Super Duper Yummy Rabbit Treats

Thanks to cartoons, many people think that carrots are synonymous with rabbits. While a rabbit will chow down on a carrot when given the chance, carrots are not the most healthy option for your rabbit. When given too many carrots, a rabbit can experience digestive problems, especially if they are not used to eating them.

But have no fear, Cosmo is here to provide you with some healthy treat alternatives for your bunnies:

• Dry oatmeal - This enjoyable snack is good for reducing stress on your rabbit. Oatmeal can also help your rabbit gain weight if it is too thin.
• Parsley - If your bunny has a lack of appetite, this delectable snack can give it jump-start.
• Dried Papaya and Pineapples - These tropical treats a good for solving wool block (the rabbit version of a hair ball). You can find pet versions of this dried fruit at your local pet store. You can feed your rabbit the type from the grocery store, but it may be more expensive. Be sure to give this treat to your rabbit in small amounts (a little piece or two).
  
• Dandelion - Here is a good way to put the rampant weed in your yard to good use. Rabbits love the taste of dandelion leaves. My owner often garnishes my food with a dandelion or two, especially during spring time!
  

These are only a few selected choices of healthy rabbit treats. There are many other snacks that have benefits for your rabbit! For more ideas, visit this in-depth list.

Cleaning Those Cages

I sympathize with my owners. Running a bunny barn is no easy business. Aside from feeding and caring for over 40 rabbits, they are often faced with the daunting task of cleaning 25 or so large, wire cages on a weekly basis.

While most weekly cleanings only involve replacing the pine shavings within the trays of the various cages, every so often the bottom of the cages will become clogged with hair, hay and rabbit droppings. One of the best tools for removing these clogs (and giving the cages a good scrubbing) is a wire brush. 

A wire brush can be purchased from your various home repair centers (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.). Purchasing a brush with a scraper on the head is my recommendation as it allows you to really knock out any stubborn clogs.

While most people do not have to take care of as nearly many rabbits as my owners, if you are a breeder or die hard rabbit owner, a wire brush is a must-have tool! 

Funny Rabbit Joke

Q: How do you catch a unique rabbit?

A: "Unique" up on him.

Q: How do you catch a tame rabbit?

A: "Tame" way. "Unique" up on him.

It's Been a While!

Friends, countrymen and rabbiteers . . . it has been a while. I 

have neglected posting to my blog as this winter has been harsh, but exciting. I am very happy to let you know that I am now the proud father of six healthy flemish giant babies. They are very active and doing great. I would not be a true father if I didn't share a few pictures of them! You can view them here, here and here. All of them have been reserved and will soon be taken to homes with loving families. 

One instance did occur while my children were growing up that I would like to share with you. While the babies were living with their mother, my owner made the mistake of using pine shavings as bedding in their nestbox. While pine shavings can be used as bedding for one rabbit without incident, if a group of rabbits reside within the cage they can often kick up the shavings into each other's faces. This occurred with my children, causing one of them to get an eye infection from the pine shavings. 

I would recommend that if you are keeping multiple rabbits in a cage with a solid floor, that you use wood pellets or horse bedding as opposed to pine shavings. This will help prevent any potential eye problems that may be caused from the dust of the pine shavings, not to mention it is much more comfortable. 

Cheers!

Can't We All Just Get Along?

It is not uncommon for owners of rabbits to keep two bunnies from the same litter (litter mates) in one cage. Some owners even buy their bunny a friend and bond the two rabbits. In order for bunnies to bond, they must be neutered. The only exception is two females from a litter.

However over time as the rabbits grow older, they may begin to grow territorial. This can lead to bouts of fighting. You may notice that one rabbit begins to bully the other one around by snapping at them.

Fortunately there are some tips and tricks to help your pet rabbits get along with one another (short of giving them boxing gloves to duke it out).

Please note that these tips only work with rabbits of the same litter. One should never keep two male rabbits in the same cage from different litters as they will naturally fight.

1. Re-arrange the cage. Over time as the rabbits live in the same cage together they will being to claim ownership to certain areas. One pet rabbit may stake out the space by the food dish as his by marking that area with his scent. Re-arranging the cage makes the home seem new to the rabbits, so they are not establish a bond with any specific space within the cage.

2. Clean the cage. For the same reason above, cleaning the cage can often help eliminate scents the rabbits may have marked their territory with.

3. Take them for a ride. Being in a moving car will be a new place for the bunnies and cause them to be naturally scared and unsure. If both rabbits are in the same carrier they will be forced to use each other for comfort.

4. Rabbit therapy. Make an appointment with Dr. Cosmo. Okay, I made that one up.

Born to NOT Be Wild

Rabbits, along with cats and dogs, are domesticated pets. That means for the most part we are not going to head for the hills whenever we see a human come our way. We are used to having humans around and don't mind it at all (aside from some of the odors). My breed, the flemish giant, has been domesticated since the early 1800s....so I would have to go waaaaaay back on my family tree to find a member of my family that was truly wild.

Sadly, some people do not know this. There are many times that people will buy a rabbit, only to tire of it. They get bored with cleaning its cage and taking care of it everyday (even though it is minimal work). So rather than selling the rabbit or taking it to a rabbit breeder, they let it loose in the wild, thinking they are doing it a great favor.

Yes, I understand that there are wild rabbits out there. But rabbits you buy and keep as pets are domesticated. Letting them into the wild is not doing them a favor at all. In fact, it is almost certain that the rabbit will not make it through the first night. There are many predators out there, and us domesticated rabbits are not all that sure how to avoid them.

If you have a rabbit you have grown tired of, the best thing to do is to contact a local rabbit breeder to see if they will take the rabbit. I guarantee that there is another family out there willing to welcome the rabbit into their home with open arms!

New Poll . . . What is Your Favorite Rabbit?

I've posted a new poll on my blog here (you will see it to your right). I want to know what is your favorite type of rabbit? Are you a Flemish Giant Person? A Holland Lopper? A Dwarf-lover? Vote today and let's find out what the most popular rabbit type is!