Why do people ask if I ate a rabbit before?

[binkieBun]

Why do people ask me, a rabbit owner, if I ate a rabbit before?

First of all apologies for asking this disturbing question here. However, I think it will help me overcome my distress by understanding people’a thought process. (Hopefully it will help other rabbit owners too with similar experiences.) I just get asked this question often. What bothers me the most is its usually the first question I get when people find out I have a pet rabbit. Whatever the reason, I wish people would take a moment to think how that question would make a rabbit owner feel. I’m hoping I’ll get insightful responses here since this a rabbit loving community

I’ve come up with some theories why people ask the question:

1. They are confused about the ethics of how to view a rabbit? For example, are they pets or livestock food?

2. They feel embarrassed they ate a rabbit before, and hope they will feel better if you say yes too.

3. They are just rude (maybe even want to embarrass you if you happen to say yes.)

4. They think rabbits are joke pets because they are vulnerable prey animals, unlike predator pets like cats and dogs.

4. Other – Please explain.

What do you think?

[Sirius&Luna]

I think people are just rude. Lots of people make jokes about eating my rabbits, and I find it best to just say something like ‘why would you say that?’. Then they normally get embarrassed.

I think it’s because rabbits are still pretty unusual pets, and to be honest, people often just say thoughtless and rude things without really thinking. For example, I have a slightly unusual name, and people often make jokes about that too. I don’t think they mean to be rude, they normally think they’re being funny, but invariably aren’t.

[Deleted User]

I agree with Sirius and Luna (also about the unusual name thing as mine is unusual too lol) people are just rude. I think people are just taken by surprise when you say you have pet rabbits, particularly if they are kept in the house. I honestly don’t think that eating rabbits is something a lot of people have done, so I think it’s something they also like to draw attention to as a sort of “oh look at me look what I have done” and it gets a reaction. When you say you have rabbits it gives them reason to talk about something they have done and I also think people are trying to be funny. But i find it highly offensive and shocking. That’s like saying you’ve eaten cat or dog, it’s just not acceptable to say and it would shock people. It just demonstrates people’s lack of understanding.

[Deleted User]

People just suck.

I always get joked at “making rabbit stew?” ….like obviously I’m not you moron. I grew up in a rural area and even the city that I live in has a lot of country folks. It’s not uncommon for people to hunt them or raise them as meat rabbits when you live in a rural area. They wouldn’t dream of someone saying that about their cat or dog, as they have been domesticated for much longer than rabbits. People just view them as inferior pets, which is unfortunate because they really are great.

[Muchelle]

They’re probably trying to deliver some joke since rabbit is damn delicious (ultimately hinting that you’re keeping it as emergency food or something).

I usually tolerate such jokes if they come from elderly people or from close friends, but if any acquaintance that has been knowing that I have a rabbit and is being delivering the same jokes over and over (so when you eat it? is he ready for easter? etc etc), I just respond that he’s surely delicious but that I’ve never tasted cat/dog/baby (whatever they have) and thay theirs looks delicious. It shuts them up really well and I don’t really care if they get offended

If they ask me something like “but do you still eat rabbit?” I take it as a legit question and just reply normally (unless, again, asked every time they see me. In that case I come up with some snarky remark)

[joea64]

I’ve had some jokes about raising my buns for food. I just reply curtly in a way that makes it plain that, like the late Queen Victoria, I am not amused.

[Boing]

Hi binkieBun,

I am sorry that this has happened to you and the others. No one has ever asked me that. Though some people did try to convince my sister to eat it. She dropped the full utensil in the middle of a crowded party and declared “I love a bunny.” Cincinnati turned her into a rabbit advocate.

Maybe other people just want to normalize the behaviour.

[DanaNM]

I’ve had some people ask as a rude/bad joke (honestly sometimes my husband jokes “when do you think Bertha will be ready to eat?”, but of course he loves her just as much as I do!).

I’ve also had people ask with genuine curiosity… Most these are people who know that I’m mostly vegetarian but will eat the odd bit of meat occasionally (although I’m trending towards going completely vegan).

