Rabbits are fascinating creatures, not least because they seem at first blush to be so common. But, in fact, rabbits come in several dozen breeds and exhibit behavior that is surprising to anyone who hasn’t owned one.

The America Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes about 50 different breeds, though there are more types of rabbit. But, of course, as a professional association concerned with keeping things orderly they have fairly strict standards. Snowshoe hares aren’t among them, for example. Hey wait, they argue, we’re interested in domestic breeds. Fair enough. But do the rabbits know the difference?

But all those breeds have one thing in common that is something they are NOT: they’re not rodents. Though similar, rabbits are Lagomorphs. Sounds like something out a science fiction book, doesn’t it? Rodents, on the other hand are, well, Rodentia.

They have an interesting way of maturing, too. The average, well-cared for domestic rabbit has a roughly 10 year life span, whereas for humans it’s about 75 years. The life expectancy varies from breed to breed. Yet a human isn’t sexually mature at 3 3/4 years (75 divided by 20, which is 10 years/0.5 years), while a six month old rabbit is. They grow up fast, don’t they?

Their gestation period is just about a month and, as everyone who has ever watched a cartoon knows, they have lots of babies. Nix that. Rabbit babies are called ‘kits’. But don’t confuse ‘kit’, as in rabbit baby, with ‘kit’ as in tool bag. They don’t like it when you try to pry beer bottles open with their teeth.

continue reading "Pet Rabbits - Life Expectancy, and Other Interesting Rabbit Facts"

Rabbits are cute as heck, everyone agrees. And it’s true. But rabbit owners know that their little friends have natural behaviors, some would say instincts, that can make them destructive.

Rabbits are no respecters of property, so you have to be vigilant. Letting them out of the cage to enjoy running around is important for their health and amusing for their owner. But left unsupervised, they’ll usually get into what the owner would call trouble pretty quickly. The rabbit would call it having fun.

So, the first tip is just to keep an eye on them. No need to frighten them by harsh words or rough handling when they start to chew on the furniture or electrical cords. Just move them away, back into the cage for a little ‘timeout’.

Rabbits will chew on just about anything. Protecting your belongings by wrapping table legs, moving cords out of the way and so on is a good idea. But giving the rabbit an acceptable alternative helps improve your odds of not going crazy watching the rabbit. A variety of toys made of hard rubber or plastic are a good option.

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Ok, admittedly it’s impossible to completely rabbit proof your home. The only way to do that is not to have a rabbit. But there are many ways to tip the odds in your favor without getting rid of Binky.

The first thing is to remember Bacon’s famous dictum: Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed. Here, that means: Rabbits like to chew. Among other things, their teeth grow throughout their lives and chewing helps keep them under control. You can’t stop them from chewing, but you can redirect that instinct into ways that are beneficial for the rabbit and safer for you.

Keeping electrical cords out of reach is an early challenge. If you let your rabbit run around the house, and most everyone will want to at some time, keeping Binky’s teeth away from electricity is vital. Literally. Rabbits will readily chew through a power cord connected to a lamp or computer. Not only does this ruin the cord, but it’s potentially fatal to the rabbit.

Ideally, cords should be tucked up and out of sight. But keep in mind that rabbits can squeeze into small spaces, so just shoving the cord behind the desk or table may not be enough. You have to prevent access. When you can’t do that, there are alternatives. Cords can be covered with aluminum foil or hard plastic, or you can purchase cord coverings called spiral cable wrap that are designed to protect them.

Houseplants need to kept out of reach, as well. Rabbits are herbivores so don’t expect them to act against their natures. Remember Bacon’s advice? Even if they get plenty of food, they’ll ‘forage’ by going after your flowers and other plants when they can. Some are toxic, but even in the best scenario you’ll have lost a plant even when you don’t lose the rabbit.

Rabbits will chew on furniture, too. Table and couch legs can be wrapped with PVC pipe, but that’s not a very attractive option. Decorative metal or wood coverings can be purchased to keep them from chewing on the chair and table legs. Similar materials are used to provide a method for moulding, baseboards and other strips that are used at the base of walls.

Supervision while the rabbit is around them may be preferable. But be careful about shooing them away with a foot. Rabbits are sensitive creatures and easily spooked. Fear brings on… you guessed it… more chewing.

