Summertime Bunny Basics

Rabbits are rapidly becoming favorite household pets. For many people who are allergic to cats and dogs, a rabbit is a perfect companion. Rabbits come in a variety of sizes. Some are so small; you can cup them in your hands. Others are giants that will barely fit on your lap. The length of their coats can range from short and straight to long and luxuriously wavy. They are relatively easy to care for, but do have some special requirements.

Rabbits can be a bit timid. With some patience, you can coax them in to being playful and gregarious. Because of their often-shy nature and very delicate bony structure, it is always important to exercise care when lifting them. A rabbit can kick out so forcibly with its hind legs that it can actually break its own back.

Rabbits are relatively easy to care for, but do have some special requirements.

Bunnies love to gnaw on everything. This could include its cage, your favorite piece of furniture or electrical cords. Bunny proofing your home may involve you crawling around at their level and looking for potentially dangerous items. Rabbits have front teeth, incisors that are constantly growing. Provide them with appropriate blocks of wood to chew on. Though you can’t easily see them, rabbits do have molars that can also become overgrown. This can result in your rabbit having difficulty eating, losing weight and slobbering all over itself. If you see these signs, your lagamorph may need to visit the veterinarian for dental care.

Rabbits, like cats, are self-groomers. Unlike cats, they are unable to spit up hairballs, which can lead to fatal intestinal blockages. Routine brushing and providing a good source of roughage, like hay, can help to keep this problem at bay.

Rabbits are not tolerant of hot temperatures. Housing them indoors is safest during the hot summer months. If you must keep your bunny outdoors, be sure that it has shade and a constant source of water. Misters around its cage can help to lower the ambient temperature. Try freezing a jug of water and placing it in the rabbit’s cage during hot days. The bunny can snuggle up to the block of ice as a respite from the heat.

For more information on how to care for these remarkable creatures, contact rabbit care organizations like the ‘House Rabbit Society’, zoohcorner@earthlink.com or your veterinarian because it is “Your Pet…Health Matters.”