Bunny's Health:Cuts and Limping

I've never had to deal with a cut or with limping in Snowberry. With a cat yes.

The first thing you must remember is to stay calm!!!  Of course that is much easier said then done. When faced with a situation that is scary you need to breath deeply and focus on the issue. Your family should also be trained to know what to do. As should you bunny sitter.

REMEMBER:

To help bunny stay calm you must stay calm. Always have an First Aid Kit (more on that later).

Contact your vet ASAP!!! Only help bunny with her injury. Don't try to take a severe situation into your own hands.

BLEEDING:

A cut in bunny can be scary. It may be hard to keep infection away from bunny which is why you should see your vet afterward. Rabbit Proof your home to prevent it and don't let bunny near any sharp/heavy objects. Check bunny VERY CAREFULLY to see how deep the wound is and how much blood there is. In any cut always apply direct pressure. Use a damp cloth and hold against bunny. Call your vet and take bunny there depending on the severity of the cut. A cut from a torn nail (due to long nails) is VERY common. Keep bunnies cage floor and litter box clean. Bunny can lick her cut if she wants. 

LIMPING:

Limping can be from a cut foot or broken leg. Bunny should never be on high places that he may jump off of. If bunny is limping from a minor cut make sure that her cut is not infected. If it is a major cut then take bunny to the vet. If bunny cannot stand and/or has a funny lump sticking out (which could be a bone) then take her to the vet.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

Food 4 Thought

I'm sure that you've probably heard the "all bunnies eat are carrots and chocolate" myth.Well I'm here to tell you that that is not true. In fact its far from it.

Bunny can only eat certain foods and can have only certain amounts sugar. Bunnies need hay, veggies, and water. Shall take a look at what can and cannot eat? 

VEGGIES:(make sure that the food is unspoiled and not expired)

.Cilantro

.Red leaf lettuce

.Kale (small amount. 1-2x week only)

.Spinach (small amount. 1-2x week only)

.Romaine

.Green leaf lettuce

.Spring mix of greens

Good treats:(no more then 2x a week)

.Apple slices (no seeds. don't overload on a million slices!)

.Papaya  (no seeds)

.Carrot & Carrot tops 

Bad veggies:

.Iceberg lettuce 

.Celery stalks

.Broccoli

.Cabbage

.Cauliflower 

.Collard greens

Bad Treats:

.Nuts/seeds

.Chocolate

.Cookies/crackers

.Cereal/Granola

.Yogurt (and yogurt drops)

.Processed treats

."Rabbit Friendly" fiesta-style mixes

.Pasta/bread/rice

.Raisins/dried fruit (prunes etc.)

.Potatoes/tomatoes

.Apple seeds and papaya seeds

.Citrus fruits

.Honey bars

.Dog and cat food 

.Bird seeds

Food Reminders:

All bunnies need hay. Every time the hay rack goes empty refill it. Do not give a sick bunny (or a bunny with diarrhea) any spinach, or kale. Any food that is not listed you must check with a vet before you give it to bunny. Pellets are not essential to give to bunny. If bunny hasn't ever had pellets then don't give her them. Ask your vet if you should not (or stop) giving bunny pellets. If you stop giving bunny pellets then you must slowly wean her off them. Buy papaya FRESH at a supermarket. You can freeze cubes of papaya for later.

Food Amounts:

HAY~ Give an endless supply of hay.

PELLET~ Consult vet.

VEGGIES~ 2cups for every 5 pounds she weighs.

TREATS~ 2-3inch. long stick of apple, carrot, or papaya. 

Poop Issues

Yeah, I know it's rather gross. However, poop can tell how bunny's health is. So you know her poop health is you should daily check the litter box. I know you don't want to but it is your bunny. You need to take full responsibility.  Lets take a good look at some poop issues in bunny.

Small Poops:

My bunny because she is a dwarf rabbit has small poops anyway. However smaller then normal poop is bad. If this persists for more then 24 hr and/or that's all bunny is pooping then call your vet.

Diarrhea Poop:

Diarrhea is very serious. Bunny could have an issue in his stomach. This poop will be wet, and slimy. Give bunny more hay, no treats, and a little less veggies. Plenty of water and clean litter. If it continues for more then 24 hr and/or that's all bunny is pooping call your vet. 

Pearl Poops:
Pearl poops are poop strung together with fur. When bunny sheds the fur gets in her intestines and becomes entangled in her fur. This can cause a serious blockage and can make bunny stop pooping if left untreated . You can, however, treat this at home though! (If bunny is not pooping take her to the vet at once!) First, take bunny out and give her a good brushing (30min.). Then let her play for a good hour. If you have some papaya at home then good! If not not you can go to your local produce store and get one. Feed bunny one fresh cube of papaya two times a day until her poops get back to normal. NO SEEDS! THEY'RE TOXIC!!!!!
Its a good idea not to buy pet store papaya cubes because they sometimes have extra sugar added. Also the fresher the better and God made the fruit so its got just what bunny needs! ;) When you cut up the papaya you can put some in a plastic bag and freeze it for later use. (You can also give this to bunny when she has other poop troubles!

