Rabbit facts and truthes for the month of March. Contribute please

[woahlookitsme]

Thank you Brandy for that. I must say now that I am thinking if my one chocolate doe who is going on 3 doesn't have a litter this time(for the buck penetrated 6 times within 4 hours) then she might have a cancer. Very interesting read and made me say oh yeaa

"Rabbits should never be picked up by their ears or by the scruff of their neck. Instead you should support both the rear end and front of the rabbit to make them feel secure."

I am sorry but i must ask have you ever tried to pick up a tan or other running breed by just supporting is rear and front especially the ones who are only handled when its show time. This can result in injuries for both the handler and rabbit. For a pet mini rex or lop this may be true but even running breeds are sold as pets. At the rodeo we have to carry our own rabbits to the tables because some of them need a more experienced handler or someone might get hurt. I must agree that picking them up by the ears is a no no but scruff or even flanking them in serious cases might be learned for emergencies. Just my 2cents.

 

[grumpybabies]

I have one thing to add.. flystrike! If people had to spend an hour picking off maggots like i have, then they would be put off well and truly!

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

I don't have time to read the whole post, but just wanted to put in a little constructive "criticism" (but not criticize, just trying to help).

I would suggest not calling the list "Rabbit Facts/Truths" because some of the information you listed above is not fact. For example, that rabbits should be fed veggies, rabbits should be fed limited pellets. Some people do choose this diet for their rabbit, but it is not the only diet that will contribute to a healthy rabbit. Instead, I would call the list, "Rabbit Information" and just note that rabbits may be fed a fresh diet, and explain how to do that.

Or, even better, say things like "Rabbits require (this amount) of protein in their diet, or (this amount) of calcium", but not list the source.

Hope that helps!


ETA: "Rabbits do NOT make good pets for CHILDREN. Rabbits can be hurt and even killed by a very well meaning child who is trying to pick up the rabbit."

This is another one that I don't necessarily consider to be fact. Personalities are very individual, but on the whole, I've found that many rabbits do make great children's pets. Many children start showing in 4-H at the age of 7 and learn proper handling and care techniques. So I might reword this to say that rabbits can make good pets for any age, but that young children need to be supervised and taught how to handle the rabbit properly.

 

[jcottonl02]

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

I have had a LOT of old does over the years. I have never had one with reproductive caner. A few months ago, on a yahoo group that I am a member of, this came up. The poster had found the 80-90% rates and asked if any one had had a rabbit with it. It turned into a large discussion and a lot of the people that replied are huge rabbitries with hundreds of rabbits. No one could think of any rabbits that they have had that had reproductive cancer.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

I think the stats are different for BRED does and unbred does. It is the unbred does that it is most dangerous to not spay for.

Jen

 

[jcottonl02]

My addition:

A house MUST be bunny-proofed (all wires/toxic plants etc.) if a bunny is brought into a home.


I also have to say that I believe NO pet should be given to a child to be honest. I think children should be taught how to look after their parents pets properly, engage with them, learn how to clean them out and hold them etc. but I don't think children should own their own pet and take on responsibility for them until they are more mature. I'm thinking around the ages of perhaps 13/14 and above.

Just my opinion

Jen

 

[MiniLopHop]

Jen, I personally think it depends on the child. You are an excellent pet person I am sure, but not all parents are. I had more common sense and protective instinct for my pets at a young age than my parents ever figured out. Examples:

I was 5 and BEGGED my mom to let my kittn into the house because it was too cold. She would not budge and caught me trying to sneak her in overnight. The kitten froze to death and stuck to the ground so I had to see my dead kitten every day until it thawed enough. She was in the corner trying her best to stay warm.

At 7 we had hutch rabbits. My sister and I played with them as much as we could. One night we heard them scream and I wanted to go get them. Nope, not allowed. They were both scared to death by morning.

Age 8 we had guiney pigs. I wanted to take them to a friend's house when we were away on vacation during the summer. I was assured they would be just fine for a week on their own. When we came home we discovered they had tipped over the water dish and gone without. Both were dead.

