There are plenty of companies that market dangerous treats to rabbit parents by using a cute bunny on the packaging. They may even falsely say one of their products is especially for rabbits, despite including ingredients that can cause health issues.
I’m an experienced rabbit owner, yet even I have fallen for these marketing tricks.
So, how can you figure out which treats are safe and which you shouldn’t waste your money on?
Maria Lary of Texas worked at a veterinary office and decided to start her own Etsy shop AshyandCC. She shares some things that she considers when making treats for her shop and picking out food for her own rabbits.
How do you know whether the ingredients in treats are healthy for rabbits?
There are many different types of treats out there, like herb mixes, willow balls, compressed timothy hay cubes. When choosing between all these options, make sure to look at the ingredients on the packaging or the online listing.
Lary says she would double check with the exotic vet at her office to make sure certain foods were okay for her rabbit. But you can also do your own research, comparing packaging ingredients to lists of healthy foods on trusted websites.
“Google would be my best friend, searching on medically acclaimed websites,” Lary says.
Simpler, more recognizable ingredients are better, especially if you’re questioning whether a treat is actually healthy for your rabbit.
“Things that are too processed are bad for them,” Lary says. “If you see that a treat has too many ingredients, that is going to be a warning sign right there, especially if it’s ingredients that you don’t know what they are.”
Some good ingredients to look out for are:
Timothy Hay: Rabbits need all the hay they can get! It helps with their digestion and keeps their teeth trim.
Certain Tree Branches: Little branches and twigs can also give your bunny’s teeth a workout! Just make sure you know which trees are safe for your rabbit.
Certain Fruits: Since fruits have sugar, you want to make sure you don’t overdue it with treats that have foods like bananas and apples. But they can be delicious in moderation!
Certain Vegetables: Veggies are good for your bunny in general, but make sure you keep the carrot quantity in check. You may not realize it, but carrots are high in sugar too.
While researching, you may find that the safety of some ingredients are not as straightforward as others.
It may be better to take a more cautious approach.
“Things that are iffy, I usually just don’t feed them to my rabbits. Recently, I was looking into honeysuckle and adding those to treats because we have a huge honeysuckle growing. But I was seeing that there was conflicting opinions on what kinds are okay for rabbits and what are not. So I’m probably just not going to be including them,” Lary explains.
Which bunny toy construction techniques should you beware?
Even if a treat is made from healthy ingredients, it can still be dangerous because of how the treat may have been made.
Steer clear of toys or treats made with glue (which can be accidentally ingested) and wire (which could cut your rabbits mouth during chewing).
Braided or woven hay rings and mats may fall apart after a while, but these natural ways of keeping treats and toys together is much safer.
What are some rabbit companies and small businesses you can trust?
If you have no idea where to start, it’s worth researching the companies themselves.
Check product reviews before you buy.
Look at the comments on their social media posts. While every company will have some naysayers and the occasional angry customer, oftentimes people will call out companies online for their bad practices.
Here are some good options to get you started.
Companies and Small Businesses
Small Pet Select is a family owned business that focuses on transparency and quality ingredients. Many of their employees own rabbits themselves!
Oxbox is another respected rabbit supply company. It’s often recommended by vets and is known for its Critical Care products (given to sick rabbits).
AshyandCC is Lary’s Etsy shop and is relatively new on the scene. There are a wide variety of treats to choose from, and you can even order a box packed with treats and toys.
BinxBox is a well known subscription box for bunnies with monthly and bi-monthly options.
Your own household
You can also grow your own veggies to incorporate into treats.
“I would always look for healthy options that maybe I have growing in my yard. We grow lettuce, collard greens, kale, parsley, and lavender. We have a huge rosemary bush. So I have a huge variety of things that I can choose from that are free, available to me,” Lary says.
What are Baby’s favorite treats?
Over the years, Baby has been exposed to a bunch of different types of treats. While there have been a lot of misses, we’ve also discovered some favorites – that are actually healthy.
Right now, he’s obsessed with:
Papaya Treats: They’re delicious and great for his digestive system. We give this in moderation to prevent him from getting too much sugar.
Timothy Hay Cubes: With a little trickery on our part, Baby is getting more hay into his diet. It took some time for him to get used to the idea, but now he loves chewing on these.
Have any treat suggestions for us and other rabbit owners? Let us know what your bunny’s favorite treat is in the comments!
cuzrabbits gets commissions from some of the affiliate links in this post. Support our education efforts by buying your pet supplies at Small Pet Select.
There are many people out there who consider rabbits “starter pets.”
While this may make most bunny parents cringe, it’s understandable to think that if you haven’t researched the breakdown of how much it actually costs to own one.
Aside from love and care, rabbits need things – whether it’s food, shelter, or toys.
And they may need services like medical care or nail trimmings.
I’ll break down what some of the costs related to rabbits are.
Keep in mind, with a lot of these items, you may find bargains of Facebook Marketplace or you may splurge on pricier items. So this isn’t going to be an end all, be all number.
Consider this a guide if you’re thinking about getting a bunny.
More experienced rabbit owners may find this as a resource for pampering your pet or finding money saving opportunities.
Food
Rabbits need three categories of food:
Hay
Pellets
Veggies
Treats
Hay
Rabbits are supposed to eat a bundle of hay about the size of their body each day.