No Poops:
Obviously if you see no poop in bunny's litter box then you know somethings wrong. If bunny hasn't been pooping for more then 24 hours take her to the vet. 

The Perfect Bunny Home

All bunnies need a good secure cage to be in. This post will be about cage sizes, and safety.

CAGE SIZES:

A lot of people think that small bunnies need tiny cages. Wrong! All bunnies (no matter what size) need big cages. With at least 2 floor levels, and 3-5inch. of room above the head when bunny sits up. The cage needs to have plenty of room for bunny to move around in. This will help prevent sore hocks and chubbiness (more on health later). 

THINGS TO AVOID IN CAGES:

Bunny's cage must be safe for her to remain healthy and happy. Please avoid cages that are too small because bunny needs some good cage space. Wire flooring are bad for bunny because they can make bunny's feet bleed or very sore. Cages need to have a non-slippery floor and no sharp edges, mold, or broken wire.

Keeping bunny in a nice cage is a great thing! Bunny will enjoy life in a comfy, cozy, warm, dry cage.

My bunny LOVES her cage!

Exercise and Exercise Safety

Exercise is very important for bunny. She needs it to keep strong bones, and so she'll be less bored. Bunny needs a good 3 hours of exercise everyday. You can do 1 hour in the morning, another in the afternoon etc. If you don't have time to watch bunny every playtime, then have someone else watch her.

Don't let bunny:

.Hop up/down the stairs

.Dig/chew on the carpet (give bunny a digging box. Not a cat box or sand box.)

.Play in crowded or dangerous areas (hallway, kitchen etc.)
.Play in/on your cats kitty house (or in your dog's dog house/kennel)
.Play on your bedroom bed
.Play on cool tile
Safety:
.Buy bunny a cage with cool ramps in it! Bunny'll enjoy that.
.For a digging box give bunny a medium sized cardboard box with some of her cage litter.
.Let bunny play in an uncrowded room. Not to sunny, with no drafts, and no loud noise. The room should have no carpet in it. You can let bunny play in your room as long as she is not on the bed or your room has no carpet or unstable objects.
.If there is already tension between the rabbit and cat then your cat could claw at the rabbit. Also, kitty houses are meant for cats. Not bunnies. Even if bunny enjoys playing with it (or you bought one for bunny and have no cat) you should remove it and buy a special bunny play set.
.Your room may be very messy with lots of things for bunny to chew and choke on. The bed is for you only. Not for the lil' bunny. She can play in your room if it:
.Is clean
.Has no unstable objects that could fall
.Has no carpet
.No friends that are running around

Keeping bunny safe is important. Also see rabbit proofing the house. Thank you!

I guess streatching helps bunnies too!
(She is really begging for cilantro)

The Outdoor Rabbit

An outdoor rabbit (as you guessed) lives outside your home. Outdoor rabbits can live in a special bunny pen, or a rabbit hutch. To have an outdoor means that you need to have to pay close attention to these outdoor rabbit safety rules.

Make Sure That Your Yard Is Rabbit Proof:

The yard should have no sharp objects if you are going to let your rabbit have free range over the yard.

Be sure that if you have a garden you keep it in a fence. Remove deadly plants from rabbit. It would be a lot safer if you keep bunny in a pen/hutch. Make sure that your yard has NO CHEMICALS IN THE GRASS. If you have a fence then make sure that it has no holes,  and is firmly in. The fence should be 5ft. or higher. If you get bunny a cage in the yard remember this: Beware of wild rabbits, and other animals. And bugs. Gey bunny a SUPER SAFE CAGE WITH A HIDING SPOT.

Take bunny inside if the weather is over 80 degrees and if the weather is under 60 degrees.

Be sure to have an indoor space if storms are on the way!

Suger Bun

Bunnies (like people) like treats! Who doesn't? However, to much treats (as we know) aren't good. That goes for bunny too. Treats should be given to bunny 2x a week once a day only! 3 is the largest amount of treats in a week you should give bunny. Please do not give bunny store bought treats as they are not very healthy. If you're training bunny don't overload on the treat prizes! Bunny will be happy with some cilantro, or romaine lettuce. Also, don't make giving bunny treats a priority. Bunny doesn't need the treats. She just wants some treats.

When are the best times to give bunny a treat? See these ideas:

.Bunnies birthday

.Your birthday

.On a holiday

When you get home from a vacation and haven't seen her in a while

.When she goes to the vet (not after a surgery!)

