Is a Rabbit Right for You?
By Vickianne Caswell
We all see them in the pet stores. Cute little bunnies that we all want to take home. But is a bunny the right pet for you? There is more to their care & handling than most people realize. Rabbits come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They never stay small, require more care than a cat, dog or hamster and are not meant to stay caged. Before purchasing that irresistible face, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I home a lot so that I can spend time with this rabbit? Rabbits need companionship. If you aren't interacting with your rabbit on a daily basis, rabbits tend to get mean and may bite or scratch. Owners that spend time with their pets, become aware of their behaviours which is very beneficial when it comes to rabbits. Rabbits are prey animals, which means they are very good at hiding their ailments. In the wild, if a sick rabbit were to show any signs of weakness, they would fall to predators. An owner that is aware of their rabbits behaviour, eating and drinking patterns to name a few have a better chance of determining if their rabbit is sick before it is too late or the vet bill rings high.
2. Am I willing to let this animal loose in my home? Rabbits are not cage animals. Just as a dog or cat, they need to be let loose in the house. A cage is meant as security for them, a place they feel safe. It also a place where they stay when you are not around. It is meant as a temporary shelter for times when you are unable to be with your rabbit. It should also be known that rabbits like to chew and dig. You will need to block off cords & other stuff you do not wish to be chewed.
3. Am I willing to care for this animal for an average of 10 years? Rabbits can live as long as a cat.
4. Am I going to be able to afford any medical care for this rabbit? Rabbits, like cats and dogs, get sick and because this is not always easy for a pet owner to see, the vet bill can sometimes come to a lot.
5. If there are other pets or children in the house, will I have the time to supervise them with the rabbit? Other pets need to be introduced slowly and watched closely so that neither get hurt. If there are children in the house, watch them closely as a small mistake in handling the rabbit can result in a dead one. Rabbits that are able to twist about are more likely to severely damage their spines. Rabbits can also be scared to death, so a screaming or chasing child or animal may not be best around a rabbit. Please read up on the subject before introductions begin and only let children handle rabbits when closely supervised.
6. Are you willing to spay or neuter? While this one is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Pet shops are not always correct when sexing a young rabbit. If you have another rabbit in the house, you may be looking at even more. Many behavioral problems (marking territory, aggressiveness, lack of litter box use, etc) tend to be solved by this procedure. Another reason is to have a healthy rabbit. Studies have shown that 50-80% of un-spayed females can develop uterine and/or mammary tumors by 5 years of age while males can also develop diseases of the reproductive organs.
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you will find a wonderful pet and friend in a rabbit. They are not the cuddling type but will come for a petting or closeness when they desire it. Their form of play and hopping will give you hours of laughter and enjoyment. They need no other companions as long as they have you. If you are letting your rabbits out while you are home, then chances are that while you are away, they will spend the time eating and sleeping.
Before purchasing a rabbit from a breeder or a store, please remember that their are other rabbits in greater need at the local rescue. There was not necessarily anything wrong with the rabbit, the owners for one reason or another were no longer able to care for them. By adopting a rabbit, that is one less rabbit to be euthanized or one more in the rescue's case, that can be taken in. It is easy to get misinformed! Make sure you have also read up on rabbits so that you know what size each breed will get to and make sure you have a large cage available, one that will provide the rabbit a place to stretch out and sleep, as well as a toilet area and eating space. When in doubt, always call your local rabbit rescue. They are there to provide you with information on rabbits even if it is not for one of their own.
Copyright © 2006 by Vickianne Caswell All Rights Reserved.