Hay helps wear down their teeth and keeps their digestive system on track.
The cheaper option
Technically, adult rabbits only need Timothy hay.
Local stores and farmers sell Timothy hay by the bale pretty cheaply.
I can usually get a giant bale of hay for less than $10, and that can last my Lionhead about 3-6 months depending on how hungry he is from month to month.
WARNING: If you go this route, just make sure your hay doesn’t come from a state with known cases of RV2. (SPELLING) This disease can be transferred through hay and is very deadly to rabbits.
The pricier options
Depending on where you live buying Timothy hay online or in a pet store may be your only choice.
This can get very expensive, but some people like the smaller shipments, especially if you don’t have space to store an entire bale.
Some bags of hay in the store or online can be around $8 for a small bag. I try to get these when they’re on sale for around $5.
I only buy these types of bags in Orchard Grass and Oat hay as a “treat” for Baby. Only using 2-3 handfuls a day makes each bag last about 1-2 months.
$20 (Timothy hay) + $60 (Special treat hay)= $80
My approximate hay total per year is $80.
Pellets
This one, I barely remember what I get. Usually I will just go to Walmart and get a giant bag for cheap.
Lately though, I’ve become more cautious about how many pellets I feed Baby each day. Pellets really discourage Baby from eating all the hay he needs to stay healthy. We even have to keep the tub we keep the pellets in hidden or else he will beg for them. At one point he had even tricked my husband and I into each giving him full portions of pellets each day (like a sneaky child).
The supply I have now will likely last a year, since he only gets a small handful from me each morning.
Some rabbits are very picky about which pellets they enjoy. Some rabbit owners only trust certain brands or don’t have the space to store bulk buys.
Some options I know of:
Manna Pro: About $10 for 25 lbs. (This is what I would usually get from Walmart)
I’ve also tried the smaller package of Manna Pro Rabbit Feed when I lived in a smaller apartment with less storage. It wasn’t bad, and Baby seemed to like it because the pellets were longer.
My approximate pellet total per year is $10.
Veggies
We typically restock on veggies every other week, and meal prep the food into glass containers. Each night, Baby asks for his veggie dish by standing near the fridge!
We try to give him a variety of greens and vegetables to keep him interested. But his favorite is definitely parsley!
$4.39 (Romaine Lettuce) + $1.29 (Parsley) + $3 (Carrots) + $2 (Celery)= $10.68 every other week
My approximate veggie total every other week is $10.68. Per year it is about $256.32.
We discovered these timothy hay cubes when we were trying to get Baby to eat more hay. Because they come in a “treat bag” and can easily be carried off to a corner, Baby barely even notices it’s not an unhealthy treat – but just regular old compressed hay. The only downside to this is that when he really gets into eating it, the crumbling hay makes a mess. So more vacuuming is required. I’ve only bought one bag so far, but it’s lasted about three months. There’s still a lot more in the bag, so I’m thinking that’s two buys a year (about $5 each).
We also give Baby papaya treats. Our vet suggested it would help prevent GI Stasis by breaking down hair in Baby’s stomach. They come in long strips, but I cut them up into smaller pieces. He gets about a pinky nail size piece each day. I’m guessing each bag will last us about four months each, so I’m thinking we’ll end up buying 2-3 bags a year (at about $6 each).
$10 (Timothy Hay Cubes) + $18 (Papaya Treats)= $28
This is the category that you can either go really cheap or really fancy.
Look on Pinterest and you’ll see so many deluxe rabbit rooms with giant bunny castle setups and coordinating colors. There’s not really a limit to how bougie you can make your rabbit enclosure.
I’ll try my best to estimate what my current set-up costed, since I consider Baby’s area to be somewhere in the middle. It’s pretty simple, but does spoil him a bit.
I will not give a cheapo option, because I don’t support only caging bunnies with no free roam time.
What my setup costs
Things have changed over the years as I’ve learned what Baby likes and what he makes it his mission to eat versus enjoy. Some things have gotten their wear and been thrown out.
But here’s what’s in Baby’s pen now:
Rug: I keep a rug under Baby’s area in case he accidentally misses the litter box. I’ve also lived in apartments with only hardwood floors, which he treats like lava. I think I paid about $25 for it five years ago.
X-Pen: I got a pet playpen off of Amazon for about $45 (on sale). I’ve never had a problem with it. The pen is big enough for me to not feel bad leaving him in there overnight or when I’m not home.
Water Bowls: I don’t want to get into the whole bowl v. bottle debate, because we already looked at the research. Right now, we have a two bowls – one in his pen and one just in the living room for when he’s roaming. I don’t remember what I paid, but it couldn’t have been more than $5 each on sale.
Bed: Many rabbit owners have the famous Ikea bed, but I got the canopy bed at a tag sale for $5.
Litter boxes: Like the water bowls, we have two – one in the pen and one in the living room. One is just the bottom of a carrier that I got at a tag sale (likely also really cheap, but it’s great because the sides are so high). I got the other litter box at Walmart for under $10.
Castle: This was my one big splurge. Before, we had a secondhand cat condo for him to snuggle in (soooo cute). But then we realized he was secretly eating the cardboard lining inside. A bunny castle was the safest alternative we could think of, since the wood is safe for rabbits. Small Pet Select has since created a simpler version of their bunny castle, which seems more portable and better for apartments.
