Kid won’t clean pet rabbits?

Question

Got my daughter a bunny after she begged and pleaded, she promised she would keep it clean but she ends up leaving it filthy for long periods of time, an awful smell and I eventually end up cleaning it in the end. I’m afraid to get rid of the rabbit, my daughters one to hold a grudge and I’d have to listen to a...

Answer 1

That's what you get when you give a child adult responsibilities. YOU decided to take a living creature into your home. YOU are responsible for making sure it is well cared for. If the rabbit's cage is left filthy for long periods of time, that is YOU neglecting to care for it. It doesn't matter if you force your daughter to clean the cage often enough or if you do it yourself, either way it is YOUR responsibility to see it gets done.

Please do rehome that poor bunny. Let your daughter's tantrums serve to remind you never to get an animal you're not willing to care for.

Answer 2

All the above answers are all good. Or you could tie it in to going places or getting to do other things like play video games or watch TV or play with the electronics, or have friends over. Tell her she has to clean the animal and its cage weekly and if she doesn't she will be grounded until the rabbit is taken care of. Then ask if she would rather find another home for it? And make sure that she understands that no more animals will come to your house.

Answer 3

After she leaves for school, take the rabbit to a small animal boarding kennel (ask your vet). When the kid comes home from school, tell her this;

"You know how I have to nag you about cleaning Fluffy's cage? Well, after you left for school, he started coughing/sneezing/puking and I had to take him to the vet right away. They said this happens when the cage doesn't get cleaned often enough. You know that he's your responsibility and I haven't had time to take care of him. They're going to keep him until he gets better and in the meantime you need to clean everything or he'll get sick again." And no, she can't go visit. The sooner the cage is clean, the sooner he comes home, which could be tomorrow if she gets everything ready for him right away.

Watch for the reaction. If the kid cares, she'll panic. See how fast she cleans the cage. Now is the point where you have to decide how much she loves that rabbit and whether it's coming home or 'dies' at the vet (to be taken to a no-kill shelter). If she puts the chore off even for one day, ask her if she really wants Fluffy back or if it's too much responsibility for her. Force her to make this decision and give her the option to re-home him if she can't take care of it.

Answer 4

True Story: I had a friend whose Mom was like you...afraid to tell her 13 yr old daughter no, for fear she'd run away. Her 13 yr old daughter moved her boyfriend in(yes, live in boyfriend at age 13). My friend had her first baby in high school. She went to college, but dropped out as her drinking got out of control(her Mom let her drink in high school as long as it was at home). After her 3rd baby(born with developemental issues due to heer drinking during pregnancy). She now has lost custody of all 4 kids(3 different Dads) due to her full blown alcoholism. You may think, ohhhh, but my story is nothing like this one. Im telling you now, its exactly like this one. You need to parent. Not from fear, but parent for providing rules and structure to produce a productive human. You do that by GETTTING RID OF THE BUNNIES! She broke her commitment to take care of them & lost the PRIVILEGE of pet ownership! If she got a car loan & broke her payment agreemnt, they'd take the car away. Lesson!

Answer 5

Tell her to care for it or next week it is for supper. Keep your word to her.

Answer 6

You're supposed to be the parent, so act like a responsible adult. The poor rabbit is the one suffering, and you owe it to the creature to rescue it from the filth and neglect your daughter is imposing on it. It's obvious that your daughter is bullying you, and you need to get hold of the situation. Take the rabbit to the local ASPCA and they will re-home it for you. If your daughter holds grudges, that's your fault. You didn't raise her to be compassionate and responsible. She doesn't deserve to have a pet if she chooses to mistreat it.

Answer 7

Sort it out.

Answer 8

i would just warn her, she needs to clean up or the bunnies will be going sonnewhere else

Answer 9

put yout foot down

Answer 10

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN.
Tell your (obviously Spoiled) daughter that you will surrender this innocent animal to your animal shelter or She Will be Required to take better care if it.