We all see them in the pet stores. Cute little bunnies that we all want to take home. But is a bunny the right pet for you? There is more to their care & handling than most people realize. Rabbits come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They never stay small, require more care than a cat, dog or hamster and are not meant to stay caged. Before purchasing that irresistible face, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I home a lot so that I can spend time with this rabbit? Rabbits need companionship. If you aren't interacting with your rabbit on a daily basis, rabbits tend to get mean and may bite or scratch. Owners that spend time with their pets, become aware of their behaviours which is very beneficial when it comes to rabbits. Rabbits are prey animals, which means they are very good at hiding their ailments. In the wild, if a sick rabbit were to show any signs of weakness, they would fall to predators. An owner that is aware of their rabbits behaviour, eating and drinking patterns to name a few have a better chance of determining if their rabbit is sick before it is too late or the vet bill rings high.
2. Am I willing to let this animal loose in my home? Rabbits are not cage animals. Just as a dog or cat, they need to be let loose in the house. A cage is meant as security for them, a place they feel safe. It also a place where they stay when you are not around. It is meant as a temporary shelter for times when you are unable to be with your rabbit. It should also be known that rabbits like to chew and dig. You will need to block off cords & other stuff you do not wish to be chewed.
3. Am I willing to care for this animal for an average of 10 years? Rabbits can live as long as a cat.
4. Am I going to be able to afford any medical care for this rabbit? Rabbits, like cats and dogs, get sick and because this is not always easy for a pet owner to see, the vet bill can sometimes come to a lot.
5. If there are other pets or children in the house, will I have the time to supervise them with the rabbit? Other pets need to be introduced slowly and watched closely so that neither get hurt. If there are children in the house, watch them closely as a small mistake in handling the rabbit can result in a dead one. Rabbits that are able to twist about are more likely to severely damage their spines. Rabbits can also be scared to death, so a screaming or chasing child or animal may not be best around a rabbit. Please read up on the subject before introductions begin and only let children handle rabbits when closely supervised.
6. Are you willing to spay or neuter? While this one is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Pet shops are not always correct when sexing a young rabbit. If you have another rabbit in the house, you may be looking at even more. Many behavioral problems (marking territory, aggressiveness, lack of litter box use, etc) tend to be solved by this procedure. Another reason is to have a healthy rabbit. Studies have shown that 50-80% of un-spayed females can develop uterine and/or mammary tumors by 5 years of age while males can also develop diseases of the reproductive organs.
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you will find a wonderful pet and friend in a rabbit. They are not the cuddling type but will come for a petting or closeness when they desire it. Their form of play and hopping will give you hours of laughter and enjoyment. They need no other companions as long as they have you. If you are letting your rabbits out while you are home, then chances are that while you are away, they will spend the time eating and sleeping.
Before purchasing a rabbit from a breeder or a store, please remember that their are other rabbits in greater need at the local rescue. There was not necessarily anything wrong with the rabbit, the owners for one reason or another were no longer able to care for them. By adopting a rabbit, that is one less rabbit to be euthanized or one more in the rescue's case, that can be taken in. It is easy to get misinformed! Make sure you have also read up on rabbits so that you know what size each breed will get to and make sure you have a large cage available, one that will provide the rabbit a place to stretch out and sleep, as well as a toilet area and eating space. When in doubt, always call your local rabbit rescue. They are there to provide you with information on rabbits even if it is not for one of their own.
Copyright © 2006 by Vickianne Caswell All Rights Reserved.
Easter from the Eyes of a Bunny
by Kenn Caswell
I am so cold, hungry, thirsty and scared and I don't know why I've ended up this way. I used to live in a warm and safe house with my human caregivers but now here I am alone and trying to survive by myself outdoors. The dogs and cats chase me and I know it won't be good if I'm caught so I'm even more scared. I can't find water so I'm thirsty and there is no food dish with my hay, vegetables and pellets so I'm hungry most of the time and I don't know why this has happened to me. I don't know what to eat and I am too scared to come out of hiding because of the dogs, cats, birds and big metal machines. My life started out great. When I was small a family took me to what was a great home. They loved me and gave me lots and lots of treats, but as I grew older and bigger and time went on, they played with me less and less, my cage didn't get cleaned as much, I rarely got out of it and sometimes they forgot to feed me and give me water. Then one day they took me in the big metal machine, and when it stopped, they let me out and left me here. I am alone, scared and hungry and I don't know what I did to make them not love me anymore.