Good Treats for Bunny (ones that are acceptable):

.Apple (not whole. No seeds)

.Carrot (not whole)

.Carrot tops

.Papaya (VERY healthy. No seeds)

Any treat that you do not see listed DON'T LET BUNNY EAT! And please no people treats like cookies, yogurt drops etc.

A Spayed or Neutered Rabbit

Spaying and neutering is a very important surgical procedure. Spaying and neutering keeps your pet bunny from getting pregnant, being aggressive, and can help keep them from getting a type of cancer.

Another term for "spaying" and "neutering" is "fixed". Getting bunny fixed can help make his life a little bit longer!  

When you go to get bunny fixed you must go to a place that does bunnies. Go to high rated vet that does bunnies all the time. This will prevent having something go wrong. 

Things to note:

Some bunny clinics will send bunny home after she has surgery. Other clinics may keep bunny over night to make sure he is OK. If they send bunny home the day of his surgery, make sure that his cage is in a dark, quiet spot where he can feel less stressed. Be sure to ask your vet questions. Clean up bunny's cage with warm or hot water. Clean out her potty tray. Bunny will not eat very much when she comes home but she should be eating and pooping in a day. (She may not eat very much). No treats for 3 days and no exercise for 10 days. Then resume regular playing. NO TOUCHING  his/her incision or picking him/her up by the tummy area. Keep bunny in her dark spot for 5 days. Bunny will also get pain medicine. Have your vet show you how to give her the medicine. Have a grown up put the medicine in.

The Pain Medicine.

 

The Incision.

Fun For You: A Quiz

You wanna see how much you now know? Take this Fun Bun Quiz #1 to see!

Mark on a sheet of paper what number point you got, then add 'em up and see your score! All right answers are worth 3 points. If you get the question wrong then you don't get that point. You can look back on previous posts to see the answer, but try not to. Good luck!

Bunny's cage should be cleaned:
A.Every other day
B.Once every week
C.Every day

Bunny should not have a cage with:
A.Wire floor
B.Tile

Bunny should have spinach:
A.2x a week
B.Every day
3.Never

Bunny should ******* swim for exercise
A.Always
B.Never
C.Sometimes

Bunny can have:
A.Pine litter
B.Sawdust litter
C.Paper Pulp litter

Bunny should be indoors if the weather is over:
A.85 degrees
B.66 degrees
C.45 degrees

Bunny should exercise
A.30min. in a day
B.2 hours
C.3 hours

Bunny should be brushed:
A.Every day
B.Once a week
C.5 days a week for 45min.


I'll make another Fun Bun Quiz for you, but I wanna know...........How did you do? 

Bunny's Health: Fear Attacks

Whenever bunny hears a loud noise or something that she is not used to, bunny may get so scared that she could die! It happens. So it is best to know how to prevent it and first-aid in case it does happen.

Prevention:
.When bunny first comes home after adoption, give her quiet corner for two weeks. Then carefully introduce her to noisy parts of your house.
.Don't play loud music when bunny is around.
.Watch bunny when she plays outside in case planes come and are loud. (Or birds. Bunny should always be in a pen when outside).
.Be careful of loud crashes, bangs, or just any commotion.
Note: Stress can make bunny very sick. If bunny is new or shy then put her in another room. Don't let to many people see or hold bunny.

Signs of Fear Attack:
.Bunny flattens herself against the floor.
.Bunny's pupils are wide.
.She has very rapid breathing. (Possibly shallow.)
.She screams.
.She may pass out.

What to do:
Go up to bunny calmly with a small towel. Kneel down beside her and slowly cover her with the towel.
Get her inside to a dark room. Put her in a tub tipped sideways and put her on it. Then put blanket over it. Offer her a treat. Put her in her cage with a blanket over it. You might want to consider having a little "play hideout" in her cage.
If bunny has passed out then do the same until she wakes. If she doesn't wake in 30min. call the vet.

My Snowberry.

Cleaning Bunny's Cage

Yes, it is your job. NOT your parent's, sister's, or brother's job. Your job. It is not as gross as you may think it is, and after you do it for along time it becomes almost second-nature. If you clean out bunny's cage daily (as you should) then it not very disgusting at all.

Cleaning Bunny's Cage:
1.To clean bunny's cage you'll need a plastic glove,plastic bag,a small broom meant just for this reason, and warm water (optional).
2.Sweep out any stray litter from around the bunny cage and put it in the bag. (Save all good hay off the floor!)
3.Put on your glove and pick up all pee and poop in the litter box.
4.Refill the the empty spot from the yucky litter with good new litter.
5.Take out bunny's tray/box and wash it (2x weekly).
6.If there are any extra pee spots outside the litter box, then spray with warm water. NO other type of spay!

At first it'll seem gross but soon it wont be so bad.

Nice and clean.

