Bunny Mania!

Thinking about inviting a rabbit home? Here’s some bunny information to help smooth your way. If this piques your curiosity and you want to learn more, stop by our 'Meet the Bunny' event this Saturday. We have bunny days the second Saturday of each month. Come on by this weekend and chat with our knowledgeable rabbit volunteers.

Rabbits have a vast array of personalities, from shy to outgoing, gentle to fierce, laid-back to look-out! Their lightweight skeletons are built for speed. This makes them fun to watch, but also makes them fragile, so they need to be handled carefully. Most prefer floor time to lap time, as prey animals, so being picked up is often prelude to being dinner. Your rabbit might learn to tolerate — even love — being held, but don’t expect this right from the start.

The needs of a rabbit are simple: food, water, litterbox, toys, a safe environment and love. No routine vaccinations or medications are required. Some rabbits live long lives (did you know their lifespan can be 8-10 years?) without needing veterinary care save the occasional well-bunny check. But, as with all companion animals, savings should be put aside just in case.

The most important part of the rabbit diet is unlimited amounts of hay: alfalfa hay for babies and grass hays (such as oat and timothy) for adults. They also need a small amount of pellets and fresh food daily such as carrots and broccoli, and dark, leafy greens, such as dandelions, chard, parsley, kale and cilantro. They also need drinking water — thirsty rabbits won't eat. Don’t waste your money on yogurt drops, mineral wheels or pellets mixed with seed and other things rabbits don’t need – no matter what the clerk in the pet store tells you. 

Neutered/spayed rabbits not only live longer and are healthier, they are generally tidier and easier to litterbox train. Start them off in a small area with litterboxes filled with straw, Carefresh or similar products, plus a handful of hay. Gradually increase the living space and decrease the number of litterboxes.

Toys are a must, but need not be expensive. A cardboard box, towel, set of baby keys, last year’s phone book, an old shoe, a human being … all make great toys. If you love to spoil your pets check out the amazing array of toys available at www.busybunny.com. 

Rabbits use their teeth to gather information as well as nutrients. As their teeth grow constantly, rabbits must wear them down. In this way they are like puppies, albeit puppies for life. Rabbit-proofing your house is vital for your bunny’s safety. Protect cords (cord covers are available at most hardware stores), put things out of reach, supervise and provide safe chew toys (such as unsprayed apple and willow branches, wooden blocks, and baskets) to give your pet an appropriate outlet for his chewing needs.

Gentle, respectful children and rabbits are a terrific combination as long as they have realistic expectations and supervision. A rabbit is not like a little cat and can be easily injured if picked up improperly. Usually it is the parents that have unrealistic expectations of the amount of responsibility the children can have for the rabbit. Getting any pet is a family responsibility and should be a lifetime commitment. To set free a domestic rabbit is not only illegal, it is cruel and sends him to almost certain death. Rabbits caged outdoors lead lonely, dull lives — often neglected and forgotten, and exposed to many dangers.

What can’t be put into words is how wonderful it is to have a rabbit or two (or three) in the house. They are fascinating, entertaining, heart-warming conversation starters, and can forge a bond as strong as Lassie to Timmy (or Sherman to Mr. Peabody). Are you ready to start a new love affair? Hop on down to the shelter the second Saturday of every month and visit with our many adoptable bunnies!