It’s more framed though as “would you ever eat it?”… Like in a crazy circumstance, such as being prepared it as a guest in a foreign country or something. Or if you were starving in the woods?

Usually this has come from people that know me well and are genuinely interested in my perspective on it. My main reasons for not eating animals mostly come from a carbon-footprint perspective and environmental sustainability. In the past, I’ve never really thought that “but I like animals” was strong reason for not eating meat (plants are amazingly complex living creatures too… so why value an animal life over a plant’s?). Also people who eat fish but not other meat baffle my mind. Fish are amazing creatures… how can someone call themselves vegetarian but eat fish?

BUT, of course now I am emotionally involved with bunnies, so that changes everything. Now I have rational reasons for not eating meat, and emotional ones too. Sorry, this is a bit of a tangent….

Rabbits do have a bad reputation as far as pets go. So many people’s only experience with them is with sad neglected outdoor hutch bunnies. They don’t know they are affectionate and intelligent pets, so I think that is where a lot of this stems from.

Side note (regarding seeing “food” animals as pets), does anyone follow Esther the Wonderpig on Insta???? She is FABULOUS.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Q8bunny]

Honestly, if they’re not trying to intentionally push your buttons, they’re probably just curious.

Historically speaking, rabbits were one of the most accessible sources of game meat for people from all economic backgrounds. And today, livestock buns far outnumber pet buns worldwide. Furthermore, rabbit is commonly eaten in many countries, with certain traditional dishes relying on rabbit meat.

I had pet bunnies as a small child. I have eaten and enjoyed rabbit throughout my life. I now have Chewbacca and he has become rhe center of the universe. Can I imagine eating rabbit again? Not really. I’ve been mostly vegetarian for a great part of my life.

But I don’t mind when people ask because they’re honestly curious. I mean, some people keep and care for other animals while still consuming their bretheren.

I do mind when people ask just to be nasty – as some do – although they probably think they’re being funny.

So there you have it… my take on your question, for what it’s worth

[Deleted User]

I grew up in a very rural area and I have eaten all sorts of wild game, including rabbit. As Q8 said, I couldn’t imagine doing it now that I have a snuggle monster on my pillow every morning! In my experience people mostly ask to be funny, but if I went back to my home town they would be honestly inquiring

[Heaven]

@BunNoob as an aside, how did you stop Ophelia from peeing on your bedding? hahah

[sarahthegemini]

Some people are just dull idiots that find it funny to joke about eating animals. My father in law does this all the effing time (“rabbit stew?”) And I’ve been a vegetarian for far longer than he’s known me so it’s extra annoying because not only is he joking about eating a member of my family, he’s joking about eating animals in general. I just don’t think it’s a laughing matter. Plus it’s boring. 

[Mikey]

Agreeing that its likely just curiosity. A large amount of people eat rabbits. You can buy it from many butcher shops and even some stores (atleast in my state). Even in my condo, I am not allowed to have rabbits because they count as livestock, the same as cows, pigs, or chickens (my rabbits are allowed here legally as they are all certified as my emotional support animals). I know a lot of people with pet chickens and growing up my neighbor had a pet pig, and they all get the same “But would you eat that animals species?” question. I think the question stems from curiosity and trying to understand the animal x human bond.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Rabbit is still very common to eat here in France. I get jokes all the time about plumping mine up to eat, (which is good that i wouldn’t dream of it as they ARE rather plump and ripe… )

I don’t take it personally as I’m used to tired and repetitive “joking” re weather (rain! Not true) and cuisine (yuk! Not true) in the uk.

Its curiosity most of the time. I eat most meat (draw the line at horse meat) and am much more concerned about the welfare of their life when they are alive and the manner in which they leave this world.
It doesn’t mean that i would EVER dream of eating my house rabbits (or anyone else’s) lol !!!!!

[Deleted User]

Oh yes, they always talk about rabbit stew. It just shows you how uneducated they are though because you wouldn’t want to eat a domesticated rabbit that has been given all kinds of medication for sickness throughout its life. In the UK thankfully its not a big thing on the menu and i don’t believe its sold in supermarkets.

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