The Lionhead Rabbits are the latest breed of rabbit, initialy imported into the U.S.A. in 1999. Along with the first appearance of this adorable little rabbit with its vertical ears, the precious little Lionhead Lop was developed!
A Lion head rabbit is a hybrid rabbit acquired by crossing a Lion Rabbits with a Holland Lop. Lionheads crossed with the Mini-Rex are referred to as Velvet Lionheads. There are many hybrids of the Lionhead and they're all really cute, really unique, and will make great pets!
The major feature of the Lion head rabbit and the Lion Rabbits is that they have a 'mane'. These small rabbits are so much easier to cherish than longhaired or wooly rabbits like the Angoras, because their mane only needs to be combed out every couple of days. The mane on the Lionhead Lop does tend to mat a little more than on the vertical eared Lion Rabbit.
One thing to keep in mind when getting a young Lion Rabbit is that this is a very new breed, and you will not know what your pet will look like till it grows up! There's no conclusive certainty that it will keep its mane. The mane may molt and vanish permanently or it may grow back even fuller than it was before.
Background:
The Lion Rabbits were initialy brought into the U.S.A. from Europe in 1999, largely from England and Sweden. It is usually believed that the Lion Rabbits were firstly bred in Belgium in 1996 and then imported to England in 1998 where they were crossbred with other small animals to develop what is today called the European Lion Rabbit; Lionhead Lops were also being developed.
There are a couple of thoughts on where the Lion Rabbits originated. Some think they were the result of crossbreeding a Swiss Fox and a Belgian Dwarf, while others think they're from the Dwarf Angora.
To help get more uniformity in type and size, breeders have been crossing the Lion Rabbits with a variety of other rabbits.
Description:
The Lion Rabbits are small-scale bunnies that have a 'mane'! They are unique to all other "new breeds" of rabbits. It has the first major mutation in rabbits since 'satin' fur first appeared in a litter of Havana's in the early 1900's. Unlike most fur mutations that are recessive genes, the Lion Rabbits have what seems to be a dominating mutation that makes the 'mane'. So only one parent is required to have this gene to produce more Lions and it can't be recreated utilising other breeds!
Color deviations:
The Lion head Rabbits come in many patterns and color diversities. Sixty colors are approved for showing in England.
Saturday 20 November 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
KEEPING RABBITS - Rabbit Care
Rabbit care is relatively inexpensive to keep when compared with larger animals such as dogs or horses. They make fantastic pets and can be easily cared for by adults and older children, even younger children can learn from keeping a pet rabbit provided an adult is there supervising them.
Rabbits have a long life span, so make sure your prepared to care for your pet through the long term. There unique creatures who form tight bonds with their families. They require vet care and are not by all means low maintenance.
For good rabbit care you must learn the following things :
Feeding your pet rabbit - Even the best quality rabbit pellets are not adequate on its own as a diet, they need plenty of fresh grass, hay is very important in their diet as are fres greens and vegetables. They need a well balanced and high fibre diet.
Look for greens which are dark, tough and thick leafed - dandelion greens and flowers, raspberry leaves, cabbage red and green, mint leaves, turnip / carrot tops, parsley. Look at feeding them at least 3 different types of greens a day for variety.Include some pea pods not the peas, carrots, apples, strawberries and mango.
When first introducing fruit and vegetables to your rabbit do it in small amounts to avoid runny spoilage and diarrhea.
Annual vaccinations - Make sure you take your rabbit to the vet for vaccinations against viral haemorrhagic and myxomatosis.A common cause of death in female rabbits (does) is uterine cancer which can often spread to other organs before it is diagnosed. This can be prevented by spaying if the rabbit is not intended for breeding and is best done when the rabbit is between 6 months and 2 years of age.
If your pet is scratching alot its most likley fleas. These are small flying insects dark brown in colour and are not easy to spot in all the fur. If not treated they will lay larvae eggs.It can be treated with revolution and is applied to the back of the rabbits neck.
Cleaning a Hutch - You should clean the hutch one a week and the toilet area every other day. When you first get your pet you can train them to use a litter tray and it will be much easier and tidier to clean the hutch. When cleaning a hutch you need to pull out all the soggy newspaper and scrape it into a bin liner with the hay and wood chippings.Scrub the hutch with a soultion of hot water and vinegar and allow to dry. Lay the hutch with newspaper adding more in the toilet area, then add the wood chippings and bedding hay. Wash the water bottle and food dish out and replace with fresh food and water to finsh.
Holding your rabbit correctly - Many owners have difficulty when it comes to picking up their rabbit and being picked up is not a natural experience for them. They do not have wings and are not designed to fly through the air at great (to a bunny) heights.Therefore you should make it as comfortable as possible, use two hands, one supporting the chest and one supporting the bottom.There are several ways to hold your rabbit, you should use the one that your bunny feels most comfortable in and you feel most secure holding it.
Hold your rabbit facing you with all four feet against your chest. Place one hand supporting the bottom, holding it against your body to stop it kicking out and the other hand across the rabbits shoulders. If you put your thumb in front of the bunnies front leg it helps prevent attempted escapes over your your shoulder.
The other position is like a hug using your arms to hold the bunny firmly against your chest. Hold your bunny sideways with its feet resting at your hip facing your right shoulder. Wrap you left arm across its body and support the chest with your hand, thumb over the shoulders, fingers underneath. Use your other hand to support the bottom, firmly to press her feet against you so he/she can't lift them to kick out.
So now you know about rabbit care you can get down to doing and enjoying it.
Rabbits have a long life span, so make sure your prepared to care for your pet through the long term. There unique creatures who form tight bonds with their families. They require vet care and are not by all means low maintenance.
For good rabbit care you must learn the following things :
Feeding your pet rabbit - Even the best quality rabbit pellets are not adequate on its own as a diet, they need plenty of fresh grass, hay is very important in their diet as are fres greens and vegetables. They need a well balanced and high fibre diet.
Look for greens which are dark, tough and thick leafed - dandelion greens and flowers, raspberry leaves, cabbage red and green, mint leaves, turnip / carrot tops, parsley. Look at feeding them at least 3 different types of greens a day for variety.Include some pea pods not the peas, carrots, apples, strawberries and mango.
When first introducing fruit and vegetables to your rabbit do it in small amounts to avoid runny spoilage and diarrhea.
Annual vaccinations - Make sure you take your rabbit to the vet for vaccinations against viral haemorrhagic and myxomatosis.A common cause of death in female rabbits (does) is uterine cancer which can often spread to other organs before it is diagnosed. This can be prevented by spaying if the rabbit is not intended for breeding and is best done when the rabbit is between 6 months and 2 years of age.
If your pet is scratching alot its most likley fleas. These are small flying insects dark brown in colour and are not easy to spot in all the fur. If not treated they will lay larvae eggs.It can be treated with revolution and is applied to the back of the rabbits neck.
Cleaning a Hutch - You should clean the hutch one a week and the toilet area every other day. When you first get your pet you can train them to use a litter tray and it will be much easier and tidier to clean the hutch. When cleaning a hutch you need to pull out all the soggy newspaper and scrape it into a bin liner with the hay and wood chippings.Scrub the hutch with a soultion of hot water and vinegar and allow to dry. Lay the hutch with newspaper adding more in the toilet area, then add the wood chippings and bedding hay. Wash the water bottle and food dish out and replace with fresh food and water to finsh.
Holding your rabbit correctly - Many owners have difficulty when it comes to picking up their rabbit and being picked up is not a natural experience for them. They do not have wings and are not designed to fly through the air at great (to a bunny) heights.Therefore you should make it as comfortable as possible, use two hands, one supporting the chest and one supporting the bottom.There are several ways to hold your rabbit, you should use the one that your bunny feels most comfortable in and you feel most secure holding it.
Hold your rabbit facing you with all four feet against your chest. Place one hand supporting the bottom, holding it against your body to stop it kicking out and the other hand across the rabbits shoulders. If you put your thumb in front of the bunnies front leg it helps prevent attempted escapes over your your shoulder.
The other position is like a hug using your arms to hold the bunny firmly against your chest. Hold your bunny sideways with its feet resting at your hip facing your right shoulder. Wrap you left arm across its body and support the chest with your hand, thumb over the shoulders, fingers underneath. Use your other hand to support the bottom, firmly to press her feet against you so he/she can't lift them to kick out.
So now you know about rabbit care you can get down to doing and enjoying it.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
HOW TO KEEP RABBITS - Bunny Rabbit Facts
Want to know more about your bunny and understand him/her better? This short article contains fascinating bunny rabbit facts that every owner should know.
Fact #1: Rabbits are crepuscular (most active at dawn and twilight).
Fact #2: Neither wild nor domestic bunnies hibernate.
Fact #3: A rabbit may tear apart her cage out of mating frustration? If your bunny isn't spayed or neutered, you should get her/him altered as soon as possible.
Fact #4: Bunnies can't throw up. They can gag, but they can't vomit.
Fact #5: Rabbit can snore!
Fact #6: Bunnies can jump 36 inches and higher. Bunnies are excellent at jumping.
Fact #7: Wild bunnies can be found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. (While rabbits are not indigenous to Australia, there IS now a large population of feral rabbits brought to the continent by European ancestors.)
Fact #8: Wild rabbits sleep in burrows.
Fact #9: A group of bunnies is called a herd.
Fact #10: Less than 10 percent of all abandoned wild baby bunnies survive.
We also recommend you to read about "Rabbit Care Secrets", the book with literally hundreds of bunny rabbit facts.
How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Fact #1: Rabbits are crepuscular (most active at dawn and twilight).
Fact #2: Neither wild nor domestic bunnies hibernate.
Fact #3: A rabbit may tear apart her cage out of mating frustration? If your bunny isn't spayed or neutered, you should get her/him altered as soon as possible.
