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This Speakout has not been edited

By Michelle Jansick

I'm one of those annoying people who treat their pets like kids because they don't have any actual human children of their own. My husband has feared for quite some time that someday I will be known as "the crazy rabbit lady." He has a legitimate concern.

I have two lop-eared bunnies named KC and Shane. They live inside and even have their very own room. Anyone who comes to our house is forced to watch a video of my bunnies "happy dancing" through the back yard to the tune of "Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees".

If you are thinking about adding a 'fuzz-butt' to your family, then here are some things you should know...

1.Rabbits are NOT good pets for children under the age of 8 years old. Many parents think that bunnies are perfect pets for kids because they are little and cuddly. But most bunnies don't stay little and cuddly. They can grow to be quite large (my mini-lop is as big as a cat). Most rabbits feel frightened when they are held; they prefer to stay on the ground. They have sharp toenails that can scratch and sharp teeth that can bite. Bunnies are fragile creatures who need to be treated in a gentle manner. Young kids tend to squeeze bunnies too tight and cause serious injury to their furry friends. (By the way, it's NEVER okay to hold a bunny by its ears). Bunnies prefer quiet, calm surroundings and they get stressed out around rambunctious children.

2.Rabbits can die of fright. A bunny can die of a heart attack if a dog barks at him even if the dog doesn't bite him. Although there are a few rare exceptions, the general rule is that dogs (even little ones) and rabbits don't mix. Cats are also natural enemies to bunnies, so make sure to keep them apart too.

3.Rabbits can be litter box trained. Some bunnies are better at it than others, but most of them can learn to use a litter box in just a few days. If you're worried about the smell, try aspen litter in pellet form; it absorbs the odor and is safe for rabbits. (Studies indicate that pine shavings, cedar shavings, and clay cat litters can cause health problems in rabbits.)

4.The life expectancy of an indoor rabbit is 8-12 years, but outdoor rabbits generally live less than half that long. When temperatures get into the 80s and above, many outdoor rabbits die of heat exposure. (It helps to freeze water in a big soda bottle and put it in their cage for them to lean against.) Predators are also a major threat to outdoor bunnies.

5.Female rabbits have an 80% chance of dying of ovarian cancer if they are not spayed. Spaying or neutering your rabbit (at age 6 months) will help to prevent overpopulation, health problems, and behavioral problems. ALWAYS make sure to take your bunny to a vet who is very familiar with rabbits; otherwise you'll be wasting your money and endangering your pet.

6.Hay and green vegetables are an important part of a rabbit's diet. It's okay to feed a rabbit some pellets, but timothy hay and vegetables (such as romaine lettuce and parsley) play a crucial role in keeping a rabbit's digestive system healthy.

7.Rabbits need exercise. We all know that dogs need exercise and yet many folks see nothing wrong with confining a bunny to a little cage day after monotonous day. Let your bunny stretch his legs daily by letting him run through your house or yard. (Keep a close eye on him so he doesn't chew electrical wires, dig under the fence, or get carried off by a hawk).

8.Rabbits need regular maintenance. Bunnies need to be brushed frequently, especially when they are shedding. They need their toenails clipped on a regular basis. It's important to check for common health problems such as ear mites and misaligned teeth. It can be hard to tell when your rabbit is sick, so familiarize yourself with his normal behavior and take him to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual.

9.Bunnies bond in pairs. A single bunny can get very lonely and bored. Consider getting two bunnies so that they can keep each other company. Don't assume that one bunny will automatically get along with another bunny (unless they are both very young); if you put two bunnies together in the same cage they will probably fight. Research how to introduce two bunnies to each other. Remember to get one or both bunnies spayed/neutered.

10.Rabbits give kisses to show affection. If you have a happy, healthy bunny then don't be surprised if he licks your hand to say "I love you". Each rabbit has a personality of its own and they can be wonderful companions.

The more you know about rabbits, the better owner you will be. For more tips about how to be a great rabbit owner, please see the website www.rabbit.org.

READER COMMENTS

As the author of the article, in response to "Mike" who left a comment:

Mike
I'm sorry I didn't respond to your post! Today is May 21st and I just now discovered that my article was published on the Rocky Mountain News website! So I didn't get your post until now and I doubt you'll even see my belated response.

Anyway, thank you for your fun comments! I would love to post the happy dance video for you and your niece, however I used some weird software and I can't figure out how to convert it to a file format known to mankind.

And yes, KC is a girl. Your niece can email me at jansick@excite.com with the rest of her 1000 questions, and I'll see if I can answer them. There are not nearly enough crazy rabbit ladies in the world, and I would love to help your niece become one!!

Michelle Jansick

P.S. Did you know that Bob Barker has two bunnies named Mr. Rabbit and Honey Bunny and that they have their very own room in his house?

Dear Crazy-Rabbit-Lady,

Thanks for a very pleasant letter. My niece is asking that you post the Happy-Rabbit-Dance video and put a link to it here. I told her any VERY-crazy-rabbit-lady worth her salt would probably already have posted it if she had the computer skills and the video in a digital file, so you might not be equipped to, but she begged me to ask, so...? And she wants to know if KC is a girl? And she has a bit over 1000 more questions, so my guess is she is an up-and-coming crazy-rabbit-lady herself, and I told her in time she would know all there is to know about rabbits. But she still hopes for a video. : )
(if you post a link, leave off the "http://" because sometimes those posts are held up).

Thanks again.

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