3 FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions.

Q:Can I walk bunny?

A:As long as you are VERY careful then OK. If you live on a busy street then I would say no. If you do take bunny on a walk then give her secure harness. Keep her away from dogs and junk. You can let people pet bunny but be careful. Also mind the heat outside in the summer.

Q:How many times a week can bunny have treats?

A:At least 2x a week. If you have a chubby bunny then avoid all treats for a week or so. 

Q:I want to have a pool party. Can bunny come in the pool with me?

A:NO. Although bunnies are really good swimmers, they only reserve that for running away from danger. Bunny might get hurt from all that swimming and the chemicals are bad for her. No making bunny come in the shower with you either. 

Bunny's Health:The Cubby Bunny

Chubby bunnies are usually lazy bunnies. A chubby bunny will have many health issues.
Things that can lead to a chubby bunny~A bunny that lives in a small cage will not get enough exercise and could be a problem. To many pellets or treats. (Bunny should ALWAYS have hay no matter how chubby he is)! Having a lazy bunny is a problem too.

How to prevent a chubby bunny~If your rabbit is not chubby then good! To keep bunny from getting chubby give bunny exercise, healthy food, and should be taken well care of if he is lazy.

What to do with an already chubby bunny~Don't right away take his pellets from him, you have to slowly wean him off or even give him less. Get him out to play! Find toys that he likes and coax him with some healthy treats. Give him an hour as a start. Then over time let him have more time as he will begin to get more healthy and be more hoppy. Read the post on laziness please since most chubby bunnies are lazy.

If you want to weigh bunny then put him on a bathroom scale (you could even have the vet weigh him). If he is not still then hold bunny and weigh yourself. Write it down. Then weigh just yourself. Write that down. Subtract what you weighed with what you and bunny weighed together. Then you'll get his weight. Write that down also.

Bunny's Health:Fur Poops in Bunny

Poop tells many things. So always check the litter box. Here is a common problem in bunnies (mostly in long-haired rabbits).

This type of stool looks like normal poop except it has fur strung together in it. Bunnies shed a lot so bunny should be brushed every day for at least 20 or 30 minuets. The fur gets stuck in her tummy when she grooms herself. If you see even one of these poops in bunny's cage, then ASAP take bunny out of the cage and brush her. Also let bunny exercise. Then cut up some fresh papaya. (Try to avoid store bought cubes. Fresh papaya is also cheeper!)
Give bunny a cube of it. The papaya will help brake down anything stuck in bunny. Like fur or litter that got stuck in her digestive tract. If bunny shows other signs of illness, then take her to the vet.
If this type of poop continues for two days after you've treated it or bunny won't poop at all then to the vet you go! But the papaya should work to help bunny out.

Grooming Bunny

Grooming bunny is lots of fun. Bunny will enjoy this if you do all this correctly.

Supplies:
.A good bunny brush
.A bin of nice luke-warm water.
.Nail clippers. (A vet can do it if you want).
.Two small towel.
.A flea brush (optional).

Remember:
Do not give bunny a "bath" unless bunny sits in his litter box and has poop encrusted on his bottom.
You can avoid this by giving bunny a larger cage and clean his cage every day!

Grooming:
1.Lay bunny on one towel and gently massage her ears.
2.Brush bunny for 20min very carefully. You should do this every day.
3.Hold bunny in a towel and have someone clip her nails. If bunny struggles don't clip! Have a vet do it.
4.Fill up the bin of luke-warm water.
5.Dip bunny (only her bottom) in the bin. Then use your fingers to get any poop off.
6.Dry bunny with a towel. DO NOT USE A HAIR-DRYER!!

Happy 4th of July!

Do's and Don't's

These are VERY important for you to know.

DON'T put bunny in the pool. Even though bunnies are excellent swimmers bunny will not be happy with you.
DON'T feed bunny any food that is not bunny friendly!
DON'T give bunny a cage that is to small or has wire flooring.
DON'T allow bun to chew on electric wires!
DON'T forget to do the DRHC!

DO let bunny exercise.
DO give bunny a lot of attention.
DO brush bunny a lot.
DO give bunny all that she needs.

Remember all your do's and don't's!

A healthy bunny is a happy bunny.

A Lazy Bunny

A lazy bunny is a big problem. They don't really exercise wich makes 'em chubby! If your'e always trying to get bunny too exercise then he is going to get fat. I have a VERY lazy bun. I was worried she might get chubby so I watched her diet closely so I wouldn't over feed her. Give bunny fun toys to play with and shut the cage door when she exercises. If he just sits there then coax him with a healthy treat
and hold it up over his head. Find out what his favorite toys are. Ones to chew on will give him good dental health.
When you feed bunny give her 2 tsp. or no pellets at all. Remember if you already give her them then you must slowly wean her off them. Give her only hay and good veggies. NO "fun" mixes, or treats.
This'll help keep a lazy bun from getting chubby.
You may need to give her a bigger cage to play in. A big cage will make bunny explore, and want to play in. Bunnies are more active at night though. So bunnies may not be quite so hoppy in the day.

