Bunny behemoths

They’re just your average family of three. They gather round the table for meals, play ball in the back yard, take turns fertilizing the garden. This mom, dad, and lookalike son lead a quiet life in the English countryside. So why do reporters, photographers and curiosity seekers alike vie for an invitation to their home?

It could be because dad Darius is an international celebrity, and son Jeff is hot on his heels in the race for recognition. Darius has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records—as the world’s largest rabbit! He’s held that honor for five years now, but his glory is about to be usurped. At less than a year old, Jeff has almost eclipsed his dad in length and weight.

Most of us consider the Flemish Giant to be a big breed. Darius and his family, all Continental Giants, make that Flemmie look like an overfed rat. At a whopping 56 pounds, Darius weighs more than the average ten year old child. And he’s just about as tall. From his tail to the tip of his nose, Darius is almost 4 and a half feet long!

His bunwife Sally looks comparatively tiny at just 3 and a half feet. But racing to the finish line is Jeff, already close to 4 feet long. He’s got about six more months of growing to do, says his owner Annette, so there’s little doubt he’ll be the next legend of the lagomorphic world.

The buns really do eat at the table, and boy, do they eat! Annette goes through a bale of hay every week, in addition to huge bowlfuls of specialty pellets and mountains of fresh greens. Annette estimates her annual bill for rabbit food alone adds up to over $7500. Keep that in mind the next time you’re griping about the price of romaine for your six pound rex!

Achy breaky bun

“It’s all part of getting older.” Greying hair, reading glasses, frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom—we’ve all learned to expect (and mostly accept!) the ravages of old age. Add to that list the pain and stiffness of arthritis. While we can pop Aleve and soak in a hot bath to ease the discomfort, our achy rabbits need a little more help.

Arthritis in rabbits usually develops in their senior years, just as in humans, and the signs are easy to spot. Is your rabbit getting up more slowly, having trouble balancing, or stumbling when hopping? Do you notice that she moves around less often, or looks stiff when she does move? Maybe she’s given up on trying to hop into her litter box.

An arthritic rabbit can live a happy, comfortable life, with a little boost from you and your vet. Perhaps most important are pain meds, and there are a few to choose from. The most commonly used is Metacam, a vanilla flavored liquid that relieves discomfort. As a rule, rabbits love the stuff, so dosing is easy. Adequan reduces inflammation and lubricates the joints. For more acute pain, your vet may prescribe an opiod like Tramadol or Buprenex.

But there are other, drug-free alternatives that can help too. In a previous blog we discussed cold laser therapy. This is a quick, painless procedure that uses light to help relieve swelling. Many vets are recognizing the therapeutic effect of acupuncture, although finding a qualified practitioner can be difficult. For at home care, try a gentle massage to ease your bunny’s soreness. And offer her supplements—myristol pellets and glucosamine are two popular choices.

Then take a look at your rabbit’s habitat. Are there stairs or ramps? Find a way to reconfigure so you don’t need them. Switch her litterbox out for a lowsided version, or do away with it altogether and put down puppy pee pads. It may be more economical to invest in a few washable pads, sold in medical supply stores. Does your bunny have a soft place to sleep? Put down a blanket or a foam pad to cushion her tender joints.

Keep an eye on the thermostat as well. Most of us with arthritis know what cold weather can do to our joints. Same goes for your bunny. Just a couple of degrees  warmer can make a huge difference. Here’s to a long and comfortable life for your bunny (and you!).

Oh baby!

Baby New Year 2016 arrived at our sanctuary in a big way, and he didn’t come alone. Our newest baby brought six adorable siblings with him!

Our lovable litter is all the more special, considering what might have happened to them. In the middle of December, a couple stopped by the sanctuary and asked if we’d take their two bunnies. At the time, we were packed to the rafters, and there just wasn’t any more room. We offered some alternative suggestions, and they went on their way.

Or so we thought. But sometime later that afternoon, they pulled back in the driveway and discarded the rabbits in a box beside our dumpster. And took off.