This story isn't fiction. Rabbits are being set loose in our city because they have become unwanted for whatever reason. These animals do not have the skills to survive on their own. Please do research on any pet you are bringing into your home before you get it. The library or the internet are great places to find out if an animal is right for you. Also contact your local rescue and they would be happy to answer any questions. They also have many great pets that need homes and have worse tales to tell than the one above.
If you are considering a rabbit as a gift for Easter, aside from doing the research, please think of contacting your local rescues, they may not be small anymore, but they are retired Easter Bunnies who need a good home even more than the small ones and need your help. Please remember too that they are not great starter pets and are considered "high-maintenance". Here are 9 myths about rabbits for you to consider as well:
1. Rabbits are great low-maintenance pets:
Reality: Rabbits require more than just pellets, they require hay and vegetables as well. They require combing because unlike cats, they can't cough up hairballs or anything else. They require their litter cleaned daily, they require a rabbit vet which there are not a lot of in the city, they need constant contact and attention which can help a pet owner notice an illness before it gets serious. Rabbits are very good at hiding their illnesses until it is almost too late which means that a vet trim can get quite costly. A diet too high in calcium can also create serious health problems so you need to know what vegetables to give sparingly and provide timothy hay and leave the alfalfa as a treat and in small amounts.
2. Rabbits do not need veterinary care like a dog or cat does:
Reality: Rabbits require a yearly check up along with a visit to the vet if there is something wrong or out of the ordinary. Rabbits just as dogs and cats, should be spayed or neutered. This helps prevent future health problems with their reproductive systems as well. A rabbit that has been spayed or neutered is less likely to mark up your house with urine or get destructive with some of your things or get aggressive with you.
3. Rabbits only live a year or two
Reality: Rabbits can live up to 10 years, some even longer. If you aren't willing to have this animal for as long as you would a cat or a dog, don't get one as they require a life-long commitment.
4. Rabbits are happiest outdoors or in a backyard hutch:
Reality: An outdoor bunny is often a forgotten bunny. A rabbit craves the interaction on he has with you and if left alone outside often do not do well. Outside a rabbit is venerable to diseases spread by insects, a rabbit can literally die of fright just from the approach of a predator, and a rabbit is a prey animal so they are very good at hiding any medical problems so if you are not interacting with your rabbit on a daily basis you probably won't notice any changes in the rabbit's behavior.
5. Rabbits are dirty and have a strong odor:
Reality: Rabbits can be litter trained and do exceptionally well at using them if spayed or neutered. A litter box that has been cleaned on a daily basis is anything but odorous. If an odor is still there after emptying, vinegar can be put into the cage to dissolve the pee and then scraped. Please remember to thoroughly rinse the pan after doing this as the vinegar smell can be too strong for a rabbits nose.
6. Rabbits love to be picked up and cuddled and do not bite or scratch:
Reality: Most rabbits do not like to be carried and if they do, it is for a short time and when it is convenient for them. Un-spayed/neutered rabbits tend to get territorial around things they believe belong to them. Same is for a rabbit that does not get daily petting and or time spent with you. A rabbit that has been mishandled or is scared, is going to bite or scratch out of fright.
7. Rabbits do not require much living space ~ especially the Dwarf breeds:
Reality: Rabbits need room to run, jump, stretch out (even at bedtime) and move. They can't do this if they are confined. A rabbit was not meant to be a caged animal. It requires time out of the cage, however, a cage is a good place for the rabbit to feel safe as well as a place to be overnight or while you are at work. When purchasing a cage, get the largest one you can find. Dwarf rabbits can be more energetic than some of the larger breeds and lops love to play.
