Peace on Ear(th) and in the House
As we head into winter, there will be a lot of holidays and we seem to decorate for most of them. Have you given any thought to how your bunny may react to all of this change and to what precautions you may need to take to keep her safe and healthy?
Food
If you plan to bake pumpkin pies, don't forget that plain pumpkin is a good treat for bunnies. As with all treats, feed pumpkin in moderation, especially if the bunny has never had pumpkin before. You can share canned pumpkin with your bunny only if it is plain pumpkin, not "pumpkin pie filling" that has additional ingredients.
Most rabbits seem to have an incredible sweet tooth. We have heard stories of bunnies stealing chocolate candies, sweet rolls, and cookies from dishes left in their reach. Be sure to put these items out of reach of your rabbit.
If you plan on a buffet meal, remember to keep any cords up and away from the bunny's territory or, if that is not possible, wrap the cords to prevent the rabbit from chewing the cords.
Plants
If you bring plants indoors for the season, be sure that they are non-toxic and have not been sprayed with any chemicals before leaving them where your bunny can reach them.
Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous? They have, however, caused indigestion in some people and animals so you probably still don't want your bunny to eat one.
While untreated pine trees and juniper are bunny-safe in small quantities, you may not want your bunny "custom-izing" your tree. A side effect of eating pine is that your rabbit's urine will turn red or orange. (While possibly alarming to the human, this is not at all harmful to the rabbit.)
Artificial trees are not an approved part of the bunny diet!
Candles
Many of us decorate with candles during the winter season. For some bunnies, the taste of candle wax is simply irresistible. And, of course, open flames, bunny whiskers and fur just don't mix. In addition, candles or oil lamps that get knocked over could cause a fire and should be kept out of reach of all pets and small children.
Presents
Tinsel, ribbon and string should be kept away from your bunnies. Most decorative ribbon does not break into small pieces when chewed by bunny molars. This can lead to long pieces of ribbon in your rabbit's stomach, which can cause a wide variety of issues.
If you want to have a rabbit's help while you wrap gifts, you can give the rabbit a piece of white or undyed tissue paper to play with. Many rabbits seem to enjoy the sound that tissue paper makes as it rips, shreds, and crumples.
Lights
Don't forget about all the extra cords that need to be bunny-proofed if you put up holiday lights. Even if you think the space is too small for your rabbit to reach, wrap the cords or keep them up out of reach.
One solution to the problem of keeping a rabbit out from under a tree where they can chew on the tree, the lights, and the presents, is to surround the tree with a pen or to put the tree in a room that is separated from the rest of the house by a bunny-gate (that's a baby gate to the rest of the world).
While potpourri may smell good, commercial brands are often treated with chemicals to help extend the life of the fragrance. Unless you have made the potpourri yourself and know that all the ingredients are bunny-safe, it is safest to keep this tasty smelling concoction out of the bunny's reach.
Guests
Like most families, you probably will also welcome many guests into your home during the holiday season. While a few extra people won't stress most bunnies, a party or a constant stream of new people can put stress on a rabbit, as it can with any pet.
If you plan on having a party, consider blocking off part of your house so that the bunny cannot get to the door(s) that will be used. Even bunnies who will not normally attempt to get out of a house may try if there are too many strangers.
As with any animal, keeping as close as possible to the normal routine will help to reduce any stress on your rabbit. You can also help reduce stress on your bunny by giving her a safe place of her own, like a box or a cage, which is out of the main traffic pattern. Teach your family and your guests that this is the bunny's safe place and she is not to be bothered there for anything short of an emergency. Keep a close eye on your bunny's eating and litter box habits during this season so that you can catch any stress-related problems early, while they are still easy to fix.