That’s the basics.
I also have random seasonal decor that I’ve bought from the Dollar Tree or random after-Easter sales on Michael’s and Jo-Ann Fabrics. I won’t include these in the total because these are more for my personal enjoyment. Baby definitely does not care about the ✨aesthetic✨ of his space.
Over five years, Baby has been through a lot. Here are some medical costs to consider:
Neuter
Yearly routine visits
Sprained leg
GI Stasis
This random time I looked on the internet and convinced myself he had a horrible disease when it was nothing.
I’d guess all of these things totaled up to about $10,000.
Luckily, I’ve always had an emergency savings account set aside for Baby and regular emergency money. So I was never unable to pay for care.
The sad things about medical care costs is that sometimes people are unable to spend thousands of dollars at a moment’s notice. From stories I’ve read on rabbit Facebook groups, some owners opt for health insurance through Nationwide while others have to stomach $15,000 in bills from ONE medical emergency. Some have even had to put their rabbits down or let them pass away at home because they could not afford care.
My approximate medical care total is $10,000.
One hospital trip left Baby with a shaved leg!
Extra spending
There are some things that are not necessarily necessities when it comes down to it. Depending on your circumstances and your knowledge of your rabbits preferences, you may not spend as much money on some of the following categories.
But you should definitely consider these things when considering just how expensive a rabbit can be.
Bunny Proofing: Each house/apartment requires something different, and each bunny’s destructive habits are different. For Baby, we’ve bought extra rugs as a precaution to protect the existing carpet. We’ve gotten free white cube stacking grids off of Facebook groups that we’ve used to block areas off. I’ve bought special tubing for cords that have to be in the open. This accumulates over the years and some things have had to be replaced or reinforced. I can guess I’ve spent around $200 over the years rabbit proofing various living spaces.
Toys: Technically a rabbit doesn’t need toys to live. But if you’re going to own a rabbit and not give it a SINGLE toy, you are a total monster. I’d say I’ve spent about another $150 on random toys (edible and plastic) since getting Baby.
Random Decorations and Photo Props: It’s difficult to guess what I’ve spent on decorations. Over several years, I’ve scoured tag sales, flea markets, clearance racks, and dollar stores. A random guess would be another $150?
Bunny Presents: Yes, I’m one of the rabbit owners who will buy her bunny Christmas presents and Gotcha Day presents. I’ve even made a bunny veggie “cake” and sang the Happy Birthday song to Baby. Over five years, I’d guess I’ve spent another $200 on these random things.
Failed Attempts: There have also been a bunch of things that Baby has not particularly enjoyed that I’ve “wasted” money on. If he doesn’t eat a whole treat OR I find out later it is unhealthy for him OR if he doesn’t even look at a new toy, it’s a fail for me. I’d say I’ve spent about $100 on random things that I’ve had to toss, donate, or resell.
Nail cutting and grooming: Some people pay for these services at local clinics or fundraisers. I just do them myself at home, so my cost is at least fixed. A HairBuster comb cost around $20, and nail clippers were probably a few dollars.
My approximate misc. spending total over five years is $823.
The approximate cost of owning Baby over five years is $12864.60.
That is an absolutely mind blowing number.
I have to remind myself that over five years, it’s easy to spend that much – especially since a lot of stimulus checks and tax returns went towards Baby’s care. And any other pet would likely cost something similar if not higher.
I love Baby, and if I had the money, I’d likely spend even more on him. In all honesty, I likely have spent more than that with random purchases I may have forgotten about. I’d give him the best bunny dream life I possibly could, with all the yummy treats and all the wooden tunnels and hidey-holes.
Every rabbit and rabbit parent is different. You may spend more money on your rabbit. You may spend less money on your rabbit.
Either way, it’s important for new owners to be aware that all pets cost money.
There’s no “I actually love my rabbit” spending threshold, but you should want to give your bunny a happy and safe life. Care goes beyond love and attention (which they also need).
Pet bunnies need owners who go into the process well researched and with the practical means to support them.
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cuzrabbits gets commissions from some of the affiliate links in this post. Support our education efforts by buying your pet supplies at Small Pet Select.
Your rabbit is an important member of your family. When they get hurt or sick, it can be extremely stressful – not to mention a big financial burden.
During times like these, many pet parents turn to their faith for support.
Saint Francis is very well known as a great Catholic who had a special love for animals. He likely gets the most asks for intercessions on behalf of pets in general.
But did you know there is a patron saint for rabbits?
We’ll explore the life of St. Melangell and some prayers you can say for your sick bunny.
The Basics of Patron Saints
For those of you who may not be as familiar with the concept, a “Saint” is someone who has been verified by the Catholic Church as having a close relationship with God and being in heaven.
After their death, the Church goes over the person’s life, looking at their writings, their life, and sometimes even talking to people who knew them. The process can take decades, because it is so thorough. Sometimes miracles are required for them to pass through certain stages.
Catholics don’t necessarily pray to saints. They pray for their intercession. It’s kind of like when you ask any living person to pray for you – except a saint would have a closer connection to God.
When we say someone is a “patron saint” of something, it basically means they “specialize” in a certain cause.
