Rabbits 101: The Basics I

Content Note: This primer was originally posted on another blog for school over the course of four weeks - hence the four parts.  It is in no way comprehensive, and is based entirely on my own experiences, and I will be adding to it as I go along.  All pictures are ones that I have taken myself unless otherwise noted.

Again, this is all based on my own experience and what I've learned from the rabbits I've had personal relationships with.  It's important to remember that each rabbit is an individual and they each have their own personality - so what may have been applicable to my rabbits, may not be applicable to others.

A Primer to the Domestic House Rabbit: The Basics, I

1. Introduction
2. Lagomorphs, not rodents
3. Cages
4. Food & Treats
5. Toys

Introduction

A person once asked me whether or not rabbits were easier to take care of than cats or dogs, the answer is both yes and no - it all boils down to the rabbit and what they've been through, and how patient you can be.  Rabbits, especially the young ones, behave much like toddlers - they can, and definitely will get into everything within reach (they'll books off the shelves, test boundaries, etc.); their energy levels are also off the charts (which is why spaying/neutering and ample amount of time outside of their cage is an absolute must - but more on that later).

Because one of my goals in life is to educate people about the plight of house rabbits - the third most surrendered animal, which doesn't count the hundreds of rabbits who are released in neighborhoods and parks to be "free" - I'm going to post some educational tidbits here.

If you, or someone you know, is about to get a rabbit, I strongly urge you to reconsider.  They are NOT good pets for children or for first time pet owners - they are, at the very least, a ten year commitment; they are not toys, they are not disposable.

Sidney Crosbun is the best video game partner, so whoever dumped
him is really missing out.

Lagomorphs, not rodents

It's a popular misconception that rabbits are rodents.  They are not.  Rabbits actually belong to the taxonomic order lagomorpha - which includes hares, rabbits, and pikas (also called conies).  The main differences between lagomorphs and rodents are their teeth.  Rodents only have two incisors in their upper jaw - lagomorphs have four.

There's also a difference between rabbits and hares.  The main one being that hares give birth to young that are already furred and active, while rabbit's give birth to furless young.  Rabbits are also more social than hares and like to live in small colonies - also called 'warrens.'

The sociality of the wild rabbit is something that has been retained in domesticated rabbits.  I can't quite help but roll my eyes whenever I see a rabbit care website saying that you should put a blanket or a towel over a rabbit's cage for the following reasons:

1. That rabbit will just chew up and destroy the towel.  
2. Rabbits rely on eyesight almost as much as they rely on their hearing to know what is going on around them - so if you rob them of seeing what's going on, you'll have a very anxious rabbit. This can lead to behaviors such as thumping, clinking water and food bowls together, and a running around in circles in their cage - all of which produces large amounts of noise.  These are all a rabbit's way of saying, "Hey!  Hey, you! You!  Hey!"

Basically, rabbits want to be seen, and they want to be a part of the family.  Love your bun, don't put a towel over their cage.

When a rabbit is outside of their cage - which should be for several hours a day, one way to bond them is to stay in their line of sight - this is called "gazing."  You don't necessarily have to be petting them, just being in their vicinity and sitting with them goes a long way to helping a rabbit trust you.  (It gets them used to your presence and equates it with the thought "oh, look, they're here and nothing horrible is happening.")

Unlike cats or dogs, rabbits rarely demand your attention.  They are very independent and are just as happy lounging around as you are!

Sidney Crosbun and myself - he interrupted a game of Assassin's Creed to sit on
my shoulder and demand my attention.

Ziggy takes his afternoon nap!

Cages

Only four of my rabbits are in a cage - but they're not in cages like what you see in Atwoods or Walmart, they're in large dog crates.  The cages at Atwoods and Walmart are horrendous and cramped and rabbits should only be put in them if it's for a few hours - like say, at night, if they have regular run of the house or a room during the day.

The four rabbits who are caged each get ample amounts of time outside of their crates.  Especially in the mornings and evenings - rabbits are naturally crepuscular, meaning they're most active at dawn and dusk.

Ty-ty clonked out. 

Dog crates are excellent for rabbits because they're tall enough that if a rabbit wants to stand on their hind legs (an activity called periscoping), they can.  And also because the bottom pan can simply be pulled out and cleaned.

Each of our rabbits also has a plastic box filled with pine shavings* (not cedar - cedar can cause respiratory problems in rabbits; and never use cat litter) where the rabbits do their business. We clean these boxes out every other day.  Ziggy is the only rabbit who doesn't have a plastic box - instead, he has a large cardboard box lined with puppy pads (that's just what he prefers).

Rabbits should not kept outside.  They will get lonely and quickly become depressed.  More importantly, the weather extremes here in Oklahoma make rabbits exceedingly vulnerable to heat strokes and seizures - which will lead to death.  (Just think about how miserable you would be in a fur coat outside in 100 degree heat.)

*There are some sites that state that pine, in addition to cedar, cause respiratory issues - but we have never had a problem with it.  In the case that you don't want to risk it, wood pellets are an excellent alternative and is used by the wonderful people out at Heartland Rabbit Rescue.

Sidney Crosbun, standing on his hay rack
(because why not?)

Food & Treats

Our rabbits get a cup of pellets (plain pellets, namely the 50 lbs. bag from Ellisons out on Main Street, not the bags with the extra "goodies" inside - that's just basically junk food)  and unlimited Timothy hay (the third cutting from Sierra Valley is the best; orchard grass can also be used to supplement the hay).

In the mornings, each rabbit gets a slice of banana or apple, and, once a week, raw pumpkin seeds.  Each night, they get greens like red leafed lettuce, regular lettuce, Italian and/or curly parsley, and spinach leaves.  Also, whenever they're in season, the rabbits get strawberries. Other fun treats include mint & raisins.

While my rabbits like carrots, they don't really go crazy for them - not like bananas or apples.  Especially yellow apples.  It's kinda ridiculous, actually.

If they don't get their treats in the morning or their veggies at night, they'll often clink their bowls together or start thumping - it's they're way of saying: "Hey!  You forgettin' something?!"

Toys

There is absolutely no point in buying any of the fancy wooden blocks from pet stores.  The rabbits just throw them around a couple of times and then get bored with them.

What they do love is empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls (I hide bits of banana inside, then stuff it with hay).  Also, little paper dixie cups - they're safe for rabbits to eat, plus they can be thrown around; cardboard bowls and boxes are fun, too.  Anything vaguely papery will also be eaten and enjoyed.  This includes everything from junk mail to homework (I wish I was joking about that last one, but...).

Ziggy catching up on his couponing.

Coming Up

1. The Basics, II
1. The importance of spaying and neutering
2. Personality: rabbits have a lot of it
3. Body Language: ears, flops and binkies, and "getting the butt"
2. The Hazards
1. I killed that snake for you: rabbits vs. power cords
2. Everything must go: rabbits vs. your furniture
3. I don't like that: rabbits vs. you, biting/scratching
3. My Best Success Story and the Whole Point of Doing a Rabbit Primer
1. Cadbury, the Church Rabbit
2. What has been done: the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign and the house rabbit memes
3. What needs to be done:  education, education, education