Fact #4: Bunnies can't throw up. They can gag, but they can't vomit.
Fact #5: Rabbit can snore!
Fact #6: Bunnies can jump 36 inches and higher. Bunnies are excellent at jumping.
Fact #7: Wild bunnies can be found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. (While rabbits are not indigenous to Australia, there IS now a large population of feral rabbits brought to the continent by European ancestors.)
Fact #8: Wild rabbits sleep in burrows.
Fact #9: A group of bunnies is called a herd.
Fact #10: Less than 10 percent of all abandoned wild baby bunnies survive.
We also recommend you to read about "Rabbit Care Secrets", the book with literally hundreds of bunny rabbit facts.
How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Tuesday 9 November 2010
HOW TO KEEP RABBITS - Popular Rabbit Names
We get a lot of email asking for help in choosing a name for newly adopted rabbit pets. Well, as part of our research we looked into the most popular bunny names, so we thought we'd share them with you.
Here are rabbit names from our collection in random order:
* Bailey
* Bugs
* Thumper
* Puddles
* Midnight
* Riley
* Stormie
* Pippin
* Noel
* Piper
* Holbrook
* Willow
* Cocoa
* Maybelline
* Oreo
* Dezzi
* Pepper
* Cherub
* Romeo
* Hershey
* Hayley
* Velvet
* Tinkerbell
* Juniper
* Dutch
* Tuxedo
* Patches
* Sadie
* Tyler
* Duchess
* Harvey
* Pumpkin
* Angel
* Binky
* Hopkins
* Snowball
* Peanut
* Dakota
* Dash
* Hopper
* Nutmeg
* Smokey
Not Enough? :-) Ok, more names for your rabbit pet:
* Chance
* Satine
* Shadow
* Snuggles
* Thumbelina
* Flopsy
* Marshmallow
* Gatsby
* Jade
* Frodo
* Arial
* Rex
* Mittens
* Zuzu
* Halo
* Onyx
* Sabrina
* Belle
* Noir
* Q-Tip
* Nibbles
* Daisy
* Merry
* Tricycle
* Oscar
* Zoey
* Pepper
* Sundance
* Hopson
* Ripley
* Trance
* Sweetpea
* Charmin
* Noah
* Bunster
* Silver
* Bumper
* Rascal
Do you know other popular rabbit names? Let us know and we will add them to this list!
Names From Our Readers
* Jazmin (name for girl bunny-rabbit)
* Princess
* Rox
* Ebbie (stands for the initials E.B., short cut for Easter Bunny)
* Emma
* Sophie
* Einstein (name for smart male rabbit
* Muffin
* Mopsy
* Honey
* Dopey (cute name for small cute pet)
* Charlie
* Smores
* Ollie
* Willow Jett
* Fern
* Snickerz
* Gadget (probably the name for rabbit who love to play with toys)
* Dandelion (great name!)
* Thumper
* Zypp
* White Chocolate (in case the rabbit is brown and white)
* Tinker
* Sunny
* Buttons (when you'll see baby bunny's eyes you'll understand this)
* Hocus Pocus
* Houdini
* Treacle
* Bunny-Bunny (fun name when said in a very high pitch)
* Milly
* Amber
* Max
* Jessee (for a girl or a boy rabbit)
* Lola
You also can send us feedback note about our rabbit names collection. We will be happy to hear your opinion about it.
How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Here are rabbit names from our collection in random order:
* Bailey
* Bugs
* Thumper
* Puddles
* Midnight
* Riley
* Stormie
* Pippin
* Noel
* Piper
* Holbrook
* Willow
* Cocoa
* Maybelline
* Oreo
* Dezzi
* Pepper
* Cherub
* Romeo
* Hershey
* Hayley
* Velvet
* Tinkerbell
* Juniper
* Dutch
* Tuxedo
* Patches
* Sadie
* Tyler
* Duchess
* Harvey
* Pumpkin
* Angel
* Binky
* Hopkins
* Snowball
* Peanut
* Dakota
* Dash
* Hopper
* Nutmeg
* Smokey
Not Enough? :-) Ok, more names for your rabbit pet:
* Chance
* Satine
* Shadow
* Snuggles
* Thumbelina
* Flopsy
* Marshmallow
* Gatsby
* Jade
* Frodo
* Arial
* Rex
* Mittens
* Zuzu
* Halo
* Onyx
* Sabrina
* Belle
* Noir
* Q-Tip
* Nibbles
* Daisy
* Merry
* Tricycle
* Oscar
* Zoey
* Pepper
* Sundance
* Hopson
* Ripley
* Trance
* Sweetpea
* Charmin
* Noah
* Bunster
* Silver
* Bumper
* Rascal
Do you know other popular rabbit names? Let us know and we will add them to this list!
Names From Our Readers
* Jazmin (name for girl bunny-rabbit)
* Princess
* Rox
* Ebbie (stands for the initials E.B., short cut for Easter Bunny)
* Emma
* Sophie
* Einstein (name for smart male rabbit
* Muffin
* Mopsy
* Honey
* Dopey (cute name for small cute pet)
* Charlie
* Smores
* Ollie
* Willow Jett
* Fern
* Snickerz
* Gadget (probably the name for rabbit who love to play with toys)
* Dandelion (great name!)
* Thumper
* Zypp
* White Chocolate (in case the rabbit is brown and white)
* Tinker
* Sunny
* Buttons (when you'll see baby bunny's eyes you'll understand this)
* Hocus Pocus
* Houdini
* Treacle
* Bunny-Bunny (fun name when said in a very high pitch)
* Milly
* Amber
* Max
* Jessee (for a girl or a boy rabbit)
* Lola
You also can send us feedback note about our rabbit names collection. We will be happy to hear your opinion about it.
How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Monday 8 November 2010
Rabbit Cages and Hutches
Before we look at the different housing options, you should understand that the more room your bunny has when she's confined, the better. You might think because a particular bunny is a dwarf, she doesn't need as much room as a larger bunny. Not true. Dwarfs have a lot of energy, and therefore, need plenty of room to move, roam and run. The cages you see at pet stores claiming to be for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbitsll for any rabbit, no matter what size.
Your bunny's housing will need plenty of room for a full-size litter box (consider having two if you have two bunnies,) her hay box, her food bowl and either a water bowl or a water bottle. In addition, you'll want to make sure your bunny has plenty of entertainment, so she doesn't get bored when she's confined. (For an idea of the kind of toys bunnies love, read the section Exercise and Entertainment.nt her to have plenty of roomnot just enough room to turn around. Make sure her cage is at least four times her size.
There are many fun cage options your bunny will love: NIC condos and exercise pens are the most popular housing for bunnies who don't have free reign. Other options include large dog carriers, cages designed specifically for rabbits and hutches.
Since we don't have enough room to talk about them all in an email, let me confine myself to the best in my opinion - Neat Idea Cubes! (They're roomy, fun to put together, and reasonably inexpensive).
NIC Condos: NIC stands for Neat Idea Cubes. Neat Idea Cubes are wire flats you can put together to make cubes and bunny condos. It's a wonderful alternative to a cage, and it's much cheaper.
NIC condos are very easy to put together, but it is a very time consuming process. (If you make one, let your bunny watch you. She'll love to sniff and investigate what you're doing.) If you want to make a condo for your bunny, you first want to determine how big you want it to be. How many floors? Let's say you decide to make a four-floor condo for your bunny. Here's what you'll need to get started:
* You'll need packages of Neat Idea Cubes (assuming they come eight in a package) because you'll need at least 47 pieces to build the condo. You can get the Neat Idea Cubes from places like Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, and you can check with Home Improvement and Lowe's.
* One package (you may find you need more) of cable ties.
* A pair of scissors
Then, just do a search on the internet (we like Google) for "Neat Idea Cubes Articles" and you'll find about a half dozen sites with step by step instructions.
Rabbit Care Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Your bunny's housing will need plenty of room for a full-size litter box (consider having two if you have two bunnies,) her hay box, her food bowl and either a water bowl or a water bottle. In addition, you'll want to make sure your bunny has plenty of entertainment, so she doesn't get bored when she's confined. (For an idea of the kind of toys bunnies love, read the section Exercise and Entertainment.nt her to have plenty of roomnot just enough room to turn around. Make sure her cage is at least four times her size.
There are many fun cage options your bunny will love: NIC condos and exercise pens are the most popular housing for bunnies who don't have free reign. Other options include large dog carriers, cages designed specifically for rabbits and hutches.
Since we don't have enough room to talk about them all in an email, let me confine myself to the best in my opinion - Neat Idea Cubes! (They're roomy, fun to put together, and reasonably inexpensive).
NIC Condos: NIC stands for Neat Idea Cubes. Neat Idea Cubes are wire flats you can put together to make cubes and bunny condos. It's a wonderful alternative to a cage, and it's much cheaper.
NIC condos are very easy to put together, but it is a very time consuming process. (If you make one, let your bunny watch you. She'll love to sniff and investigate what you're doing.) If you want to make a condo for your bunny, you first want to determine how big you want it to be. How many floors? Let's say you decide to make a four-floor condo for your bunny. Here's what you'll need to get started:
* You'll need packages of Neat Idea Cubes (assuming they come eight in a package) because you'll need at least 47 pieces to build the condo. You can get the Neat Idea Cubes from places like Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, and you can check with Home Improvement and Lowe's.
* One package (you may find you need more) of cable ties.
* A pair of scissors
Then, just do a search on the internet (we like Google) for "Neat Idea Cubes Articles" and you'll find about a half dozen sites with step by step instructions.
Rabbit Care Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!
