Help! My Rabbit Is Pregnant

From time to time, I receive emails from people who have a rabbit that accidentally got pregnant. The story usually goes something like this:

• We got two "male" rabbits from the pet store, but one turned out to be a female
• We won a rabbit at the fair and now she's pulling fur
• Our neighbors watched our rabbits for us while we were on vacation and they said they never had them out together
• I thought they were too young to have babies, so I didn't separate them

First, it's best to get your rabbits from breeders. Breeders have to learn how to sex rabbits accurately. Pet stores do not.

If you have two rabbits, you really do want to alter them, regardless of their sex. Even if you have one, it's a great idea.

Rabbits can have babies as early as about 12 weeks old. Don't take a chance.

If it is already too late and you have babies on the way, the first thing you should know is that having rabbit babies is nothing at all like having puppies or kittens. You do need to read up on rabbits as soon as possible. But here are the main things to know:

• Rabbits typically have their babies between 29 and 33 days after mating
• Rabbits need a nest box and nesting material such as hay, shredded paper, or shavings (I use hay)
• The mother will pluck out her own fur to line the nest after she's built it. That may be several days or several minutes before the babies are born
• The mother will only visit her babies once or twice per day and you may never see her feed them
• You can touch the babies as soon as they are born
• You should remove any dead babies immediately or the doe may feel that she has to eat it to clean up the nest area and prevent predators from finding her nest
• You can tell that she is feeding her babies if you see round tummies; loose wrinkled skin means they are not being fed
• Feeding baby rabbits by hand is very difficult; do not attempt unless you are a professional at caring for animals (you are just likely to kill the bunny)
• Sometimes rabbit milk doesn't come in for 72 hours; baby rabbits can last for that long without feeding
• Their eyes will open between day 10 and 12 usually
• I leave my babies with their mothers until they are 7 weeks old or older

Visit The Nature Trail Rabbitry for more information on breeding rabbits. The breeding section includes newborn care through weaning.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Buying Rabbits As Gifts

Buying a rabbit as a gift can be either a great idea or a horrible idea. It really depends on the situation.

Here's a situation when it's a great idea. Your child (or a child you are close to like a grandchild, niece or nephew) has wanted a rabbit for at least a few months. He or she is mature enough to have a pet like a rabbit. If he doesn't live in your household, he has permission from his parents. The family is committed to caring for the rabbit for the 7 to 12 years he may live. This is a great situation. Go for it.

Here's a situation when it's a horrible idea. You see a cute bunny at the mall and purchase him for someone as an "I was thinking of you" gift. Or, you think that having a bunny poking his furry face out of the top of a Christmas stocking would be absolutely charming. Or, you think it's time your child learned some responsibility. Or, perhaps your child just lost a pet and you want to replace him right away.

It's never a good idea to give a rabbit as a gift to anyone who has not expressed a clear desire to have one. Not only should the receiver have indicated a desire for the rabbit, he or she should also have clearly indicated that they are interested in all of the care that owning a rabbit includes.

When the focus is on the moment of giving rather than the rest of the rabbit's life, a red flag should be waving in your brain. Stop, don't do it.

My dad loves Old English Sheepdogs. He's loved them for years, but when we kids decided to go together and get him one for Christmas, we had to find out for sure if he really wanted to take care of one. The answer was no. Although he loves the thought of having one, he's not really interested in all that actually having one means.

You may have noticed the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign last Easter, which discourages people from giving rabbits as gifts at Easter. The gist is that Easter rabbits are exciting on Easter and for a few days after, but beyond that, too many end up neglected, abandoned, or relocated. The same idea applies to Christmas.

The only time that giving a rabbit as a pet for a birthday, Christmas, or Easter is when you planned to get one anyway and just chose a special time of the year to do it.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Return On Investment

Assuming you purchased a sound, good-tempered rabbit to begin with, what you get out of your pet rabbit will largely depend on what you put into him or her.

An investment in a little play time yields big rewards in terms of your rabbit's responsiveness and personality.

I first begin handling my rabbits around the age of three months. You may be shocked. Most people live under the assumption that only rabbits handled from birth are personable. It use to be that my children handled the babies frequently, but I generally enjoy some alone time in the barn, so that has dwindled. So it is around three months before I handle them extensively (for other than basic care, of course, you must touch rabbits frequently to determine their health)- about the time they need to be placed in their own cages or sold as pets.