I don't think there is any wonder why I tend to be over protective of my animals now as an adult. Granted I don't think these would be good storries for general public posters either. Some kids are just more in touch with their pets. Then again, at 5 I still dressed my kitten in baby clothes, so *shrug*

 

[naturestee]

In North America, pet rabbits are not the same species as wild rabbits.

When pet rabbits are "set free" aka abandoned, they usually die quickly because their colors make them stand out to predators and they don't know how to take care of themselves.

Rabbits really breed like rabbits! The mom is extremely fertile after she gives birth. If she is housed with a male, she will likely get pregnant again on the same day. This can be very damaging to the babies she just gave birth to (because she will have to wean them sooner), and the mom may have trouble eating enough and staying healthy enough for both the nursing babies and the growing fetuses.

Rabbits have been known to mate through wire cage walls.

Edit: "Breeding a doe reduces her risk of uterine cancer" is a myth. Also, I think the uterine cancer rates that are sometimes claimed include all tumors, but only a smaller percentage are actually malignant.

I have to disagree with some of the other members- rabbits are NOT good children's pets. They may make good family pets if the parents take an active role, take the rabbit to the vet, etc. But even 4-H kids that are taught how to care for a rabbit dump neglected buns at my local shelter on fairly a regular basis. And by neglected, I mean skinny, matted, sick, and in one case severely urine-burned.

 

[maxysmummy]

MiniLopHop wrote:

Jen, I personally think it depends on the child. You are an excellent pet person I am sure, but not all parents are. I had more common sense and protective instinct for my pets at a young age than my parents ever figured out. Examples:

I was 5 and BEGGED my mom to let my kittn into the house because it was too cold. She would not budge and caught me trying to sneak her in overnight. The kitten froze to death and stuck to the ground so I had to see my dead kitten every day until it thawed enough. She was in the corner trying her best to stay warm.

At 7 we had hutch rabbits. My sister and I played with them as much as we could. One night we heard them scream and I wanted to go get them. Nope, not allowed. They were both scared to death by morning.

Age 8 we had guiney pigs. I wanted to take them to a friend's house when we were away on vacation during the summer. I was assured they would be just fine for a week on their own. When we came home we discovered they had tipped over the water dish and gone without. Both were dead.

I don't think there is any wonder why I tend to be over protective of my animals now as an adult. Granted I don't think these would be good storries for general public posters either. Some kids are just more in touch with their pets. Then again, at 5 I still dressed my kitten in baby clothes, so *shrug*

ugh that's awful... *hugs*

 

[Sweetie]

I have to disagree with you Emily. Female rabbits do have a high risk of uterine cancer by the age of 2 or older. Whether they are bred or not. The risk of uterine cancer is 85% in unspayed females. I had Sweetie spayed and she now has an 85% less chance of getting uterine cancer because she is spayed.

Another reason why I think spaying and neutering is a must is because there are too many unwanted rabbits in this world, we don't need more. The ones that are in shelters need homes and that cannot happen if we are breeding more rabbits into this world. I am in no way against breeding but look at all the shelter bunnies and homeless bunnies that are already out there, they are left in shelters to die with no one to care for them or even love them.

Also all rabbits spray, they mark their territory. Males spray more than females do I think.

Thank you MiniLopHop for that post. I am so glad that I had my two rabbits fixed!!!!

 

[Sweetie]

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

Spaying can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, but uterine cancer is rare in rabbits (atleast I have never heard of a rabbit with it.) Spaying is also stressful and dangerous for the rabbit.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

How can spaying be dangerous and stressfulfor the rabbit?

Just because you haven't had a rabbit with uterine cancer doesn't mean that it is rare in female rabbits.

By saying that you have never had a rabbit that sprays, are you saying that your rabbits don't mark their territory? Rabbits spray everything, they spray their waterbottle and everything else. They also "chin" everything!

