The Rabbit Whisperer

Is My Rabbit Sick? Checking For Signs and Choosing a Doctor

2009-07-08T14:54:00.001-04:00

Note: These are only a few problems that rabbits have. If you have any serious concerns regarding your pet's health please consult with a vet immediately!

Rabbits by nature are animals who are always on the defense. They can never show that they are sick, in pain, or injured for fear that a predator would take advantage of their disability and kill them. So, how are you, the bunny parent, able to tell if your pet is ill? It is not easy but that is why you must pay attention to your rabbit's behavior, eating habits, and hygiene.

For starters, I want to suggest that you take a look online or in a phone book to see if there is a local 24 hour emergency animal hospital nearby. While you're at it, check to see if there are vets around you that specialize in rabbits. Many places will say that they have an "exotics" pet doctor, which supposedly includes rabbits in their field of expertise. I personally feel that you should find a place that actually has a rabbit doctor though. It's nice and settling to know that someone has thorough knowledge of your bunny's body and health. Once you find a doctor, schedule an appointment and bring your bun in for a check up, even if you don't think your rabbit is sick. Building a relationship between your rabbit and it's doctor is helpful because your doctor's office will file any info about your bunny. This includes, any health problems, spay/neuter appointments, previous medicines the rabbit took, teeth and nail clipping appointments etc. If there is ever an emergency, call ahead before taking your bunny to the office to make sure your doctor or another "small animals" doctor is present.

• Okay, so let's talk about your bunny's behavior. I've heard a few pet owner's tell me that their bunny acts "weird" sometimes. They'll tell me that their bunny isn't eating, they are pooping different looking poops, chewing everything, etc. My answer to them is usually this response, if your rabbit is acting weird then its one of a few things; it's either bored, sick, annoyed, or just being goofy. I'm going to help you differentiate your bunny's behavior and make sure you're not ignoring your pet's needs for medical treatment or playtime.

• When your rabbit isn't eating or drinking, chances are that its gi-tract/digestive system is slowing down. Sometimes if you put your ear to your bunny's belly you can hear stomach sounds. If you don't hear much movement, then your bun is in trouble. It's very important to make sure that your rabbit's teeth are not mis-aligned. Poor teeth alignment make it hard for your rabbit to chew and swallow its food. Bring your rabbit to the vet immediately. If you aren't able to do this right away, make sure your bunny continues to get water. Get a little syringe and fill it up with water. Push your bunny's cheeks back and squeeze the syringe into your bun's mouth. A little water goes a long way with keeping your bunny alive. If you don't know how to snip your rabbit's teeth, then don't! You could risk splitting them and causing more damage. Do stay by your rabbit's side until you can get an appointment. I would also recommend you visiting this pet education site to better understand and to see illustrations of healthy and poor rabbit teeth.

• Changing your rabbit's diet can cause weird poops, but that doesn't necessarily mean your rabbit is sick. If your rabbit has runny poop or diarrhea then your bunny is sick, and needs to see a doctor. Same thing goes for really smelly thick urine, your bun could have a kidney problem, so get your bun to the doc if your rabbit's health isn't improving.

• If your bunny is chewing everything, then it is either trying to file down its teeth so it can eat, or tell you that you need to play with him/her.

• Rabbits are always seen scratching and grooming themselves but if your bun's head is tilted and it keeps scratching its ear, then it might have a problem. Check your bunny's ear for ear mites. I recommend taking your bun to the doctor if you see mites and feel uncomfortable squirting in some ear drops.

• Check your bun's bottom for "litter rot." If you have an over weight or old bunny then you need to make sure it's bottom is clean or groomed. Litter rot can happen when a rabbit can't reach its behind to groom itself. If you do find some litter rot, I recommend you carefully cutting off some of your bun's hair, and again if you are uncomfortable bring your bunny in to the doctor for a trim.

• Fly strikes are important to watch out for as well. Flies lay their eggs in rabbit feces and then the baby larvae use your bunny as a living host. So be sure to clean your bunny's cage often to avoid fly strikes!

PediPaws Not for Rabbits!

2009-05-13T11:01:00.006-04:00

As a pet sitter I have come across some neat pet grooming materials. I believe the latest hype these days is the nail filer, called PediPaws. I do have this contraption at home and have used it on dogs. In opinion, I was not impressed because it took too long to file down the nails. Most pets who are being groomed start to lose their patience if you can't cut their nails fast and efficiently.

Now, I have had many bunny owners email me asking for my opinion on whether or not they should use this gadget on their rabbit. My answer: NO! NO! NO! Your rabbit's nails are too gentle. This contraption could end up causing a lot of harm to your rabbit's nails, such as splitting the nail or dragging the nail up with the sandpaper dremel. Your rabbit is also very sensitive to sound and motion, so putting a vibrating nail remover on his/her foot could be too scary or ticklish and he/she could end up causing more bodily harm when trying to escape.

If you need help with filing your bunny's nails please read my post on how to do just that.