Anyway, when I first handle them, they absolutely do not know what to expect and some fight for their lives! But within just a few minutes of being handled, they generally calm right down. There is a huge difference between a rabbit that has been handled just once versus never. And there is a big difference between a rabbit that has been handled three times versus one that has been handled just once.

Pet rabbits who go home with a new family that gives him plenty of loving attention will absolutely blossom in just three days. It's amazing and very consistent, I've found. Rabbits are willing to trust you if you just give them a little reason to.

My theory is that baby rabbits are so full of life and curiosity, plus in my barn, they have their littermates, that they do just fine by themselves until around three months old. When it is time for them to have their own cages, it is time to have more interaction with their people.

Older rabbits who are left alon,e and not handled and played with will generally either become resistent to interaction or will become like a lab animal, without zest of life or a spark of interest.

By the way, if a rabbit does not come around when handled, I do not offer that rabbit as a pet. Unless a rabbit has a pet personality, it should not be sold as a pet by anyone, in my opinion. If I am in doubt, I bring the rabbit indoors and let my chidlren play with him for awhile. They almost always bring out the best in a rabbit and bring back a positive report on him. If not, I do not sell him to a new family.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Stocking Stuffers For Bunny Lovers

I am constantly shopping for bunny stuff. Either I'm looking for good things to use with bunnies or I'm looking for the items to tickle a bunny lover's fancy.

This week, I found some really wonderful items from HearthSong and I was fortunate enough to be accepted as an affiliate. I have selected eight items to offer through Precious Pet Rabbits on my new Stocking Stuffers page.

My favorite has got to be the bunny tea set in a tiny wicker basket. My daughters love to have tea parties, but their tea set gets scattered everywhere. This adorable set has a wicker picnic basket type case that holds everything perfectly. It's wonderful.

I also love the little bunny necklace that has a pearly body. What little girl could resist it, especially if she loves bunnies, too.

I think a perfect item for a grandparent is the bunny mug. If you want to see delight on your grandchild's face, get the mug and prepare a hot cocoa treat. Then watch his or her face when the ceramic bunny in the bottom is discovered!

Have you ever received a letter or invitation that has a wax seal with an image or initial pressed into it? It really makes everything seem so much more special. Now you can let others know that you are a pet lover by sealing your letters, Christmas cards, and invitations with a paw print. Also available are a snowman, fairy, Christmas ornament, and more.

All of the items are sure to please. And if you are looking for other Christmas gifts for your children, visit HearthSong today: Great Holiday toys at HearthSong!

Happy holiday shopping!

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

How Old Should My Child Be To Get A Rabbit?

Because children vary in their rates of maturity and their natural temperments, there is no set age I can give you. But here are some qualities to look for.

First, your child must be old enough to understand that sudden movement and loud noise could really hurt your pet rabbit. I recently went to a national rabbit convention. Six different rabbits broke their backs when they were startled and each had to be put down. In one case, a person walked down an aisle of rabbit coops with a large hat on. In another case, a teen ran down a row of rabbits. If your child is prone to sudden large movement and outburts and does not yet have good control over when and where, he or she is not ready for a pet rabbit.

Second, your child must be old enough to be able to see things from someone else's point of view. It will not help you to say, "it hurts bunny when you pull his ears," if he doesn't have the ability to understand the significance of that.

Next, your child should be mature enough to show some flexibility. Very young children need strong routines to function well, as you are probably well aware. As they mature, they can begin showing flexibility and better cooperation. Rabbits will not always behave the way that you think they will. You may want to hold when the rabbit wants to explore. You may want to play when the rabbit wants to nap. You may want to feed when the rabbit is not hungry. A young child who demands that bunny must play now, is too young for a pet rabbit.

Your child should be mature enough to deal with a scratch without panicking or forgetting about the rabbit. Small scratches are almost inevitable with rabbits. If your child would drop the rabbit and begin crying or screaming if scratched, your child is too young for a rabbit.

When my daughter was five, she was great with rabbits except for one thing. If the rabbit peed on her, she forgot about all else and jumped up to get the pee off of her. When the second baby rabbit went flying through the air, she was no longer allowed to hold rabbits for quite awhile. Now, at 8, she has her own rabbit and does quite well with him.