Sunday 24 October 2010
Taking Care of a Pet Rabbit
Most of us are probably familiar with the quintessential image of the rabbit-a fluffy, cuddly white bunny delivered into the arms of delighted children on Easter morning, surrounded by sweets and colored eggs. Unfortunately, this picture-perfect holiday symbol that has placed many a pet rabbit into a less-than-ideal situation. Taking care of a pet rabbit is not a holiday novelty; it's agreeing to assume full responsibility for the needs of a living creature. If it sounds like welcoming a rabbit into your home is serious business requiring lots of thought and planning, that's because it is! But it also offers an exciting, unique pet ownership experience-for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to learn the ins and outs of pet rabbit care.
Rabbits require a certain kind of home environment in order to thrive. Contrary to the popular image, they are not suitable pets for young children, even if the intention is to teach responsibility by allowing the child to care for a pet rabbit. Rabbits frighten easily and are extremely fragile when it comes to being handled. A sudden noise or movement can actually frighten them to death, while one instance of mishandling could break bones or damage internal organs. Therefore, a home full of running, yelling children is not a happy home for a rabbit. Rabbits need to feel secure at all times, so a large part of taking care of a pet rabbit is offering it a fairly constant atmosphere of peace and quiet, and a major component of offering that secure atmosphere is providing your rabbit with proper housing.
There are two basic options when it comes to rabbit-keeping: to cage or not to cage. Traditionally, rabbits have been kept in outdoor cages (called a "hutches") with a wire bottom and sides, a solid top, and a solid wooden nesting box. An outdoor hutch is still a viable option, provided serious effort is applied to making the hutch completely weatherproof. For those who truly wish to keep their rabbits inside, a large cage similar to a hutch can be integrated into the household, and for those who truly wish to live with their rabbits, a rabbit can be kept much as you'd keep a cat-running free in the house. Rabbits love to be near "their people," and if given the chance, will follow you around as you do your daily chores. They are easily litter box trained and are relatively tidy overall. For safety's sake, it's a very good idea to confine your rabbit to a single, rabbit-proofed room, unless he or she is under close supervision. Many people keep their rabbits in an empty bedroom or in the kitchen by blocking off the door with a baby gate. Rabbit-proofing involves ridding the area of chew-ables such as books, papers, toys, or anything else you don't want gnawed-especially electrical cords. You should also ensure that there are no small spaces for your rabbit to squeeze into.
Whether you decide to keep your rabbit in a cage, let him roam freely about your kitchen, or a combination of both, the other major consideration in taking care of a pet rabbit is ensuring that fresh water and proper food are available at all times. Water can either be made available in a heavy dish or in a cage-hanging water bottle. A rabbit's diet should consist mainly of formulated rabbit pellets, a little fresh hay, and treats such as carrots, apples, and leafy greens (not iceberg lettuce!). Rabbits will eat just about anything, but that doesn't mean you should feed them whatever they desire. They have delicate digestive systems that are easily thrown off balance by the sudden introduction of foreign foods, so try to keep your rabbit's diet as simple and junk-free as possible.
Now that you've learned how to care for a pet rabbit, it's time to find your new best friend. While pet stores and breeders are always an option, consider checking to see if there's a rabbit rescue near your home, or call your local animal shelters to ask if they have any abandoned rabbits available for adoption. Whatever your decision, make sure it's one that promises your new friend he'll have a forever home with you, and he'll pay you back tenfold with unending affection and companionship.
About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at:http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion's care. For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline |
Why Mini Lop Baby Rabbits Make Good House Rabbits
Whether you've never owned any type of animal before or have never even considered having a bunny as a house pet, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that mini lop baby rabbits make excellent house pets for a number of different reasons.
Why Are Mini Lop Rabbits Such Great House Pets?
Rabbits are notorious for being highly intelligent animals that are easy to train using positive reinforcement and plenty of praise, which are the two essentials for training any type of animal. They are also very social creatures by nature who need plenty of attention and affection, making them the perfect addition to anyone's family.
One of the very best parts of having a mini lop baby as a pet is that rabbits can learn rather quickly, and if given the chance to live and interact with their human family as early as possible, they can also become rather attached to their owners and become loyal, affectionate pets.
Rabbits also have great temperaments and can live together in harmony along with children and other pets like dogs and cats, as long as they are also trained and well mannered and able to be around other animals. Mini lops, much like people, have their own distinct, unique personalities.
What You'll Need for a Happy, Healthy Mini Lop House Rabbit
To keep your baby mini lop happy, healthy, and thriving in their new environment you'll need to have a few basic supplies on hand in addition to all of the love and care you already have to give them.
First, you'll definitely want to consider having your pet spayed or neutered, especially if you have more than one and want to avoid having litter after litter of bunnies. Besides this, spaying and neutering are rather beneficial for your rabbit's overall health and behavior as well. Having your bunny examined and then altered by a veterinarian experienced with rabbits will help to decrease unwanted behaviors such as aggression, chewing, and marking their territory similar to the way felines do.
Because rabbits are social animals, it's always recommended to keep your mini lop inside the home instead of outdoors. The more your pet is allowed to interact and become more comfortable living with humans, the more receptive they'll be to your training efforts and the less likely they'll be to get into mischief. Although your rabbit should have free rein of the home, provided you've went through the house and bunny-proofed each room first, most rabbits will fare best with their very own cage.
In addition to a cage, your mini lop will also need a litter box, litter, toys for chewing on and playing with, places to run and play, a food and water bowl or feeder, and rabbit food including treats like vegetables and fresh hay or straw. You may also want to have a pet carrier for trips back and forth to the veterinarian as well as a brush and clippers for their nails.
Mini lop rabbits can be the absolute perfect house pet and can provide their owners with many years of love, fun, and companionship.
For all of the latest information on caring for Mini Lop Rabbits and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits [http://www.minilop-rabbits.co.uk/page_1217456358257.html]
Why Are Mini Lop Rabbits Such Great House Pets?
Rabbits are notorious for being highly intelligent animals that are easy to train using positive reinforcement and plenty of praise, which are the two essentials for training any type of animal. They are also very social creatures by nature who need plenty of attention and affection, making them the perfect addition to anyone's family.
One of the very best parts of having a mini lop baby as a pet is that rabbits can learn rather quickly, and if given the chance to live and interact with their human family as early as possible, they can also become rather attached to their owners and become loyal, affectionate pets.
Rabbits also have great temperaments and can live together in harmony along with children and other pets like dogs and cats, as long as they are also trained and well mannered and able to be around other animals. Mini lops, much like people, have their own distinct, unique personalities.
What You'll Need for a Happy, Healthy Mini Lop House Rabbit
To keep your baby mini lop happy, healthy, and thriving in their new environment you'll need to have a few basic supplies on hand in addition to all of the love and care you already have to give them.
First, you'll definitely want to consider having your pet spayed or neutered, especially if you have more than one and want to avoid having litter after litter of bunnies. Besides this, spaying and neutering are rather beneficial for your rabbit's overall health and behavior as well. Having your bunny examined and then altered by a veterinarian experienced with rabbits will help to decrease unwanted behaviors such as aggression, chewing, and marking their territory similar to the way felines do.
Because rabbits are social animals, it's always recommended to keep your mini lop inside the home instead of outdoors. The more your pet is allowed to interact and become more comfortable living with humans, the more receptive they'll be to your training efforts and the less likely they'll be to get into mischief. Although your rabbit should have free rein of the home, provided you've went through the house and bunny-proofed each room first, most rabbits will fare best with their very own cage.
In addition to a cage, your mini lop will also need a litter box, litter, toys for chewing on and playing with, places to run and play, a food and water bowl or feeder, and rabbit food including treats like vegetables and fresh hay or straw. You may also want to have a pet carrier for trips back and forth to the veterinarian as well as a brush and clippers for their nails.
Mini lop rabbits can be the absolute perfect house pet and can provide their owners with many years of love, fun, and companionship.
For all of the latest information on caring for Mini Lop Rabbits and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits [http://www.minilop-rabbits.co.uk/page_1217456358257.html]
How to Care For Pregnant Rabbits
Many owners are not ready to handle their pet rabbit's pregnancy. Considering the high mortality rate of newborn bunnies, it is no surprise that many are confused as to what they should do. There are plenty of useful tips that owners can adopt and this starts by gathering the right information from reliable sources.
It is not encouraged to allow your bunny to get pregnant. There is already an overgrown of rabbit population in the world, and if you wanted another one, then you should consider getting them from an animal shelter. Bunnies may be cute but they grow up very fast and in many cases, they are abandoned when they are no longer cute.
However, if your rabbit is pregnant, there are good tips you can follow to care for them and raise the survival chances of its babies. A doe hide her pregnancy quite well. Even experienced vet sometimes made mistakes in their assessment when checking if there is pregnancy.
As a matter of fact, you can hardly notice any change of behaviour in the doe. The easiest way to tell if your female pet rabbit is pregnant is to see if she rejects the advancement of the buck. About two weeks after conceiving, you may be able to feel the foetus inside her womb. It feels marble-like.
The gestation period is between 28 to 31 days. During this time, just provide her with adequate food and water. She may begin her nesting process about one week before delivery. Some pet rabbits only started building her nest as little as three days or one day before delivery.
The doe build its nest by gathering hay and shredding newspaper. She will also pull fur from her own chest. Each rabbit's pregnancy may result in 7 to 13 kits (baby rabbits are called kits). It is not surprising to see the doe immediately leaving its kits after birthing. This may be inherited from their wild cousins to prevent attracting the attention of predator animals.
This may be the right time to check on the bunnies. Unlike other smaller animals, rabbits do not mind human touching their offspring. Check if the babies are warm. If they are not, then you can wrap warm water bottle with towel and place in the nest to help them stay warm.
