Well, Easter is upon us - and if you're lucky, that means the Easter Bunny has brought you a basket full of goodies (mmmmm . . . speckled chocolate eggs with a crunchy candy shell).
So, in honor of this hip-hopping holiday, I thought it might be fun to share some fun facts about our cats' and dogs' favorite cousin, the rabbit:
The longest rabbit ears on record belonged to an English Lop called Nipper's Geronimo and measured 31.125 inches. And I thought my ears stuck out.
Rabbits aren't hard to potty train. Just be sure you don't use a clumping litter with deodorizing crystals, since rabbits have a tendency to, well . . . eat their emissions - especially at night. Yesterday's News, a non-toxic kitty litter that I mentioned in a previous post, also makes a rabbit version, which is a great choice for bunny litter boxes.
Rabbits can be let free to roam the house, just like a cat or dog. But they do have a tendency to chew. So be sure to clear the floor of wires, wooden chair legs, or any other toothsomely tempting things they might mistake as toys.
Ever seen a rabbit spontaneously jump, spin or twist? That's a sign of sheer happiness. If your bunny does this, it means he's so full of joy that he simply can't contain himself. This could, quite possibly, be the most adorable thing I've ever heard.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes 47 different breeds of rabbits - from long-haired Angoras to itty bitty dwarfs. Additionally, they have 30,000 members, host hundreds of rabbit shows each year, and crown one national rabbit queen at the national rabbit convention. A fascinating (and funny) documentary, called Rabbit Fever, is coming out this year, which captures the race for the rabbit crown - and the stories of a few of the show's competitors. If the trailer is any indication, we're looking at a riveting account of rabbit show rivalry.
Rabbits are not a "novelty pet." Yup, bunnies are adorable, and it's temping to spontaneously adopt a floppy-eared fluff ball - especially around Easter. But impulse pet purchases are never a good idea. Rabbits require at least four hours of exercise a day, and they're extremely social creatures that take a lot of work to care for - so think long and hard before you bring one home this holiday.
Do your rabbits get along with your cats and dogs? What do you think about having bunnies as pets? Share your stories in the comments below.
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