In the Press
[ Back to In the Press ]Pet Corner: Before Buying a Bunny
By Cheryl Morrison, New London Times, New London, CT, 3/29/07
With spring right around the corner, many parents will spontaneously purchase a pet bunny as a surprise Easter gift for their children. Unfortunately, within just a few months, these cute little creatures grow up and become a burden to some owners, and then end up at the animal control or rabbit rescue.
If you are considering adding a pet rabbit to your life, make an informed decision prior to adoption with a new Web site dedicated to the care and well-being of house rabbits. The site's editors, Abi Cushman and P.A. Smith, both of New London, have created myhouserabbit.com (e-mail info@myhouserabbit.com).
Before adopting and bring home any new pet, wait until the excitement of the holidays have died down and guests have left, so the pet may feel relaxed in its new environment. Also consider that any pet, including a rabbit, will require training, vet visits, a feeding schedule and will cost money and take time and energy. So if your schedule is already packed full of carting the kids to school, soccer and dance, think twice about adding a pet rabbit and another chore to do.
Also consider the age of your child. A rabbit is not appropriate for a child under age 8 or 9.
According to Abi Cushman, a pet rabbit can make a "clean, affectionate and wonderful indoor pet" by just following some simple safety measures and training techniques.
First, the home would need to be bunny-proofed, just like you would if a new baby, puppy or kitten were moving in with you. Hide wires and pick up items you would not want chewed, like magazines, important papers or slippers.
You would also not want to use cleaners on floors and then allow your bunny to hop on the floor. Limit or discontinue using toxic cleaners, because a house bunny, like a cat, will have full access to the rooms in your home and will be low to the ground where chemicals in carpets and floors can be a hazard.
Place safty locks on lower cabinets to prevent the rabbit from opening cupboard doors. You can also use a dog or infant gate to keep your house bunny in a certain area of the home.
A rabbit can be litter box trained just like a cat. To train it, first isolate your rabbit to a pen or a large cage with a cat litter box. The litter box needs to have one lower side for easy access and three higher sides. Once the rabbit is trained, you can purchase a covered litter box.
The recommended litter is Yesterday's News, otherwise known as recycled newspapers. Cushman says the clay litter, the clumping types and even the cedar and pine litters can be toxic to rabbits.
Once the rabbit has been trained to used the box in a cage or a pen, try allowing the rabbit to move about in a small room with preferably a tile floor. The Web site recommends the owner to monitor the rabbit just in case of accidents; if you sense the rabbit needs to go, place it in the box immediately.
Positive discipline plays an important role in training a pet rabbit. When the rabbit displays a desired behavior; Cushman says, feed it a tasty treat. never slap or scare the rabbit (by clapping your hands or yelling) to stop an uwanted behavior.
Natural behavior of a rabbit is burrowing, digging and chewing. Many times, house rabbits end up in the shelter because an owner was unaware that a arabbit may chew the eduges of furniture or dig up the carpet. Cushman recommends daily chew treats to wear down fast-growing teeth and regular nail trimming to keep nails in shape.
Another way to keep a house rabbit happy and stimulated is to offer and array of toys, a grass mat to dig into and a cardboard box to chew and play with. Again, reward good behavior with treats when the bunny plays with these items. Like dogs, rabbits can become aggressive if they are left unaltered. It is important to have a vet spay or neuter your rabbit when it is the appropriate age. This will cut down on unwanted biting and scratching.
There are a lot of things to consider before adopting or buying a bunny. The Web site offers a lot of insight into proper rabbit ownership and guides new bunny owners with a variety of articles on training, the proper diet, how to do nail trimming and recommended books. It also offers cute photos of a variety of rabbits and a place for rabbit owners to display their own photos.
Spring is the time for new life and respect for nature, so make an educated decision prior to adopting a bunny. If you are still unsure if a live rabbit is what would make your Easter complete, then buy a chocolate one instead!
Rabbit Adoption Centers
3Bunnies Rabbit Rescue of Connecticut
East Hartford
(413) 427-7345
Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue
Foster, Rhode Island
(401) 623-1340