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Help the Easter bunnies!!! (2)

1 Name: Karichii : 2017-04-18 18:39 ID:xmPzFvF1 [Del]

So I wasn't really sure where to put this since it isn't really news...I guess random is the only appropriate place for this.
Since Easter is over and I'm sure tons of people impulse bought bunnies they aren't ready or prepared for. As a bunny owner myself I have been trying to spread good info about how to care for bunnies to try to combat all the misinformation going around caused by retailers or rumors...just basic things like that they cannot live in hutches their whole lives, they need a lot of space...they cant live off of pellets or carrots and they can't have lettuce...Bathing is a huge issue I am trying to combat too since so many people have gotten rabbits without researching them and apparently the first thing people like to do when they get a new pet is bathe them and put a video of it on youtube. Which wouldn't be a problem if bathing rabbits didn't run the risk of killing the them or making them extremely sick...

Anyways! I'm hoping I can find more people here willing to help me with my cause. Just simply spread correct info about bunnies during this time of year to help so that hopefully not as many end up in the animal shelters or on the streets abandoned...
I would post a link but it contains my contact info and I am not sure if that would be allowed so I am just going to copy+paste what I typed out for people, sorry for the lengthy-ness of it all. I tried to be brief but detailed and cover what's needed...
Just maybe share wherever you can or feel comfortable! craigslist is where I started but feel free to share on facebook, instagram, other forums...anywhere you think it will reach people.

2 Name: Karichii : 2017-04-18 18:40 ID:xmPzFvF1 [Del]

*******
It's just after Easter! The easter bunny has finished delivering all the eggs to the baskets but your kids are begging for one more gift
They want a baby easter bunny
Well you've had dogs/cats in the past or maybe this will be your first, you may be thinking "How hard could a little bunny be??"
The answer is more work than most are willing to give!
Many posts are out there to try to deter you from getting that cute little doe-y eyed ball of fluff, This post is just here to give you the run down of what to expect if you do and how to prepare!
First off if you do not already have a rabbit and would like to get a recommendation on the breed or age/where to obtain a rabbit fit for you dont be shy about contacting me! I would be more than happy to help a responsible individual find the right bunny fit for them..Though my first suggestion will always be the shelter, I realize that may not be realistic for every one out there.

CHEAP?
First off, bunnies are the most EXPENSIVE house pet out of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, ect..you name it!
Vet care with rabbits isn't much like vet care with dogs or cats..it's not as much IF your rabbit will get sick as much of WHEN he or she will. They can have a multitude of issues including the common teeth issues that come from bad breeding with hollands and other rabbits with the cute squished faces to ear infections and stasis from eating something they should not have. And those issues are not cheap either. Stasis can cost you anywhere from 500-over 2,000$ depending on if complications arise. Rabbits can seem like disaster magnets sometimes but it's hard to be angry at them even after they chew up your phone charger for the 5th time...can't stay mad at that face!

KIDS?
They do not make good pets for children! Bunnies are very fragile animals, they break bones or can get hurt very easily and they get stressed even more so. Bunnies are prey animals which means they dont like being held or picked up. Don't get me wrong, they love attention but prefer it while on the ground!

OTHER PETS?
Bunnies can make great friends with your cats believe it or not, now the dog might be a different story and usually depends and differs case to case. Some dogs might not be able to get past that prey/hunter drive or instinct but others will cuddle right up like big softies! The size can also sometimes be an issue, bunnies can be easily intimidated by a large, loud dog and so it is best to introduce the dog to the bunny while the bunny is in a safe place like her cage or hutch.
Know though that each and every animal is different so always start out safe and be sure not to push the process.

INDEPENDENT OR DEPENDENT?
If not watched rabbits can be destructive too!! Supervision is seriously needed with these little buggers. Chargers, phone cords, wifi cables, ect...even the cords for your TV aren't safe from some buns! Each bunny is different but prepare for the worst! Unless you adopt from a shelter you never know what you are going to get.
Think of them like another child in your home..they need to be constantly watched when out of their pen as if there is anything to get into that they shouldn't, they will find it and they will wreck havoc. They truly are magicians the way they can find any kind of weakness and exploit it! and you can't just lock them in the cage all day either!

HOUSING?
A hutch is never enough!!
House rabbit society recommends "A rabbit's home should be at least 4-6 times the size of your bunny when he's entirely stretched out-more if he is confined for a large amount of the day. Enclosure sizes also should be decided in conjunction with the amount of exercise time and space the rabbit has. One guideline to go by is at least 8 square feet of enclosure space combined with at least at least 24 square feet of exercise space, for 1-2 rabbits, in which the rabbit(s) can run and play at least 5 hours per day."
Rabbits need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. If you would like any more tips on housing or what kinds of setups you ca create to house your newest fluff ball, you can go to http://rabbit.org/ for more details
http://www.binkybunny.com/ is also a great resource for asking other bunny owners what their ideas are! You can find anything from space saving enclosures for long term housing or just a small pen to house your rabbit while you are at work or asleep.

DIET?
Diet can be tricky as bunnies have preferences just like humans do. The most important part of a bunny's diet should always be the hay which should be available at all times. 75% hay is recommended for a healthy diet, 20-30% fresh veggies should follow or 1 cup for every 2lbs of bunny. Good examples of veggies you can feed your rabbit are kale, spinach, bok choy, brussels sprouts, eggplant, and parsley. Pellets should be a much smaller portion of the bunny's diet being only 1/4 cup for every 5-6lbs of bunny and fruits like apples, banana, strawberries should only be fed as occasional treats. Carrots are also considered treats as they are higher in sugar. Yogurt and dairy treats as well as corn and pet store bought treats should never be fed to your rabbit. Pellets from the store should contain no extra stuff and should just be plain pellets only. Any foods that are marketed to rabbit and guinea pigs should be fed to neither as their diets differ quite a bit so anything being advertised for both will not be healthy.

HYGIENE?
Bunnies are naturally very clean animals. Similar to cats they will use a litterbox and keep their fur clean on their own. Depending on the breed of your rabbit friend they might need more time spent on their coat. Some breeds require more brushing and maintenance than others do. Angoras will require regular fur cuts and trims while rexes usually only need daily to weekly brushing. For more info on your breed, you can talk to your veterinarian.
Nail trimming can also depend on the rabbit though most breeds require this. It is fairly easy and simple to do though if you find yourself nervous or unsure, you can always ask your vet to show you
**NEVER EVER bathe your rabbit without just cause. Bathing your rabbit should only be done when necessary and only in less than 2-3 inches of water. Water in the ears can cause an infection and water in the nose can block breathing. If a rabbit falls into water or is submerged and their dense undercoat is soaked, it can be extremely difficult to dry, next to impossible and the temp change after being taken out of the water can cause hypothermia. Water can also effect your rabbit's ability to regulate it's own body temperature. Some rabbits may like water though this does not change the fact that getting your rabbit wet is not healthy.

Follow all of this information and you should have a great relationship with your rabbit! Though remember, nothing like on the job learning will fully prepare you for caring for a bunny and even after years, there will always be more learning to do along the way! If you have any other questions there are a ton of resources available online or through facebook groups, forum pages, and your veterinary office or local rabbit rescues. Never be scared to ask questions!!

(If anyone has anything to add to this post just send me a quick message, I'm sure there are things I missed or forgot to touch on, I will be updating this as I remember or as things come up)