The character, intelligence, liveliness, inquisitiveness, affectionate and playful nature of rabbits and their relative ease of care and the wide range of breeds, colours and coat types make rabbits a popular pet in many countries today.

Rabbits are very affectionate and enjoy human companionship but most often prefer to sit beside their owner to being handled. However, their playful and trainable nature means they also enjoy play.

Rabbits make ideal pets for those at work or school during the day as they are happily left alone during the day when they are least active provided they have the companionship of another rabbit. However, they are not a suitable pet for small children who may not be able to handle them easily and as a result get kicked or scratched by a rabbit's powerful hind legs.

Rabbits can be kept indoors or outdoors but require plenty of room and generally require more care than a small pet rodent and the equipment needed is more costly. However, they do have a longer lifespan, averaging between 5-10 years depending on the breed of rabbit.