Shout About Pets

Sure, a cute, furry animal like a rabbit seems the perfect present for Easter, but according to an animal welfare group, this really isn’t the case. The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund have released figures showing that:

• Looking after rabbits after Easter is over costs owners an average of £1,000 annually
• Worse still, thousands of these ‘Easter present’ rabbits end up in rescue centres when owners change their minds or find they can’t look after them

The need to find a great gift for Easter or any other seasonal occasion isn’t a good enough reason to get a pet. You should only do so when you are sure you have the time, energy and money to give these cute little creatures the care and love they deserve. Go for a chocolate Easter rabbit instead!

The decision to adopt a rescue animal is a hugely rewarding one.  Its not jut cats and dogs that become in need of new homes.  There are many rabbits across the UK looking for loving owners.  Before you take the plunge however here are some tips for helping your pet rabbit to settle in.

Any rescue pet should be viewed in a similar light to that of foster children.  They will have formed attachments and associations with a previous owner.  Their response to a breakdown in a relationship is the same as in humans – they are left with a deep sense of insecurity.  So you need to be patient and remember just how nervous and unsure your new arrival is.

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Reports were released this year from the veterinary charity, PDSA, this year regarding the sharp increase in reported cases of myxomatosis, an illness that can cause fatalities in pet rabbits. 

The PDSA vets working within the Hull and Romford area reported increases of over 300 per cent in a twelve month period.  There were also large increases reported in Birmingham of rabbits being treated with the disease.

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When choosing the name of any pet it can be a difficult task and you will be inundated by advice and suggestions from friends and family.  There are plenty of tip on the web suggesting using human names or names of famous people or characters out of books.  However here are some tips that are worth considering when choosing a name that will make the handling of your rabbit much easier.

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I had a scare today when my neighbour let her rabbit out in the garden and simply walked away without supervising it.  Being unaware that her pet rabbit was on the mooch I had let my own two dogs outside to soak up the sun. I noticed they were frantically scuffling around near the fence and there I spotted a rather terrified looking rabbit that was transfixed to the spot close enough for scrabbling paws to touch her.

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Do not pick up your rabbit by the ears
Do not feed your rabbit human treats such as chocolate
Make sure you make vegetables and hay the base of your rabbit’s diet
Buy a cage big enough to allow your rabbit to move about
Make sure there is always a water bottle, food dish, litter tray and toys for him to play with
Make fresh water available at all times
Buy chew treats as rabbit love to chew
Rabbits are prone to temper tantrums.  This is normal!  Don’t panic.
You need to give your rabbit plenty of love and affection.  Make sure you visit them if they are outside.
When picking up a rabbit make sure he feels secure by holding his feet.  If not they will struggle.
Your rabbit will love to chew on apple tree branches but please avoid the following as they are poisonous to your rabbit:  cherry, plum, apricot, peach
When bonding with a rabbit you need to have mountains of patience and time.  It will happen eventually.
Be sure to protect your rabbit from potential predators both in the home i.e. your other pets and outside
Clean you rabbit’s cage regularly
Keep the cage out of direct sunlight and drafts

Rabbits are very clean creatures on the whole but you will need to give them a little training on using their litter tray if you keep your rabbit indoors.  Choose the size of the litter tray according to the size of your rabbit.  You’ll need on with low sides for a little or baby rabbit and you’ll need at least one.  However, if you can, get a couple of trays.  The more opportunities you give your rabbit to use the tray the more likely they are to succeed.

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If you have a pet rabbit that turns into a ferocious snapping bunny when someone tries to pick it up it’s a clear sign the rabbit has not been used to being handled.  Alternatively the person picking it up may not be handling your rabbit properly so it feels threatened. 

If you have a severe case of biting, then build up trust slowly.  Try to get the rabbit used to touch initially by stoking it with a brush on a pole.  This will keep you safe fro any attack from the rabbit and allow the rabbit to adjust to being touched.  After some time when your rabbit has got used to the brush you should be able to start stroking him without get a nasty nip! 

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If you have a pet rabbit and you want to keep it outside you need to provide it with a large abode
When choosing your hutch go armed with some key facts about your rabbit.  How big will it grow in adulthood?  As a guide your adult rabbit should be able to sit up fully stretched on its hind legs and be able to stretch out length ways.

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