Rabbits

August 5 2021

What Type of Rabbit Breed Should You Adopt?

For a social, caged, non-odorous pet, consider adopting a rabbit! Beyond being uber-concerned with cleanliness, they have many characteristics which make them well-suited to those who want a quiet, indoor pet, especially when living in a smaller living space.

Intelligent and playful animals, rabbits make excellent companions as they are interactive like dogs while being more trainable than cats. And those who prefer to keep accidents to a minimum will be happy to learn rabbits easily learn to use a litterbox. Plus they don’t yowl, bark, or have loud vocalizations.

Beyond the basics of caring for your pet rabbit, here are a few breeds to consider.

Rex. These velveteen rabbits’ fur gives an enjoyable tactile experience – shown by research to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. These do not have issues with their teeth growing in at odd angles which would require filing down. Their straight ears mean few if any ear infections which lop-eared rabbits are prone to and come in mini and standard sizes, as well as a multitude of colors.

Himalayan. Contrary to the name, no proof exists that these originated in the Himalayas; however, these small to mini-sized rabbits only grow to between two and a half to five pounds. Sensitive to cold temperatures, a Himalayan won’t require as large a cage and are not as at-risk as other rabbit breeds for disease. Gentle, firm correction will teach them to trust you.

Havana. The name stems from their color being akin to the cigar, not the country, and these medium-sized rabbits reach 4.5 to six pounds full-grown. Living for between five and eight years, they come in four colors. What makes them ideal? They love to bond with their family and do not need much maintenance. Plus, they, like other rabbits, are highly trainable.

In addition to choosing your breed, make sure to keep these in mind for a happy rabbit.

Habitat. Introverts in the animal world, rabbits love having a place to feel safe and hide, in addition to jumping and digging. The floor should be covered in a soft material to prevent hock sores (wire flooring can damage their paws). Avoid pine or other wood shavings though, as they can be toxic especially when your rabbit ingests them. They’ll also need access to fresh water in a bowl or water bottle.

Play. Certain durable plastic cat, bird, or baby toys will provide them with a means of amusing themselves since they love to chew and throw things. Rabbits also enjoy playing with balls, pushing them around with their noses. This will also prevent them from chewing on their cage.

Bed. Set up a quiet zone for sleeping, like a small cardboard box with a hole cut into one corner. Even though rabbits enjoy being social, they need a getaway to feel safe and have some privacy. They might enjoy having a rabbit-safe blanket to make a nest for themselves. Check with your vet and pet store.

Positive veterinarian doctor communicating with cute dog's owner in medical office

February 25 2021

Why Should I get my Female Pet Spayed?

Cats, Dogs, Farm Animals, Ferrets, Health Tips, Kittens, Pet Care, Rabbits

Pet overpopulation troubles many places around the country, especially from stray animals. How can you work to reduce this problem? By spaying or neutering your cat or dog. It’s a simple solution, but some people question why it’s necessary.

My cat is an exclusively indoor pet. Pets tend to be escape artists, sneaking out the door underfoot. They can then become difficult to find and if not spayed and in heat, might find a partner to breed. Owners then end up with unwanted kittens to feed, provide veterinary care for, euthanize, or give away. This also increases their tendency for becoming injured from cars or fights with other animals. Side note: this is also why rabies vaccinations are important, even for indoor pets.

Health risks for unspayed female pets. As pets age, reproductive organs also age, bringing with them more medical issues. For female cats and dogs, risks for uterine infections and breast cancer increase exponentially. In 50% of female dogs and 90% of female cats, these diseases will ultimately claim their lives.

Other issues with intact female pets. When female dogs and cats are in heat, they become vocal and can urinate more frequently than typical (marking). This time lasts, on average, for four to five days out of every three weeks. You’ll also need hygiene products during their menstrual cycles such as diapers and pads, and she might need to urinate more frequently.

When is the best time to spay? To avoid unwanted behaviors developing, most vets advise to spay prior to your dog or cat’s first heat; however, older pets benefit as well and will live a longer, healthier life.