 

[SablePoint]

Rabbits can't throw up/cough up hair balls. Grooming is a must esp. for fluffy and long haired breeds, cause rabbits will choke on their own hair ball.

If you can't find rabbit-based shampoos, you can use kitten shampoo. Flea and tick kitten shampoos are best. Rabbits can get fleas and ticks too. The flea and tick killers/repelants in the shampoo will work fine on rabbits just like kittens and cats.

"Rabbits lick them selves clean, they don't need baths." - they mlick them selves - but it can actually be dangerous if they get a hair ball. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot puke up hairballs, instead they end up having digestive impacts and/or choking on them.
Bath your rabbits seasonally(recommend for cats too) at least 2-4 times a year. 1 in spring, 1 in summer, 1 in fall, and 1 in winter or just 1 during the winter coat and 1 during the summer coat. This will help reduce all of that mass winter/summer coat fur and prevent hair balls and digestive impacts.

 

[jcottonl02]

Sweetie wrote:

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

Spaying can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, but uterine cancer is rare in rabbits (atleast I have never heard of a rabbit with it.) Spaying is also stressful and dangerous for the rabbit.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

How can spaying be dangerous and stressfulfor the rabbit?

Just because you haven't had a rabbit with uterine cancer doesn't mean that it is rare in female rabbits.

By saying that you have never had a rabbit that sprays, are you saying that your rabbits don't mark their territory? Rabbits spray everything, they spray their waterbottle and everything else. They also "chin" everything!

Spaying is not 'dangerous' for a rabbit per say. There is a slight risk as with ANY procedure where an animal/human is put under general anaesthetic. But this risk is so small. I'm sure if you ask your vets they will be able to tell you that perhaps they have had for example 2 rabbits die from spays, and 1000s that it goes smoothly for, and one of those rabbits that died probably had some kind of heart condition etc.

I'm not sure that ALL rabbits spray. I think some do lots and some just don't really. My Pippin didn't spray anything until he was neutered; I only got him neutered for his well-being and health really. He was around another male rabbit in very close proximity, yet he still didn't spay or feel the need to mark his territory, even once his testicles had descended and he had reached sexual maturity.

Jen

 

[Sweetie]

Thank you for clearing that up for me, Jen.

 

[jcottonl02]

Sweetie wrote:

Thank you for clearing that up for me, Jen.

I am completely for spaying and neutering, though. I believe the advantages (healthier state of mind- not having this huge desire to breed and not being allowed to do so etc., reduced spraying, territoriality, aggression, risk of uterine or testicular cancers totally eliminated) totally 100% outweigh the disadvantages (very small risk of something going wrong during the procedure, and perhaps stress for the animal).


Jen

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

SablePoint wrote:

Rabbits can't throw up/cough up hair balls. Grooming is a must esp. for fluffy and long haired breeds, cause rabbits will choke on their own hair ball.

If you can't find rabbit-based shampoos, you can use kitten shampoo. Flea and tick kitten shampoos are best. Rabbits can get fleas and ticks too. The flea and tick killers/repelants in the shampoo will work fine on rabbits just like kittens and cats.

"Rabbits lick them selves clean, they don't need baths." - they mlick them selves - but it can actually be dangerous if they get a hair ball. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot puke up hairballs, instead they end up having digestive impacts and/or choking on them.
Bath your rabbits seasonally(recommend for cats too) at least 2-4 times a year. 1 in spring, 1 in summer, 1 in fall, and 1 in winter or just 1 during the winter coat and 1 during the summer coat. This will help reduce all of that mass winter/summer coat fur and prevent hair balls and digestive impacts.

I really must disagree with this. Bathing rabbits should only be a last resort when the rabbit is covered in something dangerous. A butt bath can be done if the rabbit needs it, but a full bath should be avoided. I would not use flea and tick shampoos unless there is a problem, and even then there are much safer treatments. Baths are stressful for rabbits and they can get cold is not fully dried. Long haired breeds would be worse and you should never bathe a long coated breed when they are in full coat.

