I got an email from Suzi, who is the rabbit rescue person who fostered our Snowball. She was asking for help fostering rabbits. The rescue group is frantically preparing for the after-Easter over abundance they will be facing. She has so many rabbits she is actually considering letting them go in her back yard, which believe me is NOT something she would normally consider.
Having learned Way Too Much About Rabbits lately, I wanted to remind everyone that they are real, non-disposable pets. Rabbits are full of personality and attitude. Super cute, of course, but not just sweet little furry creatures. Oreo is very bossy and his "it's all about me" attitude would match any cat's. So I thought I would share a few of the things I have learned about rabbits:- If you do not clean their litterbox and enclosure every other day, you and anyone else with a nose will be very sorry.
- Rabbits are vicious fighters & can really hurt each other or another animal if threatened. Who would think it from looking at them?
- Rabbits spray to mark territory (the next item will help with this).
- Rabbits have to be spayed or neutered just like your other pets.
- Rabbits eat a lot. I refill the food dishes, hay AND fresh veggies 2 x per day.
- Spayed and neutered house rabbits live 8-12 years. This is not like the hamster commitment of 6 months to 2 years.
- Rabbits are very social and need bonding time with you. They will also bond closely with other pets. Oreo missed our hamster so much that we adopted another rabbit as a companion.
- If you scratch their tummies they become almost hypnotized & sleepy.
- They will chew your power cords, carpet, anything chewable if they can.
- They are very curious & friendly & when you hang out with them they will climb up in your lap on their own.
- You have to clip their nails.
- Your vet may not treat rabbits.
And I'm sure there's a lot more that I'm not thinking of right now. So please, if you know anyone thinking of surprising the kids with a baby bunny for Easter, remind them it's a real pet and a real commitment. They are a joy but they are as much trouble as your dog or cat and have their own unique personalities as well. Let's stick to chocolate bunnies... we can always use another reason to eat chocoloate, right?
Thank you!
You forgot to mention that they breed like rabbits! LOL!
Welcome to the Blog For a Cause Group! I think your timing was perfect!
Oh boy Bonnie, that would be a lot of work. Good thing you resisted. They're darn cute.
Jim & Maria - Yes, it wears off & turns into a regular part of the family & regular chore! I feel like I live in a zoo sometimes.
Amanda - Exactly! That's why #4 is so important. Joining this group caused me to remember it was time for this post.
Chris
Gayle & Elaine - Definitely NO BABY CHICKS EITHER. I just don't know anything about raising chickens so I didn't know what to tell people about them. : )
Terry - Yes, we are so self centered sometimes. They are super super cute, but a lot of work. You can't just get rid of your pets when the work overwhelms the cute. That's my opinion anyway.
Chris
Hi Cheri - I'm sorry about the baby chicks! I have thought about having chickens as well... but I hadn't researched it much yet.
Six kids? I don't know how you add any pets to that! I have one & she keeps me hopping.
A biting bunny, that's not good. We're lucky our 2 don't bite. One is very bossy, but not a biter.
Chris
Chris - I'm totally with you: let's stick with the chocolate bunnies. I'd love them in real dark chocolate!
Happy Easter!
Marzena - chocolate is always a good choice.
Jennifer - I'm with you. I can't imagine sticking these guys in the back yard. They're so sweet! And so stinky! And so much work! lol
Chris
Chris,
I think it is so nice when I see people taking the time to make others aware of committment that needs to be made when bringing a pet into a household. And, thank you for supporting my blog.
Thank you April. You may want to add your blog to the Blog For a Cause group.
Chris
Hi Marey - hope you're feeling better.
Bunnies are great pets, if you're up for it. This is my second time to have a pet rabbit... the first one I had was so much less trouble! He ran around the house with the cats, always used his litterbox, and never chewed any cords! I was in for a surprise this time, but they're still worth it. Such personalities.
And there's always room for chocolate bunnies, thank goodness.
