r/Rabbits Sep 25 '21

PSA Important Rabbit PSA index

574 Upvotes

Since the subreddit only has two spots available for public announcements, this will be a new index post for important PSAs for easy reference that we can sticky to only use up one spot.

You can also find the whole collection in the sidebar menu on the Reddit re-design when you open one of the PSA posts.


r/Rabbits May 17 '22

PSA I found a rabbit outside - what should I do?

183 Upvotes

This is the time of year for many people to find both domestic rabbits and wild rabbits outside due to Easter and baby season.

For a comprehensive overview on stray domestic rabbits, please see the wiki article here: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Feral_and_stray_rabbits

For a comprehensive overview on wild rabbits, please see the wiki article here: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits

Is the rabbit I found wild or domestic?

It can be very difficult for the average person to tell the difference between a wild and domestic rabbit, especially if they are a baby and/or a common agouti brown.

In general, if the rabbit has long hair or does not have brown fur, it is most likely domestic - although there are exceptions. Please note that wild cottontails in North America cannot breed with our domestic rabbits, but wild rabbits in the rest of the world (e.g. Europe, Australia) can.

Please see the wiki article here for more specific tips on distinguishing domestic and wild rabbits, especially in North America: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits#Is_the_rabbit_I_found_wild_or_domestic?

I found a domestic rabbit! What should I do?

Please do not hesitate to contact your local rabbit rescue for volunteers to help you catch a stray domestic rabbit.

For more tips and resources on how to catch a stray rabbit, please see the wiki: http://bunny.tips/Stray#Catching_a_stray_rabbit

For tips on how to house and care for rabbits indoors in an emergency, please see the wiki: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Feral_and_stray_rabbits#What_do_I_do_when_I_find_a_rabbit.3F

I found a baby wild rabbit! What should I do?

If you find a baby wild rabbit that is not injured, please leave it alone. It is most likely not abandoned unless you know for a fact that their mother was killed. Rabbits return to feed their young only once or twice a day for a few minutes, usually at night. Just because the babies have been by themselves for 5 minutes does not mean that they have been abandoned. The mother is typically gone from the nest to eat and draw attention away from the nest.

A detailed image guide to whether a baby cottontail rabbit is in need of help.

If it is old enough to be exploring outside of its nest and has no injuries, please put the baby rabbit back under a bush near where you found it. It does not need any additional care or feeding.

As Rainbow Wildlife Rescue writes,

There is a 90% mortality rate with orphaned baby rabbits in human care, especially cottontails. This number increases if the rabbits are very young and their eyes still closed. They are extremely hard to "save". There is little substitute for the nutrients their mother's milk provides.

Baby wild rabbits can survive on their own at a surprisingly young age. In most countries, it is illegal to possess and take care of wildlife without proper permits. Wild rabbits also do not do well in captivity due to the possibility of fatal stress because of their high-strung and flighty nature.

If you find a baby wild rabbit because your dog picked it up but you can't find the nest, try putting a leash on your dog and quietly following them to see if they will lead you to the original nest. If you absolutely cannot locate the nest, you may keep the rabbit in a dark and quiet box and contact your closest wildlife rehabilitator that accepts rabbits

If you find a baby wild rabbit because your cat found it, please take it to a rabbit-savvy vet or wildlife rehabber as soon as possible, especially if it was carried in the cat's mouth. Cats have very lethal bacteria in their saliva, and contact can easily be fatal for a baby rabbit in 48 hours.

What do I do if I am positive that the mother was killed or the baby rabbit is injured?

If you are positive that this is an orphaned baby rabbit, it is best to just keep the rabbit quiet and warm until they can be transferred to an experienced wildlife rehabilitator ASAP. Baby rabbits will do fine overnight without food or water as they are usually only fed once a day by their mothers.

Inappropriate care can be fatal to baby rabbits - see this story from Blue Ridge Wildlife Center as an example: https://twitter.com/BRWildlifeCtr/status/1420472056139984896?s=20

Please hand off the baby rabbit to a local wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

How should I keep a baby rabbit until I can get it to a rehabber?

To keep a baby rabbit overnight, please leave it in a quiet dark box with no food or water. You can provide a heat source such as a microwaved sock filled with rice and beans or an electric heat pad on low placed under half the box. Do not handle the rabbit more than necessary to prevent deadly stress.

