By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Easter is coming quickly and it is this time of year that many loving parents consider purchasing their children a rabbit as a present. On the surface this may seem like a kind gesture. Who doesn’t love to see children holding a baby bunny close? The issue arises when the rabbit demands more attention than the child and parents can give and they decide to either neglect or get rid of the rabbit.
Many household rabbits are released during this time of year into the wild. People put them in the yard, thinking they’ll be fine. The truth is that they’re fooling themselves. The rabbit’s fate is nearly certain a horrific and sad death.
Others keep the rabbit, but neglect it. They build a hutch outside and feed it, yet pay no attention or concern for the bun’s needs. Others will get a cage inside, but do the same and basically ignore the rabbit only showing affection when it suits them. As rabbits live an estimate of 10 years or longer, one should not adopt a rabbit unless they are sure of the commitment and recognize the rabbit’s needs and are willing to accomodate them.
The truth is that rabbits need to run free. In my home I have two bunnies. I have a gray Lionhead rabbit named King Arino BunBun Garza and his sister a black Lionhead Queen Princess Miko Suave Baby Garza. Both have been fixed which is important whether you only have one bunny or multiple. This helps ensure good health and diminish the chances of types of cancer and early death. This also helps tame the rabbit and aids in behavioral issues. Neutering Arino was approximately $200 and as Miko’s procedure was a hasher surgery, it cost approximately $250. Prior to obtaining a veterinarian, it’s important to do research. I ensured that mine had a stellar background and specialized in rabbit care. We take our bunnies in once a year for their standard routine and more often if we suspect anything is wrong. We actually utilize a credit card that specializes in vet care and doesn’t charge any interest for 6 months as long as the balance is paid.
Beyond that it’s also important to have close the name and number of the closest 24 hour animal hospital in the event of an emergency. When I felt that Arino had been acting funny and peeing on the bed, which he never does, I rushed him to the hospital which cost over $500. Thankfully, he was fine and just acting out as we were doing some remodeling in the living room and had shut him off from the area which he was accustomed to having access to.
It’s also important to recognize that there will be times that you may feel necessary to bring the rabbit to a hospital for situations you’re unsure of. This is because rabbits have the instincts of hiding any type of ailment as they are traditionally the prey in the wild. So, recognizing behavioral changes, changes in appetite, or most importantly the changes in their droppings is part of taking on the responsibility of owning a rabbit. Yes, examining their poop to make sure it’s as it should be is part of being a responsible bunny parent. Also taking the time to research what their poop should look like versus indications he/she may be sick and need medical treatment is extremely necessary as well.
Also know that it’s important to take care of hygiene needs that help keep the bunny healthy like clipping their nails (and finding out the right way to do it to avoid them bleeding), brushing them, trimming their hair, checking for any abnormalities, and examining their teeth to ensure they are not growing too long.
Then there are just the basics. My husband and I spend approximately $29.99 on Timothy Hay a month and we obtain it from a reputable source where we are sure they receive all the nutrients they need and is freshly cut. We spend $50.00 on litter a month as ours are trained to go in the litter box. We change the litter box at least every 2 days and have 3 large litter boxes for our 2 bunnies. The largest is the bottom of a small cage that we dismantled and left only the plastic part for them to both sleep, eat and poop in. Each litter box is half litter and half hay. We also make sure there is plenty of hay around so they can eat it.
Next is traditional food. We spend approximately $25.00 on food a month not including their nightly salads with their greens. Purchasing parsley, carrot greens, watercress, romaine lettuce and dandelions to make sure they both get around 2 cups a night of greens isn’t cheap. We spend another $60.00 a month simply to ensure their nightly salad.
Then, there is traditional treats. Our bunnies prefer something called Yogies. We buy the berry and carrot ones and that’s another $10.00 a month as we give them a maximum of 2 treats a day.
Next is chewing toys. To ensure dental care it’s important to get a lot of chewing toys. We spend another $20 a month on chewing toys. Over the course of a year and a half we have also bought them a cardboard castle, 3 plush tunnels, and countless other toys and accessories as it’s important to make sure a bunny is occupied and not bored.
Next comes home defense. Bunnies are curious little creatures and when there is a barrier, they want to get by. I always picture my bunnies saying in Ronald Reagan’s voice “Mr. Gorbechav, tear down this wall!” We have lost countless headphone wires, telephone wires, and even an unplugged heater cord because they were able to get through our barriers or get up to a place we had thought we blocked. One may try to train their bunny to not eat wires, but it’s instinct. When it happens, just be happy that the bun is okay and remind yourself that it’s YOUR fault that it wasn’t blocked enough. Within a few months my husband and I have learned mostly. We’ve used metal gates, large tall boxes filled with heavy things and wooden barricades to block the entrances to the TV. Our computer wires go into a tall hamper when not in use.
Lastly one should consider how many vacations they take per year and who they can trust to take proper care of their babies. My husband and I leave for Georgia on April 16th and return on April 22nd. My mother who lives next door is taking the bunnies for that timeframe. I trust her implicitly. Still, I have a list of everything they require. My husband pre-prepares their salads and labels each one.
As they can’t have the run of the whole house at my mother’s, for her grandbunnies, she purchased the largest round bunny pen with a 3 extra panel extension. Now that I know my bunnies will not be confined to a cage for the majority of my trip, I can relax and have a good time. Still every night, I’ll call and check up on them and sing them lullabies over the phone so they know mommy and daddy are only a phone call away and are most certainly coming back for them.
Now, I’m aware that not everyone pays this much attention to their rabbit(s), but I know mine appreciate that they are the center of both me and my husband’s world.
So I ask you before you go out and adopt (please adopt and do not purchase) a rabbit, read this thouroughly and then look up more information. When Arino first jumped into my lap, my instinct was to bring him home and read everything I could about rabbits so though I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, I would certainly know where to find experts when needed.
Speaking of experts, upon adopting Arino, I immediately found information through the House Rabbit Network which I cannot recommend enough. In fact, if after reading this you feel a rabbit is too much responsibility, why don’t you donate to the care of rabbits in need. You can then let your child know what a good deed they’ve done and that they aided in saving a bunny’s life.
For more information to adopt or donate, visit their website: http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/ or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-Rabbit-Network/201518592185
I thank you kindly for taking the time to read my experience with my children Arino and Miko and after reading this you opt to adopt please contact the House Rabbit Network as I can personally testify to their professionalism and care of the rabbits. I have visited the actual location when I was dropping off donations and was elated to see how wonderful the rabbits were cared for and how much the staff cared themselves.
In conclusion, have a wonderful Easter, but remember a rabbit isn’t a gift – it’s a long term commitment.
Thank you.
This message is bunny approved by King Arino BunBun Garza.
