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Wednesday, January 4, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Paw
Prints
Jodi Schneider McNamee
Columnist
Rabbits as
house pets
Rabbits are intelligent
social animals. And they
make wonderful companions
– for the right people.
According to current
data from the American Pet
Products Manufacturers’
Association (APPMA), rab-
bit ownership has increased
dramatically over the past
decade. There are now
approximately 5.3 million
companion rabbits owned
by 2.2 million households in
America.
Many pet parents fre-
quently characterize them-
selves as a dog person or a
cat person. But who, exactly,
is a rabbit person?
According to Jennifer
Saver, D.V.M., who spe-
cializes in rabbits, a rab-
bit person is someone who
enjoys observing as much as
handling, and who does not
get overly upset at a rabbits’
natural tendencies, such as
chewing and digging.
Some folks also wonder
if rabbits are more like a cat
or a dog. Neither, of course.
They’re like rabbits! A rab-
bit may use a litterbox like
a cat and get excited to see
you like a dog, but really,
rabbits aren’t quite like
either of these animals.
Rabbits have strikingly
distinctive personalities
and love to spend time with
their humans. They require
human interaction. Without
it they can get bored, even to
the point of becoming lonely
and depressed.
An important aspect of
keeping a rabbit as a pet
is remembering that they
are prey animals. Sudden
movements and loud noises
trigger their natural response
to seek protection.
Prospective pet par-
ents of rabbits should learn
about their specialized diets,
health issues and dawn and
dusk crepuscular schedule
(rabbits usually sleep during
the day and night, becom-
ing playful at dawn). They
will want to create a rabbit-
friendly habitat just as they
would make a nice home for
another type of pet.
Although the rabbit’s
earliest relationship with
humans was as a fur and
food commodity, folks were
already keeping them as pets
by the 18th century. British
poet William Cowper kept
hares in his home to help
combat his severe depres-
sion, and he wrote about his
love and appreciation for
these creatures as compan-
ion animals.
Rabbits need to be han-
dled daily and they need to
be let out for several hours
each day for exercise. These
furry creatures enjoy explor-
ing their surroundings
— just make sure that he
has a safe area to play and
explore.
Many people bunny-
proof their homes and let
their rabbit roam freely. If
kept in a cage, they need a
lot of room to easily move
around. A rabbit’s cage
should be a minimum of five
times the size of your rabbit.
He should be able to com-
pletely stretch out in his cage
and stand up on his hind legs
without bumping his head
on the top of the cage.
Every rabbit pet parent
should know that the saf-
est place for him to live is
indoors. Domestic rabbits
are different from their wild
relatives; they do not toler-
ate extreme temperatures
well, especially in the hot
summer months.
Rabbits have complex
digestive systems, so it’s
very important that they
get a proper diet. Many
health problems in rabbits
are caused by foods that
are incompatible with their
digestive physiology.
One main food for a
rabbit is hay. Your bunny
should have access to a
Home is where the heart is
Found dog
escapes
shelter
PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE
Captain Faramir — a Flemish giant owned by Dechen Dawkins — lives in
Sisters.
constant supply of hay,
which aids their digestive
systems and provides fiber
to help prevent health prob-
lems such as hair balls, diar-
rhea, and obesity.
Rabbits are also frag-
ile animals that must be
handled carefully. Never
let your rabbit’s body hang
free, and never pick him up
by his ears. When thinking
about adding a rabbit to your
family, please remember
that rabbits are not toys and
they are typically not appro-
priate pets for very young
children.
If you’re looking for a
pet who is as interactive as a
puppy but not as demanding,
think about having a rabbit.
And if you live in a small
house or apartment and are
looking for a cuddly pet who
doesn’t require a lot of space
like a dog, a rabbit may be
right for you.
Bunnies are also easily
trained to use a litterbox.
Using the principals of posi-
tive reinforcement train-
ing, rabbit pet parents can
encourage their pets to learn
certain behaviors by repeat-
edly rewarding them with
special treats.
Even though rabbits
are complex creatures and
require a great deal of spe-
cial care and supervision,
these adorable sweet animals
can be charming, affection-
ate, and very interactive!
BEND (AP) — A border
collie that was scheduled to
have a heartfelt reunion with
its owner after being missing
for nine months will have to
delay the appointment.
The Bulletin reports that
the dog broke out of the ani-
mal shelter that had housed
her after she was found last
week in Deschutes County
just five hours before she was
set to meet with her owner,
62-year-old Susan Bonney.
Bonney lost the dog,
Gracie, nine months ago while
visiting her sister in March.
The Temecula, California
resident had given up hope
on finding her dog until she
received a call on December
22 that Gracie had been found.
Bonney drove 900 miles to
meet Gracie, only instead to
be met with the news of her
escape.
Bonney says Gracie is an
“escape artist” and that she’s
confident she’ll find her dog
again.
Chase Away
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Blues With
A Hot New
Hairstyle.
152 E. Main Ave. • 541-549-8771
Jeff • Theresa • Ann • Jamie • Shiela • Terri • Shanntyl • Brittany
January 11 – February 24
Reception to meet the artists
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has been protecting
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over 25 years.
Competitive Pricing • Great Service
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541-549-3172 • 1-800-752-8540 • 704 W. Hood Ave.
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Friday, January 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
People’s Choice Awards and Silent Auction
The community may vote at the library for the awards
between Wednesday, January 11 & Friday, January 27.
All are invited!
For information, contact Zeta Seiple at 541-549-6157
or Paul Alan Bennett at 541-588-0156.