Chris
Chris, I am trying too! Flu and bronchitis, I had to get both, couldnt get just one. Well I was always told I dont do anything partially, I always go full force! lol Kind of sounds like a cat, I had one once, that pawed at the corner of the frig til it got it open, then it would get into stuff...
Chocolate bunnies..hmm I may be sick but I could put it up for later... it is Easter weekend you know. <smiles>
Marey
Of course you couldn't get just one Marey, I'm sure you never do anything halfway. It's big or nothing. : )
Brenda - exactly. Even though we have a zoo, my daughter still asks for more. My answer? "When I never have to clean up any of the current poop, you may ask for another pet." Don't see it happening anytime soon.
Susan - Rabbits are great but they take work and a LOT of cleaning, you are right. I'm definitely a cat person before anything. So much easier, though I'm not a fan of the litterbox either. I'm surprised their bunny doesn't use a litterbox. Now that my second one is neutered, he's back to using his box again, thank goodness.
Happy Easter to everyone!
Chris
Kathleen - you're right, it sounds like you have enough mouths to feed!
Tara - How cute that he followed you around though! Of course that's always the way, mom ends up taking care of the pets.
Chris
Hi Chris, I've not gotten to know you well, but see you around the rain all the time. This is great advice on Easter bunnies by the way :). My Daddy bought my sister and I two baby Easter (painted) chicks, many years ago. One died rather quickly and the other one grew up to be a big rooster that crowed very loud and early every day. The neighbors finely talked Daddy into "relocating" the rooster, can't remember if I was attached to it or not, but guess not :).
I bought some lady bugs the other day for my garden and when released them they were all over Bill and I, so I grabbed my litter $200 camera and got this picture. Thought of you with you cute little lady bug, and wanted to share it with you. Liz
Not bad for an inexpensive camera, and the only touch up was to the the head where my flash made a white spot, and one little pincer for the same time.
Great picture! Not bad at all. Love the lady bugs for the garden, they're such a big help and good luck too!
I can imagine that neighbors would not appreciate a rooster!
Thanks for sharing the lady bug photo!
Chris
"Rabbits are vicious fighters..." - in the Chinese zodiac, it is said that rabbit was once dragon... and native medicine likewise says that rabbit was once very powerful.
Here in Kelowna we have a growing problem with bunnies everywhere. I do believe they are coming up with an adoption program for them.
I'm not a pet person normally. Several years ago, a small brown lop-eared bunny hopped up to me in my backyard. He was my pet - such a doll he was. My son named him Dexter. I just loved him. Thanks - your post reminded of him.
Deborah - would love to see a picture of Dexter. Bunnies are very ferocious when they want to be, most people don't realize that by looking at them cuz they're so darn cute. They do make good pets if you're up for it.
It's a problem everywhere, I'm sure. Our rescue person just got another litter and the after Easter overload hasn't even started yet. Poor little buns!
Chris
I just have hard copy of Dexter, Chris, and my scanner isn't working properly. I also lost a lot of photos in a fire.
He did surprise us when he broke out of his pen. He'd never done anything close to that, but it was spring and I think the wild bunnies enticed him! He was a wonderful cuddly pet until he left.
;)
The bunnies are very sweet if you're ready to take care of them. This is my second time with rabbits. My first was a mini-lop years ago and he just ran around the house with the cats. He always used his litterbox, never chewed any cords, I was super lucky. I'm going to work towards that with these 2 if I can. Seems much kinder than their enclosure, even though they are big ones. We've just started giving them time each day in the kitchen with us so they get friendlier.
Chris
Okay, so we were having "bunny free time" or bunny play date, whatever you want to call it. It's when we block off the kitchen so one at a time (eventually both at once) of the rabbits can hang out with us. I was cooking, Rhiannon & Amelia started dinner & were talking... all of a sudden we realized we didn't see Snowball. How did he get out? I mean where can you hide in the kitchen? Answer: in the bookcase on top of the cookbooks of course.
It was pretty funny, Marey. Gave us a little panic attack! lol
Chris