Tips for Adopting a Bunny: First Time Bunny Owners

Getting a bunny is one of the most exciting things ever! And owning a bunny is one of the best things ever! Maybe your parents have decided on letting you have a bunny.  Or maybe you're still learning about bunnies. Either way here are some good things to know as you look into getting a bunny or are now considering adopting one.

What Size is best?

If you are young kiddo and you and your family are getting ready to adopt a bunny for the first time you may want to look into a medium sized breed or a large breed. Although you may want a small or dwarf bunny because they look so cute and babyish it might not be so wise. Dwarf and small breeds generally have more dental and respiratory issues. They can also be quite skittish (and sometimes aggressive, trust me, I know). They also do not have as much tolerance in being patient with a young child who just wants to cuddle them. Not to say that small/dwarf breeds are bad, I'm just saying that they are probably not the best choice to make for first time bunny owners. Medium, large, and Flemish giants (although big), are generally more calm, tolerant, and less aggressive. They are more likely to cuddle up with you and they can hop more freely around the house since they will be more easily seen, and therefore not stepped on! They do eat a lot and need a bigger cage and place to play, but they are great bunnies! (And they are more likely to be welcomed by a cat or dog since they are bigger and don't look like a toy like a small/dwarf bunny would).

What Breed is good (especially for kids)?
The Dutch rabbit is a good breed (medium sized), any Flemish giant breed (large), Californian (large), Palomino (medium), French Lop (large and very cute), and the Silver Fox (large). Florida White (medium) is also a good breed, but some children don't like it because it has red eyes (silly). Keep in mind that popular rabbit breeds may not be the best for your family because many people will buy small or dwarf rabbits. Remember, dwarf/small breed are not always best for kids. Some small/dwarf breed exceptions are the Harlequin Rabbit (around 5-6lbs), Mini Lop (5lbs), and the Chinchilla Rabbit (5-8lbs). If I had to recommend the best one (in my opinion) for any first time bunny owner I would say the Dutch rabbit or Chinchilla rabbit. Be sure to look into these breeds online and in detail and see what might be best for you and your family.

What about age?

 A young adult or adult is probably best. (8 months or older). They are already past their "teen" stage and don't have as much "attitude". They will also adjust pretty well to your family. A baby bunny is never a good option. Yes they look cute, but they can be difficult to train and you wont have the right experience to take good care of of it. I did get SB as a baby, but there were many challenges I faced, so I don't recommend it. Rescues and shelters probably will not give you a baby anyway. A senior bunny is nice but will likely have many medical issues and may not live very long if they are really old and need special care as they are, well, old. But if you have a heart for old bunnies or (special needs rabbits) then go for it! Just make sure you have the knowledge and patience for them as you don't want to cause more problems for them. Keep in mind though, they also need very special housing and care which you may not be able to give them. Older bunnies (as well as special needs rabbits) are probably better left to the more experienced rabbit owner. They are good bunnies though. Loyal and loving. SB was the best little old lady bun ever. 

One or two?

One is better to start with, as you can always adopt another bunny and introduce them to your current bunny later. Unless you have the money and space and time to own two bunnies I wouldn't get two.  (Of course if they are best friends at the shelter how could you not get both)? Bunnies need a lot of care so one may be enough of a job! 

Look around and see what rabbit shelters and rescues need good homes for bunnies. Maybe consider fostering a bunny for a while. Help out at the shelters. And most important, be good, loving rabbit owner! 

Please never try and catch a wild rabbit and keep them. They are WILD rabbits, not DOMESTIC rabbits and cannot be kept as pets! 

What You Need to Know BEFORE You Adopt a Bunny

Rhosgobel was a dumped bunny. And finding him has prompted me to write this post just for parents.