Bunny Tips: Call and Answer

2009-02-05T19:42:00.003-05:00

Wouldn't it be nice if you could call your bunny over and s/he would come?! Well you can and I'm going to tell and show you how. For starters make sure you don't feed your bunny junk food or treats (ie: apples, carrots, yogurts etc) everyday otherwise this "call and answer" trick will take longer than expected. When calling your bunny over, I wouldn't use his/her name, instead make a certain sound from your mouth. Some people use caps from bottles (clicker training), I personally use a smooching sound. Please check out the video below. As you can see Tamago, the bunny, has just been introduced to this method and he is not doing so bad for a beginner. His reward for coming over is a slice of apple.

Some bunnies catch on immediately, and others take a little more time. I find this trick very helpful in times when my bunny hides underneath the bed or I'm trying to put him back in his cage for the night. The video below shows just what you can do once your bunny masters the call and answer. Very impressive how these rabbits can run through obstacle courses!

Help! My Bunny Is Being Mean!

2008-10-07T15:45:00.005-04:00

Believe it or not, most of the emails that I receive are about behavioral issues. Unfortunately, you are never going to have that perfect bunny that can perform all sorts of tricks, or play games, and/or snuggle up with you. Rabbits are mysterious creatures that come equipped with all sorts of personalities and it is up to you, the pet owner, to be patient and see all the greatness that your little bunny has to offer! Many pet owners that I have spoken to tell me that their rabbit is being "mean" or that their bunny hates them. I put the word mean in quotes because rabbits are not born mean. What pet owners are experiencing from their rabbits is aggression. Because aggressiveness is not genetic, but rather a behavioral problem, there is a pretty good chance you can change your bunny's attitude with a lot of time and patience! So put those negative thoughts out of your mind about your bunny hating you because most aggressive rabbits are acting out in fear, not hate.

Having a defeatist attitude about changing your rabbit's behavior is not going to do you or your bunny any good. Rabbits are not going to change their behavior overnight, you have to be the one to take the initiative and start spending time with your pet to see what is triggering the aggressive behavior and figure out new ways to interact with him/her.

Rule #1: NEVER HIT YOUR BUNNY! Like I said your rabbit is not acting out because he/she hates you but he/she is afraid of you! So hitting your rabbit will only make the situation worse. You have to make sure that he/she feels safe in his/her environment.

Rule #2: It is often recommended that you get your rabbit spayed/neutered if he/she is having behavioral problems. You can normally tell if your rabbit hasn't been altered if he/she is circling your feet and nips or bites your ankles. Circling of the feet means bunny love, but the nipping means sexual aggression. Altering your bunny is ultimately your decision and to be honest, this doesn't always work when your bunny is being overly aggressive.

Rabbits can be extremely territorial, make sure you designate a spot that is only your bunny's space to roam around in. I would also advise you not to stick your hand in your bun's cage, while your rabbit is still in there. The chances of you getting bit or scratched are very high when you are unwelcome in their home.

Realize that rabbits can only really see well from their side, so it would be wise if you approached your rabbit from the side. Try not to act like a predator, meaning, don't crawl up to your bunny or make any fast and sudden movements. Bunnies are startled easily!

In the rabbit world a hierarchy or specifically speaking, a pecking order exists. When you pet a rabbit you are making a statement that your bunny is the dominant one. This is what you have to accomplish with you rabbit, you have to let your bunny know that he/she can trust you.

When first approaching your bun, I would recommend wearing gloves, pants, and a long sleeve shirt. When your rabbit starts to trust you and you start to trust yourself not freak out you can take them off. Be calm and don't try to pet your rabbit right away. Just sit near your rabbit and remain still or make your actions slow (speak softly, watch a television program on the floor, or do a word puzzle if you can't be still or bear the absolute silence). Let your bunny hop around you and sniff you up and down, but do not touch your rabbit just yet! When your rabbit sits comfortably in front of you, then you know it is okay to pet him/her. Be sure to keep your hands above his/her head and away from his/her nose. If and when your bunny starts to get aggravated, you will avoid being bitten if your hand is above the nose, this is especially true if your experiencing lunging from your rabbit! If you think your rabbit is going to lunge, sometimes gently pushing down on the rabbit's forehead can break the lunge mentality.

Like I said before, your rabbit is not going to change overnight. This building of trust can take weeks before you see a complete turnaround in your bunny's behavior! So be patient, give calm positive attention, educate yourself with learning bunny signals and continue to love your bunny!

Organic Treats for Bunnies

2008-08-19T23:48:00.005-04:00

I have received an email from a young woman named, Molly from Louisiana. Through the years she has made an extensive list of spices and mints that she has fed to her pet rabbits. I have not tried everything on this list, but I do know that none of these can kill your bun, just serve these treats to your pet in MODERATION! I do not recommend that you should supplement any of these spices and mints with your rabbit's regular dose of pellets and hay. It is a good idea to mix the spices in with a side dish of hay or other greens. Enjoy!
(Photo, courtesy of Molly - Maisy and Daisy, her pet rabbits)

Arugula
Anise
Basil
Bee Balm
Borage
Cilantro
Chives (small quantities)
Chamomile
Coneflower (purple)
"Chocolate" mint
Cinnamon Basil
Dill
Dandelion
Fennel
Lemon Balms
Lavender (French)
Lemon Verbena
Lemon Grass
Marjoram
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Rosemary
Salad Burnet
Savory (Summer)
Spearmint
Spicy Globe Basil
Tarragon
Thyme
Yarrow

Bunny Topics

2008-07-23T12:35:00.004-04:00

Please select from the list below of the topics that have been discussed so far on this site. Topics will be updated regularly.

