Bunny Facts To Nibble On

Were you aware that rabbits were initially domesticated in the fifth century? Monks from 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 article, a local San Antonio, TX  veterinarian shares some interesting rabbit facts.

They Have A Special Way Of Stealing Our Hearts

All of our animal pals are adorable, but bunnies are particularly adept at capturing hearts. Floppy has brought that talent for charming us to both the big and the small screen. Many fictional rabbits have won our hearts over the years. The Easter Bunny would undoubtedly be at the top of that list, but several others have also gained popularity.

Here are some of the most classic and popular buns:

• Bugs Bunny
• Thumper
• Alice in Wonderland: The White Rabbit.
• Rabbit (Winnie the Pooh
• Snowball (The Secret Life of Pets).
• The Velveteen Rabbit
• Babs Bunny (Tiny Toons).
• The Trix Rabbit 
• Officer Judy Hopps (Zootopia)
• Anais Watterson (The Amazing World of Gumball)
• Nesquik Bunny
• Peter Rabbit
• Roger 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)

Bunnies Are Shy Extroverts

Some of our animal companions do just fine on their own. Rabbits? Not so much. These guys are typically quite friendly, and they can become lonely if they do not have any friends. In fact, they’ll become depressed if they don’t have any rabbit buddies.

There Are 50 Bunny Breeds

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially recognizes fifty different rabbit breeds. While these guys all have the same basic care needs, they range significantly in size, coat, and personality. For example, the fluffy Angora requires a lot of beauty care to keep its long locks in good condition. 

Temperaments also range from breed to breed. Some, such as the Belgian hare, are aloof and prefer to be kept 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 children.

Before you adopt a rabbit, do some research and talk to your San Antonio, TX  veterinarian for recommendations.

Those Adorable Ears Are Quite Remarkable

Rabbits’ ears are one of their most endearing characteristics. They are not only really, really cute, but also quite astonishing!

• Bunnies can rotate their ears 180 degrees. This allows them to locate where a sound is coming from. As one might expect, this is quite useful in both detecting and 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 minor drawback: you’ll have to keep your pet’s ears clean.
• Rabbit ears are quite delicate and sensitive, because of all those nerve endings.

Floppy Can Live Up To 12 Years

If you adopt a bunny, you may be committing to more than a decade of care. Before bringing Floppy into your home, make sure you are prepared for a lifetime commitment. Adoption is lifelong! 

Floppy Might Have Actually Sunk A Ship

According to folklore, rabbits on a 17th-century ship chewed through its wooden hull. This led to the ship sinking, drowning several men. This sparked some new practices, some of which are still in effect today. For instance, even now, Brittany Ferries does not allow rabbits on their vessels … which of course are no longer made of wood.

They Use Their Body Language To Communicate

Our animal friends all have ways of showing their contentment. When dogs are happy, they wag their tails, while content kitties purr. Rabbits also have a way of expressing their joy: 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. 

They Can Be Just As Stubborn As They Are Cute

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

They Can Be Litter Boxes Trained 

Rabbits are naturally quite clean. They can even be trained to use litter boxes! Ask your San Antonio, TX  veterinarian for advice on training Floppy!

They Need Chew Toys

This one should be under fundamental rabbit care, rather than entertaining facts, but we’re including it anyhow. Bunnies have open-rooted teeth. Therefore, they must chew regularly to avoid dental problems. You’ll need to supply your fuzzy buddy with a variety of safe, appropriate chew toys. Many of these can be made at home, using materials such as cardboard, paper, and wood. Contact your San Antonio, TX  veterinarian for further information.

They Groom Themselves

Have you ever seen a bunny brush her ear with her paw to clean it? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most adorable things ever!

They Have Specialized Dietary Needs

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

Floppy Has A Sweet Tooth

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 him. (This includes carrots. Sorry, Bugs!) Make sure you only feed your rabbit foods that are appropriate for her. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Floppy Is Not Fond Of Guinea Pigs

Besides dogs and cats, bunnies and guinea pigs are two of the most popular pets. However, the two of them do not get along very well. They don’t speak the same language, which can lead to lots of body language misinterpretations. Plus, they require totally different diets. 

It’s also worth noting that bunnies are capable of harming cavies. If you decide to have both, keep them separated.

They’re Very Athletic

Space Jam may have had a bit of truth to it. While many pet bunnies spend their days happily nibbling hay, these little balls of fur can really move when they need to. Bunnies 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 furry friend out unless you have high, safe fences.)

Floppy Really Does Not Like Water

We’re well aware that a lot of our canine buddies dread baths. However, bunnies are also not fond of water. In fact, getting wet can scare Floppy to death! When these guys become submerged in water, they often get so scared that they pass out from shock.

You should never bathe your rabbit. If your furry friend gets something spilled on her, you can gently soak that section of her body in lukewarm water, swish it around, and dry her. If she gets something on her head, simply use a facecloth.

Another reason to never get your bunny wet? Because they are not adapted to swimming, their fur and skin might remain damp for some time. This puts them at risk for flystrike, which is both painful and hazardous. (It’s also extremely gross.) Ask your vet for more information. 

Do you have any queries about caring for your rabbit? Contact your San Antonio, TX  animal clinic today!