This could have ended horribly, but Twix and her mate Pilot had an angel on their side. One of our staffers noticed the box before leaving for the night. We cleaned them up, gave them a good meal, and checked them over. They seemed to be in good condition overall, so Twix and Pilot joined our other rabbits in the warm, snug barn.

And then came our new year’s surprise! A few days later, on December 30, Twix gave birth to seven tiny squirming kits. Seven! That’s a huge litter for any rabbit mother to handle, much less a stressed and displaced mother. Miraculously, all seven babies were healthy, and they thrived under Twix’s tender loving care.

Today those babies are three weeks old, still thriving, fuzzy, soft, and beautiful. They’re starting to explore their surroundings, hopping along on miniature paws, with their little ears twitching at every sound. They’ll stay with Mom for a few more weeks, then graduate to their own pens. We anticipate that they’ll be ready for adoption this summer.

It’s a miracle of rabbit multiplication–we took in two, and now we have nine! All nine rabbits will need to be spayed or neutered, at considerable expense. Can you help with Twix’s baby shower? Donate at www.rabbitsanctuary.org/donate or follow this link. Many thanks!

Rabbit resolutions?

Did you make resolutions for the new year? Maybe this is the year you’re determined to shed that unwelcome muffin top. Maybe you’ve resolved to hit your boss up for a much-deserved raise. Maybe you’ll start small, finally tossing out your holey old socks and that old underwear with the frayed elastic that’s been in your drawer since 2002.

A new year is a great time for new beginnings, to kick bad habits to the curb once and for all. And as any bunny parent knows, it’s not just humans who can benefit from a little behavior modification! What might your bun decide to work on this year? Here’s a few ideas, inspired by a few real-life rabbits we know.

“In 2016, I resolve to…

“…to not use the back of Mom’s closet as my “special” litter box”

“…to eat ALL the broccoli pieces, not just the tasty florets”

“…to not decide that 3AM is the perfect time to play with my jingly keychain”

“…to accept that ‘destruction’ is not quite the same as ‘creative redecorating’’’

“…to leave the carpet in one piece, even though it looks so much more artistic with strategically gnawed bald spots”

“…to patiently wait for the pellets to come all the way out of the bag before attempting to devour them”

“…to sit quietly through my next pedicure, instead of putting on an Oscar-winning performance of ‘The Tortured Bun’”

“…to forgive the humans for the indignity of baby talk and snuggle sessions. And occasionally, give them a few kisses in return”

Hoppy New Year!

What are your new year’s resolutions? Chances are good that we can help you keep them!

Did you resolve to exercise more? Work out with the bunnies! Clean bunny pens, pass out dinner, or get really ambitious and muck out pig stalls! It’s hard work keeping our barns clean and snug, and you’ll never have more appreciative “bosses”.

Did you resolve to make new friends?  We have a barn full of bunnies who would love to become your best buddies. Spend fifteen minutes talking to and petting one of our residents, and you’ll have a friend for life. There’s nothing more relaxing at the end of a hard day than bunny hugging.

Did you resolve to see the doctor? How about our doctor? Our buns need vet visits for spaying, neutering and health issues,  and we’re always looking for bunny chauffeurs. If you’ve got a free day now and then, this might be the perfect opportunity for you!

Please consider making 2016 the “year of the volunteer”. Whatever your interests or talents, we can find the perfect fit for you at our sanctuary. We’ve asked for your financial support, and that is important, but your time is also a valuable gift! If you can help, contact us at volunteer@rabbitsanctuary.org. And have a wonderful new year!

Home for the holidays

It was a love affair that spanned years, a true story of “meant to be”. Long-time sanctuary supporter and volunteer Rita first met Finnegan way back in 2011, when he was a scrawny seven month old newcomer to our farm. A charmer from the very beginning, Finnegan captivated Rita with his fearless, outgoing nature.

But Rita already had a rabbit, her beloved boy Betsy, and Betsy didn’t take kindly to strangers. Rita didn’t have enough space for two separate bunny habitats. So she resigned herself to loving Finn from afar. And for the next four years, that’s exactly what she did. She visited him, cleaned up after him, rejoiced with him when he found his mate, Muffin. She watched him grow from a scrawny baby into a strong, suave social butterfly.