Tradition says her dad wanted to marry her off to a nobleman, but she took a vow of celibacy. Melangell ran away to become a hermit in the Tanant Valley in Northern Wales, which was outside her father’s domain.
Apparently she lived in a cave for 15 years, eating berries and nuts. Not exactly the life you’d expect a princess to lead.
In 604 A.D., the prince of Powys, Brochwel Ysgithrog, was in her neck of the woods. He and his hounds were hunting a rabbit.
The rabbit ran under Melangell’s cloak. She had been in a thicket praying.
The dogs ran away and wouldn’t attack the rabbit.
Some sources say Brochwel asked her to marry him (she was very beautiful), but she gave a pass on that offer.
Brochwel was impressed with Melangell’s courage either way, so he gave her (and God) the whole valley as a sanctuary.
The sanctuary applied to people and animals, so for centuries, no one hunted small animals in the valley. It was said that yelling “God and Melangell be with thee” also saved rabbits being chased by dogs.
From there, Melangell founded a small religious community and served as the Abbess (the leader of the nuns) for the next 37 years.
They buried her in a chapel of a nearby church called Pennant. The church was later renamed Pennant Melangell in her honor, and there are carvings of hares in the church.
During the Reformation, the church was destroyed. People hid her relics (her bones) in the church to protect them. The bones were thought to be lost, but they were found during the church’s restoration in 1992.
She was also known as Monacella, which is the Latin translation.
The hare became a symbol of peace and sanctuary.
Random St. Melangell “merch”
Here are some St. Melangell things I found across the interwebs:
St. Melangell t-shirt: There are also a bunch of long sleeves and sweatshirts that have the same graphic design. There’s also a phone case and pillow with the design.
8×12 artsy poster: I’ve seen this image on Pinterest a lot and love it!
Free 8.5×11 printable: Click the PDF in the right margin of this site to download. It’s essentially a jumbo prayer card.
Book of poems about St. Melangell: It only has a few reviews, but everyone seemed to enjoy it! Pricey beyond my wildest dreams though…
Holy Card and Pendant Gift Set: This is on Etsy, so it seems like a good way to support small business owners and get your rabbit fix. She looks a bit too serious in this one for my taste though!
Prayer
Praying is just like talking.
You can pour your soul out. You can cry. You can beg. You can ask for things.
There are no rules.
When you pray for the intercession of St. Melangell on behalf of your rabbit, you can just say what’s on your heart.
You know that St. Melangell understands and values all creatures, no matter how small.
While others may scoff at your concerns with the classic “It’s just a rabbit,” St. Melangell will take the matter to God in heaven. As the patron of hares, the welfare of your bun is of special importance to her.
In case you are at a loss for words, here is a prayer you can say in your time of need:
Dear Melangell, please watch over my rabbit, (insert name here), just like you did that hare so many years ago.
No matter is too small for God, who loves us so much.
We know all life is precious because each one was made by God.
Please bring our cause before God and remind him just how much we value his little creatures.
Whatever happens, help me to understand God’s will and feel his loving support.
Help me find peace.
Amen.
Intercessions
Do you need some prayers?
Comment your intension (what you need help with), and we’ll join our prayers with yours as a rabbit community.
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Rabbit ownership has evolved dramatically over the last two decades. It feels like this is just another crazy transition millennials have experienced.
We went from using floppy disks in elementary school to just saving everything onto Google Docs in college. We also went from thinking rabbits were fine in a wire bottom cage outside to rabbit proofing our homes so they could freeroam.
So it makes sense that as a society, we’d learn a lot more about our rabbits’ ideal diet.
But even the most experienced rabbit owners make mistakes.
Some companies specifically market unhealthy foods to rabbit owners. A trusting owner may pick something up with rabbits all over the packaging, assuming the company wouldn’t throw anything bad in it.
Alas, we do not live in a perfect world.
Here are some of the worst products I’ve bought and fed my rabbit (before finding out how bad they really were).
While it won’t kill them instantly or anything, too much seeds and grains in their diet and a rabbit could face:
Obesity
Excessive fat in the liver and arteries
Fatty Liver Disease (which can be fatal).
The House Rabbit Society explains it better, but the starchiness of these foods can also lead to GI stasis.
Wild Harvest: Mixed Berry ‘n Nut Mix
I’m really kicking myself on this one.
I honestly should have known better. But the fun colors on the packages, the FACT THAT THERE IS A RABBIT ON IT, and that it was only a few dollars blinded me.
According to Wild Harvest, this treat has a “flavorful array of real berries, nuts and seeds such as alfalfa, corn, carrots, strawberries and wheat.”
Ya. Riiiiggghhht.
After doing some more research online, I found out how bad seeds were for them. And I didn’t even know how to identify some of the other things.
I ended up taking an hour to separate the “poisonous” from the “bad but not necessarily deadly.” Most of it ended up being the latter.
What I thought was a steal ended up being a potential deadly rip off.
Wild Harvest: Stuffed Logz
Originally, I was so happy when I got this! It looked great and wasn’t too expensive. Baby LOVED it and would just be chomping away at it. This treat seemed him a great way to get his teeth naturally ground down a bit.
But then I looked at the ingredients.