But providing them with good alternatives may be the best strategy of all. Hard rubber or plastic bones or balls and other toys are inexpensive and healthy. They keep the rabbit occupied and away from your shoes. Try to avoid any which will splinter or fragment, including household items such as toilet paper rolls. Similar precautions should be followed with respect to household cleaning items and other chemicals. Rabbits are sometimes not sufficiently particular about what they ingest. Protect your home and your rabbit and you’ll both be happier.

‘They breed like rabbits’ is a familiar phrase. And it’s true. Rabbits are prolific. As prey for a wide variety of predators in the wild, the species survived, in part, by producing many offspring. But that ease and number can represent a problem for pet owners.

Breeding is best left to professionals or those who have experience. The breeding itself is simple, since (obviously) the rabbits are the major actors in the process. But the effort that surrounds the project is not small.

It requires increased cage space and maintenance, more food and feeding time, and other considerations. A pregnant female rabbit will consume about double the normal amount of food.

Above all, there’s the problem of what to do with the kits (the babies). Rabbits have litters of anywhere from 4-12 on average. Even at the lower end of the range, that’s a lot of animals to give away or sell. Any that are kept will also breed, leading to a runaway population explosion.

But for those determined to try their hand at rabbit breeding, there are relatively simple guidelines to follow.

Rabbits reach sexual maturity at about 6 months, some larger breeds later at around 9 months. Females have a vagina and males have a penis, like most mammals. But the male organ isn’t easy to see, since it’s tucked inside skin folds and to the untrained eye may resemble the female’s genitalia. At around 3 months, a male rabbit’s testicles will drop, making them visible to a careful observer.

When, after 6-9 months of age, breeding is desired the process is simple. Separate the male into a separate cage away from other males and females. Bring the female (a doe) to the cage of the male (a buck).

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It’s easy to find many challenges involved in having a pet rabbit. But there are lots of positives, too. Here are some of the pros and cons…

Rabbits can live a long time, up to ten years or so. That in itself can be either a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. People often view rabbits as something to amuse the kids when they’re young. But having the life expectancy of a dog makes them a long term commitment. Think ahead.

Rabbits are prone to a few diseases that may be hard to treat. Since they can’t vomit, a hairball can cause them serious intestinal difficulty. Keeping their diet correct in order to minimize the odds takes some effort. They can contract something called RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), a virus that can cause death. Even if they survive, they can also spread it to other pet rabbits. They can be subject to flea and mite infestations, with all the potential complications that brings.

Rabbits requires some grooming, more than a cat, but considerably less than a dog. Though bathing them is unnecessary, and indeed not generally a good idea (rabbits can become overheated easily), they still benefit from regular nail care and brushing.

Some of that grooming effort is for the benefit of the rabbit, some of it is for you. Keeping them well brushed, but not harshly so, will help keep the amount of hair around the house down. Trimming their nails keeps them from being quite so destructive around the house if they’re left free to roam around.

A pet rabbit that is out of the cage can be quite destructive. They love to dig and they may chew almost incessantly. A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing and one way they keep them under control is to gnaw on things. That may be fine outside, but in the house it can be a problem.

Rabbit proofing is the way to go here, but that involves thought, effort and sometimes a moderate expense. You’ll need to lay down covers for the couch or plastic laminates (such as those used under office chairs) and devise other protective measures. But, there are many ways to do this and it doesn’t have to be done often. Many people see the expense and effort as well worth it.

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Novices seeking a rabbit for a pet are often surprised to learn how many different types there are. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes about 50 different breeds, though they have strict criteria. There are many more.

They range from the American to the Vienna. There are breeds that weigh a couple of pounds, like the Britannia Petite, up to the German Gray Giant who hits the scales at 23 lbs. There are long eared rabbits and short eared (more or less). There are white ones, brown and gray, bluish gray and jet black. There are those with relatively short hair, like the Mini Rex. Then there is the Angora with long, luxurious wool.

Choosing from among them is often nothing more than just an emotional decision, which is a fine way to select a pet. After all, you’re not getting one to do work around the farm. Though rabbits can be useful - their feces make excellent garden manure.

But take a little time to do your homework before letting the heartstrings tug you in one direction or another.

Think about whether you want something easy for a young child to pick up and carry gently around. That means you’ll want one light and easy going. Rabbits can vary not only in their physical features, but their temperament as well. And, you don’t want your six year old to lug around a nervous 20 lb rabbit, do you?

As their fur varies, so also does the effort of dealing with it. The amount they shed varies from one type to another. The care required differs, too. Some can do with a brushing once a week or less. Others will only be in optimal health if brushed daily. And the amount of hair on your couch and rug will be more or less, depending on the breed.

