Week 9: Famous Last Words - House Rabbit Primer 1/4

A Primer to the Domestic House Rabbit: The Basics, I

1. Introduction
2. Lagomorphs, not rodents
3. Cages
4. Food & Treats
5. Toys

Introduction

I got a comment on my introduction post asking about whether or not rabbits were easier to take care of than cats or dogs, the answer is both yes and no - it all boils down to the rabbit and what they've been through.  

However, because one of my goals in life is to educate people about the plight of house rabbits - the third most surrendered animal, which doesn't count the hundreds and hundreds of rabbits who are released in neighborhoods and parks to be "free" - I'm going to post some educational tidbits here.

If you, or someone you know, is about to get a rabbit, I strongly urge you to reconsider.  They are NOT great pets for children or for first time pet owners - they are a ten year commitment, they are not toys, they are not disposable.

Sidney Crosbun is the best video game partner. So whoever dumped him is really missing out.

Lagomorphs, not rodents

It's a common misconception that rabbits are rodents.  They are not.  They belong to the taxonomic order lagomorpha - which includes hares, rabbits, and pikas (also called conies).  The main differences between lagomorphs and rodents are found in their teeth.  Rodents only have two incisors in their upper jaw - lagomorphs have four.

There's also a difference between rabbits and hares.  The main one being that hares give birth to young that are already furred and active, while rabbit's give birth to furless young.  Rabbits are also more social than hares and like to live in small colonies.

The sociality of the wild rabbit is something that has been retained in domesticated rabbits.  Which is why I roll my eyes whenever I see a rabbit care website saying that you should put a blanket or a towel over a rabbit's cage.  One, because that rabbit will just chew up and destroy the towel.  And two, because rabbits rely on eyesight almost as much as they rely on their hearing to know what is going on around them.

Rabbits want to be seen, and they want to be a part of the family.  One way to bond with a rabbit is to stay in their line of sight - this is called "gazing."  You don't necessarily have to be petting them, just being in their vicinity and sitting with them goes a long way to helping a rabbit trust you.  (It gets them used to your presence and equates it with the thought "oh, look, they're here and nothing is happening.")

Cages

Only four of my rabbits are in caged - but they're not the cages like what you see in Atwoods or Walmart, they're in large dog crates.  Because those cages at Atwoods and Walmart are horrendous and cramped and rabbits should only be put in them if it's for a few hours - like say, at night, if they have regular run of the house or a room.

The four rabbits who are caged each get ample amounts of time outside of these cages.  Especially at in the mornings and the evenings - when rabbits are more active.  Khan and Sidney each spend about an hour to an hour-and-half outside on a harness and leash (or in the living room when it's too hot outside).  Stella and Jacky take turns being outside of their cages in the rabbit room.  And Ty-ty and Ziggy each have their own rooms - Ty has the laundry room, Ziggy has the dining room.

Ty-ty clonked out.  If you notice, the top of his box is caved in - that's because he liked to sit on top of it.  We eventually had to retire that box and get him something a bit more sturdy.

Dog crates are excellent for rabbits because they're tall enough that if a rabbit wants to stand on their hind legs, they can.  The bottom pan is also good because it can just be pulled out and cleaned.

Each of our rabbits also has a plastic box filled with pine shavings (not cedar - cedar can cause respiratory problems in rabbits - and never, never cat litter) where the rabbits do their business. These boxes are cleaned out every other day.  Ziggy is the only rabbit who doesn't have a plastic box - instead, he has a large cardboard box lined with puppy pads that he uses.

**Rabbits should not kept outside.  They will get lonely and quickly become depressed.  Here in Oklahoma, with the extreme temperatures, rabbits can succumb to heat strokes and seizures and die.  Just think about how miserable you would be in a giant fur coat outside in 100 degree heat.**

Food & Treats

Our rabbits get a cup of pellets (plain pellets, not the bags with the extra "goodies" inside - that's just junk) and unlimited Timothy hay.  In the mornings, they get a scoop of oats, a slice of banana or apple, and, once a week, raw pumpkin seeds.  Each night, they get greens: red leafed lettuce, regular lettuce, Italian and/or curly parsley, and spinach.

Also, whenever there are good strawberries, the rabbits will get strawberry tops (which is the only part they really like, they tend to ignore the rest of it).

While my rabbits like carrots, they don't really go crazy for them - not like bananas or apples.  Especially the yellow apples.

If they don't get their treats in the morning or their veggies at night, they'll often slam their bowls together or start thumping - just generally start making a lot of noise to get my attention.  It's they're way of saying: "Hey!  You forgettin' something?!"  And then I feel guilty.

Toys

There is absolutely no point in buying any of the fancy wooden blocks from pet stores.  The rabbits just throw them around a couple of times and then get bored with them.

What they do love is toilet paper and paper towel rolls (I hide bits of banana inside, then stuff it with hay).  Also, little paper cups - they're safe for rabbits to eat, plus they can be thrown around; cardboard bowls and boxes are fun, too.  Anything vaguely papery will also be eaten and enjoyed.  This includes everything from junk mail to homework (I wish I was joking about that last one, but really).

Ziggy catching up on his couponing.

Coming Up

1. Week 10: The Basics, II
1. The importance of spaying and neutering
2. Personality: rabbits have a lot of it
3. Body Language: ears, flops and binkies, and "getting the butt"
2. Week 11: The Hazards
1. I killed that snake for you: rabbits vs. power cords
2. Everything must go: rabbits vs. your furniture
3. I don't like that: rabbits vs. you, biting/scratching
3.  Week 12: My Best Success Story and the Whole Point of Doing a Four Week Long Rabbit Primer
1. Cadbury, the Church Rabbit
2. What has been done: the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign and the house rabbit memes
3. What needs to be done:  education, education, education