In life, we stumble across many important and consuming questions, ranging from what color shoes we should wear that day to things that can shape most of our lives, such as career choices.

Still, introducing a new pet into your (and your family’s) home can have just as much impact. You may wonder which pet, a rabbit or a duck, would be the best fit for your home and the pros and cons of each choice.

Both animals make excellent pets, but it depends entirely on your preferences. For example, if you keep your duck indoors, be prepared to find random feathers everywhere. Rabbits can shed during specific seasons, so you might discover fur balls if they roam around the home.

However, multiple factors should be considered, such as their lifespans, the type of environment they need (housing needs), their socialization, and any serious health conditions.

As a pet owner of multiple animal breeds, I find it extremely helpful to know what I am getting myself into before investing in them. This article will provide all the information you need! Let’s continue reading, shall we?

 

What Is the Difference Between a Rabbit and a Duck?

 

While some of the more glaring differences, like feathers to fur, may be obvious, some leave a lot to be desired or fit the bill perfectly. Differences in behavior, demeanor, and whether or not one pet enjoys being handled could make all the difference in the world, so we’ll be grinding out what qualities each one has to offer.

1. Lifespan

 

For many reasons, your pet’s lifespan can heavily dictate your choice. Anything from enjoying a long and fruitful life to one that is just as passionate, if only a little shorter, should be something all prospective pet owners think about.

Other complications involving a pet’s lifespan include navigating the deep waters of mortality when dealing with children. It stands to reason that it can be a determining factor when choosing the right pet.

 

Rabbits

 

In most cases, a rabbit’s lifespan is determined by its species and how well it is looked after and cared for. Some species of rabbit, like the Pygmy Rabbit, have a lifespan of roughly three to five years, while others, like the European Rabbit, can live for as long as nine, assuming nothing happens to them or befalls them.

The differences above would be accompanied by the rabbit’s dietary choices, activity level, potential stress-related incidents, and genetic disposition to unexpected complications. You will want to keep up with their well-being with a vet to guarantee the most extended lifespan possible.

 

Ducks

 

In much the same fashion that rabbits can have varying lifespans depending on the species, ducks follow in much the same suit. Certain breeds only have a maximum of five years on average, whereas others can break through this number and have a whopping ten years to grow and create memories with you and your family!

As delightful as this may seem, ducks have certain risk factors that can occur throughout their lives. Whether they do not mesh well with other family pets or are outright preyed upon by them, vigilance is paramount if you want your potential pet to be as safe as possible and lead a truly fulfilling life.

2. Size

 

Few things are as misleading as a pet’s size as it grows from newborn into full adulthood. In the case of rabbits and ducks, you might need clarification to see how large they get upon reaching maturity, never mind how much these wonderful pets can weigh. 

On average, rabbits will be slightly more girthy than most breeds of duck, regardless of the diet you give them. Still, these numbers can get slightly tighter when unique species are considered.

 

Rabbits 

 

As always, the exact weight of a rabbit depends heavily on its species, as most domesticated rabbits have been documented as weighing roughly six pounds or so. Regardless, don’t let that dissuade you if you want an absolute fluff monster for a fluffy friend, as some breeds can get up to twenty pounds in adulthood.

Alternatively, there are also tiny breeds of rabbits, like the pygmy, which usually weighs just under one pound and measures only eight inches long. These bite-sized rabbits can make excellent pets, too, assuming you are careful and mindful of the size differences.

 

Ducks

 

As with rabbits, there are many duck breeds for a pet. On average, domesticated ducks weigh between nine and twelve pounds. However, if you are to get a specific breed, like the Call Duck, they are tiny, weighing between one and a half pounds.

On the other hand, some duck breeds are relatively large, like the Muscovy duck, which weighs 10 to 15 pounds! All ducks range in size, but the average is 23 to 24 inches long.

3. Diet

 

Diet is essential as you must know what to feed your fur (or feathery) baby. Not only that, but different animals have specific dietary needs. For example, a rabbit needs a lot of a particular type of hay, whereas ducks, seeing as how they are birds, will need bird seed and other essential foods. However, for more specifics, read down below.

 

Rabbits

 

As mentioned above, rabbits need fresh hay and grass to help their digestive systems work correctly. It is imperative to provide them with endless Timothy hay. The hay will also help their nonstop growing teeth be trimmed down.

On top of this, a rabbit needs rabbit food or pellets to feed daily. They should get roughly 1/4 cup daily if they are 6 to 10 pounds and 1/8 cup for rabbits under 5 pounds. It would be wise to feed your rabbit half of this once in the morning and then once in the evening. That way, you know exactly how much they are taking in.