At only 5 months old he was probably born in March and then adopted at a 1 month in April. A cute, tiny, baby bunny. Hundreds of bunnies (especially baby bunnies) across the nation are adopted during the Easter season. Kids get a kick out of all the adorable bunnies plastered all over Easter decorations, and TV shows. Then they get an idea that it would be so much fun having their own bunny. To hold and snuggle. To show off to friends. And I don't blame kids for wanting a bunny. I was a young kid who wanted a bunny. But too many children whine, complain, and beg their parents into getting them a bunny. They get a bunny (usually a cute, small baby) and then after 2 or 3 months they soon realize that bunnies are ton of work and usually the kid loses interest in the rabbit. So 1 of 3 things happens. One, they take the bunny back to the shelter or rescue. Two, they leave the bunny abandoned in a forest preserve or park (usually a sure death sentence for a domestic rabbit). Or three, the bunny dies of neglect or malnutrition from not being properly cared for. This is the reality for many bunnies during the Easter season and even after. And rabbit shelters are bursting with an overload of unwanted rabbits. The poor bunnies are sometimes euthanized, adopted only to be abandoned again, or live their whole life in a shelter. It is a sad reality for bunnies.

Five of the Biggest Myths About Rabbits:
. Myth #1: Bunnies only live for 2 years so they aren't a long-term commitment.
 Reality:The average lifespan of a bunny is 7-10 years. Although some can live longer. They are a long-term commitment.

.  Myth #2:Bunnies are great pets because they are so low-maintenance and don't need much. 
   Reality:Bunnies may be small but they are NOT low-maintenance. They are one of the most high-maintenance pets you could get for yourself! As exotic pets they require a lot of special vet care, home care,food needs, and living spaces. Bunnies need a lot of care, and time.

. Myth #3:Bunnies are great pets for kids.
  Reality:In all honesty, generally rabbits are not great pets for kids. Bunnies are very delicate and get stressed easily. (Stress actually kills bunnies). Most kids are not responsible or careful enough to to own one. The majority of bunny experts recommend a pet rabbit for kids ages 12+. Not to say that all young kids will be awful rabbit owners, but it is a notable child that will be diligent enough to have one and do a good job. 

. Myth #4:Bunnies love to be held and cuddled.
  Realty:Most bunnies do not like to be held and cuddled a lot. They don't mind a short cuddle time, but bunnies like to keep all four feet on the floor. They also need to be held in a special way because their spines are very delicate. They also cannot be picked up by the ears.

. Myth #5:Bunnies need only a small cage space.
  Reality:All bunnies (even small ones) need a big cage space. They also need a safe place to play outside the cage. Too many bunnies stay cooped up in small cages all their life. Rabbits were never meant to be crammed up in the corner of someones house and life.

Parents, it is CRUCIAL that you seriously consider all the things involved in getting a bunny. No matter how much your kid begs to you, complains to you, and whines to you, do not get them one. A bunny should be a reward for a hardworking, responsible, gentle kid.

Your child should not get a bunny just when they "want one". I wanted a bunny when I was five. I begged and whined. But my parents made it very clear that I could not have a bunny until I showed that I was going to be responsible, hardworking, and gentle to animals. So for the next four years until I was nine I helped with house chores without being asked , read all I could to learn about the proper care for bunnies, and learned to be kind and gentle to the cats I already had and the people in my life. This showed my parents that this wanting a bunny wasn't just a faze, but a real passion for these little creatures, and that I really, truly wanted one bad enough. If any child really wants a bunny bad enough they will prove it to you by obeying the standards you give to them. If they are not respectful to you, your expectations before they can get a bunny, and other animals, then what makes you think they will love and care for a special bunny? A bunny should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER,  be given to a child to try and force them to be responsible and/or good with animals. A child should already have showed you that they are responsible and love all animals. And the good behavior should continue even after your child gets a bunny. It is unfair and cruel to any rabbit to get one when they will likely be ignored, and neglected. Rabbits die from improper care. So your child needs to know (and you too) how to love and care for a bunny.

Your Child Can Get a Bunny When:
1).They are regularly being responsible and taking initiative. This means they do their part in helping with household chores. They need do do their chores without being asked too. They need to do them without complaining and fighting you on it. Remember, how bad do they want it? If they really want a bunny they will show you.

2).They are reasonably knowledgeable about bunny care.  Children who want a rabbit need to learn about rabbits. Parents, you also need to learn about them. If your child is sick or away on a school field trip, then you will need to care for the bunny. There are a lot of books on bunnies and bunny blogs. Your kids can read this blog as it has been made specifically for children.

3).You see that they are kind to animals and treat people (including you) with respect. Kids need to learn that bunnies (and all animals) must be treated with respect. They have to be taught to be kind and loving. You should also see that they are being kind to other people. Not bullying or being rude. If they are being rude and unkind to other kids and you then they will likely be limited in respect for bunny.

Also, you should get a bunny when finances are good, you have a good "bunny-living space", and you are sure no one has allergies to rabbits. There are many other things to consider.

Never be a part of the problem of abandoned, neglected, and mistreated rabbits. Rabbits are a wonderful family member. But they deserve all the love and respect we give one another.

Welcome to the Family Rhosgobel!

2 weeks and 4 days after my precious little Snowberry died, we found little Rhosgobel abandoned in a parking lot at 9pm . My older sister spotted him. I carefully approached him and scooped him up.

Rhogobel is a Mini Lop, about 5 months old, and very friendly. He is a very healthy boy other than the fact he has a tick infestation! (Don't worry, the vet gave him special tick medicine)! Thankfully, we still had SnowB's cage and hay and litter that I hadn't donated yet! We just had to get him new toys and a new litter box.
(If you're wondering, the name Rhosgobel comes from the movie "The Hobbit". In the movie, a group of characters are trying to get away from some evil wolf/dog things. A good wizard helps the group to escape by distracting the wolf/dogs by riding past them on a sleigh of "Rhosgobel Rabbits". They escape unharmed. I'm a big Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit fan)!

Welcome to the family my little Rhosgobel Rabbit! 

Rhosgobel

Lucky I didn't take apart SB's cage yet!

Dealing With an Overweight Bunny

It is all too common for bunnies to become overweight. A long time ago people thought that a chubby bunny was a healthy bunny. We know now that this is wrong. However, many people still have chubby bunnies. And unfortunately this means a shorter lifespan for bunny, unnecessary health issues, and laziness.
It is very important that you keep bunny healthy if you want her to live a good, happy life. You can help keep bunny from getting overweight. If you have a chubby bunny you can use these steps to help bunny lose weight.

How to tell if bunny is overweight:
.Gently rub your hands over bunny. You should be able to feel her ribs without a thick layer of fat over them. 
.The dewlap should not interfere with bunny's grooming.
.If bunny seems lazy, having trouble sitting up, or has a hard time playing for long periods of time, then she may be overweight.

How to help keep bunny at a healthy weight:
.Take bunny out of her cage to play everyday for at least 1 hour 2-3x a day.
ALL bunnies need big cages (even dwarf rabbits). If bunny spends long periods of time in her cage she needs a larger space to play in and lots of fun toys, ramps, and things to play on! (HAVING A BIG CAGE DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN'T TAKE BUNNY OUT TO PLAY OUTSIDE HER CAGE)!
.Feed bunny the proper amount of pellets. Pellets can very easily make bunny fat (even healthier brands).
.Give bunny hay and water 24/7
.Feed bunny healthy greens 1-2x a day.
.Don't give bunny a ton of treats.  Bunny should only get treats a few times a week and in small amounts. 
.Do not feed bunny any kind of non-rabbit food or any kind of "fiesta" style bunny chow you see at pet stores. These are often filled with bad food for bunny and are laden with sugar and chemicals. 
.You can talk to your vet to see what else you can do for bunny.

NEVER EVER TRY AND STARVE BUNNY TO FORCE HER TO LOSE WEIGHT! THIS IS VERY CRUEL AND COULD KILL HER.

A happy, healthy bunny. 

Remembering Snowberry

On July 14 2016 at around 11:30pm, 1 month before her 8th birthday, little Snowberry went to heaven in her mommy's loving arms.

An old little lady bunny. She was a happy and otherwise healthy girl other than her arthritis. She never had any dental disease, or other illnesses all her life.

A strong and terrible stroke which left her confused, in pain, and unable to stand. My mother and I rushed her to emergency vet care. It became clear that she would not survive the ordeal. We decided to end her pain by letting her be put to sleep in my arms. The same way I brought her home. Safe in my arms, I escorted her home to be with Jesus and my many other beloved pets who have moved on.
She is snuggled up in my baby blanket she chewed up after all these years, in a small white box, buried safely in the yard she so loved to play in. Under some growing flowers and some roses we put there.

8 years of habits to break. Filling the hay rack and water bottle. Cleaning the cage. Taking her out to play in the yard. Feeding her her most favorite food in the world- cilantro! Walking into the kitchen expecting to see a little white bunny in there.

If love could have saved her she would have lived forever.

I know that I'll see her again. It's goodbye for now. Not forever.

My wonderful, precious, little baby! Such a special gift from God! 8 happy, fun years. I'll miss her forever. My darling little Fuzz-Butt. You'll be in my heart always.

"Every good and perfect gift is from God." James 1:17

Mommy's baby girl. xoxo

SNOWBERRY

Outdoor Rabbit Safety

Safety is key for any rabbit, whether indoor or outdoor. Outdoor rabbit safety is highly important because of the exposure to the elements. Rain, wind, and extreme heat or cold can cause bunny to get sick or die if he is not properly protected while he is outside. He must also be protected from poisonous plants, and parasites and other wild animals like wild rabbits, raccoons etc.

OUTDOOR RABBIT CAGE/HUTCH SAFETY:
If bunny is a rabbit that will remain outdoors for the majority of his time then you need to make sure that he can access a safe, enclosed place to hide/play/rest in. Having a good, strong hutch is essential.
Make sure that his hutch is dry and cleaned daily, has no wire flooring, has a minimum of 3 levels, and a completely closed off hide away area. This will give him a safe place to hide should a raccoon or other animal come for a visit and begin to poke at bunny. Make sure that you can access his hiding spot in case you have to get him for whatever reason. Your hutch should also have good ventilation while keeping him safe from too much wind and rain. The cage should be placed in an area that gets at least 4-5 hours of sun a day. A good place to put the hutch may be on a shady patio, or back porch. It is not a good idea to put bunny on a non-enclosed front porch. A sun porch is OK though. A bunny pen is a fairly safe place to let bunny hop around in in your yard. Just because bunny is in a pen though doesn't mean she is 100% safe from wild animals. Watch her when she is playing outside her hutch. Put toys, a hiding spot and water/hay in the pen.

WEATHER SAFETY:
Having bunny outside in bad rain, freezing cold, high winds, or sweltering heat is not only dangerous for bunny, but quite silly on your part. If the temperature reaches over 80 degrees outside without a good breeze, and there is med-high humidity then bunny should be taken inside. If the temperature goes below 50 degrees, with med-high winds, and there is snow, then bunny should be taken inside. Bunny should also come inside during chilly, wet, or really rainy/stormy days. She should also be taken in if you leave the house or it's night time so have a temporary indoor hutch for bunny.

YARD SAFETY:
If you live in a highly wooded area with many deer, wild rabbits, raccoon's, etc. then take extra precaution to keep bunny in a safe bunny pen and hutch. Be aware to keep these critters away since their poop/saliva/pee that gets on the grass that bunny may nibble on can give her deadly illnesses that can be fatal in 24hrs if not treated ASAP. Keep garden greens, poisonous plants, etc away from bunny. Watch her closely and take care of bunny.

A Nice Brisk Walk

Unlike dogs, rabbits don't need to be walked. As fun as walking bunny sounds for you, it really isn't for bunny. There are too many risks in taking bunny for a walk than good things. Bunny will enjoy playing in a fun yard than walking outside.

Why it isn't always good to walk bunny:
1.If you live in a big city all the noise from people, barking dogs, trash, cars, planes, and construction work can all be very chaotic for bunny. Even a brave bunny can be spooked.
2.If bunny is being walked on the grass (or sidewalk) the poop and pee from birds and other animals as well as germs from peoples shoes can make bunny very sick.
3.Leashed dogs that see bunny may bark at her which will scare her and people who may want to touch bunny can be frightening for her.

While I don't really encourage the idea of bunny being taken on walks there are some bunnies who do just fine and like it. However, most bunnies don't like it and do better off in a more quiet suburbian setting. Not really in a city or forest preserve.

But there are some things to consider if you choose to take her out:

.Use a harness never a leash!

.Keep an eye out for dogs. If you see an over excited, loud dog then pick bunny up.

.Don't take her on grass covered with bird/animal poop or sharp objects or lots of trash.

.Take the heat into consideration. Don't take bun out if the temperature is over 80 or under 50. (Consider the "real feel" temperature and the humidity. Bunny also gets easily scared in stroms.)

.Don't use bunny as an exercise partner. This is not safe for her!

.People may want to touch bunny ( who wouldn't?). Don't take her our if she is afraid of people. You can let people touch and pet bunny, but not hold her.