8. Rabbits can be left alone for a day or two while owners travel:
Reality: Rabbits need daily monitoring as it is easy to miss a sick rabbit. While hay should always be available, food should be given at a regular time and once a day. Make sure you measure how much you are feeding the rabbit. This way you can tell if it is sick by how much it eats and drinks. Rabbits require daily fresh water. On warm days, rabbits drink more and if it runs out while you are away, it could get dehydrated.
If no one is home and your rabbit gets sick, there will be no one to take it to the vet.
9. Rabbits do fine with a bowl of food and some daily carrots:
Reality: Rabbits require hay as well as pellets and vegetables. Without the hay, their teeth will become overgrown as their teeth are constantly growing. Hay both trims their teeth as they chew and provides fibre in their diet. Hay is the most important food a rabbit could eat.
Copyright © 2006 by Kenn Caswell All Rights Reserved.
I am so cold, hungry, thirsty and scared and I don't know why I've ended up this way. I used to live in a warm and safe house with my human caregivers but now here I am alone and trying to survive by myself outdoors. The dogs and cats chase me and I know it won't be good if I'm caught so I'm even more scared. I can't find water so I'm thirsty and there is no food dish with my hay, vegetables and pellets so I'm hungry most of the time and I don't know why this has happened to me. I don't know what to eat and I am too scared to come out of hiding because of the dogs, cats, birds and big metal machines. My life started out great. When I was small a family took me to what was a great home. They loved me and gave me lots and lots of treats, but as I grew older and bigger and time went on, they played with me less and less, my cage didn't get cleaned as much, I rarely got out of it and sometimes they forgot to feed me and give me water. Then one day they took me in the big metal machine, and when it stopped, they let me out and left me here. I am alone, scared and hungry and I don't know what I did to make them not love me anymore.
This story isn't fiction. Rabbits are being set loose in our city because they have become unwanted for whatever reason. These animals do not have the skills to survive on their own. Please do research on any pet you are bringing into your home before you get it. The library or the internet are great places to find out if an animal is right for you. Also contact your local rescue and they would be happy to answer any questions. They also have many great pets that need homes and have worse tales to tell than the one above.
If you are considering a rabbit as a gift for Easter, aside from doing the research, please think of contacting your local rescues, they may not be small anymore, but they are retired Easter Bunnies who need a good home even more than the small ones and need your help. Please remember too that they are not great starter pets and are considered "high-maintenance". Here are 9 myths about rabbits for you to consider as well:
1. Rabbits are great low-maintenance pets:
Reality: Rabbits require more than just pellets, they require hay and vegetables as well. They require combing because unlike cats, they can't cough up hairballs or anything else. They require their litter cleaned daily, they require a rabbit vet which there are not a lot of in the city, they need constant contact and attention which can help a pet owner notice an illness before it gets serious. Rabbits are very good at hiding their illnesses until it is almost too late which means that a vet trim can get quite costly. A diet too high in calcium can also create serious health problems so you need to know what vegetables to give sparingly and provide timothy hay and leave the alfalfa as a treat and in small amounts.
2. Rabbits do not need veterinary care like a dog or cat does:
Reality: Rabbits require a yearly check up along with a visit to the vet if there is something wrong or out of the ordinary. Rabbits just as dogs and cats, should be spayed or neutered. This helps prevent future health problems with their reproductive systems as well. A rabbit that has been spayed or neutered is less likely to mark up your house with urine or get destructive with some of your things or get aggressive with you.
3. Rabbits only live a year or two
Reality: Rabbits can live up to 10 years, some even longer. If you aren't willing to have this animal for as long as you would a cat or a dog, don't get one as they require a life-long commitment.
4. Rabbits are happiest outdoors or in a backyard hutch:
Reality: An outdoor bunny is often a forgotten bunny. A rabbit craves the interaction on he has with you and if left alone outside often do not do well. Outside a rabbit is venerable to diseases spread by insects, a rabbit can literally die of fright just from the approach of a predator, and a rabbit is a prey animal so they are very good at hiding any medical problems so if you are not interacting with your rabbit on a daily basis you probably won't notice any changes in the rabbit's behavior.