While rabbits may not be able to vomit up a hair ball, they are able to pass it out the other end. Rabbits have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years without being able to vomit. If they all died from an impact, there would be no rabbits. If the rabbit has lots of fibre (hay), then they can pass the fur usually without issue. It is also good to avoid cat hairball treatments as they dry out any fur masses which leads to more problems. Good hydration and fibre are what really help.

When the rabbits are shedding, you should brush them daily to remove and loose and dead fur. This will help prevent them from ingesting too much of it. Long haired breeds should be groomed regularly (either brushed or blown out) and clipped as needed.

 

[Sweetie]

jcottonl02 wrote:

Sweetie wrote:

Thank you for clearing that up for me, Jen.

I am completely for spaying and neutering, though. I believe the advantages (healthier state of mind- not having this huge desire to breed and not being allowed to do so etc., reduced spraying, territoriality, aggression, risk of uterine or testicular cancers totally eliminated) totally 100% outweigh the disadvantages (very small risk of something going wrong during the procedure, and perhaps stress for the animal).


Jen

I agree with you on the spaying and neutering. I had my two rabbits fixed because I didn't want them to breed more rabbits into this world, have a healthier life, etc. I alsoagree with the very small risk of something going wrong when the vet does an extensive reasearch before doing a spay and/or neuter on a rabbit.

 

[SablePoint]

I've been bathing Mr. Bun Bun since he was a baby. He does very well in the tub. So did Koga. I'm going to let baby Rocko get more used to us before I start giving him a bath. I must say, from what I've experianced, rabbits do way m ore better than cats do, and m y oldest cat is almost 14 years old. Stays still in the tub, but still whines like a baby.lol

I didn't know I had to give instructions on how to bath rabbits, but yes they do get cold easily, they will be scared, just like alot of other pets that are bathed. And of coures when mthey a re shedding mm ake sure to brush them out. I do several different types of groom ing mwhen mM r. Bun Bun's fur starts to fly. Pull the dead chunks out gently and use a dust buster.

Put a rubber m at down so they don't slip, and like with all pets(esp. when dirty), I recommend using the shower hose when rinsing. It gets off more dirt/dander/dead hair/bugs(like fleas, ticks, and fur mites)
While bathing them, console them and use a smooth voice to help relax them.
M r. Bun Bun likes to be tickled on his forehead or have his rump scratched. It seems to keep him occupied and hold still better. He even makes the munching noises.

I will talk about handling a rabbits scruff tomorrow.
I often have a very difficult time explaining this part, I will post a picture of me handling the scruff on a rabbit(Bun Bun's overdue for his winter bath, I'll give him one tomorrow and video tape it, showing steps of instructions, if possible).

Shammies work great when drying them off. Any mpet! Human hair too! Whilst they are still damp, put them in a warm clean area perferably carpeted or laid down with towles to help soak up any remaining water from their fluffy bottoms. They will lick them selves throughout the rest of the day, so make sure all the shampoo has been fully rinsed out before drying them.

You can also do what I do. Use a special reward that your rabbit really loves - but can only get after a bath and going through other things they don't like(like a trip to the vet).
Bun Bun only gets his favorite human snack after his bath - a super sized baked pretzel just for him! (I only have small pretzels right now. Hope that'l do for tomorrow. lol)
Atleast myour rabbit will be looking forward to a reward after the soapy torture. lol

If you stay on top with seasonal bathing, your Rabbits(and most other pets) will become more immune to it.

I'm not saying you have to take this, even with a pinch of salt, it's just my recommendations. It has not caused any problems with m y rabbits other than a broken nail one time cause I didn't use a rubber mat.