Bunny Tips and Tricks:
• Setting Up Your Bunny's Home
• Litter Training
• Bunny Proofing/House Training/Setting Boundaries
• Bunny Diet
• Organic Treats for Bunnies
• Call and Answer

Bunny Health:
• Check To See If Your Rabbit Is Sick
• Clipping Your Bunny's Nails
• Pedipaws not for Rabbits
• Spaying and Neutering Your Bunny

Bunny Behavior:
• Rabbit Talk 101
• Interacting With Your Bunny
• Bunny Eating Poop
• Mixing In Other Pets
• Aggressive "Mean" Bunny Behavior

Rabbit Tales:
• Buhk Buhk's Story

Services:
• Pet Portraits
• Pet Sitting
• The Rabbit Whisperer Store

A Rabbit's Tale: Buhk Buhk's Story

2008-06-16T15:00:00.000-04:00

6/16/08 ~ About 3 weeks ago I lost my pet rabbit, Buhk Buhk. I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to talk about him until I had a recent visit with one of my clients in Manhattan. Her story about how she decided to take in a rabbit reminded me of how my Buhk Buhk came into my life. I became inspired, and that is why I am telling my story now.

My Buhk Buhk was originally named "Buckwheat" by some provincial people living outside of Buffalo, NY. It was believed that had lived with them for about 3-4 years. From what I've heard he was a tough barn bunny who spent his days fighting and mounting other barnyard dogs, cats and rabbits. He was then adopted by a new family that had a little girl who couldn't pronounce "Buckwheat," so she instead called him "Buhk Buhk." They had him for about 3 years and needed someone to care for him when they were moving into an apartment with my friend. My friend asked me if I could care for him and I decided that my life was stable enough to take in a bunny.

Buhk Buhk was much different from previous rabbits I had. For one thing, this rabbit never really had a stable home and also didn't get enough proper attention. He wasn't neutered and he was too old to be altered. He wasn't litter or house trained as well! I quickly realized I had a lot of teaching to do! It wasn't easy at first, this bunny came equipped with plenty of attitude. It took a few weeks for him to be litter trained and about a year to become house broken. He eventually started to respond to my voice when I would call him over. Buhk was such a joy to have in the family, for example: he would eat dinner when I ate dinner, he would lounge around and watch TV if I was there doing the same thing and we would have fun playing a game of chase in the living room. Buhk seemed to win the hearts of everyone in my family. They were all very impressed as to how well trained he was. My father mentioned that I should start becoming a local "rabbit trainer." I initially brushed off this idea thinking that he was crazy (little did I know)!

Buhk Buhk passed away at the estimated age of 10 years old! In case you didn't know, that's amazing for a rabbit. It's funny there have been a few times when I thought he was going to die. I called him the "bunny with 9 lives." When he finally did pass away though, it was almost as if I didn't want to believe it, even though I knew his death was coming for awhile.

I miss him tremendously, but soon I'll be ready to adopt a new pet that needs love and a stable home, just like he did. Thank you to my readers and clients who have expressed their condolences and I will continue to offer tips and my services to you.

Thank you! ~ Jen
_________________________
Do You Have A Rabbit Story?
If you have a story that you would like to share, please email me and I will post it.

Pet Portrait Services Now Available!

2008-04-25T22:43:00.001-04:00

I would first like to say thank you all for showing much support for this site. I enjoy receiving and reading your emails and hope that you'll continue to gain informative material as well as other services from this site. Some of you might wonder what I do besides sharing my love for rabbits. I am actually an artist, more specifically an illustrator (JMV Illustrations). In the past I have done paintings for family and friends of their pets. These pet portraits make great gifts, and I thought it was about time that I should extend my services outside my circle of family and friends.

Please provide two or more clear, close-up photos of each pet. Photos can be mailed electronically or through the post office.

Upon receiving your final invoice, please send payment via money orders, credit card through paypal, or personal checks. Your completed portrait will be sent out as soon as I receive your payment in full. Bounced checks are subject to $35.00 fee.

At this time there will be no framing services for your completed portrait.

Prices vary on sizes (and materials) such as:
Small (8x10): $50 - 100
Medium (11x14): $100-150
Large (14x17): $200
XLarge (16x 20 and up) $250+

Copyright on all commissioned portraits are retained by the artist, and cannot be reproduced in any way without express written consent from artist.

Please fill out and submit this form. I will get back to you to confirm your order within 24 hours. Your info will be kept private.

Please email me if you are having trouble with using the order form.

Pet Sitting Services - Hello again NYC!

2008-04-17T13:16:00.012-04:00

Hello! I am offering pet services once again to the Big Apple.

As a pet sitter, I take care of pets in their own environment so that they are at ease (as well as the owner). To avoid having last minute fees or not having me as your sitter, please request my services at least 4 days before your trip. This allows me to get familiar with your pet, your pet's routine, fill out necessary paper work and give you references.

I do not charge for a first time meeting (training being the exception). I want to be sure that the client, client's pet, and myself are all comfortable before providing any services. Daily dog walking and pet sitting availability depends on location & time! Please check out the rates send me an email with your pet sitting request at: therabbitwhisperer@gmail.com (Online request form is currently being updated because we will be moving to a new website!).