As the mother rabbit nurse their young ones only twice a day and each nursing takes less than 5 minutes, you may need to play the role of surrogate parents. Suitable formulated milk powder and feeding bottle may be bought from pet store or from a vet.
It is important to gather as much information as possible on pregnant rabbits care . Taking care of pregnant rabbit and raising baby rabbits may be a big responsibility but it is a very rewarding experience. |
Thursday 21 October 2010
A Dwarf Rabbit
Here is everything you need to now about a dwarf rabbit . My bunny is a Polish Dwarf rabbit. He is tiny and about 3 pounds. The Polish Dwarf rabbit I believe has developed in England in the 1800s. Some experts believe that the name does not refer to the country of Poland, but rather to its shiny coat. The Polish Dwarf is a companion to the Netherland Dwarf. He is also very petite and lively in his behavior. The Polish rabbit breeds in as many colors as the Netherland Dwarf. There are advantages to mini rabbits as pets because their feed and housing are less than the larger ones, and they are more easily handled.
That is why we chose a dwarf rabbit. We love him and he is so easy to handle. There is a saying that medium-size or larger rabbits tend to be calmer and more manageable than mini dwarf rabbits. Our first bunny was a Holland Lop and my daughter couldn't handle him as god as our Polish rabbit because he was heavier.
We adopted him as an adult so we new his size.
Any rabbit does not like to be lifted and held unless they are gradually taught to tolerate it. He was held very much in his life, so he accepted being held by us right away. He already was house-trained and used his litter box. We trained our first bunny.
Rabbits, just like dogs and cats prefer not to foul the area where they eat and sleep and will instead venture out of their "dens" to relive themselves. Important to remember when litter-box train a rabbit is consistency and praise. So be alert in the early days and follow your rabbit everywhere. When an accident happens pick him up and put him in his litter-box with a few droppings inside. Also clean the spot with some vinegar.
Rabbits don't like the smell and avoid the area for another try. Spayed and neutered rabbits are easier to litter-train. It is also important for the health and overall happiness of any dwarf rabbit.
An adolescent rabbit often sprays urine and performs the sexual act on people's legs, slippers and other pets. There also tend to be more restless and more aggressive. Neutering reduces or eliminates all these problems without changing the personality of the bunny. When rabbits start circling and love bite legs that is a sing that it is the right time to go ahead with the procedure.
Our dwarf rabbit was neutered and we didn't need to take care of it.
That is why we chose a dwarf rabbit. We love him and he is so easy to handle. There is a saying that medium-size or larger rabbits tend to be calmer and more manageable than mini dwarf rabbits. Our first bunny was a Holland Lop and my daughter couldn't handle him as god as our Polish rabbit because he was heavier.
We adopted him as an adult so we new his size.
Any rabbit does not like to be lifted and held unless they are gradually taught to tolerate it. He was held very much in his life, so he accepted being held by us right away. He already was house-trained and used his litter box. We trained our first bunny.
Rabbits, just like dogs and cats prefer not to foul the area where they eat and sleep and will instead venture out of their "dens" to relive themselves. Important to remember when litter-box train a rabbit is consistency and praise. So be alert in the early days and follow your rabbit everywhere. When an accident happens pick him up and put him in his litter-box with a few droppings inside. Also clean the spot with some vinegar.
Rabbits don't like the smell and avoid the area for another try. Spayed and neutered rabbits are easier to litter-train. It is also important for the health and overall happiness of any dwarf rabbit.
An adolescent rabbit often sprays urine and performs the sexual act on people's legs, slippers and other pets. There also tend to be more restless and more aggressive. Neutering reduces or eliminates all these problems without changing the personality of the bunny. When rabbits start circling and love bite legs that is a sing that it is the right time to go ahead with the procedure.
Our dwarf rabbit was neutered and we didn't need to take care of it.
INFORMATION ABOUT RABBITS
General Information
The history of domesticated rabbits began about 3000 years ago in Spain – in fact the word Spain is derived from the Latin word “Hispania” which is the Latin translation for the word “i-shephan-im” or literally “the land of the rabbits.” Rabbits were brought to this area in Europe by the Phoenicians and were later further domesticated by French Catholic Monks.
Throughout the known history of rabbits they have been associated with bringing good luck, fertility, and folklore (the Easter Bunny). The term “bunny”, referring to young or small rabbits, is believed to have its origins from the Gaelic word for “root” or “stump”. The “ny” is a diminutive suffix that means small and cute. The use of the word “bunny” first appeared in the English language around the year 1700.
Modern day pet rabbits or “European Rabbits” are descendants of these first domesticated rabbits from Spain. Rabbits and humans have a diverse history as rabbits have been used to control pests, for furs and other clothing accessories, for food, or as household pets. Rabbit waste, both feces and urine have proven useful as nitrogen-fixing fertilizers for gardening.
Information About Rabbit
Rabbits are increasing in popularity as household pets because of their quiet and unassuming behavior. They are generally easy to care for, can be litter box trained, and are healthy and disease free for most of their lives. Because of their easy going temperament rabbits fit well in multi-pet homes as they tend to get along well with both cats and dogs. The average life expectancy of a pet rabbit is about 10 years.
Rabbits that are kept indoors, rather than in outdoor cages, will become more social and will be better protected from predators and disease. Rabbits are naturally curious and love to chew on anything that looks appealing – it is important that if you let your rabbit roam your home that you keep a close eye on them to prevent them from nibbling on electrical chords or toxic household plants.
Rabbits are typically not aggressive animals and at times will run and hide rather than engage in a fight. If your rabbit feels threatened, expect a fast and agile escape to a safe place out of the way of the danger. It should be noted that rabbits can become aggressive if they become upset.
The history of domesticated rabbits began about 3000 years ago in Spain – in fact the word Spain is derived from the Latin word “Hispania” which is the Latin translation for the word “i-shephan-im” or literally “the land of the rabbits.” Rabbits were brought to this area in Europe by the Phoenicians and were later further domesticated by French Catholic Monks.
Throughout the known history of rabbits they have been associated with bringing good luck, fertility, and folklore (the Easter Bunny). The term “bunny”, referring to young or small rabbits, is believed to have its origins from the Gaelic word for “root” or “stump”. The “ny” is a diminutive suffix that means small and cute. The use of the word “bunny” first appeared in the English language around the year 1700.
Modern day pet rabbits or “European Rabbits” are descendants of these first domesticated rabbits from Spain. Rabbits and humans have a diverse history as rabbits have been used to control pests, for furs and other clothing accessories, for food, or as household pets. Rabbit waste, both feces and urine have proven useful as nitrogen-fixing fertilizers for gardening.
Information About Rabbit
Behaviour
Rabbits are increasing in popularity as household pets because of their quiet and unassuming behavior. They are generally easy to care for, can be litter box trained, and are healthy and disease free for most of their lives. Because of their easy going temperament rabbits fit well in multi-pet homes as they tend to get along well with both cats and dogs. The average life expectancy of a pet rabbit is about 10 years.
Rabbits that are kept indoors, rather than in outdoor cages, will become more social and will be better protected from predators and disease. Rabbits are naturally curious and love to chew on anything that looks appealing – it is important that if you let your rabbit roam your home that you keep a close eye on them to prevent them from nibbling on electrical chords or toxic household plants.
Rabbits are typically not aggressive animals and at times will run and hide rather than engage in a fight. If your rabbit feels threatened, expect a fast and agile escape to a safe place out of the way of the danger. It should be noted that rabbits can become aggressive if they become upset.
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Rabbit Hutches - What to Buy to Get the Best For Your Rabbit
When you think of a companion for people the first pet that comes to mind is a dog. However, the rabbit is now the third most popular pet in the UK as these can make loveable and wonderful companions for people who take the time to learn about what a rabbit needs. If you treat a rabbit properly, which isn't difficult, these cute creatures can have a life span of 10 years or more.
Some rabbits do not even have rabbit hutches these days and they are as much part of the family as the family dog or cat that roams around the house as it pleases. This is more unusual and most people do tend to keep their rabbit in a rabbit hutch either outside or in the warmth of a shed or conservatory.
Good rabbit hutches are the essential key to keeping your rabbit fit and healthy and if your rabbit hutch is small and dirty and kept at the bottom of the garden in a damp corner it will inevitably lead to an unhealthy rabbit with a short life span.
When you go and look at rabbit hutches it is important to know the rough size of your rabbit as a rabbit will need to be able to sit on its hind legs and stretch itself out. You really just want to buy the biggest hutch that you can afford and that will fit in the area you designate.
When selecting a rabbit hutch it's important to consider the safety of your rabbit; the newer double hutches can have a split level so that during the day a trap door is opened and the rabbit comes down the ramp and into the run under the hutch or outside to a larger run and then at night the trap door is closed leaving the rabbit safely enclosed in the upper hutch and away from any predators. As the hutch is enclosed at the top this will also mean that the rabbit is warmer, you can buy a cover to generate more warmth for your rabbit as well; especially during the winter months. Most hutches nowadays also have sturdy locks and bolts and strong wire mesh which adds further protection.
Position the hutch in an area that won't get too damp or too hot and ideally have the hutch off of the ground to avoid any attack by vermin who are attracted to the warmth in rabbit hutches and also to the food inside.
To maintain the safety and comfort of rabbit hutches it's essential that the hutch is cleaned thoroughly at least once a week and that on a daily basis old food is removed and wet straw bedding is replaced. On an annual basis if your hutch is based outside it is advisable that the hutch is re-stained to protect it from the elements and hinges and locks are lubricated and tightened to prevent rust and damage occurring.