Lastly, give your bunny some fresh fruit and veggies each day. It is wise to provide them with at most 2 cups per day. Give your rabbit dandelion (make sure it is pesticide-free), blueberries, carrots, kale, cucumber, and Brussels sprouts.

 

Ducks

 

Pet ducks need proper nutrition, just like rabbits. If you want to give your duck commercial food, consider purchasing Purina duck feed pellets, which help their feathers, support strong bones, muscle development, and more. It is wise to feed them twice daily. If your duck free ranges, they will happily take care of some pesky bugs in your yard, too!

In addition, ducks love frozen peas and corn. They will gladly eat chopped lettuce, sliced grapes, birdseed, rice, oats, Earthworms, bananas, and cracked corn.

4. Social Behaviors

 

Specific animal owners may be rather busy to give a social animal the time of day it needs.

For example, if the animal you choose to care for wants to cuddle or be played with frequently, but your work or schooling requires you to spend more time on that, then getting a social animal might not be the wisest choice. However, if you have plenty of time to do extra things with your pet, then make sure to get one that loves the attention!

 

Rabbits

 

Domesticated rabbits love spending time with their owners! Although they might be weary of you at the beginning of your relationship, they will grow fond of you if you care for them properly.

Many bunnies love to cuddle and play with their owners. However, it is important to supervise children when visiting them, as the rabbits do not want to be picked up improperly.

Also, it is essential to note that rabbits need companionship with other rabbits. In that case, it would be wise to get two rabbits together, but make sure they are both the same gender, as two genders will lead to several unwanted baby bunnies hopping around! Another thing you can do is make sure they are neutered to avoid this issue altogether.

 

Ducks

 

Just like rabbits, ducks need companions. Ducks typically live in pairs or flocks in the wild and need a lot of mental stimulation.

Also, ducks will demand much of your attention, so be prepared. Ducks form strong bonds with their owners and usually follow you around, especially if they are young, as they consider you a mother-like figure.

However, although ducks may love to follow you around, they are not as cuddly as you would think, except for Call Ducks, which love pets and affection!

5. Activity Levels

 

Although some little pets are not very active, other animals can be very energetic, and you may be unable to keep up with them! Still, it is essential to consider these factors before investing in a pet duck or rabbit:

 

• Is the pet active during the night?
• How much exercise does my animal need?
• How much time do they need outside the cage or area they are living in?
• How much time should I spend time with them each day?

 

Rabbits

 

Rabbits are considered crepuscular, meaning they are the most active at dusk and dawn. In nature, the low light protects them from predators, so they will venture out to search for food.

Thankfully, if your rabbit lives in your room, you will not have to deal with the constant wheel turning or roaming around, as rabbits tend to be very quiet during the evening.

In addition, rabbits need plenty of exercise throughout the day. To ensure they remain happy and healthy, providing your bunny with up to 4 hours of supervised time outside of their cage would be wise.

Rabbits are prone to depression if they stay stagnant for long periods, so it is essential to make sure they get plenty of interaction from you and provide them with enough mental stimulation throughout the day.

 

Ducks

 

Ducks should have lots of physical activity. If they are free-roaming, they will naturally help themselves by swimming, walking, exploring, foraging, etc.

However, indoor ducks might be challenging to entertain as they may need more creative ways to keep them mentally stimulated. Some examples may be the following:

 

• Providing climbing structures like branches or logs encourages more physical activity.

 

• Puzzle feeders promote foraging behaviors and mental stimulation. You can do this by adding a bowl of water and many treats.

 

• Interactive toys like ropes and balls are perfect for your ducks to chase around and play with.

6. Grooming Needs

 

It is no surprise that ducks and rabbits look entirely different. One of them has feathers, and the other is straight-up fur! Because of this, knowing how to take care of them is essential. For example, do you need to continuously brush their teeth, bathe them, or trim any nails?

 

Rabbits 

 

Some rabbits may require less grooming than others due to their thick or long fur. Grooming short-haired breeds at least once a week is essential.

If your rabbit suffers from arthritis and has short hair, it can hinder their grooming ability, so do it more often than once a week to ensure they get the necessary care. On the other hand, you should groom long-haired breeds ideally once a day because they can get matty or dirty.

Most rabbits should get their nails trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks as well. If your bunnies nails are too long, it can get caught or snagged on something, which could lead to potential injury. Here is the perfect grooming kit with a good pair of nail clippers.

 

Ducks

 

As you may already know, ducks should have constant access to water. Because of this, they tend to self-groom. They will also spend a lot of time preening themselves to make sure their appearance remains healthy. However, ensuring their feathers, nostrils, and eyes are clean and in good condition is essential.

Monitor your duck’s appearance constantly to ensure it is taking care of itself properly. Otherwise, you might want to get a clean, wet washcloth and wipe whatever area needs cleaning.

