Bunnies as Pets

Veterinarian Bernadine Cruz suggests having a bunny as a pet, especially if you are allergic to cats and dogs. They're playful, easy to train and inexpensive to maintain.

• Make sure a bunny is the appropriate pet for your family. They generally do not do well with very small children.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Always pick up your bunny by the body, not the ears. Tuck it under your arm when you're carrying it, and it will stay calm because it can't see where it's going (figure A).

Bunny teeth are always growing, so they will always want to be chewing. Make sure electrical cords are out of the way when the bunny is out of the cage. Provide chew toys like wooden blocks or cardboard paper-towel holders (figure B).

Bunny cages need to have a solid bottom to prevent the bunny from injuring its feet on the wire.

Use a water bottle instead of a water dish to avoid a big mess.

Torn paper towels make a comfortable, inexpensive cage-lining material.

Bunnies should be kept indoors because they can't handle high heat. They also need to be let out of their cages regularly.

Pellets are a balanced pet food that can be supplemented with carrots and their tops, parsley or fruit.

Bunnies self-groom. To help avoid tummy problems from swallowing hair, try grooming regularly with a brush and serving fresh pineapple or pineapple juice, or papaya, twice a week. These help dissolve hair.

Guests
Dr. Bernadine Cruz
Veterinarian, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital
Laguna Hills, CA
Phone: 949-837-7333
Website: lagunahillsanimalhospital.com
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Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-762
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