Life With A House Rabbit

By Angela DeRiso

A Rabbit Rescued At The Right Time

I took Lily in during August of 2015, after I found her running loose in the subdivision I lived in. Just by her coloring alone, you can tell she wasn't a wild rabbit. A white body with dark gray Siamese points does not make for good camouflage. It's likely she was bought as a gift for Easter, then dumped when someone got tired of caring for her. It's an awful recurring story every year for rabbits everywhere.

She lived in my bathroom a few months until I built a two level enclosure with NIC cubes and zip ties. Originally, I was only suppose to foster her, but I couldn't help but fall in love. It wasn't just that I had worried over her safety out in the wild, but that the time she turned up in my life was so meaningful. My Grandmother had passed about a week earlier, and I had actually been discussing pet rabbits with her not so long before. I guess those coincidences were significant enough for me that I couldn't let her go.

The Daily Routine

As soon as I'm up in the morning, Lily is waiting for her bowl of greens. I usually offer 3-4 types and rotate each week. I open the door to her rabbit-condo to allow her to run freely in my bedroom. She then begins her house rabbit duties of digging in the sheets, performing numerous binkies, running crazy-fast laps around the room, and sniffing out any trouble she can get into. She loves the cat tunnel I recently bought her, and cardboard boxes are always a hit for chewing and getting herself in. Usually she decides on her own when to go back home, or she can be bribed with treats.

The middle of the day is spent sleeping, or lightly napping, with the occasional trip to munch on hay or get a drink of water. Activity resumes at dusk when Lily awaits another foray out of her condo. This time is when most of the crazy-fast laps happen. I can be laying in bed reading a book, while she is zooming around the room at warp speed. I don't know how she does it to be honest. I wish I could move that fast.

The nightly outings conclude with her request for treats. This is when she sits at the end of the bed and just stares at me. As soon as I swing my legs down from the bed, she's running circles around my feet. I make papaya chips for Lily with my food dehydrator, and she loves these to the point of being frantic. I have to be quick with delivering the treats to her or I get nipped on my feet.

A quick nod must be given to rabbits' thieving abilities. One has to be aware of the height at which they store treats and or important documents. Lily has not only made off with an entire bag of treats, but also one of my credit card bills. This is why she's now blocked from going under the bed. She was extremely disapproving when I enacted this new rule.

Sassy & Demanding

More than anything, I've found that Lily has a very strong sense of how things should be. She will protest if she's not let out at a certain time, or if she hears a sound she doesn't like. She's not above kicking her back legs at me when I catch her doing something she's not supposed to, like chewing on pillows, or tearing up carpet. Also, if I dare to stop petting her she nips me until I start again. She never bites hard enough to draw blood, but enough to startle me.

Lily only allows one tool for grooming, and that is an eyebrow brush from a makeup kit. I've tried flea combs, and rubber brushes. Both were met with protest. The rubber brush was seized and attacked repeatedly. While small, the eyebrow brush does work and she enjoys it enough to assume loaf position while it's in use. Mind you, this is when she allows grooming, because sometimes she just isn't in the mood. I have also been able to pull out tufts of loose fur with my hands, but that's only allowed for a few minutes before she runs off.

When giving Lily treats such as banana or some other rabbit-safe fruit, I have to watch my fingers. She usually yanks it away. The papaya chips bring about the highest chances of foot nips if I'm not quick enough. Lily will actually sit on my bed while I'm at my computer working on something and just stare at me. I have to say that there's something disconcerting about that face and those forward facing ears just holding that position for so long. It's like she's plotting. However, if I go over and give her a few minutes of petting, she understands I haven't forgotten about her.

She's A Brat, But Too Cute Not To Love

With all the nips, chewing, thieving, and demands, you'd think I'd lose my temper with Lily. I don't though, because I know she's just doing what rabbits do. Even if it comes off as bratty. I also end up laughing a lot with her silly antics rather than be mad. Seeing Lily change from a scared ball of fur to an indoor rabbit that flops down for a long nap during the day is huge. She knows she's safe now. The binkies alone are proof of that. I'm glad she came into my life when she did, and I think she's probably grateful in her own way too. I think she's too feisty to admit it, though.

As of this writing, Lily has been with me for about two and a half years. At the time of her rescue, my vet estimated her to be under a year old, making her approximately three and a half years old today.

If you would like to share your life with a house rabbit, please adopt from a rescue near you.

For a full range of rabbit topics including care, diet, housing, and health, visit The House Rabbit Society

So you bought an Easter bunny....

So you bought an Easter bunny…

It seemed like a great idea at the time.  After all, what’s more cute than a fuzzy little baby bunny?  This innocent creature seemed like an easy, adorable starter pet, right?  Now, that cute little ball of fluff has grown up.  He’s turning into a hormonal teenage brat, being disrespectful, urinating everywhere, chewing on the furniture, and generally making himself as unwelcome as any other surly teenager.
 

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/

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!

*Carrots are a treat!  Feed in moderation :)

Healthy Living - Lagomorph Style!

