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My bunny has short hair – no need to brush!”

buns and chou chou — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:29:09 +0000

Smiley, Oracle of Rabbits ™

This is a common mistake – all bunnies should be brushed! Not only does it help when a rabbit is shedding hair, it also strengthens the bond between bunny and owner. Bunnies are used to being groomed by each other – it’s a mark of respect in most cases. To groom your rabbit is to show them they are boss, but it also allows your bunny to get used to being petted and stroked by you. Shorter haired breeds need less brushing than a longer haired breed, but still need brushing all the same! Remember: rabbits can get fur balls just like cats, but unlike cats they are unable to cough it up and the excess hair that they swallow can cause blockages in their system. You may then find that your bunny cannot eat and they develop a round tummy. A vet should be called if this happens.

Do you have a question for Smiley? Email him at smiley(@)rabbitbites.com

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My bunny is pregnant!

buns and chou chou — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:23:58 +0000

Smiley, Oracle of Rabbits (TM)

So, you have just found out that the two little girls bunnies you bought from the pet shop is in fact a girl and boy – and the girl is pregnant. This is a most exciting time for a breeder, as bringing a litter of rabbits into the world can be most rewarding. However, pet rabbits are often left un-spayed and un-neutered, leaving the possibility of having countless numbers of bunnies quite certain.

Rabbit owners should always enlist the advice and help of a vet if they feel that they cannot handle a pregnant rabbit or its babies.

Rabbits are pregnant for about 30-31 days and are fairly calm during this time. You know a rabbit is nearing the end of her pregnancy when she becomes very nervous, digging frantically. She will also not want the attention of any male, especially the one with whom she mated. This is the perfect time to take Daddy out and have him neutered – he will be in a strop with you for a day, but you can always tempt him back with a carrot!

The female will also be pulling her fur out at this time – don’t panic if you notice this! It can be overwhelming to lift the lid of your hutch and find a massive pit of fur but trust your bunny – she knows what she is doing! The fur is placed normally in a corner. As the owner it is your job to leave the female to do what she knows to do by instinct – it is very tempting to touch the ‘nest’ and move it or pad it with more bedding but please don’t. Any contact with the nest and babies may cause the mother to reject and possibly mutilate her little ones once they are born.

It is advised to provide your rabbit with a nest box – this is simply an enclosed area of the hutch where the female and her babies can keep warm – the furthest corner from the door is best. Provide food, fresh water and hay for the mother as normal. Once she has had her babies, resist the temptation to touch them or take them out from the nest. If you need to make sure they are all right, do so when the mother is away from the nest and stroke her before touching the nest. This will ensure only her scent is near the babies. The mother will feed them once maybe twice a day but most often when no one is around, so don’t panic if you notice she isn’t taking care of them. If in doubt, consult a vet.
Do you have a question for Smiley? Email him at smiley(@)rabbitbites.com

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What do I do about Sticky Bunny Bottoms?

buns and chou chou — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:42:37 +0000

Smiley, Oracle Of Rabbits ™, says:
No, not a recipe for a delicious pudding, but a common problem in rabbits with an unhealthy diet. Bunnies are adorable creatures and are most often given treats just for looking cute! Follow the recommendations on the packet or box and if you’re bunny is only allowed 2-3 yoghurt drops a day, it is best to stick to this.

Sometimes, overfeeding a bunny with treats can cause an overproduction in caecotrophs, or gross poops. Sometimes these become dinner believe it or not. Certain types of rabbit mix can also cause this problem. The key is to make sure that your rabbit is getting enough fibre in its diet and plenty of fresh hay and water. If you are feeding your rabbit greens and this occurs, swap this for some carrot or fruit and you may notice a change.

If your bunny is unfortunate enough to already have a sticky bum, then don’t panic. Try sitting the little bun in a basin of warm water (only fill the water deep enough to cover the paws) and let them soak there for a good half hour. This is a good opportunity to stroke them and bond with them. Once your bunny has been given a good soak, the sticky poo residue should have come off in the water. Any more that is left can be removed with a cloth or with your hand if you are giving the bunny a shampoo. Rinse off and towel dry your bunny and be sure to keep an eye on them to make sure the sticky bottom does not re occur. It is best to treat a sticky bottom as soon as you see it – rabbits normally clean themselves expertly, but for various reasons, sometimes they are unable to clean themselves and your aid is needed. Sticky bottoms can attract flies and we don’t want any buns plagued with flystrike ☹
Do you have a question for Smiley? Email him at smiley(@)rabbitbites.com

Smiley, Oracle of Rabbits

buns and chou chou — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:50:28 +0000

Smiley’s Corner Rabbit Care!

buns and chou chou — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 13:22:15 +0000

Smiley is coming on board to tidy up this place and bring a little more personality to Rabbit Bites Blog. We welcome her and trust that even though she’s still growing, the kid knows her rabbits. Plus, just look at her, she’s an adorable little bugger and will soon come to you in Carrotvision(tm) videos! Trust Smiley ™ with all of your Rabbit advice.