HRS Article:
"Thoughts and Tips on Rabbits
with Families"
Tips to Mom and Dad, for integrating a companion animal into a busy
family
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Attitutude
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Consider your pet a companion for the entire family.
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Accept the fact that rabbit care will fall to on your shoulders. Realize
it and be at peace with it.... then make plans to make the job easier.
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Don't even try to make "rabbit care" a chore for the kids to do. It becomes
a battle and creates negative feelings.
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Encourage helping. (i.e., "Yes, you can help Mommy make the bunny-buffet
tonight, or "Peter can play in your room, after you give him fresh water.
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Activities
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Supervise small children with the bunny, for the safety of both child and
rabbit.
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Schedule play-times with bunny.. such as after homework is finished or
after a good lunch.
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Have play-times with bunny instead of TV or invite bunny to watch TV with
the family.
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During play-time everyone sits on the floor with bunny. Offer treats
if he comes near your lap. Stoke his head and ears if he lays down.
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Find toys bunny likes, such as tubes, boxes & baby toys for play-time.
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Have the kids choose the greens for bunny at the market.
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Have your kids show guests how to pet the bunny properly and how to give
treats. This gives them a sense of responsibility for him.
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Always have "house rules" like;
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No picking up the rabbit.
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Leave bunny alone when he retreats to his house or pen.
Make sure guest are aware of the house rules. House rules are nice
because kids don't feel singled-out or incapable. Instead of saying,
"You cannot pick up the rabbit", it feels better to say, "There is a rule
in the house.. no one picks up the rabbit."
Making the maintenance task easier:
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Line litterboxes with plastic liners or garbage bags (if your rabbit isn't
interested in chewing them) or newspaper, or both.
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Use an absorbent paper litter, like Yesterday's News or Critter Country.
Sprinkle fresh litter on top every day.
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Change litterboxes frequently, every other day or so (easier to clean when
they are not overfilled).
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Cover litterbox with a hood, to stop digging messes.
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Keep hay in a hopper or other container to eliminate strewn hay. Or put
hay in the litterbox if it is large enough.
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Keep wisk brooms or dustbuster near pen.
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Daily maintenance should be 10 minutes (per rabbit) maximum, make a routine
of it.
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Neuter your rabbit.