RATES* (I always have some sort of special promotion going on so please inquire when sending in your requests)

Pet Sitting:
1 half hour visit a day - $15.00
DISCOUNT: add an extra $5 every 15 minutes (45 min. = $20; 1 hour = $25 etc.)
2 half hour visits a day - $30.00
Schedule open for: Schedule in advance especially around the holidays

Dog Walking (pricing tier):
Schedule open for: Taking sitting requests only at this time
GOLD package: Twice a day walks with playtime (adventures to different parks included) for $30!

BASIC package: One walk a day for an hour that includes playtime for $20!

BARE BONES package: One walk a day for 20 minutes for $15!

*Dog Buddy Discount! (only up to 3 little dogs, or 2 big dogs) Neighbors team up to have their dogs walked for $15 each for an hour!!

Additional Services:
• If you are away and I am already caring for your pet, house sitting and other services are provided as well (ie: plant watering, mail/newspaper retrieval, and trash disposal).

• House Sitting/Overnights for other pets (dogs, cats,) - $40 - 60 per night - includes walks, feedings and company with your pet

• Grooming Pet (Clipping Nails) - $5 per pet

*Additional animals 1/2 - 3/4 off the main price. Please contact me for rate information on other services (types of animals, training, grooming)

Alternatives for NYC:
Lors Paws Insured Pet Services - Pet sitting for a wide variety of animals in the Brooklyn, NY region.
www.lorspaws.zoomshare.com

Photo of "Penny" - J.V.

Can't We All Just Get Along? Mixing In Other Pets

2008-03-30T14:56:00.000-04:00

Mixing in other pets is not always easy, especially when you're mixing carnivores with vegetarians. It is possible though for your pet dog or cat to get along with your bunny. What most animals are neurotic about is their territory. It is important to realize that your pets need their own space, food, and toys.

Your pets also heavily rely on their sense of smell. Dogs, cats, rabbits and many other small animals do a lot of their investigating and introducing with their noses. This is imperative information to know when you're going to bring in a new family member.
Here are some tips:

1) For starters, keep your new pet in a separate room.

2) Place toys that your new pet has played with and place them around the house where the other pet members are, so they can get used to the new scent.

3) Eventually, bring out your new pet to the same room but keep it in its cage so the other members can sniff around it.

4) Supervision is crucial when you are going to let your pets make contact with each other. If you're mixing different breeds, (dog and rabbit) make sure the dog remains submissive and your rabbit has dominance. Let your rabbit brush up and sniff your pet. If you are mixing two rabbits, be sure to separate your rabbits if they still can't manage to be friends.

Just like the human world, not all animals are going to get along because of their conflicting personalities. I hope these tips do help you if you still choose to bring in a new pet. Good Luck!

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

Image Source: The Cat's Meow

Clipping Your Bunny's Nails

2008-02-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

As a bunny parent, there comes a time when you must clip your pet's nails. Many pet owners who are uncomfortable with clipping their pet rabbit's nails will often have their vet perform this task. It is possible for you to do the trimming yourself, if you want to save the time and money. The only tools you will need for this process are nail clippers (available at any pet store or T.R.W. store), a blanket, and a good source of light.

Much like a fingernail of a human, a rabbit’s nail has a pink flesh-color that runs down the middle of the nail that should not be cut. This flesh-color part of the nail is called the "quick" and it actually is a vein. As the nail grows longer, so will the quick. Be sure to trim just past the end of the quick. Having a good source of light is crucial to seeing where the quick is on your bun. If you have a rabbit with dark nails, it sometimes helps to have a flashlight handy as well as a helper to aid you in where you should cut.

If you have a rabbit that doesn't like to sit still, you can use your towel to swaddle him/her up. This is actually a really nice method to practice, for it helps you to pull out and concentrate on one foot at a time.

Even the most skilled nail trimmers make mistakes and accidentally cut the quick. In this case it is a really good idea to use cotton/bandages and apply small pressure to the wound. Make sure the bleeding stops before you leave your rabbit unattended in its cage.

It is usually a good idea to trim your bunny's nails every 3 weeks. The more you trim your pet's nails, the more you and your pet will become comfortable with this procedure.

Beating the Bunny Blues: Ways To Interact With Your Rabbit

2008-02-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

Chances are if you're a bunny owner, you're going to notice that your rabbit most likely displays signs of boredom and frustration. Rabbits can demand a lot of attention and it is important that you give it to them. Your frustrated bored bunny will soon start acting like a naughty bunny. Rabbits need to chew constantly, but a misbehaving rabbit will chew objects he/she knows he/she is not supposed to chew. I have received many emails regarding this issue and decided to address it in this post. I've heard people telling me that they've tried everything from scolding their bunny, spraying their bunny with water, rubbing or spraying vinegar on objects, and giving chew toys to their bun. They know that their rabbit is not sick, so what's going on? Firstly, Many of those methods will only prove to be temporary solutions and secondly, your rabbit is trying to communicate to you that he/she wants YOU!

It is a fact that rabbits are more active during the dawn and dusk hours but that doesn't mean you have to wait for those times to come around to start engaging with your rabbit. As a rule of thumb, I don't recommend having your rabbit out at night. I believe your bun needs a lot of supervision if he/she isn't fully trained. Free reign at night means that more of your belongings will be damaged. Instead, play with your rabbit as much as possible during the day. When it comes time for everyone to go to sleep, make sure your rabbit goes back to his/her cage. This way your rabbit isn't upset that you're not playing with him/her and that it is time for you to go to sleep.

My other suggestion to you is to get down on your hands and knees and start acting like a rabbit. This is not a joke! If you haven't already, read up on the "Rabbit Talk 101" page. Once you know how to listen to your bunny, you can talk back to your bunny imitating the same postures he displays to you. If my bunny is doing something I don't want him to do, I simply "tell" him that I'm offended. He then runs up to me and nuzzles me, which pretty much means "I'm sorry."

There are other ways to really give your bunny a good exercise, besides just letting him hang outside of his cage. This is an exercise I initiate with my rabbit: we play a game of chase. I start crawling around the floor very fast, my bun then gets the idea to run. We go around in circles for awhile and if he gets too scared, he stomps his foot and the game has ended for awhile, ( I can tell if he wants to play again, when he runs a little away from me and looks behind to see if I'm going to chase him). Be sure to pet him on the head once the game is over, just to settle him down.

So remember, if your bunny is bored, frustrated, misbehaving, and you know for a fact that he/she is not sick, then your rabbit most likely wants your attention. Address to your rabbit that you are offended by what he/she did immediately after they misbehaved. Supervise and play with your rabbit during the day and make sure he/she is in his/her cage at night.

Looking for a topic or have a question? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar for past posts and the F.A.Q. page!

House Training and Setting Boundaries

2008-02-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

As most of you experienced bunny owners know, once you give your rabbit freedom outside its cage, it wants more! For the less experienced pet owners, it is pretty crucial to give your rabbit some time outside of the cage for the sake of its happiness and health. I'm going to offer some tips as to what measures you should take to prevent any bunny "accidents" (urinating, pooping, chewing wires, digging up carpet, etc).

• If you have a cage that can open so that your rabbit can hop out on its own, you will be making your job and your rabbit's job a lot easier. Rabbits, by nature, don't like to be picked up, so having easy access to and from their cage is extremely helpful to house training your pet.

• Fence off areas where you don't want your rabbit heading.

• Bunny proof areas where your rabbit could get hurt, or vice versa, where your rabbit could do harm to! Make sure any cable wires are either out of sight or neatly pushed to the side. Like roots in a dirt hole, rabbits usually chew wires because they are in their way. Make sure there are things for your rabbit to chew on, such as building blocks, chew blocks, and hay balls. A small scratch post isn't such a bad idea to have for your rabbit to dig into either.

• Supervise your rabbit's time out of the cage! Start with short 10 minute sessions of "outside" time. Let your rabbit become comfortable with its surroundings gradually.

• You'll notice your rabbit will be brushing its chin on objects and even you! Don't worry, your rabbit is leaving a scent, so that it can detect where its already been and determine that this is its territory.

• Unfortunately, the more comfortable your rabbit becomes the more its going to want to mark its surroundings with urine and feces. That's why it is important for you to supervise and discipline your rabbit when it does behave in that nature. If you provide consistent supervision your rabbit will get the idea that it can't just leave urine and scattered poop deposits everywhere.

• After a while, you might decide to grant your rabbit free reign of the majority of your house. It is a good idea though to provide an extra litter box in this case. Put some of your rabbit's turds in the litter box so that your rabbit knows it can relieve itself in that area.

Looking for a topic or have a question? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar for past posts and the F.A.Q. page!

The Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Bunny

2008-01-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

I would highly recommend spaying or neutering your pet. Here are a few reasons why I feel this way:

1) Getting your female bunny fixed, prevents unwanted pregnancies and big litters.

2) Better for your rabbit's health. Rabbits that are spayed/neutered have a better chance of staying alive longer because it greatly lowers the risk of cancer.

3) A fixed rabbit has a calmer and happier life. Your rabbit will behave and train better once its been spayed/neutered due to the lowered sexual aggression. This is a big plus because your rabbit won't have as much of an urge to dig, chew, growl, bite you and destroy your household!

4) Once your rabbit is fixed, your bun will make a better companion for you and other pets in your home.

Due to major improvements in the surgical field for animals, rabbits are really safe to have this procedure done. Do though make sure your vet has experience in the spaying/neutering procedure. Most vets feel comfortable if you bring your pet in when it's about 6 months old (males can come in about 5 months). If you think your rabbit is too old to be fixed, bring your pet in to be checked out. Usually vets have a cut off line at about 6 years old, but your particular vet might feel differently. If you can't tell if your pet has been neutered, chances are your bun hasn't, and you should bring it in for a check up.
Panasonic proclaimed June 14 "Neuter Your Bunny" Day.

Have any questions or comments? Feel free to leave your comments here!