If all of these tips are adhered to then you are well on your way to the start of some happy years with your new pet rabbit. For more information on rabbit hutches you can visit
Article written by Richard Hookings Giving your rabbit a safer and more comfortable home for a happier and healthier life. |
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Sunday 17 October 2010
Rabbits As Pets - Essential Know How
Rabbits may soon be even more popular than cats or dogs as pets. Before you decided to take a rabbit as pet, there are many things that you should know. This article is a beginner's guide to those who are thinking of getting bunnies as pets.
The average life span of a rabbit is 9 years old. This should be taken into consideration if you are thinking of keeping rabbits as pet.
A bunny may be kept in a hutch or a cage. The best cage are those with wire floor and a pull out tray. Choose a cage that is at least four times the size of the bunny. The cage should be cleaned daily.
Many owners who have rabbits as pets are not even aware about this, but your pet may be litter-box trained. Rabbit's droppings should be inspected daily for any irregularity in shape and size as this can be the first sign that they are sick.
A pet bunny's diet can be made of commercially produced pellets, hay, greens and fruits. Younger bunnies less than 7 months old should be fed with pellets and alfalfa hay. Adequate fresh water is a must.
Rabbits will constantly groom themselves. Keeping them indoor will also means that you need to do vacuuming more often. Family with members who are allergic to fur may not be suitable to keep rabbits as pet.
Rabbits reproduce few times a year and therefore should be neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying also helps prevent development of cancer in female rabbits and eliminate aggressive behaviour in male rabbits. It is easier to house train neutered and spayed rabbits.
When your pet rabbits get sick, they should be immediately brought to a savvy vet to be treated. Rabbits sometimes can't resist on chewing on furniture and electrical cables. Therefore, bunny proofing the house is important for their safety and to prevent damages. Adult rabbits tend to be more disciplined.
Pet rabbits love toys even though they may get bored easily with the toys Your rabbits will sleep through most of the daytime. This may suits working adults most as your rabbits will be active when you are at home.
The fact that more and more people keep rabbits as pet show that they are adorable pet to keep. Do not leave children to care for the rabbits by themselves as they may not know how to handle rabbits as pet
The average life span of a rabbit is 9 years old. This should be taken into consideration if you are thinking of keeping rabbits as pet.
A bunny may be kept in a hutch or a cage. The best cage are those with wire floor and a pull out tray. Choose a cage that is at least four times the size of the bunny. The cage should be cleaned daily.
Many owners who have rabbits as pets are not even aware about this, but your pet may be litter-box trained. Rabbit's droppings should be inspected daily for any irregularity in shape and size as this can be the first sign that they are sick.
A pet bunny's diet can be made of commercially produced pellets, hay, greens and fruits. Younger bunnies less than 7 months old should be fed with pellets and alfalfa hay. Adequate fresh water is a must.
Rabbits will constantly groom themselves. Keeping them indoor will also means that you need to do vacuuming more often. Family with members who are allergic to fur may not be suitable to keep rabbits as pet.
Rabbits reproduce few times a year and therefore should be neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying also helps prevent development of cancer in female rabbits and eliminate aggressive behaviour in male rabbits. It is easier to house train neutered and spayed rabbits.
When your pet rabbits get sick, they should be immediately brought to a savvy vet to be treated. Rabbits sometimes can't resist on chewing on furniture and electrical cables. Therefore, bunny proofing the house is important for their safety and to prevent damages. Adult rabbits tend to be more disciplined.
Pet rabbits love toys even though they may get bored easily with the toys Your rabbits will sleep through most of the daytime. This may suits working adults most as your rabbits will be active when you are at home.
The fact that more and more people keep rabbits as pet show that they are adorable pet to keep. Do not leave children to care for the rabbits by themselves as they may not know how to handle rabbits as pet
Do Rabbits Make Good Pets? 5 Top Reasons Why We Think They Do!
Are you looking at adding a bunny to your household? Keeping rabbits for pets (as compared to breeding, meat or fur) has become hugely popular in the last decade. In fact rabbits are now the third most popular family pet after dogs and cats. It seems the world is finally cottoning on to how intelligent, fun and loving bunnies are.
So, what makes a rabbit such a good pet? Well here are our top 5 reasons:
1. Bunnies are very social
In the wild bunnies live in warrens, or groups. There can be up to 40+ in a warren so your bun is used to having company (but probably not their own bedroom!) Rabbits crave interaction (compare that to cats who are essentially solitary creatures) and if they are handled frequently and gently when they are little will always be happy to interact with you.
Many a rabbit owners tells stories of how their rabbit is very inquisitive and always needs to know what they are up to.
Older rabbits tend to become even more affectionate and companionable as they age and are often content to spend the evening snuggling beside you with a good DVD, especially if it's 'Watership Down' or 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.
2. They love to play
Bunnies absolutely LOVE to play, possibly more so than any other animal. It doesn't get much better in life than watching a rabbit play. They hide, run, jump and throw their toys in sheer joy.
Bunnies even have a legendary 'jump for joy' called a binkie (or binky) which is where your bunny will jump in the air and twist at the same time. It is amazing to watch and a great sign that your bun is on top of the world.
Laughter is great medicine for all of us and it's a rare person who can watch a bunny at play and not laugh out loud!
3. They are easily litter trained
If you've heard they are hard to litter train then you've been mislead! Rabbits are naturally clean animals and provided you work with their natural instincts to keep clean you will have a toilet trained bun in no time.
4. Rabbits form close bonds with their owners
Years ago rabbits were almost thought of as 'disposable' pets. That they lived outside and weren't really part of the family. Nowadays, particularly as more and more rabbits are becoming inside, house rabbits this isn't the case thankfully.
Owners are quickly realising that they can become very attached to their bunny in the same way they do for a dog or cat and find themselves just as devastated at the loss of a precious pet rabbit.
5. Bunnies are off the scale when it comes to cuteness
OK, so this one is really logical but who can forgive us for adding it in here. Rabbits are very high on the cute scale. Who can resist the snugly, calm and inquisitive Holland Lop or the cuter than a bug and softer than velvet Mini Rex?
So, if you're looking for a new addition to your family maybe it's time to pass on a Fido or Snowball this time and consider making a bunny your new best friend?
Always keep in mind that while keeping rabbits for pets is an amazing experience, bunnies are not low maintenance animals. Please be a responsible owner and do your reasearch first.
Abbey Mitchell is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast.
Get your FREE copy of her new Pet Rabbit Care Secrets mini course from http://www.RabbitsForPets.com and learn bunny care secrets that you won't find anywhere else on the web.
So, what makes a rabbit such a good pet? Well here are our top 5 reasons:
1. Bunnies are very social
In the wild bunnies live in warrens, or groups. There can be up to 40+ in a warren so your bun is used to having company (but probably not their own bedroom!) Rabbits crave interaction (compare that to cats who are essentially solitary creatures) and if they are handled frequently and gently when they are little will always be happy to interact with you.
Many a rabbit owners tells stories of how their rabbit is very inquisitive and always needs to know what they are up to.
Older rabbits tend to become even more affectionate and companionable as they age and are often content to spend the evening snuggling beside you with a good DVD, especially if it's 'Watership Down' or 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.
2. They love to play
Bunnies absolutely LOVE to play, possibly more so than any other animal. It doesn't get much better in life than watching a rabbit play. They hide, run, jump and throw their toys in sheer joy.
Bunnies even have a legendary 'jump for joy' called a binkie (or binky) which is where your bunny will jump in the air and twist at the same time. It is amazing to watch and a great sign that your bun is on top of the world.
Laughter is great medicine for all of us and it's a rare person who can watch a bunny at play and not laugh out loud!
3. They are easily litter trained
If you've heard they are hard to litter train then you've been mislead! Rabbits are naturally clean animals and provided you work with their natural instincts to keep clean you will have a toilet trained bun in no time.
4. Rabbits form close bonds with their owners
Years ago rabbits were almost thought of as 'disposable' pets. That they lived outside and weren't really part of the family. Nowadays, particularly as more and more rabbits are becoming inside, house rabbits this isn't the case thankfully.
Owners are quickly realising that they can become very attached to their bunny in the same way they do for a dog or cat and find themselves just as devastated at the loss of a precious pet rabbit.
5. Bunnies are off the scale when it comes to cuteness
OK, so this one is really logical but who can forgive us for adding it in here. Rabbits are very high on the cute scale. Who can resist the snugly, calm and inquisitive Holland Lop or the cuter than a bug and softer than velvet Mini Rex?
So, if you're looking for a new addition to your family maybe it's time to pass on a Fido or Snowball this time and consider making a bunny your new best friend?
Always keep in mind that while keeping rabbits for pets is an amazing experience, bunnies are not low maintenance animals. Please be a responsible owner and do your reasearch first.
Abbey Mitchell is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast.
Get your FREE copy of her new Pet Rabbit Care Secrets mini course from http://www.RabbitsForPets.com and learn bunny care secrets that you won't find anywhere else on the web.
Sunday 10 October 2010
5 Not So Boring Facts About Rabbits
Who wants to know boring facts about rabbits? Not us!
Here are some fun, little-known facts that are a bit more interesting than your usual 'largest rabbit', 'longest ears' sort of stuff!
Rabbits hate baths (and don't need them)
Ok, so a few of you may know of a pet rabbit that doesn't mind the odd bath or shower (even with you!) but in general bunnies don't like baths and should never be given one. Their fur takes a long time to dry so they could catch a chill while drying plus moist fur can attract parasites. Rabbits like to spend a large part of their day grooming themselves and this, along with a little human help in the form of brushing, is usually all they need to stay clean and tidy.
Rabbits' claws don't retract.
Unlike cats' claws which extended to catch prey, hook a toy and scratch your favourite sofa, rabbits' claws are permanently extended. They need them for traction when they are walking so never get your rabbit declawed. It it a very painful procedure plus it makes it harder for them to walk on smooth surfaces.