The basics above assume that the parent is providing the basic care for the rabbit. If the child is going to be the primary caregiver, here are a few more things to consider:

1. Has your child wanted the rabbit for awhile or is it a whim?
2. Can your child follow directions accurately and consistently?
3. Can your child stick with a daily routine or are you willing to be the one who reminds him daily to feed and weekly to clean?
4. Is your child willing to deal with a stinky, gross, or messy job?
5. Is your child ready to deal with death?

Although the last one applies also to the younger child who is not providing care, the death of an animal hits much harder, I think, when you are the one providing the daily care.

Rabbits are wonderful pets for many families. Just be honest with yourself in your assessment of your children's readiness. And hey, if they aren't ready for one, just get him for yourself!

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Warbles

Outdoor pet rabbits can get warbles, a parasite that grows under the skin. If you rabbit has a warble, you will feel a small gumball sized lump under the fur. If you examine closely, it may seem crusty on the top. By washing the custiness off, you will discover a breathing hole for the fly larva that is growing beneath the skin.

Out of over 400 rabbits I've had in my barn, I've only had two rabbits to get warbles ever. So I'd say they aren't overly common, but rather is something that could come up. But, if your rabbit should get one, you need to know what to do.

Unless you are prepared to do minor surgery, you should take your rabbit to the vet for the removal of the warble. The breathing hole is enlarged and the warble should be removed whole, if possible, otherwise your rabbit could go into shock.

Having the warble removed is more likely to bother you (and your vet) than your rabbit. The skin around the breathing hole is quite dead and the enlargement of the hole did not seem to bother my rabbit at all. It took the vet quite awhile to get the warble out. It was rather attached to my rabbit. He eventually did have to remove the warble in bits, which he did not want to do.

My vet prescribed medication to go into the now empty hole to help it heal from the inside out. My doe made a complete recovery within a couple of weeks.

The second time a rabbit of mine got warbles, I tried to remove them myself (he had two), but I found that removing the larva was very difficult, so I had to give up on dealing with it myself.

Fear of warbles should not keep you from allowing your rabbit to enjoy the outdoors. Just make sure that you are having plenty of physical contact with your rabbit so that you will note any change in him, including lumps under the skin.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Traveling For The Holidays

You have probably already started planning your holidays. If you are traveling, you must decide whether to have someone take care of your pet rabbit for you or whether to take him with you. It can be either a tough or obvious decision, depending on your circumstances.

Although there are more and more restrictions on airlines, it is possible to fly with your pet rabbit. Your rabbit can be checked with baggage. Be sure to contact the airlines and find out the regulations. I have found that most airline personnel are not very knowledgeable about pet rabbits, so make sure you talk to two different people before you make elaborate plans. Some will just try to give you the dog regulations, for example.

I have had rabbits shipped to me and I have shipped rabbits. All arrived in good health. When you accompany your pet (well, I guess the rabbit is accompanying you!), you may find that you do not need a health certificate (these are required for shipping). But make sure before you arrive at the airport. And if you can find the regulations online, it's probably a good idea to print them out and have them on hand in case you run into airline personnel only partly familiar with the rules.

Be sure that your name, phone number, and the address where you are heading are listed on the rabbit's carrier. Also make sure that your rabbit has enough food and water (or some form of moisture) for much longer than the anticipated trip. Rabbits have been lost just like other luggage.

You can soak a carrot in water to provide moisture that won't spill out. I provide dishes of water and a small water bottle strapped to the inside of the carrier (you will probably find that you are not allowed to attach items to the outside).

Providing hay for your rabbit will help him deal with stress.

I was required to provide a carrier with a solid top. I zip-tied a piece of light plywood over the top of my carrier. I've seen sheetmetal tops, and even cardboard tops (placed inside the wire mesh of the carrier) that made it through the airline's redtape.

Cover the bottom of your carrier, if it is beneath a wire mesh where the rabbit cannot eat it, with an oversized puppy pad. Be sure to take extras for your visit and the trip home.

Expect your rabbit carrier to be thoroughly inspected by the airline.

For information about car travel with your pet rabbit, visit Pet Rabbit Car Travel at Precious Pet Rabbits.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Disaster Preparation

With 28 tropical storms and hurricanes this season, natural disasters are on our minds. I hope that your family has discussed evacuation and reunion plans. If you are separated in an evacuation, which distant relatives would you all contact with news that you are okay? And which basic needs will you gather and take with you?

