Rabbits as pets take special care

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Rabbits are cute, cuddly and hard to resist--but they're not exactly "starter pets."

That's the word of warning from the Larimer Humane Society, which has rabbits available for adoption. "Many parents see them as low-maintenance pets," said Cary Rentola of the Humane Society, "but nothing could be farther from the truth."

Rentola explained that rabbits are fragile and require special care. Children can be too rough with them and frighten them, which causes rabbits to bite or scratch.

"They're great pets for families," Rentola said, "but adults should be the primary caregivers until children understand their special needs." As anyone who has handled rabbits can attest, the little critters have very strong hind feet that can make a hefty scratch if they're not handled properly.

Rentola also dispensed with other commonly held views about rabbits as pets. For one, she said, bunnies are very social animals and should not be kept outside in a hutch. "A backyard hutch forces them to live in isolation," she said, "and they want to be part of the family." Also, if a dog or another perceived predator approaches the rabbit's cage, the animal can become so frightened it can die of a heart attack.

Once the special needs are realized, Rentola said, rabbits do make great pets because they're very affectionate, curious and intelligent. They're also a good choice for a small space. When kept indoors, rabbits have a life span of seven to 10 years.

Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box in the house. "They're very clean by nature," said Rentola, "and they will try to keep their living quarters clean." As a result, if caregivers pay attention to where the rabbit habitually relieves itself, they can place a litter box in that area. The box should be filled with a grass hay or newspaper litter pellets, since the clay litter used in cat boxes causes health problems for rabbits.

There are three components to a healthy rabbit diet, Rentola noted. The first is grass hay, which keeps their intestinal tracts healthy. An unlimited supply of hay should always be available to the rabbit. Second is a quality rabbit pellet. Rentola recommends a formula with 15 to 19 percent protein and 18 percent fiber. A baby rabbit can have as many pellets as it wants, but an adult needs only one-eighth to one-fourth cup daily.

The third ingredient in a good diet is fresh, leafy greens such as dark-leaf lettuces, collard greens, turnip greens and carrot tops. Typically, a 6-pound rabbit will eat about two pounds of greens each day. Of course, fresh water is also a necessity.

Some youngsters learn how to care for rabbits by raising them as a 4-H project. Cindi Lee of Wellington, whose daughters both raise rabbits for 4-H, said the family learned how to care for and show the critters by reading the 4-H manuals, talking to other rabbit owners and checking out the American Rabbit Breeders Association web site.

At the Larimer Humane Society, rabbits can be adopted for $30, or two for $50. The cost includes spay or neuter surgery. For those just embarking on the rabbit route, start-up costs can run from $145 to $200, including a cage, travel carrier, litter box and food. A rabbit owner should also check around to see which veterinarians treat bunnies.

A good source of information on rabbits as pets is the House Rabbit Society. Their web site is www.rabbit.org. People may also call the Humane Society at 226-3647 or check out the book, "House Rabbit Handbook, How to Live With an Urban Rabbit," by Marinell Harriman. The book is available at the Humane Society.

ARBA's web site is www.americanrabbitbreedersassociation.com.