I hope this helps a lot!

How to Keep Bunny Healthy

Everybody wants their bunny too live a long good life.  Here is how you can help keep bunny healthy.

~Exercise~
Giving bunny exercise is REALLY important. Especially if your bunny is lazy then you'll need to coax her by laying out a healthy treat and letting her hop around. Supervise bunny at all times and give her a nice indoor space to hop in. Don't let her play on carpet,tile, or slippery floor. Buy some hey mats and lay them out. Bunny should have at least 1 hour in the morning,afternoon, and nighttime. If you have an outdoor rabbit then give her a safe pen to play in or watch her as she hops around your yard. Give bunny toys like paper towel rolls,or special bunny sticks to chew. Please mind all toys that came from China. Also mind sticks or toys that have been coated in something. Have fun!

~Food~
You can read my post on food to help you watch bunny's diet. Beware of chubby bunnies.  However, whenever you want to wean bunny off of something do it slowly. Bunnies have a sensitive digestive tract. When you change the pellet brand mix in the new with the old. Big bunnies can have about a tablespoon (which is a super small amount). Small bunnies can have half a tablespoon. Dwarfs can have 2 teaspoons. Enjoy!

~Housing~
Giving bunny the proper housing really matters for health. Read my posts on cages, outdoor bunnies and indoor bunnies. Also "rabbit proof" your house and garden. (Please see the link to the "indoor" and "outdoor" rabbit links).
Keep bunny away from drafts and out of the sun but not in complete shade. Outdoor bunnies need a very secure hutch.  You can even build a bunny condo  for bun to have. Also give bunny a cage that bunny can stand in. 4 inch. should be left above the head. You also must give bunny the proper litter.

~Regular Health Checks~
Read my post on health checks. If you see any wrong symptoms watch over bunny well. If they persist for over 2 days or worsen then call your vet! Bunny should also be spayed or neutered to avoid cancer. Also check the litter box for bad poops. Make sure that you always are careful with a new bunny. New bunnies can become very stressed/scared by noise and it can make them VERY sick.

I hope your bunny stays nice and healthy!

The Daily Health Check

Health issues in bunny can be avoided by exercise, a good diet, and proper housing. I'll do a first aid kit lesson should any severe problems arise. If you see any of these signs in bunny then keep a close eye on her to see if the symptoms go away. Rabbits tend to hide pain and illness so please be vigilant when doing the DRHC!

Daily Rabbit Health Check (DRHC):

.Lack of appetite (not eating salads or other foods).

.Lethargic, unresponsive, or sitting in a hunched over position.

.No poop or pee in the litter box (ALWAYS check the litter box).

.Diarrhea or mushy poop.

.Smaller then normal poop in litter box.

.Poop strung together with fur (more on these "pearl poops" later).

.Hard/bloated or doughy stomach.

.Labored or very rapid breathing.

.Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rasping or nasal sounds.

.Loud tooth grinding.

.Overgrown front teeth, lumps along the jaw and/or drooling.

.Discharge from nose and eyes.

.Straining to pee and/or spots of blood in the pee. Or even chalky-white urine.

.Scabs, crust or wax in ears. 

.Non-lop rabbit with a "flopped over" ear.

.Head tilt, difficulty with balance, or falling over.

.Sore-hocks (heals with open sores, redness or swelling scabs).

.Dandruff (possible fur mites).

If you see 2 symptoms in bunny then watch over her and if it consists for over 2 days then call the vet! 

Outdoor Rabbit Safety Regulations

OK, everybody! Outdoor rabbit time! This is all you need to know about an outdoor rabbit. Are you ready? GO!

Things to make sure you deal with in your yard:
1.Remove any plants that are bad for bunny. (Or just keep bunny in a pen).
2.Fix any weak spots in your fence or put some extra covering around your fence.
3.If you don't keep bunny in a little pen then make sure that your fence is 5 ft. high or more.
4.Make sure that you bring bunny inside if it is over 80 degrees. So have a space ready inside. Take bunny in if it is under 65 degrees.
5.If you live in the country with other animals then KEEP BUNNY IN A SAFE SECURE CAGE or in a pen. (Take bunny indoors for night).

Make sure that the cage has some hiding spots in it. Be careful of other animals who are a danger to rabbits. Even if they can't get in the cage, if they've got fleas then bunny could catch them!

Whether outdoor or indoor, keep bunny safe and happy.

Remamber to keep bun out of the sun!

Bunny Litter

Yes, it does matter what type of litter you use. The chemicals in the litter affect bunny just as certain chemicals affect you.