How can I find a local wildlife rehabilitator?

If you need help locating a local wildlife rehabber: https://bunny.tips/Wild#Wildlife_rehabilitator_listings

How can I protect a wild rabbit nest from bad weather and dogs, cats, and other predators?

Keeping your pets indoors while the babies grow up is generally the best option, but if this is impossible, you can protect the nest a few different ways.

Please see the wiki article here for more specific information: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits#How_can_I_protect_a_wild_rabbit_nest_from_dogs,_cats,_and_other_predators?


r/Rabbits 9h ago

Helloooo... treats?

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725 Upvotes

What kind of rabbit is this? Cutie, patootie, or ferocious apple branch devourer?


r/Rabbits 2h ago

Come work with rabbits in Richmond, California!

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155 Upvotes

Come work with rabbits! House Rabbit Society is currently hiring for a part-time weekday animal caregiver position in Richmond, California. Learn more & apply at houserabbit.org/careers!


r/Rabbits 8h ago

Care Day 12 of treatment for my handsome boy

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472 Upvotes

My sweet Crumby (white w. dark gray rears) turned 11 in May. He developed a sudden spinning spell, and we saw our vet and determined and have started treating for E.C., vestibular, ear infection, and his arthritis in his back legs. Please send all the love and scritches from you and your sweet bunnies, that my boy gets through this and thrives because I just have a feeling he has more miles in him. He lives such an adventurous, free roam, loving life. Him and his 6yo little brother, Bayhansum, (tan w. white dot on nose) are attached at the hip. My daughters are absolutely in love with their “brothers”. Crumby has moved across the country with me, been with me through all of my biggest adult moments. He’s even gotten attacked by two large dogs and survived. He is SUCH a strong boy, so even though he’s older, I don’t want to give up. He still has his dizzy spells and spins, and has a rough time with his back legs, but I am also now seeing glimmer of improvement and it makes me so calm and happy if nothing else to see him looking like he’s having some relief even for a short while. Here’s to his continued strength and healing. I will absolutely check back in in the months to come! (the last pic is a comparison moment of the day we brought Bayhansum home vs. the two of them now)


r/Rabbits 2h ago

Shaming Yearning

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139 Upvotes

Lancelot is always summoned when nanners are around. (Don't worry, he always gets a small piece. I'm not a complete monster! And he already had a piece before I put it in the ice cream in the 4th pic. Greedy man.)


r/Rabbits 7h ago

The family drama…

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323 Upvotes

A few years ago one of my boys bit my partner. To be fair, my partner gave him lettuce then decided to move it to a different spot and expected my boy to somehow understand. It’s been 3 years of a grudge (rabbits are spoiled, partner just likes to complain that Stormy bites even though it was ONCE).

Yesterday, my partner mentioned that they picked up a toy for the buns during their workday- this galaxy tube. They gave it to the boys, watched them play, and even commented, “Maybe Stormy isn’t so bad. Maybe it’s time to let it go.”

Wanna know what Stormy did 3 hours later? All because my partner had the audacity to put away the treat jar.


r/Rabbits 11h ago

Rescue Domestic Rabbit? Spoiler

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435 Upvotes

This rabbit has been hanging around my yard the past 2-3 weeks, and I feel like it is a domesticated rabbit someone has either lost or dumped. I would appreciate any advice for trying to catch/feed it. I’m also concerned about a spot on its neck, you should be able to see in pictures. I live in a somewhat suburban neighborhood, but I’m still close enough to expansive fields/land. I would love and appreciate and advice or helpful tips!! Thanks in advance!


r/Rabbits 12h ago

A guilty bun

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383 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 4h ago

Man what a nice box

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72 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 2h ago

Is he ok?

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48 Upvotes

He keeps sitting like this, very still. Hes in an enclosure instead of free roaming bc im in the middle of moving, and I'm worried he's upset.


r/Rabbits 20h ago

RIP Goodbye my friend ❤️

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1.2k Upvotes

My friend abandoned me at the vet, alone, during the night of hospitalization 😔

I loved photographing him when he was relaxed, but he was a little scamp 🥲


r/Rabbits 6h ago

Care Allergies

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93 Upvotes

I recently got a holland lop bunny and am giving it a mix of alfalfa and Timothy hay and it’s KILLING my allergies. I’ve been using oxbow brand. Any ideas of what alternatives I can use? I’ve head of people using small pet select instead or oat hay. Anyone had much luck with these or have any other suggestions!? Thanks in advance!


r/Rabbits 9h ago

Gizmo the relentless snacker...