Lastly, it is good to trim their nails on occasion. You can do this with special pet nail clippers like the one mentioned above. It is also important to note whether you want their wings clipped by a veterinarian to ensure they will not fly anywhere.  

7. Housing Needs

 

The second-to-last thing to consider is the environment in which your animal needs to live. Some rabbit and duck owners want their animals to live inside the home with them, whereas other owners may want to keep their animals outside. It is also essential to consider how much space you will need inside and/or outside of your home.

 

Rabbits

 

Pet rabbits need at least 8 square feet for their enclosures, according to the HRA guidelines. However, they will need an additional 24 square feet for exercise each day. On top of this, make sure their hutch is large enough to where they can stand on their hind legs. Essentially, the bigger the cage is the better, especially with multiple rabbits. 

A rabbit’s needs are much different than a duck when it comes to housing. However, like all animals, make sure you provide them a food bowl, water bottle, bedding (like Carefresh), and plenty of hiding places as they are naturally a prey animal. 

Rabbits also need plenty of stimulating toys to ensure they are not getting bored. You can easily make some toys for them to ejoy out of toilet paper rolls or cardboard boxes. 

 

Ducks

 

Pet ducks need roughly 16 square feet of outdoor space to roam and play around in. However, tbhe bigger the room the better, especially if you have multiple ducks hanging around. 

On top of this, they need at least up to 4 square feet of space per duck to be inside for a coop. Make sure that the coop you have is well ventilated and does not contain any drafts. 

Make sure to provide them with pine shavcings or straw for begging. Straw in particular has excellent insulating properties that help keep your ducks warm in the winter. 

Lastly, ducks need plenty of stimulating toys to help them not get bored. Make sure you provide the ducks with plenty of water, whether they are indoors or outdoors. 

8. Health Concerns

 

All animals have their own health concerns regardless of what breed or type of animal they are. Because of this, it is important to know what you may expect in regards to their health.

 

Rabbits

 

Rabbits are typically healthy, but one of the biggest concerns you may have is when they go into GI statis. This is essentially where their digestive tract is backed up and they cannot poop or they feel bloaded. For this to not be an issue, it is imperative to provide them with plenty of Timothy hay as it provides them with plenty of fiber to ensure they go properly. 

Other issues your rabbit might have are as follows:

 

• Fleas
• Uterine cancer
• Myiasis
• Obesity
• Heat stroke
• Myxomatosis
• Bumblefoot

 

Ducks

 

Thankfully, ducks are usually resistant to diseases, but can still, of course, have some health concerns that you will need to know about. The most common disease in ducks is called botulism, which can cause ingestion of neurotoxins that is produced by a specific type of bacteria. Other concerns your duck might experience are as follows:

 

• Avian cholera
• Bumblefoot
• Blocked tear duct
• Aspergillosis
• Viral hepatitis
• Lead poisoning
• Bloody diarrhoea

 

Do Ducks and Rabbits Get Along?

 

Although rabbits and ducks are not designed to live together, they do get along fairly well! There have been some ducks and rabbits that acquire friendships with one another. However, it is unwise to keep them both in the same cage as they require different living conditions. There are quite a few reasons why they should not live together. 

For example, rabbits and ducks are both territorial, so keeping them together for long periods of time might lead to aggression and conflicts. Another reason is that ducks can cause physical damage to rabbits if they get in each others way, especially since their sharp beaks can harm the softness of your rabbit. 

 

Are Ducks or Rabbits Quieter as Pets?

 

Generally speaking, rabbits are much quieter than ducks are. Bunnies are well known for their soft and gentle nature whereas ducks can be known to be very vocal, especially during the evening and morning time. Ducks are also very excited when they are looking for food or you speak to them. 

 

Are Ducks or Rabbits Easier to Care For?

 

Rabbits are typically a lot easier to care for than ducks. If you think about it, feathers can get everywhere in your home or wherever they stay whereas rabbit fur typically goes into the corners. 

Also, ducks require larger spaces and typically need to be outdoors whereas rabbits can remain indoors and in a specific spot of the home the majority of the time (unless they roam around the home, of course.)

 

Do You Have to Live on a Farm to Own a Duck or Rabbit?

 

No, you do not have to live on a farm to own a duck or a rabbit. However, ducks do require an outdoor space, which you can acquire in an urban or suburban area. Make sure to check your local regulations to ensure you can have a duck or rabbit where you live before acquiring one, however.

 

Conclusion

 

To summarize everything in a nutshell, ducks and rabbits are very different creatures that require several things before getting started. Make sure to take everything into consideration before getting one or the other. However, we hope this article has helped you make a decision on which animal is right for you! If you need any more help on how to care for these two animals, we recommend checking out our other articles. We hope you the best on your journey to becoming the best pet mom or dad you can be!