So you bought an Easter bunny…
Now what?
Don’t give up on your bunny!
Rabbits are the third most abandoned pet in the United States. There are actions you can take to live in
harmony with your bunny. They can make
adorable, hilarious, and wonderful house pets.
You just need to know how to care for them.
Spay or Neuter
First things first – your raging hormonal bunny will
continue to have said hormones until he/she is altered. Spaying and neutering is necessary for the
health and well-being of your pet bunny (as well as your own sanity!) Rabbits have a very high chance of getting
reproductive cancer if they are not altered, and they will continue to exhibit
territorial behaviors if all those hormones are coursing through their fluffy
bodies. Be sure to have a rabbit-savvy
vet perform the procedure. Do not fast
your rabbit before surgery (they are physically unable to vomit, therefore
holding back food is dangerous and unnecessary). Males can generally be neutered at about 3
months of age, and females can generally be spayed around 6 months of age. For more on spaying and neutering, visit http://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/
Bunny Proof
Bunnies are like any wayward toddler or inquisitive
puppy. They will happily find things to
chew (baseboards and remote control buttons being a common favorite!). They will also chew more dangerous items such
as electrical cords. These behaviors are
instinct, so it is up to you to keep your bunny and your possessions safe! Be sure to cover electrical cords, keep
important items out of reach, and provide plenty of toys and entertainment for
your bunny. A bored bunny is a
destructive bunny! For more on bunny proofing, visit http://rabbit.org/faq-rabbit-proofing/
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| Bunnies like to chew! |
Find a companion
Rabbits are extremely social animals, and are much happier
living with a friend. However, you can’t
just throw two rabbits together and expect them to get along. Now that you have already purchased a bunny
and are doing research, you know that rabbit rescues exist! Your local rabbit rescue can help you find a
compatible friend for your bun and help with the bonding process. Yes, it is a process! You and your bunny will be much happier with
another bunny friend – after all, nothing is cuter than seeing two bunnies
snuggle with one another!
Provide proper care
In addition to providing an engaging environment for your
bunny, you need to offer your bunny proper housing (not a tiny pet store cage!), food, and vet care. The pet store or breeder may have given you
misleading information about care.
Rabbits have specialized digestive systems, so proper diet is very
important. Unlimited grass hay (timothy,
orchard grass, etc – not alfalfa) should always be available. You probably purchased those fancy-looking
pellets with colored bits and seeds in them.
Time to wean your bunny off of those (they are terrible for a bun’s
health) and start him on plain, quality timothy-based pellets. Fresh greens should be offered every day, and
treats should be kept to a minimum. Oh,
and throw out those pet store treats you probably purchased. Most of them are complete junk. Instead, offer small bites of fresh fruit or
homemade bunny cookies. Here's an example recipe: http://bakebakebake.livejournal.com/1352167.html
Sharing your home with bunnies is a wonderful, rewarding
experience when it is done right. You
just need to understand the behavior and care of these hilarious, adorable
creatures. Don’t forget, your local
rabbit rescue can always offer specific advice as well. Are you in the Tampa area and thinking about
adopting a companion for your current bunny? We can help! Visit http://www.tbhrr.org for information!
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| *Carrots are a treat! Feed in moderation :) |
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