Again, according to the company, this treat is “Stuffed With Alfalfa And A Gourmet Seed Blend.”
And the first ingredient listed is “pine wood shavings!” WHAT IS THAT????
Rabbit experts don’t want you using pine wood shavings as bedding, let alone literally feeding it to your bun in the form of a treat!
Not taking into account the whole “Ooo, I don’t feed my rabbit artificial flavorings” sentiment, this treat is not healthy for your rabbit.
Kaytee: Forti-Diet Natural Chew Log
This is the most egregious instance of evil marketing.
Kaytee says the Natural Chew Log “supports dental health by encouraging chewing and will provide hours of enrichment for your small animal.”
But again, it has seeds inside that are not good for your rabbit.
As evidenced in these photos, Baby loved this treat! But rabbits don’t always know what’s best for them.
Just like you wouldn’t knowingly let your kid eat dirt just because they like it, you can’t just expect your rabbit to have a health conscious sixth sense.
So how do you know what food is safe for your rabbit?
Whatever you buy for your bunny, it’s important to do your own research.
While I support these bunny brands, it’s your responsibility to understand ingredients and your bunny’s needs.
You.
Not the rabbit group you belong to on Facebook and not the random relative who bought your bun something because they were being nice.
Read the ingredients. The simpler the ingredients, the better!
As your rabbit-savvy vet if you have doubts about what you’re feeding your rabbit.
There are generally two companies I trust when it comes to rabbit food:
Oxbow: They’re generally considered the big giants of the pet food world and very well recommended by rabbit owners.
Small Pet Select: This company really goes for healthy options and have done their research to make sure treats and toys are not harmful.
What companies do you like? Are there any products that YOU want to warn your fellow rabbit owners about?
Let me know in the comments!
cuzrabbits gets commissions from some of the affiliate links in this post. Support our education efforts by buying your pet supplies at Small Pet Select.
Here is a collection of the rabbit themed memes I’ve created over the last few years. There perfect for bunny parents, people who understand the sassiness of certain pets, and anyone you need to send a message to (to prove a point lol).
Feel free to share with friends, but please give credit!
Send Your Requests and Funny Bunny Photos
You can also comment any requests for memes!
If you message a funny photo of your bun to @cuzrabbits on Facebook or Instagram, I’ll try to feature your bun (with name credit) to the page and in the next meme collection article.
The Memes in All Their Glory
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We finally broke down and bought Baby the HairBuster, a comb for rabbit fur.
While we’re Small Pet Select ambassadors (and there are some affiliate links in this article), we’ve decided to give an honest review of this bunny brush.
Why we bought the HairBuster
The past year has been quite the stressful journey. Baby had not one but two instances of GI Stasis.
It definitely took a hit to our emergency funds, and our stimulus checks went largely to his medical treatments.
The hospital visits were also extremely nerve-wracking. Both included four overnights at a large emergency hospital about an hour and a half away from home. It was no vacation stay for Baby. And I was a nervous wreck, crying everyday and waiting anxiously by the phone for updates from the vets.
NOT an experience we would want to repeat for a third time!
After the second visit, the vet shared some theories about what may be happening.
Baby is no spring chicken and may be developing arthritis. He’d likely groom less, especially near his tail, which would take a stretch.
He may be grooming less frequently in general now that he’s older. So when he does groom, he’s ingesting a lot more hair all at once – instead of small amount over time.
Either way, we had to change things up.
Until that point, we hadn’t been brushing him with a real comb or brush. Nothing ever seemed to work. Baby either hated it and would attack. Or the brush itself wouldn’t actually pick up any hair.
The hospital visits told us our bare hands and hours of petting just weren’t getting the job done, especially during shedding season.
How we got our rabbit used to the brush
Once the comb came in the mail, we tried to get Baby used to the feeling of it.
It’s definitely more intense looking than any brush we’d ever tried. The comb has hard metal teeth with a piece of rubber weaving in between every few. The handle is also hard plastic but easy to grip.
Baby was not interested at first. He even grabbed in in between his teeth and tried to push it away.
We started out slow. At first, we pet the top of his head (his favorite) while running the flat part of the comb along his fur – not putting the comb teeth through the fur.
Once he got used to the feeling, we started replacing our hand with the comb. We tried on his lionhead mane first, since it’s closest to the head pets he loves. Then we moved to his butt, which in general is a no-go for him. It took longer for him to get used to it, but you could tell his hops away were just nervousness. The brushing wasn’t actually hurting him.
Does the HairBuster work?
We haven’t gone through shedding season with the comb yet, but after a month, we’re really starting to see a difference.
Here are our thoughts so far:
Pros
Effectiveness: Even after shedding season has ended, this brush gets a surprising amount of hair during each brushing session. It also means less fur on my hand when I’m just trying to pet Baby, not necessarily de-hair-ify him.
Oddly satisfying: There’s something about watching the line pattern that forms in the fur when you brush along your rabbit’s back – almost like a fluffy zen sand garden.
Routine establishing: Having a physical reminder of grooming makes it harder to forget brushing is essential for the health of your rabbit. I keep ours on a little side table, always within reach in our small one-bedroom apartment.
Cons
Cleanliness: While the purpose of the rubber band is to help collect hair, it seems like there’s always some stuck on there. If you’re a perfectionist, be prepared to go in with some tweezers to get the comb truly clean after a brushing session.
