Have you got a house rabbit?

Words by Diane Antone of Kip McGrath Crowborough Tuition Centre

The first time I came across a house rabbit was when I was a new mum and my husband and I moved to our first house. Our next door neighbour invited us round for coffee and I was amazed to see not a cat or dog but a rabbit hopping around indoors. I had always thought rabbits lived in hutches at the bottom of the garden, but here was a delightful furry friend living happily side by side with people.

Ever since then I've felt sorry for the rabbits who spend most of their time in hutches shut away from contact with either human or fellow bunny. For rabbits are sociable creatures which love to be with people, and can be amusing and entertaining if given the chance.
Our house bunny, Happy, came to live with us nearly three years ago. He sleeps in a large wire dog-crate at night and when it isn't convenient for him to be at liberty. His home contains water, his litter tray, food and toys to chew. He has learnt to enjoy being in it as he is always surrounded by activity. But most of the time he hops around the house exploring or in search of a treat, or sleeps quietly in front of the fire.

A bit of effort needs to be put in at first, to house-train your new friend and teach him what he can and can't chew. Rabbits are naturally clean animals, and will learn to use a litter tray just like a cat. Because they are exclusively vegetarian, their waste is almost odourless, and the occasional accident is not a disaster. Using a clicker to aid in training makes things go much quicker. Rabbits of course like to chew, and electric cables are favourites. The theory is that they think they are roots growing in their burrow, and they have to nip through them to preserve their tunnel's walls. Again, use of the clicker to train your bunny not to chew anything except his food and toys is quite achievable.

Rabbits also quickly learn tricks. Happy has learnt that if he jumps on to a footstool and waits we will give him a treat. He also jumps over our legs, does circuits, and returns to his crate on command. When he hears the clicker he comes running, and it has been amazing to see how his intelligence has increased the more time we spend training him.

We travel with our rabbit, too. We have a motorhome and go frequently to Europe. The joy is that rabbits can travel without the pet passport which dogs need. We just pop him in a large plastic dog crate and he sits and sleeps in the van while we drive. We have a little harness and lead for him, so when we stop we take him out for a walk, just as if he were a dog. He certainly turns heads, especially as he is so big. Many people wander over thinking he is a poodle and are amazed to see he is a French Lop rabbit!

On the campsites in Europe he is equally popular. We stayed for six weeks on a site in Lausanne, Switzerland this year, and he amused a stream of little children throughout the summer. The elderly folk who had a permanent caravan next to our pitch also loved him. Marcel went out each morning and gathered specially selected juicy dandelion leaves for Happy to munch on. That was how we discovered just how important dandelions are to maintaining a healthy rabbit digestion.

Happy is a permanent resident during term-time at our after-school tuition centre in Crowborough. The children love to see him there when they come for their tuition, and he of course, is more than "Happy" to eat the carrots they bring for him.

Any rabbit can become a house rabbit. Why not give yours the chance to enjoy freedom and become a real family member?

Find out more at the website www.MyHouseRabbit.com

Article written for Summer 2010 issue