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

Rabbit Talk 101: Deciphering and Communicating With Your Pet

2008-01-22T17:50:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Rabbit Talk 101! If there is one thing you should know about your pet rabbit, it's that it is a very communicative animal. Yes, I know your bunny doesn't bark or meow, or wag its tail for that matter, but there are other gestures for how your furry friend can talk to you. I will first discuss the symbols and then cover how to talk back to your bun:

Grooming: Your rabbit grooming itself and you grooming your rabbit are very important elements to having a happy social life together. Not only is grooming a sign of hygiene but it also establishes dominance. Even though you take care of your rabbit, your most likely going to be the inferior one in this relationship. No worries though, you can still train your rabbit to do things. Pet your rabbit starting from the nose area to the forehead, and let your hand continue to flow to the back.

Nose Wiggling: That nose just keeps going and going! Yup that bunny's nose looks like a beating heart, and it acts as one too. Pay close attention to that nose! Based on your rabbit's body position, and your rabbit's nose wiggling rate you will be able to tell what kind of mood your rabbit is in, or its personal interest in you. Your bun is an inquisitive animal, so for example: if you are moving around the house a lot, and your bunny's nose is moving quickly, that means your bun is curious or might find something bizarre about what you're doing. If you upset your bunny, then your bun's nose is going to move very quickly. When your bunny is relaxed, it will slow down its nose tempo and display its calmness. If your bunny stops moving its nose all together its either one of three things, its either really confused, too interested or really scared. Of course all this depends on what the bunny's environment is and what the bunny's posture is.
EXERCISE: I, myself, can flare my nostrils in and out. If you find that hard to do, then practice rolling your upper lip under your top teeth and keep rolling back and forth. Look in the mirror to see if your nose is moving. Okay so your nose is moving, lay down next to your bunny and wiggle your nose in front of your pet. Try moving your nose gradually from fast and slow or vice versa. If you're doing a good job, you may find out that your bun is mimicking you!

Relaxed Gazing Postures: There will be many times when your bun just wants to chill. Depending on how comfortable the atmosphere is, determines how your bunny is going to look like when it relaxes. The usual look for a bun is lying on its belly with front and rear legs tucked under and with its ears up and facing forward. As your bunny gets more comfortable, you'll see that it gets flatter to the ground. You may also witness your rabbit being so comfortable that it will kick its legs out to the side or to the back while remaining very flat to the ground - some refer this as the lambchop, I call it the kickback. Take a look at this picture:

Curiousity: The curious pose is one of the cutest behaviors I've seen. When rabbits find themselves comfortable with their surroundings they begin to investigate what's around and what's new. My rabbits tend to "crawl" around instead of hop, with their necks stretched out a little. The rabbit's ears should be in the shape of a "V" (T.V. antennas) sticking out a bit, and ears should also be facing forward (turned inside). The periscoping move, is another form of curiosity. Rabbits will pop up onto their back limbs and stand tall to look around. I usually see this when I open the top of their travel carrying case.

Annoyed: There will definitely be times when you annoy or upset your bunny. Your pet won't be afraid to show you too! Anytime your bun turns its back to or deliberately turns to the side, you know you offended your bunny. If your bun has its back to you, but looks over his shoulder, then there is hope to settle the "argument." My suggestion is to start acting like a bunny. Yup, starting grooming yourself and then pet your rabbit. Instantaneously your rabbit will become your friend again.

Anger: Anger shouldn't be a surprise stance. There is usually a good reason why your pet would become so mad. When you see your bunny sitting bunched up with its ears lowered and facing backwards, give your pet some space before you get bit!

Depression: Rabbits often become sad due to low stimulation. They are usually seen close to the ground, with their ears hanging low. Bored and agitated rabbits also chew a lot of objects that they know they shouldn't be chewing, as well as urinating on "no no" spots to get your attention.

Pain/Fear: When rabbits are in extreme pain, or really scared, they will scream. It is one of the most painful screams I have ever witnessed. It's an awful cry and I hope many of you never hear it in your lifetime.

Begging: Much like a dog or cat, rabbits beg by circling your feet and stand up pawing you when they know there is food or a treat out.

Good Times: If you let your rabbit run around a bit, you could witness your bun doing binkies! A binky is when your rabbit jumps in the air and twists its body around. It is really quite cool. Check out this youtube.com video of a rabbit doing a binky (as well as other rabbit habits)

Stomping/Thumping: When a rabbit stomps its foot, that usually means its warning you that it is uncomfortable with its surroundings or to warn predators to back off. Over zealous bunnies stomp their feet all the time and then run off to prove how fast they are.

Believe it or not, there are many other expressions that rabbits come equipped with. If you are interested in knowing more, I recommend reading up on the website, The Language of Lagomorphs.

About Me

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I have 20 years of experience taking care of rabbits. Without a doubt they are my favorite pet. In the past, I have been able to get some of my pet rabbits to perform tricks such as rolling over (like a dog) and responding to certain sounds. I am dedicated in showing you how you can understand the language of rabbits and what you need to do to take care of your pet.

I am very excited to share my love, knowledge, and experience with a world full of rabbit lovers. The following posts will cover material such as how to check to see if your rabbit is sick, communicate, play, litter train, and many other ways to take care of your bunny. If you are looking to purchase products for your rabbit, please do check out the Rabbit Whisperer Store.

Litter Training Your Rabbit

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Yes it's true, you can litter train your rabbit! It's a tedious process, but if you are persistent and patient your bunny will be ready to use its litter box on its own. Okay, so let's get started!

