This is my 7 year old trying to convince her parents that she knows enough about rabbits to be allowed one for Christmas.

1. A Pets Life: Rabbits

2. What do rabbits look like? Rabbits can have long or short fur. Their fur can be black, white, grey or golden brown. Some rabbits have long , straight ears, and some have long, floppy ears.

3. Rabbit babies Baby rabbits are called kittens or bunnies. They are born with no fur and with their eyes closed. A mother rabbit may have as many as eight babies in a litter. The bunnies are old enough to leave their mother when they are about six years old. Then they are ready to become pet rabbits. Don’t disturb young rabbits.

4. Choosing Your Rabbit Animal shelters are often looking for good homes for rabbits. You can also buy rabbits from good pet shops or from rabbit breeders. Choose rabbits that look healthy and lively. They should have glossy coats, clear, bright eyes, and clean ears and teeth.

5. Your rabbit’s house Your rabbits need a roomy house to live in. The rabbit house should have two rooms. One room is to live in and one is for sleeping. Line the bottom of the house with newspaper covered with wood shavings. A good pile of shredded paper or hay makes a cosy bed.

6. Welcome home You can take your rabbit home in a strong carry box. Then leave them to settle in to their new home. Always pick up your rabbit properly. With one hand, gently grasp the scruff of its neck. Put your other arm around its bottom. Then lift it up.

7. Playing with your rabbit Rabbits need plenty of exercise. Make them an outside run in the garden. The run should have lots of room to hop about, and some grass for your rabbits to graze. Put a strong wire mesh fence around the run. Make sure that it goes into the ground so that your rabbits cannot burrow their way underneath it.

8. Feeding time Pet shops sell special food for rabbits. Rabbits need to eat plenty of grass or hay. They also like to nibble on raw fruit and vegetables, such as apples and carrots. Feed your rabbits two small meals a day, in the morning and in the evening. Put the food in heavy bowls so your rabbits cannot tip them over.

9. Cleaning the house Rabbits are clean animals and do not like living in a dirty house. Take away wet bedding and droppings every day to keep your rabbit house clean. Wash out the food bowls and water every day. Every few weeks, wash the house with warm, soapy water. Always wash your hands after cleaning out your rabbit house.

10. Growing up Some Rabbits grow very big. When you choose your rabbits, find out how big they grow. Large rabbits need more space than a medium-sized rabbits. The sound and movements your rabbits make their way of talking. Rabbits stamp their back feet if they are cross or frightened.

11. Healthy rabbits Ask your vet to give your rabbit an injection when it is about six weeks old to stop it getting diseases. You should check with a vet if your rabbit looks unwell. If your rabbits starts scratching a lot, they might have fur mites. Check their fur for patches of dry skin or sore spots, especially around their necks.

12. Your pet rabbits Rabbits are fun to keep as pets but they need lots of care. You must be a good pet owner and learn to look after your rabbits properly. When you go away on holiday, ask a friend or neighbour to take care of your rabbits. Write a list of what your friend should do.

13. Old age If you look after your rabbits, they will live up to about six or eight years. As they get older, check them regularly to make sure that they are healthy. It can be very upsetting when your pets die. Try not to be too sad. Just remember the happy times you shared together.