We often think of water, flashlights, batteries, a radio, medication, and so forth. But pet owners also need to think about pet food and additional water.

If you do not have a small carrier for your pet rabbit, please buy one. They are not expensive and can be used for vet visits and vacations. Also, they can be used in the event that you must evacuate. You may not be able to fit a full-sized cage into your vehicle with everything else you must take.

If you have multiple pets, make sure you have plans for each of them. When time is limited, it will help you to be clear in your mind what your procedure is.

If you do not have a plan, sit down with your family, decide what is really important to you, divide up jobs and responsibilities, and purchase any emergency supplies you do not already have on hand. Keep perishables on your list like food and medication rotated.

Each time there is a disaster, many pets are separated from their owners. Certainly human life is our primary concern in any disaster, but with a little extra thought and preparation, your pets will not be among the lost and homeless.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun

Outdoor Pet Rabbits

Now that the weather is turning a bit colder, you may be worried about your pet rabbit being outdoors. Here a few things to consider.

Rabbit fur is very warm. It's amazing how well a rabbit can tolerate cold temperatures.

Your rabbit must stay dry at all times. His ability to keep warm is totally eliminated if he is wet. I cannot overemphasize the importance of keeping your rabbit dry.

Your pet rabbit must have a place to get away from wind and draft. If you pet rabbit is inside an unheated shed or barn, he should be fine. He must have at least one solid side (plus top) to his home. A small wooden box (with a wire bottom for sanitation) is great. You can also provide a tube or tunnel just a touch larger than your rabbit. I've often thought that a section of new plastic sewer pipe might work very well. Even an empty oatmeal box will allow your rabbit to conserve body heat. Some rabbit owners cover the cage with a tarp in foul weather. Others give their rabbits nest boxes full of hay.

You should bring your rabbit indoors anytime the weather service publishes alerts for outdoor animals. Even though your rabbit is probably better able to cope with the cold than your cat or dog, it's just not worth the risk. Bring him in for your peace of mind.

Another major concern in cold weather is frozen water. Rabbits need a relatively large amount of water in their diet. Be sure to provide fresh water every morning if his water is freezing at night. I use warm water to keep it thawed as long as possible. If the temperature is freezing during the day, I repeat as often as possible to keep my rabbits' water liquid all day long and at least part of the way into the night.

If your pet rabbit decreases his feed intake, suspect that he is not getting enough water.

Except for baby rabbits that wander out of the nest, I have never lost a rabbit to the cold. They are inside an unheated barn and we live in USDA zone 7a. If you live in a much colder zone, you may wish to contact an experienced rabbit breeder in your area to find out if you need to make any additional preparations for your pet rabbit.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Rabbit Breeders, And Rabbit Fun

Pet Rabbits And Molting

Molting is inevitable. Rabbit fur is not a thing of beauty forever. It's just for a season.

When your rabbit is molting, it is a great idea to brush his fur daily or even twice daily. Loose fur can be ingested and contribute to an intestinal blockage. Such blockages can be fatal. Obviously these blockages are the exception and not the rule, but you can reduce the risk even further by brushing and keeping loose fur removed from the cage.

Molting is as individual as your rabbit. Sometimes rabbits have loose fur for weeks or even months (yikes!), but never show patches of missing fur. Others are much more dramatic about their molting. One of my favorite rabbits, named Bear, molted a stripe down his back. He looked like someone had run a razor down his spine or he was creating a reinactment of the Parting of the Red Sea!

The type of molting I see most often starts around the muzzle and moves back. At one point, my rabbits often show a widow's peak that looks a bit like Count Dracula. Then the molt moves over the back and down the sides. Usually the fringe around the hocks and hindquarter is the last to molt out.

Sometimes rabbits seem to take no notice of a molt. Others look like they feel awful. You should not assume that behavior that is off is due to a molt, however. Check out all other sources of problems before you attribute the behavior to a molt.

You cannot avoid molts, but you can reduce the number of molts your rabbit experiences. The number one thing to do is keep his feeding program constant. Changes in protein, carbohydrates, and/or fiber can trigger a molt. Also, keep his temperature as constant as possible. Raising the temperature and then dropping it can trigger an additional molt.

Molting is generally not a huge issue in pet rabbit care. With some consistency in temperature and feeding, and brushing, you both should make it through molting just fine.

Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun