The Domestic Rabbit: Your Furry Bestie

First up, we have the domestic rabbit, also known as the pet bunny that cuddles its way into our hearts. These cute fluffballs are descendants of the European rabbit and have been bred to become the perfect companions for us humans. They come in a plethora of breeds, from the Netherland Dwarf to the Flemish Giant – tiny to gigantic!

The domestic rabbit, true to its name, prefers the cozy life indoors. You’ll often find them nibbling on pellets, veggies, and, of course, their favorite munchies – bananas! Just don’t give them too much banana or other fruit – it can upset their tummies. Since they don’t have to worry about predators or finding food, they live a pretty relaxed life. So, don’t be surprised if your pet bunny doesn’t possess the same survival instincts as its wild relatives.

The Wild Rabbit: The Furry Fugitive

Next in the ring, we have the wild rabbit, often confused with its domestic cousin, but they’re two peas in different pods! Wild rabbits are agile and speedy creatures that thrive in a variety of habitats, from meadows and forests to urban parks, even swamps – they’re everywhere!

Unlike domestic rabbits, wild bunnies have to be on constant alert for predators like foxes, hawks, and even snakes. Survival is their game, and they’ve evolved to be experts at it! Their fur may look similar to that of their domestic counterparts, but their coloration usually serves as camouflage, blending seamlessly into their surroundings.

Wild rabbits have a varied diet, munching on grass, leaves, bark, and whatever veggies they can find. You can find out more details about what wild bunnies eat here. They’re always on the move, darting through the bushes like furry ninjas. So, if you spot one, consider yourself lucky, as they’re masters of hide-and-seek!

The Hare: The Lightning Bolt of Fluff

Last but not least, we have the hare – the speed demon of the bunny world! Hares are often mistaken for rabbits due to their similar appearance, but there are some notable differences. These long-legged fluffsters are built for speed, with powerful hind limbs that propel them like furry rockets.

Unlike rabbits, hares don’t dig burrows to live in. Instead, they prefer shallow depressions called “forms” to rest and give birth to their young. And when it comes to escaping predators, hares put the “zoom” in “zooom”! They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (that’s faster than your favorite race car) and can jump like they have springs in their feet.

Hares also have a more “hands-off” approach to parenting. When they give birth, their young, called leverets, are born with fur and their eyes open – basically ready to fend for themselves. Learn more about the fascinating lives of hares.

In a Nutshell: Know Your Bunnies

Whether you have a cuddly companion at home, spot a wild bunny nibbling away, or catch a glimpse of a lightning-fast hare, remember to admire and respect these adorable creatures. They may be different, but they all contribute to the charm of the animal kingdom.

Now go forth and spread the bunny love! And don’t forget to share your heart with a bunny in need – they’ll be hopping with joy!

The post The Coney Contrast: Domestic Rabbit vs. Wild Rabbit vs. Hare first appeared on The Hoppening Houston.

The post The Coney Contrast: Domestic Rabbit vs. Wild Rabbit vs. Hare appeared first on The Hoppening Houston.

Now, don’t get me wrong, pizza is like a heavenly gift to us humans. But when it comes to our furry little friends, bunnies, it’s a whole different story. Here’s the tea on why bunnies and pizza don’t mix:

1. Tummy Troubles: Bunnies have super sensitive tummies, sis! Their diet should mainly consist of hay, fresh veggies, and some rabbit pellets, not greasy slices of pizza loaded with cheese and toppings. Bunnies are herbivores, meaning they can’t eat cheese or meat. Think your rabbit can just barf it up if it upsets their stomach? Think again. Rabbits cannot throw up. Their digestive systems aren’t built that way. Pizza can seriously upset their delicate digestion, leading to tummy aches and messy bunny poops. Liquid bunny poop means an emergency trip to the exotic vet. No one wants that for their adorable fur baby, right?
   
2. Obesity Alert: Just like us, bunnies need to watch their waistlines too! Even if pizza was safe for them (it isn’t), pizza is high in fat and calories, which can make bunnies gain weight like there’s no tomorrow. Excess weight can cause the same problems they do in humans – arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and joint problems. They have difficulty cleaning themselves. We want our little fluffballs to stay fit and active.
   
3. Sneaky Ingredients: Pizza toppings can be a real sneaky snake, hun! Some ingredients like onions, garlic, and mushrooms are big no-nos for bunnies – they’re toxic and can mess with their health. Even the tomato sauce can be too acidic for their sensitive systems. We wouldn’t want to put our buns’ health at risk, would we?
   
4. Dental Drama: Bunnies’ teeth never stop growing! That’s why they need fibrous food like hay to chew on, to keep those pearly whites in check. Pizza is soft and doesn’t do much for their dental hygiene. We don’t want our buns dealing with gnawing pain, do we?
   
5. Say Bye to Nutrition: Pizza might be a delicious treat for us, but it’s not bunny-approved nutrition. Bunnies need a well-balanced diet to thrive, packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Most importantly, bunnies need raw veggies. Pizza simply doesn’t cut it, babes!
   
6. Habitual Hazards: If we start feeding our buns pizza, they might get a little too obsessed with it, and that’s not good news. Bunnies can be picky eaters, and we don’t want them refusing their healthy rabbit food for a slice of cheesy goodness every day!

So, my fabulous friends, let’s keep pizza for ourselves and shower our bunnies with love by giving them a bunny-friendly diet! They’ll be happier, and healthier, and will hop around like the adorable fluffsters they are. And remember, when in doubt about your bunny’s diet, always consult a rabbit-savvy vet!

Stay fierce and bunny-friendly!

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1. Hay – The Fiber-Frenzy!

First things first, let’s talk about hay, the holy grail of bunny munchies. Think of it as a bunny’s version of Netflix and chill – they can nibble on it all day long! Timothy hay, orchard grass, or meadow hay are the top picks here. It’s like a never-ending salad bar for our furry pals, helping keep their tummies happy, their teeth trim, and their digestive systems in tip-top shape. Just make sure they have an endless supply, so they’re never without their crunchy snacks!

2. Veggies – Rainbow of Goodness!

Now, let’s add some color to their mealtime fiesta with fresh veggies! What’s a bunny’s favorite color? GREEN! Leafy greens like kale, romaine lettuce, and spinach are superstars on the bunny plate. And hey, who doesn’t love a good herb now and then? Sprinkle some parsley or cilantro on that salad for an extra yum-factor.

But hold your celery sticks, folks! Remember, “everybunny” is different, so let them try different veggies and see what tickles their taste buds. Just make sure to introduce new veggies slowly, like a first date – you don’t want any tummy trouble!

3. Pellets – A Dash of Good Stuff!

Ah, the bunny equivalent of a tiny treasure chest! Pellets are like the cherry on top of a sundae – a little goes a long way! Look for those high-fiber, low-calcium, and low-protein pellets. You want your buns to stay fit and fabulous, not get the dreaded bunny bloat!

Pro-tip: Follow the portion sizes on the pellet bag like it’s a secret recipe for the perfect carrot cake. Too much of a good thing can sometimes lead to uninvited guests like obesity, and we all know nobody likes gatecrashers at a party!

4. Fruity Treats – Sweet, but Sparing!

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat now and then? But, remember, we’re not loading up the bunny candy store here! Fruits are like special guests at the bunny feast. Apples, berries, or pears make the perfect fruity surprises. But, like all things in life, moderation is key. Too many treats can lead to bunny-sized troubles.

5. Hydration – Sip Sip Hooray!

The final touch to this furry food symphony – fresh water! Every great meal deserves a refreshing drink, right? Keep that bowl filled to the brim, so our buns never go thirsty. It’s like having your favorite drink at hand whenever you need it!

So there you have it, folks! A balanced bunny diet that will make our little cotton balls of joy dance with glee. Remember, it’s all about variety, portion sizes, and knowing your bunny’s preferences.

Now, go forth and make your bunny’s taste buds tingle with excitement! Happy bunnies, happy tummies – that’s the recipe for pure bunny bliss.

Until next time, keep those noses wiggling and those feet hopping! Happy bunny feeding!

The post Happy Bunnies, Happy Tummies: A Munchy Guide to Bunny Diets! first appeared on The Hoppening Houston.

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If you want to adopt Katy or her babies when they are ready in a few months, please visit Houston Rabbit Resource. Thank you for reading.

The post Katy’s Biggest Surprise! first appeared on The Hoppening Houston.

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Kay, the woman who helped me catch Katy, came through for me again. She was able to get a science teacher to foster Katy.

Karen, the foster coordinator at Houston Rabbit Resource, and I took Katy to her new home. We brought some supplies to get started.

Katy’s new foster mom lives in the City of Katy, not too far from where Katy was found. We entered a large, lovely home in a quiet neighborhood. Katy’s foster mom showed us to the room where Katy was to live. It had one wall with a large bookcase full of books! Plenty for Katy to read when she got bored.

After we left, Katy’s foster mom sent us lovely photos of Katy getting settled in her new home. One photo showed Katy surrounded by children feeding her fresh veggies from the backyard. Another shows Katy in her room, which looks like an office, with one of the family dogs right outside as if they are going to have an important meeting. Katy’s mom sent us videos too!

The Biggest Surprise

The biggest surprise came when we were talking to Katy’s mom. It turns out, she had a bunny who passed in 2018. The bunny’s name? It was KATIE. Talk about meant to be!

But Katy’s story has one last surprise for us. Stay tuned for the final installment in Katy’s story!

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I like to listen to music at night. And boy does that music make me feel good!

Butch sits and watches me act foolish while I enjoy my favorite jams, which can vary from night to night.

One of the songs had lyrics along the lines of “I know you love me.” I glanced at Butch and he pulled his head back as if to say, “Not me! You stay over there.”

I stopped singing and laughed!!

You may or may not know that Butch was shot with a bb gun and wandered for weeks with his wounds outside. He also had a big, fat maggot in his skin by his spine. He’s the toughest rabbit I’ve ever met.

On top of being a superhero, he’s got these gorgeous eyes. They are brown, intense, and full of intelligence. Butch is such a work of art.

The post Like A Good Neighbor – Stay Over There first appeared on The Hoppening Houston.

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Remember the abandoned bunny that hopped into my kennel in the bayou? The story continues. Once I got home, I took a look at this bunny. I looked in his ears and checked his body for wounds. I took a peek in the nether region and – gasp! He’s a girl!

Girls can pose special challenges. First of all, they can be pregnant and you have no idea until they give birth. Second, there is a way to check for pregnancy, but it takes some skill. No way am I going to mess with this little girl when I have no idea what I’m doing. So I just checked her over and moved on.

Next on the agenda is the setup. Exercise pen, litter box, water and a toy. Check. I put her in the temporary pen.

She didn’t know how to use a litter box. I put hay in the litter box, and she would stretch her neck to eat it without jumping in. So funny! Eventually, she figured it out.

I was touched by how the community in Katy rallied together to help her. Katy – I always thought it was a cute name. She is definitely a Katy.

A foster came through for Katy. And you’ll never guess what we find out! Stay tuned for more.

The post Little Katy first appeared on The Hoppening Houston.

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