Korr_and_Sophie
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http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/neighbours/story.html?id=e013c2c0-0792-4619-89a5-b81fc3176722
Bunny companions
Varied breeds suit different needs
Pamela McDowell, For Neighbours
Published:Thursday, March 20, 2008
Bunny companionsVaried breeds suit different needsPamela McDowell, For NeighboursPublished:Thursday, March 20, 2008The Easter Bunny is on his way and cute, cuddly rabbits are a hot commodity at local pet stores.
"Rabbits can make excellent pets," says Lee Palichuk of Pisces Pet Emporium and owner of a Mini Rex named Benjamin. But he adds that there is often more to caring for a rabbit than most people expect. Exercise, feeding, socialization and even hairball remedies are all very important aspects of rabbit care to consider before purchasing or adopting a new pet.
With 47 different recognized breeds, it is essential to research the correct rabbit for your family. Rabbit size varies dramatically, from the one-pound Netherland Dwarf to the 20-pound Flemish Giant. The Polish have a very sweet and calm disposition, while the Tan is a hyper rabbit that demands a lot of exercise.
Leona DeKoter of the Southern Alberta Rabbit Breeders Association recommends the French Lop for families with small children. "At 18 pounds, the Lop is a big rabbit and very easy going," she explains. Children are unlikely to pick up such a big bunny and therefore less likely to be scratched or drop the fragile pet.
A rabbit this large, though, needs a large cage or hutch, as well as an area for exercise. DeKoter cautions that indoor rabbits should never be left to roam the house unsupervised.
"Electrical cords are a big danger for rabbits who need to chew," she says, "and their curiosity can get them into trouble."
With a little bunny-proofing of your home, rabbits can make great indoor pets. They are quiet, require little grooming and can be trained to use a litter box. A rabbit who is treated as part of the family will become well-socialized and can easily be taught simple tricks.
Rabbits aren't completely silent, though their communication is subtle.
"Grunting, purring and honking are all happy sounds," says DeKoter, "while growling and thumping with the hind feet may signal anger or danger."
A bunny may manipulate his environment, too, in order to make sounds. Banging food dishes together or even ringing a bell with his nose might be your bunny's way of telling you he's hungry.
"You need to know your rabbit really well to understand what he's trying to tell you or to know when something's wrong," says DeKoter. "As a prey species, a rabbit will hide its symptoms (of injury or illness) and by the time you see something wrong, it's too late."
Enteritis or upset digestion can kill a rabbit in a matter of days, so an owner must be observant.
A good balance of water, hay, pellets, fresh vegetables and exercise can help prevent digestion troubles. Hair ball treatments can help deal with this lesser-known problem, especially during molting, when a rabbit changes its coat. Spaying or neutering helps to prevent uterine cancer, which is very common in certain breeds.
Before purchasing a rabbit, DeKoter recommends locating a veterinarian who treats rabbits. While rabbits don't require annual vaccinations, if your bunny becomes ill, it may be difficult to find a vet specializing in rabbits.
"Breeders are a great resource and most are very happy to give advice to new rabbit owners," she says.
On Saturday, March 22 from noon to 4 p.m., SARBA will host a display of eight different rabbit breeds at the Tower Lane Mall in Airdrie, providing the public an opportunity to quiz breeders about rabbit care. Check out http://www.sarba.sagecom.org for upcoming events and information on local breeders.The Calgary Humane Society also offers a course called Bunny Basics for new or potential rabbit owners.
"A rabbit needs to be a family pet," advises Cheryl Wallach, spokeswoman for the Calgary Humane Society.
"Purchasing a bunny as a children's pet is a mistake," she says, which may explain why, a few months down the road from Easter, bunnies show up at the shelter. "Rabbits can make excellent pets, but are not necessarily any easier than a dog or cat."
Bunny companions
Varied breeds suit different needs
Pamela McDowell, For Neighbours
Published:Thursday, March 20, 2008
Bunny companionsVaried breeds suit different needsPamela McDowell, For NeighboursPublished:Thursday, March 20, 2008The Easter Bunny is on his way and cute, cuddly rabbits are a hot commodity at local pet stores.
"Rabbits can make excellent pets," says Lee Palichuk of Pisces Pet Emporium and owner of a Mini Rex named Benjamin. But he adds that there is often more to caring for a rabbit than most people expect. Exercise, feeding, socialization and even hairball remedies are all very important aspects of rabbit care to consider before purchasing or adopting a new pet.
With 47 different recognized breeds, it is essential to research the correct rabbit for your family. Rabbit size varies dramatically, from the one-pound Netherland Dwarf to the 20-pound Flemish Giant. The Polish have a very sweet and calm disposition, while the Tan is a hyper rabbit that demands a lot of exercise.
Leona DeKoter of the Southern Alberta Rabbit Breeders Association recommends the French Lop for families with small children. "At 18 pounds, the Lop is a big rabbit and very easy going," she explains. Children are unlikely to pick up such a big bunny and therefore less likely to be scratched or drop the fragile pet.
A rabbit this large, though, needs a large cage or hutch, as well as an area for exercise. DeKoter cautions that indoor rabbits should never be left to roam the house unsupervised.
"Electrical cords are a big danger for rabbits who need to chew," she says, "and their curiosity can get them into trouble."
With a little bunny-proofing of your home, rabbits can make great indoor pets. They are quiet, require little grooming and can be trained to use a litter box. A rabbit who is treated as part of the family will become well-socialized and can easily be taught simple tricks.
Rabbits aren't completely silent, though their communication is subtle.
"Grunting, purring and honking are all happy sounds," says DeKoter, "while growling and thumping with the hind feet may signal anger or danger."
A bunny may manipulate his environment, too, in order to make sounds. Banging food dishes together or even ringing a bell with his nose might be your bunny's way of telling you he's hungry.
"You need to know your rabbit really well to understand what he's trying to tell you or to know when something's wrong," says DeKoter. "As a prey species, a rabbit will hide its symptoms (of injury or illness) and by the time you see something wrong, it's too late."
Enteritis or upset digestion can kill a rabbit in a matter of days, so an owner must be observant.
A good balance of water, hay, pellets, fresh vegetables and exercise can help prevent digestion troubles. Hair ball treatments can help deal with this lesser-known problem, especially during molting, when a rabbit changes its coat. Spaying or neutering helps to prevent uterine cancer, which is very common in certain breeds.
Before purchasing a rabbit, DeKoter recommends locating a veterinarian who treats rabbits. While rabbits don't require annual vaccinations, if your bunny becomes ill, it may be difficult to find a vet specializing in rabbits.
"Breeders are a great resource and most are very happy to give advice to new rabbit owners," she says.
On Saturday, March 22 from noon to 4 p.m., SARBA will host a display of eight different rabbit breeds at the Tower Lane Mall in Airdrie, providing the public an opportunity to quiz breeders about rabbit care. Check out http://www.sarba.sagecom.org for upcoming events and information on local breeders.The Calgary Humane Society also offers a course called Bunny Basics for new or potential rabbit owners.
"A rabbit needs to be a family pet," advises Cheryl Wallach, spokeswoman for the Calgary Humane Society.
"Purchasing a bunny as a children's pet is a mistake," she says, which may explain why, a few months down the road from Easter, bunnies show up at the shelter. "Rabbits can make excellent pets, but are not necessarily any easier than a dog or cat."
