Did you know that rabbits were initially domesticated in the fifth century? People of southern France and the Iberian Peninsula may have been the first to domesticate Floppy. Rabbits became incredibly popular pets during the Victorian era, which may explain why they appear so frequently in literature from that time. In this story, a local Burleson, TX veterinarian shares some interesting rabbit facts.

They Have Specific Nutritional Requirements

Before adopting a pet, you should understand what your new animal friend’s diet should be. Rabbits have very specific requirements when it comes to this. Floppy needs an infinite amount of grass hay, such as Timothy hay. This should be complemented with commercially produced food and safe fruits and vegetables. Ask your Burleson, TX vet for specific advice.

They Need Chew Toys. Lots And Lots Of Chew Toys

This one would belong under basic rabbit care rather than entertaining facts, but we’ve included it anyway. Bunnies have open-rooted teeth, so they must chew regularly to avoid dental problems. You’ll need to supply your tiny companion with a variety of safe, appropriate chew toys. Many of these may be made at home using materials such as cardboard, paper, and wood. Ask your veterinarian for further information.

They Love Sweets

Bunnies are infamous for enjoying sweet treats, such as bananas. However, don’t be fooled by Floppy’s adorable face: too much sugar is bad for her. (This includes carrots. Sorry, Bugs!) Make sure you only feed your rabbit foods that are safe for her. Ask your Burleson, TX veterinarian for recommendations.

They’re Very Clean

Have you ever seen a rabbit brush her ear with her paw to clean it? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most adorable things ever. Floppy can even be litterbox trained! Ask your veterinarian for guidance on how to train your pet.

Floppy May Have Sunk A Ship

According to folklore, rabbits on a 17th-century ship nibbled through its wooden hull. This resulted in the ship sinking, drowning numerous men. Even now, Brittany vessels does not allow rabbits aboard their vessels.

They Do Not Like Getting Wet

We all know that plenty of our canine pals dislike baths. However, rabbits are also not fond of water. In fact, getting wet might frighten Floppy to death! Bunnies often get extremely terrified if submerged in water … to the point that they can die of shock.

Another reason to avoid getting your bunny wet? Floppy’s hair and skin might remain moist for some time. This puts her at risk for flystrike, which is extremely painful and hazardous, not to mention disgusting.)

Never bathe your rabbit. If your furry family member gets something spilled on her, you may carefully soak that section of her body in lukewarm water, swirl it around to clean her, and gently pat her dry. If she gets anything on her head, simply use a face cloth to clean her.

They Do Not Like Guinea Pigs

Other than dogs and cats, bunnies and guinea pigs are some of the most popular pets. However, it appears that these two do not get along very well. They don’t speak the same language, which can result in a lot of body language misinterpretations. They also require different diets. It’s also worth noting that bunnies may injure cavies. If you decide to have both, keep them separate.

They’re Little Athletes

Rabbits can really move when they need to. They can run at speeds of up to 18 mph. They are also excellent jumpers, capable of jumping up to four feet and clearing nine feet horizontally. (This is one reason we don’t recommend having Floppy play in your yard. Do not allow your pet to go outdoors unless you have high, safe fences. Even then, we would still advise against it.)

Everybunny Loves Them

Several fictional rabbits have won our hearts throughout the years. The Easter Bunny would undoubtedly be at the top of that list, but numerous others have also gained popularity.

Here are some of the most classic and popular buns:

• Roger Rabbit
• The White Rabbit (Alice In Wonderland)
• Rabbit (Winnie The Pooh)
• Bugs Bunny
• Thumper
• Peter Rabbit
• Snowball (Secret Life Of Pets)
• The Velveteen Rabbit
• Buster Baxter (Arthur)
• Lola Bunny (Space Jam)
• Br’er Rabbit (African-American Folklore)
• March Hare (Alice In Wonderland)
• Skippy (Robin Hood)
• The Energizer Bunny
• Fiver (Watership Down)
• Officer Judy Hopps (Zootopia)
• Anais Watterson (The Amazing World Of Gumball)
• Nesquik Bunny
• Babs Bunny (Tiny Toons)
• The Trix Rabbit

Floppy Is Very Sociable

Some of our animal companions do quite well on their own. Rabbits? Not particularly. These guys are often quite friendly and can become lonely if they don’t have any friends. In fact, they’ll become melancholy if they don’t have anybunny to hang out with.

There are 50 Bunny Breeds

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially recognizes fifty distinct rabbit breeds. While these guys all have the same basic care needs, they range significantly in size, coat, and disposition. For example, the fluffy Angora requires a lot of brushing to keep its long locks in good condition. Some, like the Belgian hare, are aloof and prefer to be housed in outdoor hutches, provided the weather is not too harsh. The teeny-tiny Lionshead has proven quite popular among apartment residents, while the friendly Dutch Rabbit is an excellent choice for youngsters.

Before you adopt a rabbit, do some research and see your Burleson, TX veterinarian for specialized recommendations.

Floppy Can Live Up To 12 Years

Before adopting a pet, be sure you are prepared for a lifetime commitment. Adoption is a lifetime promise! If you adopt a rabbit, you may be committing to over a decade of TLC.

They Communicate Using Body Language

We all know that cats purr and dogs wag their tails when they’re happy. Rabbits have their own method of expressing their contentment: the Binkie. This is basically a rabbit happy dance, and it’s just as adorable as it sounds.

However, this is not the only way rabbits express themselves. If you have a stubborn bun, you may notice that Floppy occasionally stomps her feet when she is impatient. Your pet’s gestures and expressions may also provide information about her mood. Other rabbits can easily interpret these signs, but people may ignore them.

They’re Really Stubborn

Floppy may be charming, but don’t let his naive expression deceive you. Some rabbits are quite pushy! Your pet may be upset with you for altering her cage or being late with her treat. If she is, she may express her dissatisfaction by beating her foot or turning her back to you.

Floppy’s Cute Ears Are Quite Amazing

Rabbits’ ears are one of their most endearing characteristics. They are not only adorable, but also extremely astonishing!

• Bunnies can rotate their ears 180 degrees. This allows them to locate where a sound is originating from. As one might expect, this is very helpful with fleeing predators.
• Rabbits utilize their ears to control their body temperature.
• The practice of pranking someone in photographs by placing your fingers behind their head in a ‘Bunny ears’ gesture dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was intended to humiliate people.
• Wild rabbits’ ears do not flop down. This endearing quality is the outcome of breeding. However, there is one disadvantage: you must maintain your pet’s ears clean.
• Rabbit ears are quite delicate.

Do you have any queries regarding caring for your rabbit? Contact us, your Burleson, TX animal clinic, today!