Price: I never thought I’d spend so much on a comb. Period.
Strangeness: Like I said, it took a few days for Baby to get accustomed to the feel of the brush. This is not an instant process.
Like using any tool around your bunny, it’s important to make sure you’re attentive when brushing your rabbit. My fear is that my eyes will wander to my phone, and I’ll accidentally poke Baby’s eye out. But it’s the same caution you’d need if you were, say, using clippers to trim your bunny’s nails.
Comparing the HairBuster to other methods
But the HairBuster is certainly not the only option for shedding rabbits. Here’s what we’ve tried over the years:
Using your hands: This has always been my go-to method because it’s the easiest and free! But the vet said this wasn’t good enough in Baby’s situation.
Wetting your hands: This option definitely works better than just using your regular old hands but still doesn’t do the job for Baby. He also hated having wet hair after.
Using a pet grooming glove: This was a big NO from Baby. He did not like the feeling, and the look of the gloves over our hands was too scary for him.
Using other types of brushes: We’ve bought a bunch of different types of brushes before and they just ended up being a waste. One pink brush in particular ended up becoming his nemesis.
Final Verdict
Each rabbit is different, so not every rabbit will need something as intense as the HairBuster.
For our family, it made sense to splurge on the comb – because of the vet mandate to upgrade from our bare hands and the great reviews it already had from other pet parents.
We’ll update this article once real shedding season hits again, but for now, we really recommend this comb for longer haired buns and those who have struggled with GI Stasis.
Have you tried the HairBuster for your rabbit? Let us know what you thought of it!
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Rabbit lovers know that their furry friends can be the most comforting creatures in the world. They’re our pets, friends, children, etc, etc, etc.
But oftentimes people put their own needs above their own.
And sometimes rabbits are the ones who need the real support in the relationship.
Unpopular opinion? Maybe. But rabbits should not be your first pick for an emotional support animal.
Rabbits cannot be registered as service animals
Before we even begin the discussion, let’s get it straight. Service animals are very different from emotional support animals.
Service animals:
Are trained to perform specific tasks (like remind you to take medication)
Are allowed in private businesses like restaurants where other animals are not allowed
Emotional support animals:
Provide comfort through their mere presence
Cannot go where pets are banned (check your local laws because some state do allow emotional support animals in public places)
Cannot be kicked out of an apartment or charged rent
Is not guaranteed the ability to fly with you in cabin (as of January 2020)
It’s important to note that there are some websites that allow you to register your rabbit as an “official” emotional support animal. They may send you a verification card in the mail, which may even get you into businesses if you present it (because they look official).
About the only thing registering can do is protect your pet from getting kicked out of your apartment by your landlord. Even if your complex or building doesn’t allow pets, they can’t ban your emotional support animal or charge you extra rent for your pet. That’s thanks to the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1998.
But there are no government registries for emotional support animals that can circumvent the law. That’s why many people consider such registry sites scams that take your money for a certification that essentially means nothing.
What you would really need is for your primary care doctor to write a letter designating your rabbit as an emotional support animal. Make sure to have it on hand.
Rabbits are prey animals
By nature, rabbits tend to be more fearful, sensitive to loud noises and quick movements.
Yes, there are the Chuck Norrises of rabbits, unphased by anything, able to go on trips and car rides.
But for the most part, rabbits feel better at home. It helped give them a routine and a familiar environment where they feel safe. The slightest change in that routine, like a change in diet, not coming when called, or sitting in one spot for too long, could signify a life threatening illness.
Vet visit photo of shame
Rabbits can have health issues at any moment
Yes, any animal – or human for that matter – can technically get sick at any time.
But rabbits have very important diets they have to follow. They need unlimited hay, a small amount of pellets, and plenty of fresh vegetables. Even if you follow all the rules, your rabbit could slip into GI stasis and pass away within a matter of hours.
If you’re looking for emotional comfort at the drop of a hat, know your rabbit may end up causing some of that emotional distress. Like anything you love dearly, the thought of losing your bunny could be enough to cause a panic attack at the first sign of symptoms.
Decide for yourself, but I made my choice
Several of the more well known rabbits on the interwebs are emotional support animals. Those rabbits clearly have a special relationship with their owners and a specific disposition to provide that support to their owners.
I commend those rabbits!
For me personally, I would never consider making Baby my “official” emotional support animal.
Car rides are not his favorite.
He doesn’t like when strangers come up to try to pet him.
He has his routine at home, and deviating from it infuriates him.
Baby has had two GI stasis scares in the last year (and if it happens again, I’m going to need an emotional support animal to help me deal with the trauma he has put me through lol)
Baby could go either way on a rolling ride, but prefers the homebody life.
Should your rabbit be an emotional support animal?
These are the factors you should be considering when debating bringing your bunny places to emotionally support you.
As yourself:
Does your rabbit like car rides?
Is your rabbit okay with being pet by strangers (there’s always that one rude person who pets without asking)?
Does your rabbit enjoy being rolled around in a cart?
Is your rabbit sensitive to loud noises?
Does your rabbit have a history of health issues?
Would your rabbit handle being in a harness or carrier for long periods of time?
Would your rabbit jump out of a cart or carrier?