Litter                                                            What it does 
Softwoods (like pine, or cedar shavings)      Thought to cause liver damage
Cat litter                                                         Zinc poisoning
Swheat Scoop Litter                                      Can cause obesity when eaten
Clay litter                                                       Toxic
Clumping litters                                  Clumping in digestive tract when eaten
Corn Cob Litter                                             Causes lethal blockage
Oat and Alfalfa Based litters                          Good (But don't let bunny eat it!)
Newspapers                                                   Absorbent (Doesn't control oder)
Citrus based litters                                         Work well, but may be hard to get
Paper Pulp                                       Great litters! (Try Carefresh or Today's News)
Compressed Sawdust pellets                          Highly absorbent litter

I use Carefresh litter. It is very absorbent and good on oder control.
I hope this helps!

Snowberry's litter box.

The Indoor Bunny Safety Regulations

You need to decide before you get a bunny whether or not you'll have an indoor rabbit or an outdoor rabbit. Today we'll talk about indoor rabbits. An indoor rabbit lives inside with you. This means that you will need to rabbit proof your home.

Rabbit Proofing Regulations:
.Put tape or plastic over all electric cords to keep bunny from chewing on them. (Keep them up out of reach).
.Keep all plants (fake and real) away from bunny. That means up high!
.Keep all sharp, and heavy items out of reach.
.When letting bunny out of his cage watch over him!
.Keep him from under the table.

Cage Regulations:
.Keep the cage out of the sun, but not in complete shade.
.Don't put it up high on a shelf.
You can read my post on cages.

Make sure that you rabbit proof very good to avoid any accident!

Getting Pet's Along With Bunny

Getting other pet's along with bunny is not easy. Most other pet's might feel like you're bringing something that'll challenge their territory. Dog's, and cat's need to learn to get along with bunny. This'll keep less pet issues in your home.

How to Make Your Pets Friends with Bunny:
1.When you first adopt bunny put her in a place that is away from noise and other pet's.
2.When bunny has had at least 2 weeks in a safe place, then put her in her permanent spot (not in the sun, or complete shade) so she can be seen by your pet's, but not hidden where you can't supervise
3.When you see that your other pet is either ignoring or just sniffing out bunny, then you can move her out of the cage. Put her on your lap and let the dog or cat sniff her out.
4.If the dog is barking, or cat is hissing then put bunny back in the cage. If the animal climbs up on the cage or is barking at bunny then don't take bun out yet.
5.Repeat step 4 until the cat or dog will sniff, or lick bunny. If they do that then you can put bunny on the floor and see what happens. Hopefully they will curl up next to each other or groom the other.

My cat (Olive) just pretends Snowberry dosen't exist. She climbs on the cage a lot. I know that if she got the chance, she'd attack Snowberry. I'm still working with them on being friends.

Olive.

Get off the cage, Olive!

Whats for Dinner?

What you feed bunny REALLY matters. A lot.

From hay to veggies it is SUPER important to give bunny the right food at breakfast, lunch, snack time, 

and dinner.

Hay:

Hay is vital to bunny as much as water is. Bunny needs hay to survive. So whenever you see bunny's hay bowl/rack going empty, then it is time to refill.  

Pellets:

Pellets were originally meant to make bunny fat! Most vets don't recommend pellets for bunny. If you haven't ever given bunny pellets then it is best not to give them to bunny at all. If you do give bunny pellets ask your vet if you should quit using them. If you do wish to quit, slowly wean bunny off the pellets. I give Snowberry only 2 tsp. of pellets. I use Carefresh Pellets for her since that brand doesn't have to much suger in it. Do Not Feed Alfalfa Pellets!

Veggies:

All bunnies love a good veggie dinner in their bowl! Bunny can have the following veggies:

.Cilantro

.Kale (very small amount! 1x a week is OK)

.Red leaf lettuce

.Romaine

.Green leaf lettuce

.Spring mix of greens

.Check with the vet to see what else

Veggies to avoid:

.Iceberg lettuce

.Celery stalks

.Collard Greens

.Spinach

.Broccoli

.Cauliflower

.Cabbage

Good Treats (only 2x week allowed) :
.Papaya (No seeds or store bought chunks)
.Carrot (Small chunk)
.Apple (No seeds)

Big Time No-No Foods:

."Rabbit Friendly" fiesta-style mixes

.Processed treats

.Nuts/seeds

.Chocolate (Toxic)

.Cookies/Crackers

.Cereal/Granola

.Yogurt drops

.Pasta/Bread/Rice

.Raisins/Dried Fruit

.Potatoes/Tomatoes

.Beans/Legumes

.Apple Seeds/ Papaya Seeds (Toxic)

.Citrus Fruits
.Store bought papaya chunks

Any food that you don't see listed Don't Feed Bunny!
See if you can get a check list of food from your vet. Also no allowing bunny too munch on dog or cat food from the cat or dog's bowl. If you have a chubby bunny then that is not good! A chubby bunny will end up very unhealthy. If you've got a lil' chubby bunny then it is more then likely the pellets. Give him less pellets- or none at all!- and more workouts. DO NOT TRY AND STARVE HIM! If you have a lazy bunny then you'll have to wait until I do a post about that. 