 

[Kipcha]

SablePoint wrote:

I've been bathing Mr. Bun Bun since he was a baby. He does very well in the tub. So did Koga. I'm going to let baby Rocko get more used to us before I start giving him a bath. I must say, from what I've experianced, rabbits do way m ore better than cats do, and m y oldest cat is almost 14 years old. Stays still in the tub, but still whines like a baby.lol

I didn't know I had to give instructions on how to bath rabbits, but yes they do get cold easily, they will be scared, just like alot of other pets that are bathed. And of coures when mthey a re shedding mm ake sure to brush them out. I do several different types of groom ing mwhen mM r. Bun Bun's fur starts to fly. Pull the dead chunks out gently and use a dust buster.

If you stay on top with seasonal bathing, your Rabbits(and most other pets) will become more immune to it.

I'm not saying you have to take this, even with a pinch of salt, it's just my recommendations. It has not caused any problems with m y rabbits other than a broken nail one time cause I didn't use a rubber mat.

It's great that you haven't had any issues, but I really must disagree with the advice of bathing a rabbit. The only time you really should bathe a rabbit is when it has soiled themselves or gotten into something and it's the last alternative.

If the rabbit does not enjoy the bathing and it isn't necessary, why do it? I mean, rabbits, depending on their personality, are pretty easily stressed and from the one time we had to bathe our rabbit Frost, they really do not enjoy it and it really stresses them out. It's not like a dog where they tend to get themselves into all sorts of smelly trouble and they do a pretty good job grooming themselves. I've even heard cases of rabbits going into shock when they are soaked, but again, this depends entirely on the rabbit. If you live in an area where parasites are an issue, I've heard that moist fur attracts them even more as well.

I'm not saying your wrong, because there is more then one way to take care of a rabbit, just that I really disagree.

 

[Silver Star Rabbitry]

Sweetie wrote:

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

Spaying can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, but uterine cancer is rare in rabbits (atleast I have never heard of a rabbit with it.) Spaying is also stressful and dangerous for the rabbit.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

How can spaying be dangerous and stressfulfor the rabbit?

Just because you haven't had a rabbit with uterine cancer doesn't mean that it is rare in female rabbits.

By saying that you have never had a rabbit that sprays, are you saying that your rabbits don't mark their territory? Rabbits spray everything, they spray their waterbottle and everything else. They also "chin" everything!

Well, to spay a rabbit, it has to be taken to a foreign environment (vet's office,) poked with needles, put under anesthesia and cut open to remove the reproductive organs, then sewn up and kept on pain meds. Sounds dangerous and stressful to me.
It's not just me that has never had a rabbit with reproductive cancer. Like I said earlier, there was a huge discussion done on it on another forum.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays. Yes, they do chin their water bottle, room mates, ect. but they don't spray.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

 

[maxysmummy]

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

Sweetie wrote:

Silver Star Rabbitry wrote:

Spaying can reduce the risk of uterine cancer, but uterine cancer is rare in rabbits (atleast I have never heard of a rabbit with it.) Spaying is also stressful and dangerous for the rabbit.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

How can spaying be dangerous and stressful for the rabbit? 

Just because you haven't had a rabbit with uterine cancer doesn't mean that it is rare in female rabbits.

By saying that you have never had a rabbit that sprays, are you saying that your rabbits don't mark their territory?  Rabbits spray everything, they spray their waterbottle and everything else.  They also "chin" everything!

Well, to spay a rabbit, it has to be taken to a foreign environment (vet's office,) poked with needles, put under anesthesia and cut open to remove the reproductive organs, then sewn up and kept on pain meds. Sounds dangerous and stressful to me.   
It's not just me that has never had a rabbit with reproductive cancer. Like I said earlier, there was a huge discussion done on it on another forum.
I have never had a rabbit that sprays. Yes, they do chin their water bottle, room mates, ect. but they don't spray.

Emily

Silver Star Rabbitry
Raising and Showing Quality Silver Martens, Mini Rex and BEW Netherland Dwarfs in North Louisiana

http://silverstarsilvermartens.webs.com/
http://slverstarrabbitry.blogspot.com/

having being sprayed in the face with urine by my female rabbit i will have to disagree with you on that one.