Aesthetic choices certainly vary from person to person. Consider yours. Some like the ‘traditional’ looking, simple black and white Dutch. Others enjoy the fine, dark sable of a Black Silver Martin. But looks aren’t the only consideration.

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Like cats, rabbits pride themselves on cleanliness, that is why it is so easy to teach them to use the litter box. They spend several hours a day keeping grooming themselves, maintaining the quality of their skin and coat. Just because your pet rabbit spends a large amount of its day grooming itself that you are absolved from pet grooming. Rabbits, like all pets rely on their owners to set a grooming plan and then stick with it.

One of the most important things to do is to brush your rabbit at least once a day. The time you spend brushing your pet bunny will go along way in establishing a lifelong bond. The health benefits of brushing your pet rabbit include the removal of any dead hairs that your rabbit might other wise swallow. Once swallowed these hairs could form a hairball that can compromise your rabbit’s digestive system. If a hairball creates a blockage, your pet rabbit will have to go to the veterinarian where the resulting surgery could cost several hundred dollars. When you are brushing your rabbit bear in mind that the average rabbit sheds its old coat approximately every three months, during this period of time increase the frequency of your brushing, and prepare to vacuum your house twice as often, you’ll be amazed at how much hair comes off the tiny body. Rabbits have very delicate skin so look for a brush that has soft bristles and wont tear your pet bunnies skin. Some rabbit owners prefer a plastic wide toothed comb for their grooming.

When properly groomed and cared for long haired rabbits, like Angora’s, are gorgeous. The problem is keeping all that hair combed, clean, and free of mats is quite a chore. If a rabbit owner isn’t showing their long haired rabbit, they typically trim the hair so that it is only one inch long. This help keep the rabbit’s coat clean and free of mats but also keeps the rabbit more comfortable during the hot summer months. If you have never trimmed a rabbit’s long hair before, you might want to take your rabbit to a professional pet groomer and watch how it’s done before you try it yourself. When using the clippers or scissors, be very careful that you don’t damage the rabbits skin.

If you find a spot where the rabbit’s hair has become so tangled that it has turned into a mat, refrain from using a pair of scissors to remove the mat. It is better if you use a comb and patiently work the mat loose, a few hairs at a time. If you find that this is to trying on your patience, you might want to take your pet rabbit to a professional pet groomer and have them remove the mats with a pair of electric clippers.

Every few weeks, check and make sure that your rabbit’s nails haven’t gotten to long. If you think they are looking long, or notice that they are starting to catch on your carpeting it is time to trim them. If you have never done this before take your rabbit to a pet groomer or veterinarian and watch how it is done first. If you are comfortable on your own be careful that you don’t trim the nails so short that they bleed and your rabbit is to uncomfortable to move around.

Pets complete a home for single people and families. Children often desire pets more than adults do as they think animals are cute and fun to have. Adults of course know the work required. Like any pet, rabbits need care. They need to go to the vet, get feed daily, and have their domain cleaned. When you decide to purchase a rabbit, you will need to know exactly what is required of you.

Before we get into your rabbits needs, you will want to know a few of the species available. Most common are cottontails, dwarf, and lop eared rabbits for pets. The dwarf rabbit is small and best kept indoors, while the cottontails are not as sensitive to the weather and can be housed outside in moderate climates. The lop eared rabbits like the cottontails grow to be a good size and have long floppy ears. The type of rabbit you wish to have for a pet will in part decide on the care.

First like cats and dogs, rabbits require shots from the vet to keep them in good health. People carry diseases that can harm animals if we do not wash before and after we handle our pet. Rabbits can be susceptible to worms and other dietary parasites so it is important to take your rabbit for its vet visit when needed. Speak with a vet about your rabbit’s care and any questions you may have before you complete your purchase.

Rabbits eat pellets, hay and vegetables. Most rabbits like to munch on carrots or lettuce. You want to feed your rabbit everyday to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of food. Unlike cats that eat when they are hungry, a rabbit can over eat and become over weight. Some commercial feeds for rabbits contain nuts; however, these are typically not good as they are high in fiber. You can feed your rabbit fruit as a treat, but you should not do so daily.

continue reading "Rabbit Care and Tips"

Would you spent $4000 for cataract surgery on your pet?

Well that’s a question that a lot of us pet owners may not be able to answer now until it happens to us.

Although it may seem to be a ridiculous sum, but to many of us our pet is virtually our family. Seems like a hard decision to make!

What do you think?

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