This week, on All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Paige Parsons offered expert tips on proper rabbit (also interchangeably referred to as a bunny) care and shared key considerations for those interested in rabbit adoption.
Paige Parsons is the founder of The Rabbit.org Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of rabbits through awareness initiatives, educational resources and outreach efforts. In collaboration with The House Rabbit Society, Paige launched the first-ever rabbit education website in 1994, a pioneering resource that later evolved into Rabbit.org.
Paige broke down a common misconception about house rabbits. While many people perceive rabbits as low-maintenance pets, Paige emphasized their long lifespans and costly dietary requirements, highlighting the need for proper care and attention. Additionally, rabbits require care from exotic veterinarians. Because bunnies are prey animals, they instinctively hide signs of pain, making it challenging to detect injuries or illnesses until they become more severe. Also, as prey animals, a bunny can be easily frightened, sometimes to the point of death.
Paige underlined some of the nuances of rabbit ownership, noting that rabbits can be independent and aloof, and that they require ample space to roam and explore. According to Paige, the ideal rabbit owner is someone who appreciates observing their pet’s behavior and is comfortable with the fact that rabbits may not always seek direct interaction. While other companion animals can live peacefully with rabbits, careful conditioning is required to ensure your rabbit’s safety. Paige explained that rabbits are highly social animals. She recommended adopting them in pairs to ensure their social and enrichment needs are fully met. Adopting from a rescue organization is the most ethical and cost-efficient way to welcome a bunny into your family. If you are interested in adoption, check out Rabbit.org’s directory to locate a local rescue organization.
Paige stressed the importance of rabbit sterilization efforts. She explained that the gestation period for a rabbit is 28-31 days, with an average litter size of 6-8 offspring. Furthermore, a rabbit can become pregnant on the same day it gives birth. Given these factors, it’s easy to see how quickly rabbit populations can grow. Paige also noted that 50% of female rabbits over the age of four develop reproductive cancer. Proper sterilization can reduce the probability of future ailments and circumvent unwanted behaviors such as spraying.
When asked how to handle discovering a seemingly orphaned bunny, Paige explained that the first step is to determine whether it is a domestic rabbit. She noted that slender, elongated front legs are the most reliable indicator of a wild rabbit. In most circumstances, wild rabbits should not be disturbed. On the other hand, Paige recommended contacting a local rabbit rescue if you come across an abandoned domestic rabbit.
If you would like to learn more about house rabbits, please visit Rabbit.org. Follow The Rabbit.org Foundation on social media at Instagram.com/RabbitDotOrg & Facebook.com/RabbitDotOrgFoundation.
Please remember to protect your beloved pet with a Pet Trust! Find out more at ACT4Pets.org!