Bunnies like chocolate
Bunnies have a sweet tooth and will happily munch away on chocolate, sweets and biscuits. That's not to say that you should be feeding these to your bun. They have no nutritional value and have no place in their diet! Buns also love vegetables and fruits that are high in natural sugars like carrots and apples but at least these are good for them in moderation.
Bunnies can sleep with their eyes open
If you've ever wondered why your bun sits in his cage and seems to stare at you with eyes wide open, it may be because he's asleep. The tell tale sign is his nose. If it's twitching he is still awake but if it's still then he's catching a few Z's.
Bunnies love to taste new things
Rabbits have over 17,000 taste buds in their mouths. Compare that to humans who have around 10,000. Your bun loves to try out new things and in the wild this comes in handy as they gather their daily nutrient requirements from taking a nibble here and there from many plants. You can cater to your bunny's refined palate by offering a wide range of vegetables, plants and fruit to eat along with his hay.
Rabbits really do breed like well, rabbits!
Female bunnies (does) can have a litter every month. Let's say just one mama rabbit starts out and has a litter every month and three of those are female babies. She and her babies will go on to have the same (3 baby girls, 12 times a year) as will their offspring. At the end of three years there will be over 50,000 rabbits and at the end of four years, just one year later, there will be 1.8 million... scary stuff!
Of course this example was just a bit of fun because conditions would not always be perfect (babies would die etc) but it does show what could potentially happen.
We hope you enjoyed these and they help you to understand a little bit more about your precious, intriguing and fabulous bunny.
More facts about rabbits.
Here are some fun, little-known facts that are a bit more interesting than your usual 'largest rabbit', 'longest ears' sort of stuff!
Rabbits hate baths (and don't need them)
Ok, so a few of you may know of a pet rabbit that doesn't mind the odd bath or shower (even with you!) but in general bunnies don't like baths and should never be given one. Their fur takes a long time to dry so they could catch a chill while drying plus moist fur can attract parasites. Rabbits like to spend a large part of their day grooming themselves and this, along with a little human help in the form of brushing, is usually all they need to stay clean and tidy.
Rabbits' claws don't retract.
Unlike cats' claws which extended to catch prey, hook a toy and scratch your favourite sofa, rabbits' claws are permanently extended. They need them for traction when they are walking so never get your rabbit declawed. It it a very painful procedure plus it makes it harder for them to walk on smooth surfaces.
Bunnies like chocolate
Bunnies have a sweet tooth and will happily munch away on chocolate, sweets and biscuits. That's not to say that you should be feeding these to your bun. They have no nutritional value and have no place in their diet! Buns also love vegetables and fruits that are high in natural sugars like carrots and apples but at least these are good for them in moderation.
Bunnies can sleep with their eyes open
If you've ever wondered why your bun sits in his cage and seems to stare at you with eyes wide open, it may be because he's asleep. The tell tale sign is his nose. If it's twitching he is still awake but if it's still then he's catching a few Z's.
Bunnies love to taste new things
Rabbits have over 17,000 taste buds in their mouths. Compare that to humans who have around 10,000. Your bun loves to try out new things and in the wild this comes in handy as they gather their daily nutrient requirements from taking a nibble here and there from many plants. You can cater to your bunny's refined palate by offering a wide range of vegetables, plants and fruit to eat along with his hay.
Rabbits really do breed like well, rabbits!
Female bunnies (does) can have a litter every month. Let's say just one mama rabbit starts out and has a litter every month and three of those are female babies. She and her babies will go on to have the same (3 baby girls, 12 times a year) as will their offspring. At the end of three years there will be over 50,000 rabbits and at the end of four years, just one year later, there will be 1.8 million... scary stuff!
Of course this example was just a bit of fun because conditions would not always be perfect (babies would die etc) but it does show what could potentially happen.
We hope you enjoyed these and they help you to understand a little bit more about your precious, intriguing and fabulous bunny.
More facts about rabbits.
Saturday 9 October 2010
Daily Routine For Keeping A Rabbit In The Winter
This was my daily routine for keeping a rabbit that I used to do everyday when I kept 2 rabbits over the winter period when it was at its worst.
In the morning I'd go out and check they had water and food, check if they were still breathing. Feed them then go to work.
When I got back from work I'd check there water and food, Feed them of course, clean the front of the hutch out and top it up with hay in there sleeping area. Cleaning the front of the hutch I'd clear all the droppings and paper and chippings with a dust pan and brush. Place newspaper down then chippings on top and put a handful of meadow hay over the top. Check the sleeping area and top it up with hay.
This all should only take about 5 minutes of your time. During the winter period I would cover the hutch over with an old sleeping bag just for extra comfort.
Of course I did bring them inside for a cuddle now and again just for a bit of a treat and to get them used to you handling them and used to you. Its much easier to do this as they get used to you being around them and aren't so frightened when you go to pick them up
At the end of the week I would let them play in the garden if it wasn't wet or in the house if it was and clean the hutch out totally. The front of the hutch and the sleeping area and spray it with rabbit cleaner, then lay some newspaper and wood chippings in both areas then bang in the hay in the sleeping area and let them bed it in. While they were out I would give them a bit of a groom with a brush just to keep their fur knot free.
You can actually train a rabbit to use a small litter tray in the hutch. A friend of mine actually does this and doesn't have to do as much cleaning in the hutch, so less hassle.
I hope this gives you an insight of what it takes to look after a rabbit and how to go about doing it.
In the morning I'd go out and check they had water and food, check if they were still breathing. Feed them then go to work.
When I got back from work I'd check there water and food, Feed them of course, clean the front of the hutch out and top it up with hay in there sleeping area. Cleaning the front of the hutch I'd clear all the droppings and paper and chippings with a dust pan and brush. Place newspaper down then chippings on top and put a handful of meadow hay over the top. Check the sleeping area and top it up with hay.
This all should only take about 5 minutes of your time. During the winter period I would cover the hutch over with an old sleeping bag just for extra comfort.
Of course I did bring them inside for a cuddle now and again just for a bit of a treat and to get them used to you handling them and used to you. Its much easier to do this as they get used to you being around them and aren't so frightened when you go to pick them up
At the end of the week I would let them play in the garden if it wasn't wet or in the house if it was and clean the hutch out totally. The front of the hutch and the sleeping area and spray it with rabbit cleaner, then lay some newspaper and wood chippings in both areas then bang in the hay in the sleeping area and let them bed it in. While they were out I would give them a bit of a groom with a brush just to keep their fur knot free.
You can actually train a rabbit to use a small litter tray in the hutch. A friend of mine actually does this and doesn't have to do as much cleaning in the hutch, so less hassle.
I hope this gives you an insight of what it takes to look after a rabbit and how to go about doing it.
Thursday 7 October 2010
Bunny Love: Benefits of Rabbits as Pets
Are you thinking of adopting a rabbit for a pet? We don't blame you--rabbits are very cute animals, who can give you many years of affection and amusement.
However, be sure you are ready for the responsibilities of taking care of this animal. While they are certainly easier to manage than dogs, they still require some attention.
For example, rabbits molt four times a year, so be prepared for a little fur on your sofa every few months. They'll need hay, a litter box, and a cage (clean frequently with white vinegar to remove odors). If you use hay or woodstove pellets for their litter boxes, you can use these to fertilize your garden when it's time for a litter change.
When you own a rabbit, you need to accept that a little nibbling is part of the territory. Protect electric cords with casings (available at hardware stores) since the poor pets may get quite a shock if they try to test their teeth on them!
You should also be willing to pamper your rabbit with petting and play (rabbits get depressed if they don't get enough exercise). Rabbit gyms are available in pet stores. They have tube tunnels that will encourage your pet to run and race, even if you can't let him out in the garden. Those tube tunnels will also make an interesting conversation piece for your guests--talk about the "new" form of "installation art"!
Not all veterinarians are trained to take care of rabbits, who are considered "exotic pets"/ You may need to shop around and call various clinics, which are usually listed in the phone directory.
The pet store may also refer you to veterinarians. .
And finally, if you have children, do talk to your pediatrician first before buying a rabbit. The doctor is in the best position to tell you whether your child has any allergies, asthma problems or other health concerns that may be aggravated by rabbit fur. It's better to be safe than sorry!
But these sacrifices are nothing compared to the benefits of having a pet rabbit. For one thing, your pet will inspire you to change your diet--since you have to keep a supply of fresh vegetables for him, you might as well make yourself a salad! Recent studies also reveal that owning a pet significantly reduces blood pressure and can even help with depression.
You don't need to take rabbits for a walk, or worry about the inconvenience of walking around with a "pooper scooper". Just let him out in the early morning or dusk, and watch him play while you enjoy a cup of coffee.
Nor do you have to worry about your rabbits disrupting the neighbors. They don't bark or meow, and the "loudest" they ever get is the patter of their feet on the floor. That makes them ideal pets for apartment dwellers.
Rabbits are also ideal pets for the elderly, who may not have the energy to take care of a very large animal. They love being petted and are the ideal "lap pets".
Sunday 3 October 2010
Can Rabbits Be House Pets?
Rabbits As Pets - Pros And Cons
Domestic rabbits can be terrific family pets; however they are not appropriate pets for everyone. Before adding a pet rabbit to your family you should research and understand the pros and cons of owning a pet rabbit.
First the pros:
Rabbits are very quiet. This is a great benefit compared to the problems a barking dog can cause.
Pet Rabbits are inexpensive pets to purchase and to keep. Rabbits eat primarily pellets and hay which are readily available and relatively inexpensive to buy.