1) Just like the picture, you need to get a litter box for your bun (if you haven't done so already from the "making a home" post). I prefer to have a box like the one shown because it shields urine from spraying up. If you can't find one like that, don't worry, there are many shapes and sizes of litter boxes that you'll most likely find in the cat aisle of a pet store. I like to find something that my rabbit can hop in and out of with ease, make sure the height is no more than 3 inches, you don't want to deter your rabbit from going to the bathroom.

2) Let your bunny decide where it wants to pee! Your bun is going to have a preference on which corner or section it wants to do its business. Once it decides where it wants to excrete, place the litter box there.

3) Once you place the litter box down, I would suggest lining the bottom of the litter box with either newspaper, recycled paper mulch (preferred), or both. Then, throw in some of your rabbit's poops in the box. I'm not kidding, this will help your bunny become more comfortable and familiar with using the litter box because it will smell its "markings" there.

4) Make sure your rabbit is in its cage for the most part. Before you go ahead and give your rabbit plenty of independence, your bun needs to feel safe and secure in its home. After a week or so, gradually let your bunny out and see if it will go back in its home to urinate. If your rabbit does, then you have been successful! If not, be patient!

Side Note: For the most part, your bunny is going to poop where it pees but there are times when it is going to excrete poop anywhere. Scatter poops usually means that its just marking its territory. Don't forget your rabbit also excretes cecotropes for it to eat and it might just want it separated from the other poop and urine wastes.

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

"Gross! Why Is My Bunny Eating Its Poop?"

2008-01-14T23:45:00.000-05:00

"Why is my bunny eating its poop?" is a question I often hear from pet owners. Before you knock your rabbit's dung out of its mouth, I'm going to assure you that your rabbit is normal and is just adding another practice to its diet, an essential practice.

Your bunny excretes two kinds of poops, one is for wastes and the other is called cecotropes. If you want a detailed description of cecotropes click on the link and you will be forwarded to a wikipedia site with the definition listed. To put simply, cecotropes, also called "night feces," are the material resulting from the fermentation of food in a part of the digestive system called the "cecum." The cecotropes have plenty of nutrients that your bunny needs, and that can't be supplemented by anything else on the market. It is very important that you look at your rabbit's stool and pay attention that your rabbit is producing the two kinds of poops. I should point out that rabbits usually produce cecotropes at night, but if you see a soft wet looking poop (not runny poops - that indicates your bun is sick), most likely then it is cecotropes.

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

What Your Rabbit Should Eat

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Your rabbit's diet is very crucial to the longevity of their health. It is absolutely necessary to feed your rabbit with fresh water and Timothy Hay, not alfalfa. Alfalfa is okay to give to young baby rabbits, but only for a very short time because it contains such a high concentrate of calcium. Too much calcium thickens a rabbit's urine and causes bladder infections, kidney stones, and other urinary tract infections. So, Timothy Hay is the way to go and should be available at any pet store.

The next thing to put on your bunny grocery list are pellets. I can give you a few suggestions, but it is also up to you to read the packaging and make sure you're not buying "candy" pellet food. I recommend you not buying any sweets, and sugary toys for starters, instead look for a brand like KayTee, (available at the Rabbit Whisperer Store). Kaytee has come up with some healthy gourmet pellets for small animals. Take a look at their nutrition label if you want to compare and supplement it with other generic versions.

So pellets and hay are the basics. Now, anytime you introduce your rabbit with other foods like carrots, apples, lettuce, and bananas, please keep in mind that a rabbit's stomach is very delicate. Having sporadic new foods is not a healthy meal unless you introduce it to your rabbit slowly, regularly, and with very small portions for starters.

Make sure not to over or under feed your bunny, however it is fine to replenish the hay tray regularly. I cannot stress enough that hay is a necessity in a rabbit's life. Rabbits are constantly grooming themselves and since they do not cough up their fur like cats do, it is imperative that they have hay to help push the hair through the digestive tract.

So let's recap: give your pet a balance diet, introduce new foods in small proportions regularly, and be sure the bun has plenty of hay and water.

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

Making a Home For Your Bunny

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I love rabbits because they're soft, cuddly, quiet, intelligent, and really cute. I want you to enjoy your bunny as much as possible, so let's hop to it! For starters, it is very important for your rabbit to feel safe and comfortable. The first thing to do for your bun is to set up a proper home. If you don't have any other pets living in your house, then I recommend having your rabbit live inside rather than outside where it could be prone to predators and poor climate conditions. If you have to keep your rabbit outside you should plan on getting a rabbit hutch that elevates off the ground. The picture below is a smaller version of a tall hutch, but it still is applicable for an outside rabbit, especially if you plan on letting your rabbit run around your yard. The little ramp aids the rabbit going in and out of the cage as it pleases. You can purchase hutches at any major or small pet stores or online. This particular hutch is available at Greg Roberts Quality Pet Supplies. You can find most of the necessities, such as cages, food, and water bottles at the Rabbit Whisperer Store as well.

Like I stated before, it is preferable to have your rabbit live inside. In addition, it is also important for your rabbit to have some stretching space, so be sure to look for rabbit cages that compliment your rabbit's size. The picture below displays a plastic cage with a door that can serve as a ramp for your bunny. I have house broken my rabbits, if you plan on doing the same then having a ramp is pretty crucial for your pet. Again, you can get this plastic cage at any big or small pet store, (Rabbit Whisperer Store, Petco, PetSmart, etc.)

