate of uterine cancer. Rabbits are creatures of habit and tend to poo and urinate in the same areas. Find out where they like to go and stick their box and hay there. They like to munch while they poo so making an ideal pooping location for them that is inviting goes a long way. You could surround the litter box with rabbit safe potted plants that they can munch on while they do their business. It makes the area look nicer as well as makes it more inviting to the rabbit. It took me just over a week to litter train my rabbit. Some people have more difficulty doing this, and others simply don't try.

Yes, rabbit urine smells. However, this can be completely negated if you clean their litter box daily, or every other day. No one can smell rabbit anywhere in my apartment. I clean his box every day or every other day. I use apple cider vinegar to wipe his box down.

Next to discuss is damages. I am always saddened when he wrecks something. He's bitten through wires, but this has no been a big deal. My fiancee and I both know how to sauder wiring so it's a 5 minute or less task to fix these problems without losing the item. He's been remarkable in that he's not interested in chewing wood...but my goodness does he love leather. He has really done a number on our leather couch. No amount of sprays, couch covers or punishment has kept him away. We have surrendered the couch to him.

He used to be a caret chewer. But we realized we weren't providing him enough hay. When he has enough hay he leaves the carpet alone.

He is also destructive when he's bored. We're part of many family who has a free range rabbit. He has a cage (which we built a "coffee table" over to hide most of it) for him to hide in, sleep in if he wants, and where we keep his water and pellets. He likes he cage and sometimes he needs to go in it, but he honestly is out 24/7.

Rabbits are very engaging and rewarding as pets. But just an hour or two a night is not enough to keep them happy, healthy and social. My rabbit is not "cuddly" but he loves to sit next to you, lean into you and get pets. He licks my feet while I am working on my computer and likes to follow me around and hand out at my feet (or on them) where ever I am in the house. They demand more than cats and dogs, for certain, but I know I will never have any other type of pet.

Also, many rabbits don't shed much, just seasonally. I vacuum twice a week and my floors stay near perfect. Damage may occur but it depends on the rabbit and if you understand the rabbit's needs. With enough exercise, companionship, and a person to keep the litter box clean, they can be fantastic! In the future I won't own leather couches, or will bar the bunny from the living room (he'd still five rooms to roam). That's the only issue I have with him these days.

I completely relate to the house-pride clash with bunny fear. In college, during a less than responsible phase of my life, I gave a friend a pet hamster on a whim, and she returned the "favor" by giving me a baby bunny she found at a feed store for a whopping $35. This rabbit has cost me thousands, easily. I had no idea what I was getting into by keeping her, but 6 years later, this rabbit is an extremely valued member of my family. I have to say, however, I would not recommend getting a rabbit until after you have incorporated the extravagant bunny-home into your living space, and are completely happy with the arrangement.

I have a one bedroom 734 sq ft (apartment that I adore!) with black granite countertops, high ceilings, wood floors, exposed air ducts, a pool view, beautiful contemporary furniture, and a rabbit hutch right smack in the middle of my living room. I paid around $150 for the hutch (~2'x3x4), have restained the wood (with a nontoxic, soy based coating) to a rich, dark color, and have learned to alter my cleaning habits from almost nonexistent to fanatical.

Bunnies, if kept in a small area, generate enough poo and pee to become unsightly within an afternoon. My bunny also LOVES to rearrange fresh bedding as soon as its put in her hutch; this means bedding hits the floor instantly. I sweep several times a day.

Also, behavior and habitat are closely related. Frequent attention and trust are key!!! She knows I play with her when I come home, and she rings her bell (a bird toy) when she's hungry or bored. Biting is a way of communication. Too much space can be terrifying, and even though the rabbit knew me, if I cornered her in a large area (such as under the couch in the living room or in a backyard), she would become defensive--blood could be drawn by those incredibly powerful bunny jaws. At one point, I was bitten almost daily. I have since learned how to provide her with security, we are completely at peace, and the affectionate side of the rabbit shines through. Nips only occur occasionally when I fall asleep cuddling, and she's telling me she has to pee NOW!

Although company is either fascinated or perturbed by the seemingly eccentric apartment pet, a rabbit, when provided for properly, can be as much a harmonic piece of living art in the fashion-forward apartment as loving, affectionate friends. Also, consider compostable bedding for green solutions! Bunny poo is a precious compost additive and invaluable to the urban farm.