Rabbits are not aggressive and very rarely bite, however they do have sharp nails and can scratch when picked up. They can be sweet, cuddly and affectionate and are totally adorable. They have individual personalities that are similar to a pet dog or cat and love to romp and play. Some are shy and reserved while others are gregarious and outgoing. It is hard for anyone, child or adult to resist the charm of a baby pet bunny. Bunnies can often be litter box trained and can get along well with other species of pets, especially if they are raised with the other animals since babyhood.
As appealing and adorable as rabbits are as house pets; there are some serious drawbacks to owning pet rabbits. If you are considering adding a pet bunny to your household please be sure you are fully prepared for the responsibility of owning and keeping your pet rabbit.
Here are some of the drawbacks to keeping pet rabbits.
Rabbits are extremely destructive!
Because their teeth never stop growing they MUST chew in order to keep their teeth from getting too long. Unfortunately rabbits will chew on many items that can be dangerous to them such as electrical cords. They will also chew furniture and love to pull carpet threads. Not only is this destructive but it can cause intestinal blockages which can be lethal to them. Rabbits can also be very messy. Although they can be potty trained, that can be a hit or miss proposition. Also the hay that rabbits should eat can be messy as well. Rabbits also shed quite a bit. They don't shed year round but do molt about 3 times per year. During this time they will shed large amounts of fur.
If you are considering adding a pet rabbit to your household, you should understand that like dogs or cats, they need to run and play and will want to be part of your family. You should not keep a rabbit in a cage or hutch most of the time. Would you keep your dog or cat in a cage 23 hours a day? Anyone who has known pet rabbits and seen how much personality and joy they have would never consider keeping them caged for most of their lives.
Rabbits can make fantastic pets and become a part of your family. However you should be fully prepared for the issues you may face. It is important that you have a safe place for your rabbit to live and play and to provide a safe and loving home. It is also important that you are willing to supervise your pet in order to keep them safe. Rabbits can live to be 10 years old so you should be prepared to take care of your pet for that long.
Saturday 2 October 2010
How to Introduce a New Rabbit to Your Old Pet Rabbit So The Fur Doesn't Fly!
What Happens When You Have More Than One Rabbit?
So, you have done your homework and decided that owning a pet rabbit is for you. You can tolerate the mess and extra work because their lovableness outweighs any negatives. That is great. In the right home, rabbits make wonderful house pets.
Pet Rabbits are funny and loving and often even affectionate. In the wild, rabbits live in colonies. They are social animals who like to stick together and are happy to live in close proximity. If you have ever seen a bonded pair of rabbits, you know that they are very sweet together. They will lie together and lick and groom each other. Sometimes they will even romp and play.
If you have lived with multiple peaceful and loving bunnies, you know that having more than one rabbit is a delight. Rabbits will bond for life, so if you are lucky enough to have a bonded pair, it is important to keep them together. If you want to bring two strange rabbits together, they may or may not bond to each other. Some rabbits will eagerly greet a newcomer and make them immediately feel welcome. This is more likely with a male rabbit being introduced to a female in his territory.
However, if your rabbits were not together as babies, you should be careful when introducing a new bunny to your pet. Here is why; although rabbits are social, they are also very territorial. If your bunny is more than 4-5 months old, you will see them rubbing the underside of their chin, "chinning", the furniture and anything they come into contact with. That is their way of marking their territory. Any strange rabbit coming into their territory will likely be met with hostility. Especially if you introduce another rabbit of the same-sex.
In order to introduce 2 rabbits there are several techniques I recommend.
First, it often works best to introduce the rabbits in neutral territory, somewhere where neither of them has ever been. Another technique is taking the dominant rabbit (especially if it's a female) to the new rabbit's territory and let them meet there first. When introducing new rabbits to each other, you should stay very close at hand, ready to intervene if things don't go well. Rabbits may seem sweet and gentle, but they can fight viciously. They can cause very serious even life threatening damage to each other. If they don't quickly get over their initial hostility and at least behave in a tolerant way.
One of the best techniques I have found for introducing 2 rabbits is to drive them both somewhere in a car together. I like to put them in a box (always supervised) and drive them around in the car. Most rabbits are afraid of car rides and they will huddle together for security. After about a half an hour, you can usually take them home and they will begin to get along. You still may need to supervise them closely for a while, but I have been very successful getting two strange rabbits to accept each other and become friends using these techniques.
If the first introduction goes smoothly, your rabbits will most likely become fast friends and maybe even a bonded pair. If the initial meetings are rocky, you should keep a close eye on them and take care not to let them be together unsupervised. Sometimes you may have to repeat the introduction process a couple of times. Often that will solve the problem, however occasionally 2 rabbits will simply dislike each other and will have to be kept separated.
I have been a pet rabbit owner for over 20 years and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. It is important to know what you are getting into if you are considering adding a rabbit to your household. |
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Do Rabbits Make Good Pets? 5 Top Reasons Why We Think They Do!
Are you looking at adding a bunny to your household? Keeping rabbits for pets (as compared to breeding, meat or fur) has become hugely popular in the last decade. In fact rabbits are now the third most popular family pet after dogs and cats. It seems the world is finally cottoning on to how intelligent, fun and loving bunnies are.
So, what makes a rabbit such a good pet? Well here are our top 5 reasons:
1. Bunnies are very social
In the wild bunnies live in warrens, or groups. There can be up to 40+ in a warren so your bun is used to having company (but probably not their own bedroom!) Rabbits crave interaction (compare that to cats who are essentially solitary creatures) and if they are handled frequently and gently when they are little will always be happy to interact with you.
Many a rabbit owners tells stories of how their rabbit is very inquisitive and always needs to know what they are up to.
Older rabbits tend to become even more affectionate and companionable as they age and are often content to spend the evening snuggling beside you with a good DVD, especially if it's 'Watership Down' or 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.
2. They love to play
Bunnies absolutely LOVE to play, possibly more so than any other animal. It doesn't get much better in life than watching a rabbit play. They hide, run, jump and throw their toys in sheer joy.
Bunnies even have a legendary 'jump for joy' called a binkie (or binky) which is where your bunny will jump in the air and twist at the same time. It is amazing to watch and a great sign that your bun is on top of the world.
Laughter is great medicine for all of us and it's a rare person who can watch a bunny at play and not laugh out loud!
3. They are easily litter trained
If you've heard they are hard to litter train then you've been mislead! Rabbits are naturally clean animals and provided you work with their natural instincts to keep clean you will have a toilet trained bun in no time.
4. Rabbits form close bonds with their owners
Years ago rabbits were almost thought of as 'disposable' pets. That they lived outside and weren't really part of the family. Nowadays, particularly as more and more rabbits are becoming inside, house rabbits this isn't the case thankfully.
Owners are quickly realising that they can become very attached to their bunny in the same way they do for a dog or cat and find themselves just as devastated at the loss of a precious pet rabbit.
5. Bunnies are off the scale when it comes to cuteness
OK, so this one is really logical but who can forgive us for adding it in here. Rabbits are very high on the cute scale. Who can resist the snugly, calm and inquisitive Holland Lop or the cuter than a bug and softer than velvet Mini Rex?
So, if you're looking for a new addition to your family maybe it's time to pass on a Fido or Snowball this time and consider making a bunny your new best friend?
Always keep in mind that while keeping rabbits for pets is an amazing experience, bunnies are not low maintenance animals. Please be a responsible owner and do your reasearch first. Abbey Mitchell is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast. Get your FREE copy of her new Pet Rabbit Care Secrets mini course from http://www.RabbitsForPets.com and learn bunny care secrets that you won't find anywhere else on the web. |
Monday 20 September 2010
Rabbit Temperament - An Interview With the Experts
Rabbit Temperament
We love holland lops! I believe they are the greatest breed in the world.
Most of our herd will run to the front of the cage when they see us. They love
to be petted, and often lick us affectionately. Each of our three daughters
breeds their own rabbits, including our eight year old. She will often carry
her 8 or 9 week old kits around as though they babies, and the bunnies
absolutely love it.
Most of our herd will run to the front of the cage when they see us. They love
to be petted, and often lick us affectionately. Each of our three daughters
breeds their own rabbits, including our eight year old. She will often carry
her 8 or 9 week old kits around as though they babies, and the bunnies
absolutely love it.
Every rabbit we've purchased from a breeder has had good enough temperament
for us to breed and show. Unfortunately not all of the bunnies in our barn have
that temperament. We have rescued several bunnies. One bunny we rescued is one
that we are very cautious around. We will never sell him nor will my daughters
use him in their breeding programs. He is very aggressive and has bitten on several occasions. We will continue to care for and love him, but his
temperament is such that he would be a risk to anyone that purchased or triedfor us to breed and show. Unfortunately not all of the bunnies in our barn have
that temperament. We have rescued several bunnies. One bunny we rescued is one
that we are very cautious around. We will never sell him nor will my daughters
use him in their breeding programs. He is very aggressive and has bitten on several occasions. We will continue to care for and love him, but his
to breed him.
It's funny to watch holland lops on the show table. They often get very
inquisitive. They will peak their heads over the side of the box to see who
their neighbors is. Sometimes they will repeatedly hop out of the box as if to
say, "hey judge, judge me next!" Once in a while you'll see a bunny
that is nearly out of control on the table, and difficult for the judge to
assess. On rare occasions you'll see a holland laying in the back of the
judging box as if to say, "ho hum, another rabbit show."
inquisitive. They will peak their heads over the side of the box to see who
their neighbors is. Sometimes they will repeatedly hop out of the box as if to
say, "hey judge, judge me next!" Once in a while you'll see a bunny
that is nearly out of control on the table, and difficult for the judge to
assess. On rare occasions you'll see a holland laying in the back of the
judging box as if to say, "ho hum, another rabbit show."