After you buy a cage you have to set up the rabbit's new home. First, place the cage in a place where the rabbit is against a wall, preferably in a corner where the rabbit feels safe and can see what's going on in the room. Second, I would suggest lining the bottom of your cage with either recycled paper mulch or newspaper, this is to protect your bunny's feet. Make sure you have a food bowl, hay tray, and a water bottle inside the cage. Set up your bunny first, and then we'll worry about the litter training a little later. When you're done, your cage should relatively look like this, notice that all three of the major components are there inside the cage.

Congratulations you've completed the first stage for making a home for your rabbit! Stay tuned for more information on what to feed, how to litter train, and "speak rabbit" to your bunny!

Looking for a topic? Check my blog archive on the white sidebar!

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

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PET SITTING QUESTIONS:

Question: What are your rates?

Answer: My rates vary depending on how many rabbits I will be caring for, whether or not the rabbit needs special care, and if I need to to perform any grooming procedures to your pet. Additional services, such as watching other pets (dogs, cats,), and house sitting are available. You can look over the estimated pricing structure located on the contact form page. Please fill out the form (preferred) or send me an email and I will give you a personalized quote.
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Question: Can you come to my house or do I have to bring my rabbit to you?

Answer: As a pet sitter, I take care of pets in their own environment, so that they are at ease, as well as the owner. I would provide you with references, to prove that I am trustworthy, reliable and sincere about my job.
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Question: Do you take last minute pet sitting requests?

Answer: This all depends on my schedule, but there is an extra fee involved. To avoid not having me as a sitter or a fee, please request my services at least 4 days before your trip. This allows me to get familiar with your pet/s, surroundings, and give you references.
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Question: Do you provide litter training services?

Answer: Yes, I do, but I will also be teaching you how to as well, so that your rabbit can stay litter and house trained.
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Question: If my rabbit becomes ill while in your care, what veterinary do you use?

Answer: If you already have a main vet for your pet, I would use that doctor. In case of an emergency and you do not have a selected vet, I will contact the closest animal hospital depending on your location.
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FOOD QUESTIONS

Question: What do you think about Kale? I can't get my bunny to eat any of the other greens. He LOVES Kale and eats it daily. I read something somewhere that didn't have a high opinion on Kale, but it hasn't seemed to hurt my bunny.

Answer: Kale is okay to give to your bunny, but it shouldn't replace hay or pellets. Kale has a high dose of calcium, but because Kale contains a lot of water, your bun is okay to eat it regularly. I would like to point out you're the pet's owner/mother/caretaker and therefore you have to be a disciplinarian when it comes to your bunny's eating habits. For example, my rabbit Buhk Buhk is obsessed with eating his gourmet pellets and picks and chooses what he wants to eat leaving much of his Timothy hay and pellets behind. Naughty bunny! What I do in this case is not give him a fresh load of gourmet pellets until he finishes his whole meal first. This is a similar scenario to what parents do with their children, otherwise, kids would be eating candy all the time, right? So my advice is your bun can eat Kale, just make sure he still eats his hay and pellets too, in moderation!
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BEHAVIOR QUESTIONS

Question: My rabbit and I were having such a good time with each other (well at least I thought so) and she bit me! Why did she do that?

Answer: Well if you were pretty sure you and your bun were having a good time, then you probably were! She bit you to show you she loves you! I call them "lovebites." When my rabbits do this, which isn't often, I turn my back to them while looking over my shoulder to show them I am offended but forgiving. This is just to show them, "I know you love me, but that hurt, please don't do that again." You have to address it then, so your bunny understands why you're upset and that biting is not okay. Never hit your bunny when disciplining!!
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Question: My bunny isn't eating or pooping, but is constantly chewing, what could be wrong?

Answer: The problem might be that your rabbit has a blockage in its mouth from overgrown or misaligned teeth. This is quite serious because your rabbit needs to be eating and drinking constantly. If there isn't an emergency 24 hour vet hospital nearby, I would get a syringe and squeeze water in your rabbit's mouth. Water is crucial to keeping its body moving. You can usually hear "belly" sounds when you put your ear to your rabbits stomach, if you don't hear anything, that's a big problem. If you know how to clip your rabbit's teeth then do so, if you don't, then don't attempt for you may do more harm than good. Be sure to get your rabbit to a vet A.S.A.P. Sometimes vets will show you how to clip rabbit teeth, which is valuable info to have, for rabbit's teeth never stop growing, hence the reason why they are always chewing. If you are uncomfortable even after knowing how to clip teeth, just be sure to bring your pet to the vets when your rabbit's teeth start getting long, don't wait until your rabbit can't eat again!
This subject, among other sick related issues can be found on my "rabbit sick" page.
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STORE QUESTIONS

Question: If the rabbit whisperer store is powered by amazon, can I use my own amazon account to purchase products from the rabbit store?

Answer: Yes, you absolutely can use your Amazon.com log-in info to access the T.R.W. store. You can do this by selecting the T.R.W. store link and selecting products then logging in when purchasing, or you can log-in at Amazon's site first and then return to the T.R.W. store.