And then the sad day came when age caught up with Betsy, and he slipped quietly away. As hard as it was to say goodbye, Rita knew that the best thing she could do to honor his memory was give another rabbit a chance at a stable, loving home. Is there any doubt about who she would choose? Just before Thanksgiving of this year, Finnegan and Muffin became permanent members of Rita’s household.

After spending their entire lives in an “institution”, we weren’t sure how the two buns would adjust to life in a real home. Muffin especially was extremely shy, rarely leaving her burrow box at the sanctuary. But Rita had good instincts. She gave Finnegan and Muffin lots of peace and quiet, and let them slowly absorb the changes going on around them. She respected how difficult the transition might be, and waited to take her cues from them.

Rita’s patience paid off. Less than a month later, Finnegan showed how comfortable he had become by hurling himself into his first dead bunny flop! He has already explored every inch of the bedroom and bathroom, always taking a few breaks to check on his Muffin before heading out for another adventure. Muffin’s made great progress too. She now comes out of her box, even when humans are nearby. And she’s decided the litter box makes an excellent spot to take her afternoon naps.

Christmas is a time for celebration. Ideally, we spend it surrounded by those we love. Joy, peace, family, two fuzzy white bunnies and their adoring mom…who could ask for a more perfect holiday?

Buns in Toyland

No, it’s not Christmas (yet!), but isn’t every day a holiday with a bunny in the house? We think so! And every day is a good day to pass out presents to the family’s rabbit representative.

Bunny owners everywhere agree—a bored bunny is a destructive bunny! So if you don’t want to see little Dixie Cup gnawing on Grandma’s antique footstool, you’d better offer her something more tempting. Fortunately, bunnies are easily entertained. You can find half a dozen potential playthings just lying around your house.

That empty toilet paper roll can be filled with hay to make a tasty toy. Old Tupperware or margarine containers are ideal for tossing. So are the lids to big bottles of laundry detergent (rinse them well first).

Your rabbit will love gnawing on those unwanted Yellow Pages that collect on your front porch. Line his pen with newspapers and watch him enjoy ripping them up. Do you have a paper shredder at home? Fill a box with the shreds and let your bunny burrow.

You can make your bunny a fun fortress by cutting holes in a large box, or let her explore the inside of a paper grocery sack. Hide fresh veggies inside for motivation.

If you’re like a lot of people, you probably have an assortment of mystery keys in your junk drawer. Collect them all on a key ring and offer them to your rabbit as a fun noisemaker. (And if you suddenly remember that one of them opens Aunt Ethel’s jewelry case, you’ll know where to go to retrieve it!)

The House Rabbit Society has lots more interesting ideas to keep your rabbit busy. Check out their Toys page!

Nature calls

When our pioneer ancestors wanted to ward off disease, they didn’t have the option of heading over to the local clinic for a flu shot or a dose of penicillin. They relied on nature to provide their healing treatments. Herbal remedies have been around for centuries, but only recently has mainstream medicine begun to embrace them as legitimate and effective therapies. Now veterinarians are taking notice too.

Many of the same herbal extracts that humans use for various ailments can be safely administered to our rabbit friends. It only takes a little. Try sprinkling a teaspoonful of powdered herbs over your bunny’s pellets or hay, or adding a few drops of liquid to their water dish. Plant-loving rabbits usually don’t object to the taste, and the benefits can be significant.

Echinacea is one of the most useful preventatives. Available in powder or liquid form, this potent herb boosts the immune system, providing that extra shot in the arm to vulnerable or compromised bunnies. If you prefer to use fresh, echinacea is easy to grow.

Do you have a rabbit who’s prone to bladder infections? Serve him dandelion root, a diuretic which helps to flush bacteria through the urethra. Supplement with goldenseal, a natural antibiotic, and cranberry, which prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall.

For high-strung rabbits, or as an aid to bonding, try valerian or chamomile. Both have a calming effect. Harder to find but just as effective is kava. This traditional Indian herb was used to curb violence during tribal negotiations, so imagine how helpful it can be in mitigating bunny turf wars!