There is a great article on the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club site by Sylvia Hess called Holland Lops Personality. Sylvia classifies the temperament
of holland lops into three categories. My favorite category is one she calls"cuddles". I think most of us would agree that this is the personality
we desire of all of our hollands as long as they stay inquisitive. But how much
emphasis should you put on temperament? How do you get hollands with the cuddly
personality that Sylvia talks about? We decided to go to some of the top
holland lop breeders and ask them those questions. I think you will find their
responses helpful and informative.
Interview with Top Breeders
1. How would you describe the temperament you most want in your
holland lops?
Pam: I like a
is very personable and loves to show off on the show table, but is not so hyper
that it cannot be posed.
Laurie: I like a curious, interactive personality the most. I love to
see my rabbits investigating new toys and I always want them to come forward in
the cage to see me when I visit.
Heather: The temperament that I like the most in my herd, are more like
me, hyper. My favorite rabbit in the barn is extremely hyper. He will race back
and forth in his cage until you open the door, but as soon as you get him out,
he is very calm. He loves to snuggle and share 'treats' with me. I like the
hyper rabbits, but I also like the rabbits that will snuggle with you, and it's
just a matter of luck to get both.
2. When considering temperament, do you put more emphasis on rabbit
selection or rabbit breeding?
Pam: Temperament should be a concern both when choosing rabbits for your
breeding program and when selecting rabbits to breed from your own herd.
Laurie: I breed first and foremost for conformation to standards. Then,
from the resulting rabbits, I choose the ones that I keep. I will not keep
those with aggressive personalities (those that bite with no warning or fight
when held, even after a period of adjustment). Luckily, I've had precious few
of those. I do not cull out rabbits that are not as interesting as others
personality-wise - not consciously at least - but I know I'm drawn more to the
curious, interactive rabbits just like I'm drawn more to broken pattern
rabbits. Over time, that has an effect on the population of my barn.
Heather: I am most concerned about temperament when I am purchasing a
rabbit. I don't want to add a new rabbit to the herd that has a bad attitude
and have to work extra hard to get the rabbit to behave when I already have
rabbits in my herd that need to be worked with.
3. When purchasing a new rabbit, do you do any type of evaluation of
temperament, and if so what do you look for?
Pam: We try to avoid hyper bucks that spray a lot and are sexually
aggressive. These bucks general don't do well on the show table because they
won't sit still, and these are the most likely candidates for vicious
tendencies.
Laurie: Temperament is very hard to evaluate when you are purchasing a
rabbit. Rabbits may behave at a show because they are intimidated or misbehave
because they are more excited than usual. They may behave toward a man
differently than they do toward a woman. If I have concerns about a rabbit's
temperament, I ask the owner for their assessment. I should not be purchasing a
rabbit from someone whose evaluation I cannot trust.
Heather: When I purchase a new rabbit, I take time and really work with
the rabbit, to see if it will let me hold it, flip it over, or when I get it
out of it's cage, if it attacks me. I don't really want a fighter that won't
let me flip it over or fights me when I try to hold it, or lunges at me with an
open mouth. Most of the time, a Holland Lop won't display any of these
characteristics if they have been worked with a lot.
4. If you have a rabbit with what you consider poor temperament, is there
anything you do with that rabbit to improve it individually?
Pam: I find that genetics play a large role in individual temperament,
although handling a rabbit will help calm their "show table jitters".
When judging, it's generally easy to pick out the "first-timers" or
those rabbits that have been handled very little. They may try to bolt on the
show table or are often difficult to examine.
Laurie: I will tolerate poor temperament in a doe as long as it is
associated with high hormonal activity. I've had young aggressive does turn
into sweethearts after their first litter or two is born and this has happened
numerous times. But they must come around at some point. I do not tolerate poor
temperament in bucks, however. With a buck that shows some aggression, I place
my hands over him and hold him down gently for several minutes at a time. I am
just trying to communicate that I'm the big Kahuna around the barn and deserve
more respect than that. If he doesn't come around with extra attention, then he
just can't stay in my barn. Also, I refuse to pet out any rabbit that I do not
feel has a pet personality, so it is definitely to his advantage to cooperate!
Heather: There are many things you can do to improve any rabbit's
temperament. It helps to play with them everyday, just petting them or holding
them. Sometimes, if I am worried about how my rabbit is behaving towards me or
someone else, I carry them around while I am feeding the rest of the rabbits,
this way they get familiar with you and get used to being held at the same
time.
5. When breeding rabbits, do you consider temperament?
Pam: We do take temperament into account and avoid using vicious
animals.
Laurie: I don't try to fix temperament with breeding. Rabbits with poor
temperament are just not part of my breeding program. The exception is
moodiness due to hormones in does, once again.
Heather: Temperament is a tricky subject. I don't want to breed two
rabbits that attack me together and pray that the babies will all be friendly,
but I don't want to breed two extremely hyper rabbits together either. I prefer
to breed the poor tempered rabbit to the hyper rabbit to get a calmer, less
mean version of the parents.
6. Is it possible to breed a poorly tempered rabbit with one of good
temperament and produce offsprings of a good temperament?
Pam: There are many genetic influences on behavior as well as
environmental influences, so it is possible to produce animals with good
temperaments out of those with poor temperaments. However, it is more likely to
produce animals with a pre-disposition to poor temperament when you use animals
that exhibit undesirable behaviors.
Laurie: It is not worth it to me to keep a rabbit with poor temperament
in my barn. So trying to fix it in a breeding program would not come up. But,
since my sweetest doe of all times produced my meanest buck of all times, I'd
say that it is possible for things to go the other way around on an individual
rabbit basis. But what we need to concentrate on is trends.
Heather: I believe it is possible to breed out bad temperament. If the
breeding works out properly, the babies should have a better temperament than
the poorly tempered parent.
7. In comparison to appearance, how much emphasis do you put on
temperament?
Pam: Type is the first consideration, but temperament must certainly be
considered.
Laurie: With a rabbit's conformation, there is always something that I'm
working on. With temperament, either a rabbit has an acceptable one or doesn't.
It's apples and oranges. Would I keep a rabbit with exceptional conformation
that has a bad attitude? I hope that never happens, but if it does, I hope I
have the resolve not to use him in my breeding program.
Heather: I believe that if a rabbit has a bad temperament, but shows
well, then it is worth keeping. However, if the rabbit is putting you and
others at risk, then the behavior should be taken very seriously and dealt
with.
8. Do you find that breeders as a whole need to put more emphasis on
temperament?
Pam: I think breeders have been doing a good job in culling animals with
poor temperament and producing high quality show animals. I don't personally
know any breeders that will tolerate a vicious animal in their herd.
Laurie: I think that there are as many different temperaments in
breeders as there are in rabbits. Some breeders do not necessarily need a
highly interactive rabbit to enjoy their hobby, for example. Some breeders
don't care if their rabbits snuggle. I think it is more important that you work
with the type of rabbit that you enjoy most. And it is probably best to
purchase stock from breeders who have similar views on temperament to yours.
Heather: I believe that all breeders need to work on temperament with
their rabbits. I know that I don't want to reach into another person's cage and
get bitten. I don't really mind if my own rabbits bite me, because I know that
I will work with them later.
9. Would you like to give any closing thoughts regarding temperament?
Pam: Temperament varies widely by individual. The nice show-type
that sit up on the table are generally more high-strung than the
with a low head mount that sit close to the table.
Laurie: I also want to mention that I take responsibility for being
nipped if I frighten a rabbit. Sometimes we get busy with our chores and don't
realize that we've reached into a cage and scared a sleeping rabbit.
Temperament is much more long-term than a single behavior. I don't hold the
actions of a scared or upset rabbit against him. Breeding rabbits is a hobby
and should be enjoyable. Don't work with rabbits you do not enjoy spending time
with. It's just not worth it.
Heather: Some rabbits don't like certain people. I have one rabbit that
will attack everyone but me. There are other rabbits that will try anything to
get their teeth into me, but never bite anyone else. They are just like people.
They want to choose who they are associated with.
Thank you to each of our participants. I trust that you will find their
answers insightful as you raise and breed your own herd of holland lops.
Pam Nock. Pam is both a breeder and an ARBA judge. Visitors to many
rabbit forums know the name Pam Nock. She spends a great deal of time sharing
her knowledge with rabbit breeders and pet owners alike, much of which she does
through the rabbit forums. She has been a great help to us on many occasions.
We owe a lot of thanks and gratitude to Pam for her excellent advice. You can
visit her website at http://www.geocities.com/pamnock.
Laurie Stroupe. Laurie's web site The Nature Trail is the primary
website we go to for rabbit raising information. Her site has a wealth of
information, including her new blog
which she adds to on a daily basis. Whether you are a new pet owner or an
experienced rabbit breed, you will find Laurie's site very helpful. Laurie had
the top Broken Senior Buck at the 2005 ARBA convention in open. Her latest
project is Precious Pet
Rabbits, a website for pet rabbit care information.
Heather Washburn. Heather is one of the top youth holland lop
breeders in the country. I remember sitting at one of our first rabbit shows.
We had no clue what we were doing. I looked past my family and saw a young lady
grooming one of the most incredible holland lops I had ever seen. The rabbit to
me was perfect in appearance and in temperament. That rabbit won best of breed
that day. The Washburns were great to talk to as we were newbies, and they were
very friendly. Heather is a member of the OHLRF and the HLRSC. Most recently
Heather's rabbit took BOB at the 2005 ARBA convention in youth. Her website can
be seen at http://www.geocities.com/washrabbit/.
Rob Usakowski is owner of Three Little Ladies Rabbitry which
is run by his wife Cathie and their three daughters. Visit their site www.threelittleladiesrabbitry.com
for lots of rabbit raising information for both pet owners and breeders alike.
for lots of rabbit raising information for both pet owners and breeders alike.
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