The Easter Mistake

      The Easter Bunny is the cute and cuddly icon of the Easter season. In the media we see the Easter Bunny as the adorable child loving creature that hands out candy one day a year, however it is critical you don't make The Easter Mistake!

Although this seems like a rather creepy experience to us,

this is a pleasant event for a child and shapes their perception

of bunnies.

       Now I am aware that this is a belated Easter post, however it is very common for a cute kid to beg and plead their parents for a bunny on Easter and it takes a couple days to finally break and head to the pet store. If this is you or you know someone like this then this blog is for you! Do not buy a bunny for your child unless your SURE you all are prepared for the full responsibility.


      
1. Start by understanding the length of commitment you are in for:

Most pet stores do not actually know what breed of rabbits they are selling, nor are they required to inform customers of their true lifespan. Many of the rabbits are American breeds and can grow to as much as 10-12 pounds. The average life span of these rabbits is 10 years.

2.  Next it is important to understand the true temperament of bunnies, and how it compares to    that of your child:

If your child was expecting the cute little fluff ball that they could hug and squeeze, like a tiny, household version of Lenny from "Of Mice and Men" (With a completely alternate ending!) then you may want to reconsider. According to the House Rabbit Society, based in California, rabbits are gentle natured creatures who are very sensitive to their environment. The usual energetic qualities of children may be still to stressful for a young bunny.

If your child is expecting to do this...:

                                                             

...Than they may be disappointed. Rabbits need to build trust for you and your child just like a dog or a cat. With proper care, and frequent contact and interactions, rabbits can learn to be calm and relaxed around people and learn to love you too. Although Children want to carry and cuddle new bunnies just like a plush toys, and the truth is that they feel insecure and scared in response to a child's love. They are animals and you need to earn their friendship.

Now if you have made it this far and still believe you and your child are in this for the right reasons and can handle this type of pet then please continue...

      

3.  Feeding your bunny:

Rabbits should be consistently fed quality pellets. Pellets are the typical "rabbit food" that you can buy at the pet store. The House rabbit society recommends a food that is 18% in fiber and not to purchase more than 6 months of food at a time because it can spoil. Also you may feed your rabbit fresh hay, oat hay, and fresh veggies such as parsley, mustard greens and spinach. You feed your rabbit about 1 cup of greens for 2 lbs. of rabbit body weight once a day or divided into multiple feedings a day. Also a quarter cup of pellets per 6 pounds per day.

Avoid lettuces! (In my opinion) the most common lettuces, such as iceberg, contain chemicals that have been linked to causing diarrhea and in some cases death in rabbits. But others believe that their rabbits love lettuce and does not negatively effect them as long as they have very small quantities. I advise new rabbit owners to take every precaution to keep their bunny healthy. No parent or child really wants to deal with a sick bunny, and no animal lover wants to see you give up a new bunny because you weren't prepared.  

      

4. Housing your bunny:

Most people use some form of a cage or a pen to house their rabbit. In this case than the larger the better! If you have the space to spare then even a large dog cage would be idea. Next it is important to have the right fixtures in this cage to make sure that your bunny is happy, comfortable, and secure. Here are some reccomendations:

              -Shredded paper bedding.

              -Rabbit litter boxes with silica cat litter.

              -Heavier Ceramic food and water bowl. (Bunnies like to tip over their bowls)

              -Place the cage off the floor if you have a dog or cat so they feel safe.

              -Avoid blankets and beds at first, rabbits like to chew!

              -Provide fun rabbit toys like a ball or a bell.

         

Just an example, I would still prefer the shredded paper bottom.

             

      

5. If you did make The Easter Mistake, here are your best options:

First you should try to reach out to any friends and family that may have experience in rabbit care and would be able to take them in. If you know capable people, and have the ability to not waste the resources of non-profit organizations and other shelters, then please take this option.

Next you can do some research and find helpful no-kill organizations. For example, in the boston area, their are MSPCA sponsored pet hospitals that have "Common Surrender". MSPCA is a national organization for the betterment of pets and animals, and with a little bit of research I'm sure there is one nearby, or at very least something of comparable quality.

But what ever you do PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not just release your rabbit into the wild. It may seem like a smart idea to go to the local town forest or park and let them go where you sometimes see other bunnies. That's just not how it works!

Most people think, "Look at this little guy, so cute, its not like he's a predator or anything so it wouldn't hurt the ecosystem." WRONG. Allow me to begin with the fact that female rabbits are fertile for just about the entirety of their lives AND they reproduce at an astounding rate. A massive population boom in a small area can cause anything from it being impossible to grow a garden, to wild vegetation becoming locally extinct.

That's if your bunny even survives that long! The rabbits from the pet store are subjects of selective breeding to make them appealing to humans as pets. They are essentially handicapped when compared to the wild rabbit. They have been deprived the opportunity to learn to defend themselves or understand what is safe to eat in the wild.  They have been bred to have light colored furs that are pleasant for people to look at, but horrible for camouflage. Lastly they do not understand weather patterns due to their extensive time indoors. They do not know how to protect themselves from the elements, for example they wouldn't find a dry location to rest while it rains. This will ultimately cause them to be over chilled  and develop pneumonia and potentially die.

Rabbitadvocates.org says "A domestic rabbit turned loose may survive for a short time but will probably eventually fall prey to injury and/or illness. His life might not end peacefully and he might experience considerable suffering in the process. Of course, the former owner will be long gone and will not have to witness this sad ending. "

That statement is a bit harsh for me but I think it get's the point across. And most importantly, it's not wrong!

Sorry to end on such a depressing note, but remember to keep it organic and as Bob Barker would say, remember to have your pets spayed and neutered!

Here's my favorite type of bunnies to lift your spirits:)

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-The Greenist Blog