Each rabbit is different. Some can handle it. For others, the decision to make them an emotional support animal could expose them to a deadly amount of otherwise avoidable stress.
While people unfamiliar with the pets may consider them boring, bunny owners know they have a lot to offer.
They can be trained to use a litter box and learn to come when called. Rabbits can also learn tricks!
That’s right! Tricks are not just for dogs!
The bunny that’s most famous for doing tricks is Bini the Bunny. I’ve seen this rabbit dunk basketballs and paint masterpieces! Not every rabbit has this amount of talent, but you can still get a taste for tricks.
We’ll go over clicker training and how you can train your rabbit to do a simple trick.
What is clicker training?
Clicker training is when you get your pet to respond to a clicking noise. They associate the sound with a good thing (like a treat) and perform a desired action.
From there, you can replace the clicking sounds with specific hand gestures or verbal cues.
Some people have trained their rabbits to run in a circle, come when called, and jump onto couches – all using this method.
What can you use as a clicker?
You’ll need something to act as a “clicker.”
I personally just make a clicking sound with my mouth!
But there are also products out there that you can use that are handheld or can be used in your mouth. It doesn’t particularly matter what you use as long as it makes a sound that’s different than your rabbit would normally hear.
Surprisingly, Baby loves pellets enough that that is a significant motivator. This is especially true now that I’ve limited his pellets to encourage him to eat more hay.
When training your bunny, it’s important to set aside all the treats you will be giving out that day. This will prevent you from overloading your rabbit with the unhealthy, sugary foods.
How long should each training session be?
I would let your rabbit determine the training session.
Each rabbit has its own attention span. When Baby has had enough, no amount of treats can make him do what I’m asking.
Make sure you stop the training when you can tell they’re “not having it.” This will keep the sessions fun, tasty, and effective.
A shorter, successful training is better for your bun than a long, drawn out session that feels like you’re bossing them around.
Running out of your pre-portioned treats is also an indicator to stop.
Typically, my training sessions are between 5-10 minutes.
How to teach your rabbit
For this example, we’ll be teaching your bunny how to stand on their hind legs on command.
To start out with any trick, you need to get your rabbit to associate with a clicker sound with a treat.
Your rabbit does something you like. In this case, your rabbit stands up on its hind legs. Naturally, they will do it when they are curious about something high up. Baby does this when I’m getting his food in the morning. He gets excited and tries to reach up for them.
When they do this, produce the clicking sound.
Immediately give the treat.
Repeat when they do this action again. I’d do this for a few days, so they begin to associate the sound with the treat and the action.
Give the action a name. This can be a verbal signal, like “stand.” Or it can be a hand signal. When I was training Baby, I would hold my hand out flat above his head.
When your rabbit does the desired action, say the verbal or hand signal along with the clicker and treat combo.
Repeat this for several days.
Once they get good at this, take away the clicker sound and just use the hand signal. It may confuse your bun at first, but hopefully it will be enough of a routine at that point that they will still understand the ask. If they do not understand, alternate between with the clicker sound and without the clicker sound.
Extra tips
Do not use negative reinforcement for clicker training. Focus on the positive rewards.
Do not give the treat if your bunny “messes up.” Just try again! Remember, this is an extra treat on top of their regular food, so they don’t necessarily need the treat.
Use only a moderate amount of treats so you keep it healthy.
Be consistent. Rabbits can remember the tricks once learned. But when they’re first starting out, you want to make sure training isn’t once in a blue moon.
Don’t force it. Some rabbits are trick obsessed and want those treats. Some rabbits will look at your attempts and scoff. Just respect your rabbit’s decision to not participate if that’s the case.
What tricks does your rabbit know?
Baby has learn a few tricks in our years together!
What has your rabbit learned? Let us know how you were (or were not) able to train your bun.
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
It’s a topic that can cause some tension in rabbit groups on social media. Some people, for example, have an aversion to REWs (Red-eyed whites), saying red eyes are too creepy looking on a rabbit. Others insist all bunnies are equally adorable! Or as they say, “Everyone thinks their rabbit is the cutest, and they’re all right.”
Well, scientists found a reason to find out if there really is a preference for some rabbits over others.
Their goal was to find out what type of rabbit people like best. This would hopefully explain why rabbits have been slowly bred to look different than their wild counterparts. The flatter, shorter faces that domestic rabbits tend to have, can lead to painful dental problems.
My own veterinarian has commented that Baby, my lionhead rabbit, is more susceptible to dental issues because of his face shape.
Researchers got back 20,858 online surveys from people around the world. Participants were asked to rate 25 rabbits based on their faces in selected photos.
What features do the cutest bunnies have?
Through statistical data, the researchers found these are the most preferred features:
Mildly flat faces
Non-lopped ears
Soft, medium-light fur
Generally shorter fur
This was a bit different than the researchers expected. The very shortened faces that are generally considered “baby-like” were not universally preferred. There were also a decent amount of people who disliked some of the rabbits that looked too fluffy.
When deciding whether a bunny photo was cute, how soft a rabbit looked had the biggest impact, and the shape of a rabbits face was the second biggest impact.
What can we learn from this study?
There’s a lot of aspects of domestic rabbits that are unexplored by science. We should all take this research (although a fun concept on the surface) seriously.