Snowberry enjoying some hay.

What to do with a Shy Bunny

A shy bunny could be annoying. They get easily scared and have less trust. Even if you have a bold bunny, this should be helpful to you.

5 Things that can lead to a shy bunny:
.If you adopted a shy bun that was already owned, then it could possibly have been a past owner
.The way you approach cage could be wrong
.The way you hold her may be wrong
.If you have another pet (more on that later) then it may be that
.You're giving her the wrong care

Approaching the Cage:
When you approach your rabbit's cage door, approach it calmly. Say her name in a quiet voice.
Maybe offer her a treat. Say something like this, "Hi, Sunny, you want a treat? Hmmm? How 'bout that, Sunny? I'm gonna take you out now, OK?"

Adopting a bunny:
It may be helpful if you read my post on adoption. Also, when you adopt, ask the people who work there what bunny would be best for you and your family. Give bunny a nice quiet place to be when she comes home. Away from noise and other pets.

Holding Bunny:
I'll do a lesson on how to hold bunny later. The way you hold bunny makes her trust you, because she'll fell safer in your arms. No swinging her, or throwing her up in your arms! Bunny wont trust you if you do that.

If you have another pet:
I'll do a lesson how get animals along with bunny. When bunny comes home give her a SAFE PLACE for 2 weeks. Try to keep other animals away from bunny. Dogs should be watched over closely, as well as cats.

The wrong care:
Whether give her on a walks, put her in the pool, or played noisy songs, you need to think before you do.
I'll do lessons on all these things soon. So watch over bunny well!

Snowberry all snuggled up!

Rabbit Sitting

I've had to have someone watch over my bun while I was away. There are things to remember when either you're bunny sitting or someone else is bunny sitting your bunny. Since bunnies don't do well on roads (more on that later) you need to consider having someone bunny-sit.

If you're bunny sitting remember this:
.No bringing your bunny for a "play date" with the other person's bun.
.Listen to that persons directions carefully
.Know the number and address of their vet in case something happens
.Notify them of how bunny is coming along


If it is your bunny being taken care of, remember this:
.If you let bunny go to an animal friendly "hotel" go to one that does rabbits
.Give your bunny sitter clear instructions
.Give them your vets information
.Choose someone who you trust

This is Snowberry when I came home from somewhere.
She was SO happy to sniff me out again!

Spaying and Neutering

You've probably heard about spaying and neutering and the great importance of it.
Spaying and neutering helps to prevent cancer and can help with other problems in behavior.
"Fixed" is also another term for spaying and neutering.
Make sure that the bunny you adopt is already fixed, so you wont have to bother about it.
If you don't have a fixed bunny then go to a vet that specializes in rabbits.

What to remember when bunny comes home from the vet:
.Bunny will be a little out of it he comes home so give him a stress free zone for 3 days
.Though bunny will not eat the day he comes home, he should be peeing and pooping in a day
.The incision will look gross so no touching it or cleaning it unless the vet says to. (Bunny may lick it).
.Bunny may be given medicine for the pain. If you want you can have a grown-up do it
.Hold off any guests for a week or so
.Do a major sanitation in his cage                                                

 The Special Surgical Cut in Snowberry

The medicine from the vet.

Happy Mothers Day to my Mommy!

Happy Mothers Day, Mommy! I love you!

Today I would like to tell you what I love best about you!

.I love that you are very optimistic when I'm not
.I love that you make very good food
.I love your GREAT sense of humer
.I love that you encourage me to keep on with skating when it gets tough
.I love that you LOVE me
.I love that you love Jesus

Happy Mothers Day!
I luv u :)

Cages

All bunnies need a good, safe cage, but that does not come true for all little bunnies. Even big ones. Many are left with small cages or other ones with big problems, so it is a good idea to buy a cage a day or two before you get a bunny. So let me give you all the cage facts......

Cages to avoid:
.Cages with wire flooring (They cause the feet to bleed)
.Small cages (Even a dwarf rabbit needs a BIG cage!)
.Cages with obvious problems (mold, sharp edges, etc.)

How to find a big cage for a dwarf rabbit (this can count for big bunnies too):
.Make sure bunny can sit up with 2 inch. left above her head
.The cage should have at least have 2 or 3 levels in it
.The cage should be at least 3ft. long and 3ft. wide (or twice that for a big bun)

Outdoor cages:
.MUST have a door that latches on correctly
.No drafty holes or bun will get sick
.A hiding spot
.No sharp points

I made the small cage mistake with my dwarf rabbit Snowberry. She was not happy in it at all! So we  found out online how to make her a bunny condo. It is very big, but she is happy. That is what counts!