Arthritis is a painful fact of life for most rabbits when they reach a certain age. Head it off at the pass with licorice root and willow bark. Licorice root is an anti-inflammatory that mimics the effects of cortisone. Willow relieves pain, and has the added benefit of being extra tasty! Use a prepared supplement, or simply provide a few readily available willow toys for your bunny’s munching pleasure.

It’s important to stress that these treatments are not intended to replace modern medicine, but rather, to work in conjunction with it. There will be times when your rabbit needs more than the herbal world can offer. Always start with a thorough veterinary exam, and heed your vet’s advice when choosing your rabbit’s supplements.

Hoppy shopping

“He’s making a list, and checking it twice…” Many of you are doing the same thing right about now. It can be a daunting task. You want to give presents that your family and friends will enjoy, but you’ve got a budget to consider. We understand! Here’s a way to make your dollars do double duty. Choose from our gift suggestions, and a portion of all proceeds will go directly to support the animals at our sanctuary.

Do you have diehard snow bunnies on your list? Keep them warm during their snowball fights or snowshoeing with a toasty GLRS hoodie! Available in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes, these comfy tops are made of a durable cotton/poly blend.  Our kids’ style feature a cozy fleece-lined kangaroo pocket that will thaw those frigid fingers out fast. Looking for something lighter? Choose a T shirt instead. You can even take us to bed with GLRS pajamas!

After a brisk day outdoors, there’s nothing better than curling up under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. We recommend “Confessions of a Bunny Blogger“, starring Frederic the Great, a scrawny rescue rabbit with a huge enthusiasm for life! Follow along as he guides us through his sometimes rocky transition from “castoff” to “king of the castle”. Entertaining and utterly charming, this collection of blogs will delight rabbit lovers of all ages.

For fans of our Hoppy Endings blogs, we offer our newest book, “Where the Pigs Hop and the Bunnies Snore”. This lively assortment of stories presents some of our sanctuary’s most memorable residents, like Wilbur the traveling pig, Leroy, the duck with an identity crisis, and Gabe, the reformed bad bun. With plenty of photos and first person accounts from the humans who knew these animals the best, this book is a sure-fire cure for the post-holiday doldrums.

And finally, for those who’d love a real rabbit but just don’t have the time/space/agreeable spouse, we’ve got the next best thing–a virtual bunny! Rabbit sponsors provide food, bedding, and veterinary care to our residents while they wait for their forever homes. Just choose a three, six, or twelve month sponsorship, then select a deserving rabbit and download his or her photo and bio to present to your loved one.

The scoop about poop

One of the happiest sights to a rabbit owner is an overflowing litter box. Seem strange? Not when you consider how vitally important it is for a bunny to have a well-functioning digestive system. You can tell a lot about a rabbit’s state of health simply by checking his or her “output”.

Rabbits are designed to be grazers, eating small amounts continually throughout the day. This way, food moves constantly through the stomach and intestines, distributing nutrients and clearing out hair and other debris that the rabbit might accidentally ingest, like your carpet! The fiber found in high-quality grass hays (like the timothy we serve at GLRS) helps this process along.

Normal, healthy bunny poop is firm, round, and dry, and there’s a lot of it. (This can come in handy during the spring growing season, because rabbit poop makes excellent fertilizer!) Your bun will also produce a smaller, softer pellet known as a cecotrope. You may never see these, because they are highly nutritious and your rabbit will eat them as soon as they come out.

Check your rabbit’s litterbox every day. If you see soft, runny stools, you may need to adjust his diet. Too much starch (crackers, biscuits, cookies) or too much sugar (fruit, carrots) can be detrimental. If your bun is producing otherwise normal-looking pellets strung together like a strand of pearls, you may want to brush him more often to remove the excess hair he’s swallowing when he grooms himself or his companion bunny. If the poop is small, hard, or misshapen, try offering your bun a heaping helping of wet greens.

**If your rabbit hasn’t been eating, or stops pooping for 12 hours or longer, you should get her to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.  This could indicate a life-threatening condition known as stasis. You MUST treat this as an emergency!**

So remember, a pooping bunny is a healthy bunny. (It’s helpful to remind yourself of this the next time you accidentally step on an errant pellet!)