Thursday, February 21, 2013

Make Mine Chocolate



Having been a rabbit owner for almost 15 years (would have been longer - Bri died way too young) "Make Mine Chocolate" is a cause dear to my heart.

Easter is a wonderful time; full of thoughts of Spring, and chicks and rabbits and candy and fun.  It is also a time of renewal and reflection and reverence.  Easter is the celebration of the rise of Jesus after the crucifixion, but like Christmas, it has been "watered down" with pagan symbols to make it more palatable to non-Christians in hopes that it would make converting them easier... hence the eggs, the chicks, and the bunnies.

Sometimes people think this would be a great time to introduce a rabbit into the household.  They aren't completely wrong. It can be done if done right, especially if it is a life lesson for those involved and everyone wants the animal.

But all too often it is done without considering the lifetime commitment a pet rabbit needs.  Pet store rabbits are NOT wild rabbits, and should not be just let free once the novelty of owning a rabbit has worn off, doing so pretty much ensures that it dies a horrible death.


Rabbits are not 'easy' pets.  They do need room to roam and hop around.  They have a fairly specific diet that includes lots of hay, minimal pellets and a good variety of greens.  They need to chew constantly to help keep their teeth worn down so they can continue to eat, and they need to dig in order to wear down their claws.  Even when given appropriate toys to chew on, they will often go for inappropriate items such as electrical cords and baseboards.  If teeth and claws are not worn down naturally, they will need to be trimmed - which is not easy because bunnies are prey animals and as such have a fear of being held down, let alone having a paw held to trim claws.  They also need to eat constantly to stay healthy, so they need hay all of the time.  As a result of eating constantly, they poop continually.  Fortunately, their stool is very dry and 'pellet' formed so they are easy to clean up but they will be everywhere.  Rabbits can be trained to urinate in a litter box which is nice, but their urine is quite strong smelling and without constant maintenance, your rabbit's home can quickly smell pretty badly.


I do believe rabbits are wonderful pets, but they are also very fragile.  My Brianna passed away quite suddenly from a simple respiratory issue that is easily treatable in my cats.  It was measured in hours from the time she was healthy until she was gone.  They can easily break their own back trying to get away (they have very powerful back legs) and you should not only read up on the subject but talk to a bun owner to see if owning a bunny is really for you.  What a wonderful project to take on with your kids and have them make the decision - there is even an online quiz to get you started.



Previous posts on the subject:
2012: "Make Mine Chocolate"
2011: Rabbits and Easter

10 comments:

  1. I don't get why humans take bunnies into their homes without knowing how to properly care for them! Or kitties, for that matter. We all deserve responsible humans to serve us, no matter our species. No pet should ever be brought home spontaneously and without thought.

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  2. Since Bernie's passing last year, I have been bunny-less for the first time since 1999. I miss having rabbits. Potential bunny owners must educate themselves on proper bunny care and husbandry. Rabbits are certainly not starter pets for little kids. Too often, I find people getting a rabbit for their 3 year old who isn't taught that a rabbit isn't meant to be carried around by it's ears (I wish they'll stop showing magicians pulling bunnies out of hats by their ears).

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  3. When ever somebody asks me about bunnies I always tell them the cons first and all the details it takes to care for a bunny before telling them the good stuff about having a bunny as a pet

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  4. Don't forget about chicks and Easter! If someone can't care for a rabbit, what on earth are they going to do with a chicken? I heard a podcast about how chicks are still being colored and sold for Easter. :-(

    As for rabbits, we had them for many years, and Jim had a mini lop when we first met. Yes, they require care and attention like any other pet. It makes me sad to see so many rabbits in shelters.

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  5. Just say no to live chick and bunnies and yes to chocolate but not for dogs or cats (it's toxic).

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  6. I will totally make mine chocolate. I hope people really consider before bringing bunny or chick into their homes. I never had rabbit myself, but the school had some. Students took care of them and yes, I remember cleaning many poops. I hope people take the online quiz and make the right decision!

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  7. Good reminder. People forget that any animal is a commitment at any time.

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  8. Wow, we didn't know how fragile they were. We agree, make ours (okay our HUMANS') chocolate.

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  9. I think if people had to live the life of an animal, any animal, for a day, just 24 hours, they would think twice about pets AND they would be a lot more compassionate. ALL animals deserve EQUAL consideration and dignity, from goldfish to lizards, birds to horses, guinea pigs to lions, rabbits to elephants. No animal is more worthy of pity and love than another.

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  10. Anonymous4:10 PM

    I love rabbits! But It's important to know what kind of care it needs before you get it!

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