What about the cost? Unplanned veterinary expenses add up fast. You’ll also need additional food, toys, pet beds, and yearly checkups, potential surgical procedures, and ongoing vaccinations. A simple spay is far less costly than all of those for the lives of multiple other pets. In addition, check into local county resources which might offer them at a lower cost.

Myths about spaying and neutering. A spay procedure will not make them fat! Overweight pets are a product of overeating and infrequent exercise. Monitor food intake and give them plenty of activity.

Can’t I use this to teach my children responsibility or the miracle of birth? There are a multitude of other ways to do both of these, and without putting additional strain on your household from more pets and the associated costs. Look to videos, books, and online resources instead.

August 3 2020

How to Prepare Pets for an Emergency

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Emergency, Ferrets, Fish, Kittens, Livestock, Llamas, Microchip, Pet Care, Pigs, Rabbits, Reptiles, Snakes

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters can occur with little notice. It is important to make sure you are prepared well in advance. If you wait until you are in the moment to gather needed supplies, you may miss something in your haste. We have prepared a simple list of things to consider when making your own emergency plan.

1. Identification
It is important your pet has proper identification. An ID tag on their collar that includes your address or phone number as well as having your pet microchipped can ensure a safe and quick reunion should you become separated from your pet. Place recent photos (from multiple angles) along with a full description of their markings in a waterproof folder.

2. Food & Water
Prepare at least 5 days of food that will keep in a Ziploc bag. Make sure you have potable water for each of your pets. One gallon per person is recommended. However, most pets won’t likely need that much on hand. Don’t forget food and water bowls and a can opener for wet food.

3. Medications & Records
Make sure you have a minimum of two weeks’ worth of any medications you or your pet may need. A 30-day supply would be even better. Keep your pets up to date on all necessary vaccines ahead of time and store a copy of their medical records in waterproof folders. If you need to evacuate to a shelter, you may need to prove their vaccine history before admission.

4. Contacts
Keep a list of all emergency phone numbers including your veterinarian and emergency hospitals. Also take note of pet-friendly hotels, shelters and local boarding facilities in case you need to evacuate your area. If possible, make housing arrangements in advance for you and your pets before a storm hits. Make reservations ahead of time and print out directions.

5. Safety
Locate and keep handy pet carriers, leashes and harnesses, flashlights with extra batteries, weather radio, and first aid kits of the human and pet variety. You will want these things handy in case of injuries, power outages, and emergency travel.

While we hope you never need to take these precautions, but Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It is better to be prepared than to be caught unaware.

July 10 2020

Rabbit Care for Beginners

Pet Care, Rabbits

Adopt a Rabbit week is coming up – July 15-21. If you have wondered how to care for one, here’s how to know if a rabbit is the right pet for your family. These gentle, sociable animals make wonderful companion pets but require a little research on how to properly care for them.

Domestic rabbits are sensitive to extreme temperature changes, especially hot and humid weather, and are susceptible to predators. Even with an outdoor hutch, simply seeing or hearing a predator can result in a heart attack. The safest place for your rabbit is an indoor cage.

What size cage do you need? The cage dimensions should equal five times your rabbit’s full-grown size. However, they need time outside their cage to play in a safe area. Baby gates work well to keep them in a contained area, and cover outlets and move all electronic devices and cords out of reach. Rabbits naturally like to chew; however, using chew toys can redirect this behavior from simply destroying objects.

With training, rabbits can learn to use a litter box but purchase organic paper, wood pulp, or citrus litter. Stay away from cat litter or cedar/pine shavings as these can cause health problems. Litter boxes should have one side much lower for easy hopping in and out and be placed nearby when rabbits roam and play outside their cage.

For their diet, incorporate leafy, dark-green veggies along with some fruits and treats. Give them Timothy hay each day to keep their digestive system moving and prevent hairballs from forming since rabbits cannot vomit. Their sensitive stomachs cannot handle everything though; ask your veterinarian which foods they can and cannot have. Use a water dish or dispenser so they have access to fresh water at all times.

As with cats and dogs, rabbits benefit from yearly vet checkups. When searching for a new vet, ask about their experience in treating rabbits. While in the US, rabbits do not need vaccinations, they do benefit from spaying or neutering.