Governments and Researchers
There isn’t a lot of global regulations surrounding pet rabbits.
Face shapes can have an even more extreme effect on rabbits, but not enough research have been done to accomplish the same progress.
Breeders
Researchers suggested breeders take this data into consideration. Why breed rabbits to have medically dangerous flat faces when mildly flat faces are preferred by buyers anyway?
Rabbits with lop ears also tend to have more health issues, especially dental problems, because of their skull and jaw shapes. For the health of the domestic species overall, researchers suggested breeders focus on bunnies whose ears stand up, like Havana rabbits.
Bunny Owners
Pet owners and perspective pet owners can be more mindful about the power of the cuteness.
Despite campaigns aimed at thoughtfulness, rabbits are impulse buys for many. One study done in 2011 found out of 52 rabbit owners, 18% decided to buy the rabbit on the same day. It’s important to look past rabbits’ beautiful faces and understand the commitment.
Source
Harvey, Naomi D., et al. “What Makes a Rabbit Cute? Preference for Rabbit Faces Differs according to Skull Morphology and Demographic Factors.” Animals [Basel], vol. 9, no. 10, 2019. Gale In Context: Science, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617714650/GPS?u=mlin_w_wilbrapl&sid=GPS&xid=f223e41b. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.
This is something that has caused so much drama on bunny Facebook groups. I’ve seen people become absolute vipers in the comments section, tearing down rabbit owners on the “wrong” side.
So which is better for your rabbit? Some swear by bowls, claiming they encourage bunnies to drink more. Others insist their rabbits refuse to drink from anything but a water bottle. Some (although definitely in the minority) have turned to water fountains.
We’ll sort out the pros and cons of bottles, bowls, and fountains, so you can decide once and for all, what is best for your bun.
A Look at the Research
There are always the usual arguments for Team Water Bowl.
“Your rabbit isn’t getting enough water from a bottle.”
“Bowls encourage rabbits to drink more.”
But are they true?
I could only find two studied specifically related to rabbits. Most of the articles discussing the topic either cite no scientific sources or simply referred one of two studies, both from the same team at the University of Zurich:
A Study from 2010 (Tschudin et al. 2010a): This was a study that tested how water intake was affected when water was not readily available to rabbits at all times.
This study from 2011 (Tschudin et al 2011b): This study tested the 2010 study more thoroughly.
We’ll focus on the second, more focused study of bottles and bowls.
Just because a study concludes something doesn’t mean it’s true. Researchers using the scientific method:
Make an observation
Ask a question about it
Come up with a hypothesis
Make a prediction about the outcome
Test the theory
Document the results
Different researchers doing the same study wouldn’t necessarily come up with the same results. That’s why so many studies are done on the same topic – to verify previous results.
It’s important to understand how the experiment or study was conducted.
In the case of the University of Zurich study, 12 adult dwarf rabbits were tested to see how different factors influenced their water intake – including whether they drank from bowls or bottles. This isn’t a very large sample size. As you probably know, each rabbit is vastly different in personality and preference. It’s tough to say the results of a study of a dozen rabbits should dictate what all rabbit owners should do.
The Results
The study ultimately found that “the drinker [aka the bottle] had no influence on water intake.”
But they still suggested recommended rabbit owners use a bowl. Their data found bottles had a “negative influence” when water access was restricted.
Better safe than sorry, I guess? But no rabbit owner I know is purposely only offering water at certain times.
Researchers noted, while drinking from water bottles didn’t necessarily make rabbits drink less, it did change their fecal matter. There was more dry matter, which a veterinarian writing about the study says is a “physiological water-saving mechanism.” So while they may drink the same amount of water, their body thinks there’s a shortage.
The researchers also suggested not putting the water bowl directly on the floor, so the water is more likely to stay clean.
Here are your water options
I’ve tried bottles and bowls on Baby, but not a water fountain!
The Water Bottle
There are two main types of water bottles that I know of. There are ones that have a metal ball at the tip and ones that have a small metal rod at the tip.
Pros
You don’t have to refill it as often.
You can set one up if you’re going on a one or two day trip without worrying about your rabbit running out of water.
Cons
Some brands end up developing a drip, which can cause a mess.
You need to check for air blocks that may prevent the water from coming through.
Bottles tend to develop green mold inside, especially if they’re exposed to natural light. This mold can be kind of difficult to clean.
You need some sort of cage or playpen to attach the bottle to, so this wouldn’t work as well for fully free roam rabbits.
Some rabbits may need to be taught how to use a bottle. You may need to spend some time showing them how to use the nozzle to get the water to come out.
The Water Bowl
You can find a lot more variety and cute styles if you go the bowl route, just because other, more popular pets like cats and dogs use them as well.
There are a ton of different designs and materials they’re made of. I suggest a heavier material like ceramic so your bun has a harder time flipping it over.
Pros
You can see the dirtiness more easily. This encourages you, the human, to clean the bowl and replace the water more often.
They’re more aesthetically pleasing (in my opinion).
Cons
Some bunnies relish the opportunity to flip their bowl, sending water flying everywhere.
It’s easier for fur and other things to get into the water. From experience, cleaning a food pellet or bunny poop that has dissolved in the water overnight is horrifying.
cuzrabbits 