5. Rabbits are dirty and have a strong odor:
Reality: Rabbits can be litter trained and do exceptionally well at using them if spayed or neutered. A litter box that has been cleaned on a daily basis is anything but odorous. If an odor is still there after emptying, vinegar can be put into the cage to dissolve the pee and then scraped. Please remember to thoroughly rinse the pan after doing this as the vinegar smell can be too strong for a rabbits nose.
6. Rabbits love to be picked up and cuddled and do not bite or scratch:
Reality: Most rabbits do not like to be carried and if they do, it is for a short time and when it is convenient for them. Un-spayed/neutered rabbits tend to get territorial around things they believe belong to them. Same is for a rabbit that does not get daily petting and or time spent with you. A rabbit that has been mishandled or is scared, is going to bite or scratch out of fright.
7. Rabbits do not require much living space ~ especially the Dwarf breeds:
Reality: Rabbits need room to run, jump, stretch out (even at bedtime) and move. They can't do this if they are confined. A rabbit was not meant to be a caged animal. It requires time out of the cage, however, a cage is a good place for the rabbit to feel safe as well as a place to be overnight or while you are at work. When purchasing a cage, get the largest one you can find. Dwarf rabbits can be more energetic than some of the larger breeds and lops love to play.
8. Rabbits can be left alone for a day or two while owners travel:
Reality: Rabbits need daily monitoring as it is easy to miss a sick rabbit. While hay should always be available, food should be given at a regular time and once a day. Make sure you measure how much you are feeding the rabbit. This way you can tell if it is sick by how much it eats and drinks. Rabbits require daily fresh water. On warm days, rabbits drink more and if it runs out while you are away, it could get dehydrated.
If no one is home and your rabbit gets sick, there will be no one to take it to the vet.
9. Rabbits do fine with a bowl of food and some daily carrots:
Reality: Rabbits require hay as well as pellets and vegetables. Without the hay, their teeth will become overgrown as their teeth are constantly growing. Hay both trims their teeth as they chew and provides fibre in their diet. Hay is the most important food a rabbit could eat.
Copyright © 2006 by Kenn Caswell All Rights Reserved.
Christmas and Your Rabbit
By Kenn & Vickianne Caswell
It's the holiday season. Everybody is busy baking, decorating, getting their house ready for the holidays. Our pets also enjoy the holiday season, but please don't forget the dangers for pets that go along with the season. Some of these dangers apply to all of our pets and some more to rabbits. Here are some to watch out for:
1. The Christmas Tree ~ The tree looks great with all the tinsels, lights & decorations but can be a danger to your pets. Tinsel, if swallowed, can twist up in the intestines. Things that dangle attract a pets attention and anything eaten can cause serious damage. Rabbits are notorious for chewing cords which they will find plenty of on or around the tree. While a tree is not a Christmas tree without lights, make sure the cords are safely tucked away or out of sight. Remember, what you can't see, a bunny may be able to as they are closer to the ground. Stringing popcorn & other stuff for the tree is great, but don't put it in your rabbit's reach. The string may easily be swallowed and some of the goodies on the tree may not be healthy for your pet. Too much of a good thing can make a rabbit very sick.
2. Poinsettia and other Plants ~ Poinsettias, Holly, and some other plants are very harmful to your pet. Before you buy, get a list of poisonous plants from your local rabbit rescue or online to make sure it is safe for your rabbit to be around. Even though plants may be high up, it is possible for pieces of them to naturally fall off and for bunny to take a nibble. When in doubt, make sure they are not accessible.
3. Presents ~ Don't be surprised if you find your bunny trying to sneak a peak at the gifts. Rabbits love to chew and are most likely not going to be able to resist that pretty gift sitting their just waiting to be opened. Either fence off your tree, make that room off limits or wait until just before Christmas to put them under.