These crepuscular pets are most active at dawn and dusk, ideal times for socialization and exploration, but they startle easily to loud noises. Stay calm when interacting with them as they learn to trust you, but patience and good care will establish a lifelong bond with you.

May 20 2020

Why should I microchip my pets?

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Fish, Livestock, Llamas, Microchip, Pet Care, Pigs, Rabbits, Reptiles

Microchipping your pets is important for their safety, and if you’ve been hesitating, we’ve outlined some things to consider.

Why should you microchip? Approximately ten million pets get lost each year. Microchipping increases the chances of your pet being reunified with you. Collars and tags break or come off, especially those which release when caught. A permanent microchip keeps contact information with your pet, but use a collar and tag for backup.
Are microchips harmful? The device is approximately the size of a grain of rice. Inserting it under the skin is akin to giving them a vaccination.
What information does a microchip store? Each microchip id tag assigns a unique number to your pet, like a social security number. Your information is stored on the registry’s database, not the microchip itself.
The shelter microchipped my pet – isn’t that enough? Probably not. It might still be registered to the shelter or even a previous owner. Updating the registry will allow your pet to be returned to you.
Do microchips have GPS? No, it is considered a passive transponder, since it does not have a power source. A scanner causes the microchip to emit its code, which is put into the database to find your contact information.

Microchips come in several frequencies. If you are looking into microchipping for the first time, ask about the international standard chip, which operates at 134.2 kHz (kiloHertz). Most of the world uses this frequency, and the US is moving toward this being the most
common one as well.

Beyond dogs and cats, which other kinds of pets can be microchipped? Goats, rabbits, miniature pigs, llamas, alpacas, sheep, reptiles and fish, and even birds. If you think your pet might get out of the house and run away, microchipping is a small price to pay to find
them. Register on multiple databases for added security.

Microchips are permanent and cannot fall out. A veterinary clinic or shelter can look for them and contact you for quick reunification with your lost pet. Microchip lookup results in cats being reunited with owners 20 times more frequently than those without, and dogs with microchips are returned 2.5 times more.

Lastly, make sure to keep it registered on the national database, and update your contact information if you move. Without registering your microchip, it will not be able to do its job.

April 26 2020

Hairballs! Which animals get them, and what do I do?

Cats, Ferrets, Rabbits

Where do hairballs come from? Normal in cats, hairballs occur by ingesting their own fur during grooming. What exactly is a hairball? An accumulation of fur in the stomach. While some never have problems, others experience the hair packing itself in along with food, grass, or other small particles.

Since it irritates the GI tract, cats expel the hairball through their mouths, causing an unsightly mess. Once thought normal, hairballs are now receiving more attention as it can block the GI tract and cause infections or even – in extreme cases – death through rupture of the stomach. Most hair passes all the way through without a problem.

What warning signs would indicate a hairball is unable to pass through? Lethargy or a refusal to eat for more than a day, or if your cat acts like she wants to expel something through retching motions, with no result. A veterinarian can diagnose through testing and then most likely treat through laxatives. Cat owners should always let a veterinarian prescribe and perhaps administer laxatives, though.

Although most common in cats, rabbits and ferrets can have issues with hairballs as well. Occasionally cattle experience difficulty because they cannot cough up or digest them. Hairballs in dogs are rarer – and dangerous.

For rabbits, hairballs can cause a more serious issue as they cannot vomit. With their sensitive GI tract, immediate veterinary treatment is necessary or they might stop eating and suffer from dehydration. Prevent it with lots of hay and fiber from vegetables to keep their systems moving. But look for lack of stool production, large amounts of visible hair in stools, decreased appetite, or weight loss as potential warning signs.

To prevent or minimize hairballs, groom your cat regularly, especially those with longer hair. To avoid hairballs forming due to dehydration, ensure your cat has access to plenty of clean water every day. Offering catnip or cat grass will provide extra fiber, which helps keep their systems moving. Some have advocated for giving pets pineapple juice or papaya enzymes; however, no scientific evidence exists to back up these claims. For those who struggle with lots of hairballs, talk to your vet about additional strategies.