Lifting a rabbit can be a tricky business – in the wild they are always on the alert for potential predators and often these attacks come from the air. Rabbits can be amazingly agile when they want to be and have a natural disposition for escapology. Always approach your rabbit slowly and gently, speak t him so that he recognises you. Start by petting him – try to get him to relax. There are many safe ways of picking up your rabbit and this is only one of them: Kneel down, and keeping your left hand on his head, bend your torso close to him. Place your right arm along his right side, and put your right hand under his chest. If he accepts this, take your left hand from his head and use it to support his groin.

Once you are completely happy he is not going to wriggle too much lift him up and hold him close in like you might a young baby.

Would you agree with this or not… tell us how you lift your rabbit…

  http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-11/lift.html

guinea pigs, like humans, do not produce vitamin c naturally and so need to procure it from their diet. Accordingly guinea pig feed has added vitamin c (or should have) but rabbits do not need this as an extra dose vitamin. In fact there is some research that indicates too much vitamin c can be the cause of kidney stones in rabbits.

What do you feed your rabbit and why???

http://rabbitwelfare.blogspot.com/2011/10/vitamin-c-and-oxolates-in-rabbits.html

* Mabel donated by Lisa Yates

If something happened that meant you suddenly had to evacuate your home and area what would happen to your bun… it’s a horrid thought but one that is better addressed sooner rather than later when it would make an already stressful situation worse. I have a friend who keeps a carrying case and supply of food and water ready for just such an event. Her husband laughs at her for this just as he did when she took life jackets for her kids on a cruise ship. Is she over the top – only if we don’t have a disaster that requires such forward thinking…

What do you think???

http://www.rabbit.org/care/emergency-planning.html

* Miffy donated by Ivyberry Cavy

Liver disease is a complex issue and as such a serious health threat to our rabbits. As an owner the best we can do is to familiarise ourselves with the symptoms and act fast if we suspect there is a problem. Symptoms vary but any general lack of appetite or depression should always be investigated thoroughly. The rabbit owner may decrease the risk of liver disease in their rabbit by avoiding feeding mouldy food and avoiding the use of shavings such as cedar and pine for bedding. In addition, spaying rabbits at a young age eliminates the risk of uterine tumours that can spread to the liver.

If you have experience of this disease then get in touch and tell us now…

http://www.rabbit.org/health/liver.html

* Buddy and Missy donated by Christi Freiburger

This site is, well, weird and wonderful… I think? It is full of quirky video clips that show life from, well, a rabbit point of view – or at least what we might imagine they might be thinking… The stars of the show are Buns and Chou Chou, whose main occupation seems to be that of sitting in a living room chewing the cud over the world and its’ lesser meanings! I must admit to watching with an eagle eye for any untoward rabbit stuff but couldn’t really spot anything but be sure to let us know if you see anything bad. There are scenes where the rabbits are set in different places (see buns the homeless rabbit) but it is all so obviously transposed that it is laughable. I think my only word of warning is that you only go on this site when you have nothing else at all to do… it could easily swallow your life as you flick from one crazy show to another trying to make sense of it all. Maybe limit yourself to one show a day and oh yes, keep a note above your computer desk. I HAVE A REAL LIVE RABBIT THAT NEEDS ME RIGHT NOW!!!

it looks like these to unlikely guys are doing okay but I can’t help it, it just makes me feel nervous. I don’t think I’d ever leave them alone together anyway… would you???

This is one huge and extremely relaxed rabbit… what else can I say though… because actually nothing much happens in the clip. Why? Well like I said this rabbit is laid back – or perhaps I should say on his back… do you have a rabbit that could match this one in size and temperament???

…. watch this to better understand the needs of your pet. Think you’ve seen it all before? There are some pretty cute rabbits to see too! If I have one criticism it is that they didn’t mention keeping rabbits outdoors… but why not see for yourself and then get back and tell us what you think.

Moulting rabbits need daily grooming to reduce the amount of hair passing through the digestive system. True hair balls are fairly uncommon in house rabbits (they tend to occur in bored, caged meat and pet rabbits without access to hay, or in long-haired rabbits grooming their cage-mates) but all rabbit owners need to be alert to signs of a sluggish digestive system which allows hair to accumulate in the stomach and cause problems. Constant access to hay is absolutely vital to keep the guts moving normally.

But caged meat rabbits… shouldn’t this kind of treatment be a thing of the past???

Tell us what you think…

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/moulting.htm

* Fudge relaxing donated by Chantelle

When rabbit-people get together the conversation naturally turns toward our long-eared pals. Their health, foibles, sleeping habits, and whisker-twitches are discussed in unsparing detail. For those that are not rabbit people this can be a little discerning to say the least. On  a Saturday morning my friend and I usually get together for a coffee and a rabbit chat… my husband is always shaking his head at us as strange words and images abound… sticky bum, binkying, trancing…

Why not tell us about you and your rabbit people friends…

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/1/aloof.html