4. Holiday Treats ~ Sweets, chocolates, many nuts and more are not healthy for a rabbit and some can even kill your rabbit because they are poisonous to them. When leaving holiday treats out, make sure their is a tight lid on them or that they are safely out of reach.
5. Guests ~ Please remember that rabbits can scare easily and can die of fright. If you are having a number of guests this holiday season, you'll need to watch your bunny for any distress or from being stepped on. If there are little ones around, make sure someone is supervising because rabbit bones are fragile & one wrong break could leave you putting your rabbit down this holiday season. Sometimes their cage might be the safest place.
Copyright © 2006 by Vickianne Caswell All Rights Reserved.
It's the holiday season. Everybody is busy baking, decorating, getting their house ready for the holidays. Our pets also enjoy the holiday season, but please don't forget the dangers for pets that go along with the season. Some of these dangers apply to all of our pets and some more to rabbits. Here are some to watch out for:
1. The Christmas Tree ~ The tree looks great with all the tinsels, lights & decorations but can be a danger to your pets. Tinsel, if swallowed, can twist up in the intestines. Things that dangle attract a pets attention and anything eaten can cause serious damage. Rabbits are notorious for chewing cords which they will find plenty of on or around the tree. While a tree is not a Christmas tree without lights, make sure the cords are safely tucked away or out of sight. Remember, what you can't see, a bunny may be able to as they are closer to the ground. Stringing popcorn & other stuff for the tree is great, but don't put it in your rabbit's reach. The string may easily be swallowed and some of the goodies on the tree may not be healthy for your pet. Too much of a good thing can make a rabbit very sick.
2. Poinsettia and other Plants ~ Poinsettias, Holly, and some other plants are very harmful to your pet. Before you buy, get a list of poisonous plants from your local rabbit rescue or online to make sure it is safe for your rabbit to be around. Even though plants may be high up, it is possible for pieces of them to naturally fall off and for bunny to take a nibble. When in doubt, make sure they are not accessible.
3. Presents ~ Don't be surprised if you find your bunny trying to sneak a peak at the gifts. Rabbits love to chew and are most likely not going to be able to resist that pretty gift sitting their just waiting to be opened. Either fence off your tree, make that room off limits or wait until just before Christmas to put them under.
4. Holiday Treats ~ Sweets, chocolates, many nuts and more are not healthy for a rabbit and some can even kill your rabbit because they are poisonous to them. When leaving holiday treats out, make sure their is a tight lid on them or that they are safely out of reach.
5. Guests ~ Please remember that rabbits can scare easily and can die of fright. If you are having a number of guests this holiday season, you'll need to watch your bunny for any distress or from being stepped on. If there are little ones around, make sure someone is supervising because rabbit bones are fragile & one wrong break could leave you putting your rabbit down this holiday season. Sometimes their cage might be the safest place.
Copyright © 2006 by Vickianne Caswell All Rights Reserved.
Informative Duck Photos
by Jennifer Sunshine
Used with permission, courtesy of Jennifer Sunshine. Copyrighted material.
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Used with permission, courtesy of Jennifer Sunshine. Copyrighted material.
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Our Recommendations for Rabbit Care Links
1. A list of toxic plants
http://www.allearssac.org/pdf/poison.pdf
2. House Rabbit Society
http://www.rabbit.org
3. Very useful downloadable pdf files on rabbit care
http://ontariorabbits.org/downloads
http://www.allearssac.org/pdf/poison.pdf
2. House Rabbit Society
http://www.rabbit.org
3. Very useful downloadable pdf files on rabbit care
http://ontariorabbits.org/downloads
Our Recommendations for Other Animal Care Links
Wild Birds
1. Why you shouldn't feed waterfowl bread
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7001.html
2.
1. Why you shouldn't feed waterfowl bread
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7001.html
2.
Copyright © 2012 - 2015 by Vickianne Caswell All Rights Reserved.
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