This is Snowberry in her old cage. She was always cramped up and hated being in it.

This is Snowberry in her new bunny condo! The green litter box on the first floor is the base to her old cage. This cage is perfect for a big bunny and little bunny. Now all she needs is a buddy!

Adopting a Bunny

Adopting a bunny is very exciting! Once you've proved to your parents that you are responsible you can start looking around for a bun! With their permission of course. Make sure that you and your parents look up online what kind of bunny breeds might be best for your family.
Remember, bunnies live an average of 7-10 years so they are a long term commitment. And commitment means staying loyal to your bunny long after the mood you said it in has left you.

10 things to remember before you get a bunny:
1.Make sure no one has allergies.
2.See if you have the time and money for bunny.
3.Remember your other pets!
4.Get a fixed rabbit. (More on that later).
5.Where bunny will be in the house?
6.Go to a high rated rabbit place.
7.Have a cage ready to go! (Even small bunnies need a BIG cage!)
8.Have the breed you want in mind.
9.What you will do with bunny on trips.
10.Find a good vet who cares for bunnies.

When you adopt a bunny go to a good place with healthy rabbits. Research books on rabbit breeds to see what'll do best! A medium breed may do better if you are a small kid. Big bunnies can be hard to handle and small ones can be rather skittish and have a ton of energy.
Good luck finding that bunny! :)

 My Snowberry 

Learning: Responsibility

Responsibility is not what you had in mind for getting a bunny. Right? You more than likely saw yourself reading books or going online to learn.Well, that is part of it, but you need to show your parents how willing you are to work for a bunny. Now don't picture in your head slaving away while you dream of getting a rabbit. It simply means seeing who needs help or doing what you see needs doing. Also doing what you're told right away.

Bunnies are a lot of work. So if you do not show the hard work before you get a bunny then why should you be rewarded with one? How bad do you want that bunny? If you want it bad enough you will be willing to work hard for it.

"So what should I start with?"' you ask. If you have a habit of being lazy then seeing what needs doing can a challenge. Start by asking yourself these two questions:

.Who needs help with what? (Oh look, Mom needs help washing dishes...)
.What job needs doing? (These dishes have been here for a while...)

You get the idea?

You can also ask your parents for advice with jobs. As my Dad likes to say, "See a need fill a need". Good luck!

Note for parents: 
You should NEVER and I mean NEVER EVER get a child a bunny to teach him/her how to be responsible. If they want a bunny but don't work for it then do not get them one. No matter what they say. A bunny is work. And they should be given to the hard working, kind, gentle child. A bunny is worth the care and respect of your child. They need to be responsible and gentle before they ever get a bunny. 

An Little Intro For Kids

ATTENTION ALL KIDS AGES 6 AND UP! This is a very special blog about bunnies for any of you kiddos out there who love bunnies and would one day like one. It can be hard to find easy to understand, yet detailed bunny information for youngsters. There is no reason why an animal loving, eager to learn, and diligent kid can't own a bunny if they know how to care for one! And here is the perfect blog to learn. Easy to read and understand, short lessons, and accurate information for kids. From a teen who knows what it's like to be a kid who loves bunnies comes this blog for you!

This is a rabbit corner for kids to learn more about bunnies. Now I like how willing kids are to learn. I also like kids who like bunnies. Kids are cool and bunnies are cool and this blog is for cool kids who like bunnies. ;)

An Ounce About Me & Snowberry:
I wanted a rabbit since I was 5 years old. I knew I would be a bunny vet when I grew up! I read a lot about bunnies thinking that was what my parents wanted. However, I forgot one thing that my parents wanted me to have: RESPONSIBILITY.
Don't like sound of that? I didn't. For a while.....
Then I turned 8. Things changed. I really wanted that bunny. So I researched and helped my mom around the house with chores. No, I never got paid. And I did so without being asked. Now I enjoy kitchen and house duty! Anyway...
I went with my mom to a bunny place and (we where not going to buy!) looked at the bunnies. The lady who worked there plopped a bunny in my arms and it was love at first sight! I love my Snowberry dearly! She was only 6 months when we got her and 2 lb. She is a Netherland Dnwarf rabbit and -just like me- sweet and sassy all in one little ball of fluff. My bunny is 4 years old and loving life. I may not want to be a vet anymore (I want to be a US Marine) but my love for bunnies and animals hasn't changed a bit.... Neither has Snowberry's appetite! :)

I hope that you learn much about rabbits and get one someday yourself!

Snowberry. AKA Fuzz-butt.