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| DR. MUGGINS ROCKO RABBIT AT WORK ON THE WEB SITE. |
Have other companion animals in your household? Click here to learn about rabbits in multi-animal situations (dogs, cats,
guinea pigs). At Rabbit References, click on "Care & Feeding." Select topic "Rabbits and Other Animals."
You probably
didn't realize this but we rabbits come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Mostly everyone is familiar with the
small and dwarf breeds, that is, rabbits that are from about 2-6 pounds. But we rabbits are medium sized, from 6-9 pounds,
large sized, from 9-11 pounds, and giant sized, from 12-26 pounds. The bigger we are, the larger our habitat
has to be.
In a cage-free,
rabbit-proofed environment where we are free to explore, we rabbits reveal ourselves to be intelligent, creative beings with
individual personalities. We respond to our names, usually come when called, and are affectionate with our humans by giving
them rabbit kisses. Social creatures, we do best when we have a fellow rabbit companion.
Consummate decorators, problem
solvers, and engineers, we entertain ourselves by rearranging furniture, figuring out how to open closed doors, and devising
construction projects. Industrious types, we love being kept busy. Insatiably curious, we are happy to supervise your projects
as well.
No need to by a new security or alarm system. If anything is amiss, we rabbits thump
our hind feet to alert the warren, our human family, that there is danger about. We have excellent hearing, up to about a
mile away, and have built in motion detectors far superior to anything human technology has come up with.
Throw away
your paper shredders because we can do that for you. We are experts at recycling books, newspapers, telephone directories
or catalogs. As great consumers of the written word, we have become excellent literary critics.
Natural athletes,
we will be happy to teach you rabbit games such as the Bunny 500. That's where we race through the house at top speed, using
furniture as an obstacle course, and you try to catch us. If we're in show-off mode we will throw in those straight up in
the air jumps with a half turn and a twist known as binkies.
We have a good sense of humor except when our human has
been unfaithful to us by snuggling a strange rabbit. Our sense of smell is far superior to yours so don't even think that
you can get away with it. We appreciate fidelity in our human companions.
We don't need to be walked, we don't fuss
or act out when left alone during the day, and we can coexist with the family dogs, cats, and other small mammals as long
as we are properly intoduced. Fortunately, most rabbit rescue organizations can help you do this.
I hope that I have
been helpful. For additional information, I have included the suggestions below.
RECOMMENDED READING
Harriman, Marinell (1995). House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live With an Urban Rabbit (3rd ed.) Alameda, CA: Drollery Press.
Smith, Kathy (revised 2003). Rabbit Health in the 21st Century: A Guide For Bunny Parents. Kansas City, MO: krsbunny@worldnet.att.net.
RECOMMENDED CLASS:
Introduction
to Rabbitology: A Course in Basic Rabbit Behavior and Care. Click on the link below or see the RabbitWise calendar.
This
is my final thought. It's about how we will impact your (ah hem) wallets. Initial estimated expenses including one of us rabbits,
housing, litter and litter boxes, toys, a rabbit care book, and first vet exam are about $300 to $400. Subsequent estimated
annual expenses for food, litter, and routine vet care are about $900-$1100.
Best wishes for a good and thoughtful
decision.
MRR
Take the Rabbitology class.
What else must I consider before I bring a rabbit home?
HELP US HELP THE RABBITS. Click on the Pay Pal button to make a donation. YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDCTIBLE!
RESPONSIBLE CARE IS THE RIGHT OF ALL RABBITS
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