Okay, it's now into the post-Easter season.  Maybe you are one of the people who purchased a rabbit on impulse for Easter and are now doing the right thing - trying to research how to properly care for your new pet.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad information out there.  It even misleads people who have been bunny parents for a while.  Look no further!  Here is some basic information on what NOT to buy and what TO buy instead!

Housing
We know.  Almost all bunny parents have been there.  You go to the pet store to find a house for your bunny.  Naturally, you peruse the small pet section.  Where else would you look?  Well, turn away from the small pet section.  I guarantee that every single rabbit cage available for sale is much to small for even a dwarf rabbit (who, by the way, need EXTRA room because they are so energetic!).  We particularly cringe at the "starter kits" that come with other things that are unhealthy for your rabbit.

Please, please don't buy this!!  A cage this small is only appropriate for transport.

You may be asking, "If I can't find a rabbit cage in the rabbit section, then what on earth can my rabbit live in??"  Head to the puppy section!  A puppy exercise pen is a GREAT alternative!  All you need is a litter box, water & food dishes, toys, food, and you're all set!  You can also build a condo out of storage cube grids.  It can be fun designing a unique habitat for your rabbit!

A condo made from storage cube grids

An exercise pen habitat

Diet
Okay!  You now have your bunny set up in a nice big pen.  Now what to feed her?  She a rabbit - she just needs carrots and rabbit chow, right?  And the one that says "nutritious" and has all sorts of extra bits in it should be extra healthy, right?  WRONG!!

Let's start with the basics.  The number one item in your bunny's diet should be unlimited grass hay.  What is grass hay?  Look for timothy, orchard grass, bluegrass, brome - those are some of the more common ones.  What to avoid?  Alfalfa.  Alfalfa is a legume hay, and much too rich for healthy adult bunnies.

So what about those pellets?  First of all, do not buy anything that says "Fiesta" or that has colored bits or seeds in it.  These WILL kill your bunny - whether by choking on a seed or long-term problems caused by obesity.  Contrary to what the package says, they are not nutritious at all.  Think of it as putting lots of Snickers bars in your cereal.  Not so healthy, huh?

What should you look for?  A plain, high-quality, high-fiber, timothy-based pellet.  Please don't buy the Walmart food.  Yes, a good pellet will be more expensive.  Some good brands include Oxbow and Zupreem. 

NO!!!!  This WILL KILL your rabbit.

YES!!  Plain, timothy-based pellet.

And remember, your bunny should only get a very limited amount of pellets.  My 4-5 lb buns get 1/8 cup each day.  The House Rabbit Society has a good guide here:  http://rabbit.org/faq-diet/

The other part of your bunny's diet should be fresh greens each day.  Forget the carrots!  They are high in sugar (you can give an occasional piece as a treat).  Oh, but bunnies DO love carrot tops!  Dark, leafy greens are great - and bunnies love herbs such as cilantro, basil, and parsley too! 

Well all know about those adorable begging bunny faces, so what do you give for treats?  The pet store has all sorts of brightly packaged rabbit treats.  Surely those are okay, right?  Sorry.  Nope.  Those seed sticks with honey?  Again, this can KILL your rabbit.  Avoid anything with corn or seeds.  And please don't feed yogurt drops.  Bunny digestive systems are not designed to digest dairy products.  There's even a treat out there called "Frosted Donuts".  Don't.  Just don't.  Only a few treats that you can find at a pet store are appropriate.  Look for things like plain dried fruit (but be careful, these have a lot of sugar).  Oxbow, available at Petsmart, makes its own line of treats.  Small pieces of fresh fruit make wonderful treats.  Your bun will love you forever if you give him a blueberry or a little piece of banana (I swear my bunnies know the sound of a banana peeling).  Specialty rabbit websites such as the Bunspace store sell awesome bunny treats.  You can even make homemade bunny cookies!

If it resembles styrofoam, just...no.

Pro-health?  Not so much.  STAY AWAY.

"Bunny Potpourri" from the Bunspace store - an excellent treat!

I am happy to have just found American Pet Diner Smaks Treats on the Petco website!  APD is another good brand.

So what else should you avoid?  They sell salt licks in the small animal section, how about that?  It's a waste of money, they are completely unnecessary.  Vitamin drops to put in their water?  No, definitely not.  Your bun should get all the vitamins she needs from her diet, and the drops may even prevent her from drinking water if she doesn't like the taste.  What about the bags of hay with dried fruit mixed in?  Nope, stick with plain hay.  Too much sugar in all that dried fruit, and your bun will pick out the "snickers bars" and leave the healthy stuff! 

All in all, once you get the basics down, it is easier to figure out what is healthy for your bunny.  Have you had your bunny for a while and are just now figuring out that you haven't been providing the healthiest environment and diet?  Not to worry, you can still get things on the right track. We can always answer any questions you might have.  We love helping bunny parents who have the best interests of their bunny in mind.

Do you really want to make sure that you are being the best bunny parent you can be?  You are in luck!  Inquire about our free Bunny Basics classes - it's everything a beginning bunny parent needs to know!