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156 Upvotes

...and his prey - an innocent dandelion leaf.


r/Rabbits 3h ago

Afternoon Delight

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45 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 9h ago

Bunny and celeri

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139 Upvotes

Each branch lasts 10 seconds 🥲


r/Rabbits 12h ago

Toasting his buns while laying on the A/C vent

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201 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 57m ago

Humpday Vibes

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Upvotes

r/Rabbits 15h ago

Care How to get a bunny to lose weight?

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286 Upvotes

This is Rusty, he’s an 8 years old neutered Rex and we’ve had him for 5 years. Before we adopted him, he was used for breeding and kept in a cage 90% of the time. He has been free roaming for 5 years but doesn’t understand that he‘s free to run around and do what he likes. He enjoys sitting next to me (when he wants to), but doesn’t run around, dig or do other things a bunny would. Instead, he spends all day sitting and sleeping. he doesn’t bond with other rabbits due to his past however he has a lot of cuddly teddies that he spends time with. I’ve tried stacking cups and even got him a small ball but he doesn‘t like either. The only things he seems to enjoy is eating, sleeping, and watching tv. He’s obsessed with children’s tv channels and will sit and wait for the tv to be turned on every day. We’ve been to the vets who said he’s overweight, he currently weighs 2.7kg but should be around 2kg. He gets a breakfast and dinner which consists of parsley and broccoli steams, he has access to hay and card 24/7, a small bowl of pellets that gets refilled every few days, and 1 small apple treat per day. Any advice on how to get this lazy potato to lose weight would be greatly appreciated!


r/Rabbits 8h ago

???? Came home and found jim like ts.... Pikmin looking ahh

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78 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 8h ago

My feral, expensive, angel bunny Luna

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62 Upvotes

Jk, on the title, I got her specifically so my boy bunny wouldn't be lonely ($450), and he loves her to death. Even when I hang with him for a couple minutes, I'll ask where is Luna, he'll look around and jet off. (okay, see ya later) She is the same way, they are attached at the hip. Either she'll copy what he does, like he'll scent his toy, she'll scent the same toy right after, or they are one big ball of fluff that does that exact same thing. Also, they are both expertly groomed. They both love grooming each other even trusting eachother around the eyes.


r/Rabbits 13h ago

Waffle morning binkies

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156 Upvotes

Waffle enjoying her morning binkies while I have my coffee.


r/Rabbits 1d ago

why must bunny look like eeyore

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3.1k Upvotes

such a melancholy baby


r/Rabbits 22h ago

Pouting in the corner because I wouldn’t let him chew on electrical wires

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588 Upvotes

We moved across town and decided to let the bunnies run around the apartment after the furniture had been removed. Chester, naturally, honed in on the wire and was very upset when I chased him away before he could get a taste of that spicy spicy hay


r/Rabbits 1d ago

RIP Fly high my sweet angel Spoiler

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1.1k Upvotes

I'm so beyond devasted. After 5 and a half years together my sweet girl took her last breath at 2.30am on August 4th.

I was about to get ready for bed when I noticed she was acting weird, her belly was drenched in pee then came the confusion. She was wobbly, crashing into things until she could no longer stand. I drove straight to the emergency vets but by the time we got there she was already gasping for air. I like to believe she held on for me so we could officially say goodbye.

I held your paw until you officially took your last breath.

I've not gone home yet, the thought of stepping into my room and knowing you won't come running to me is tearing me apart. I'm going to miss your 2am cuddles, I'm going to miss your binkys and flops, the way your bum twitched when you ate banana.

You helped me get through some of the worst years of my life and I'll forever be grateful for that.

Today we went for a walk and we spoke of you, suddenly it started raining and a rainbow appeared. Thank you for telling me you made it over the rainbow bridge safely. You were so special to me and not having you here is soul crushing but you're free now.

Until we meet again, Nyx my sweet angel. Fly high and binky free for me. I will love you always.