Slayer of lamps - are you ready for a bunny?

Apparently he didn't do it and I can't prove a thing.

Ummmm.

Well Pets at Home suspended sale of the little fluff bums for Easter, it's a start. Sadly many other places will have sold them and rescues across the country (and the world) will have their resources stretched even further shortly.

Did you know that bunnies are often considered as 'starter' pets for children?

Bit of a strange choice when you consider they are classed as an exotic animal, they are expensive to look after, hate being picked up, have bruise giving big thumpers and chompers that will draw blood.

Not so cute as everyone thinks.

So yep the little fluffsters are classed as exotic pets, you know along with lizards and snakes and parrots. Yep shocked me at first. It's because they have a very special digestive system and maybe because they eat their own poop. Ok technically it's not poop it's nutritious stuff called cecotrope that just happens to come from their bum (similar to chewing the cud in cattle). Many vets actually can't deal with their needs and very few medicines are licensed or even tested for the fluff butts so medical care can be trial and error and expensive. Unlike a cat or a dog if you suspect a bunny is poorly you can't do the oh I'll wait and see, any poorly bun is a medical emergency, they die quickly. Being a pray animal they are masters at hiding symptoms and often by the time you've discovered something is wrong it's too late. These little creatures will break your heart time and time again.

Hay makes up 80% of their diet and it gets everywhere. And I mean everywhere. If you aren't prepared to find hay in your underwear don't bother with a bunny. You must also never run out of bananas or suffer the wrath of your bun and be given stink eye (please note bananas are full of sugar and should only be given as a treat. Incidentally carrots also fall into this category). Most shop brought bunny treats are full of stuff bunnies can't actually eat so unless you love baking with hay, crushed nuggets and mashed 'nana to make wholesome bunny friendly treats, don't bother getting a bunny.

Bunnies need a lot of room and love to run and binkie and run (and chase cats) so if you want to confine them to a tiny square, don't get a bunny. If you can't embrace the thought of dandelions (nommy bunny food that's free) then maybe a bunny isn't for you.

Bunnies poop a lot, it's like an actual mountain of poop. If you don't like the thought of dealing with a mountain of poop, don't get a bunny. (Bunny poop mixed with the hay that they haven't eaten cause it's the wrong shade of green or what ever other reason pops into the little fluff butts head that it's inferior and not to be eaten makes really good compost, that you can then use for cultivating dandelions and roses. Bunnies also like roses).

Bunnies hate being picked up, hate it with a passion. You will get thumped at, kicked, scratched and bitten. Far better to just sit on the ground with them and wait for them to hop on you (normally in search of nommy treats they hope you have in your pockets).

Bunnies don't like to be on their own, they need a friend. Sometimes a bunny maybe on their own like Kirk who lost his wife bun and that's why he is now a house bun and why I have lost a lamp. He had to be brought inside as it was too cold for him outside on his own and they need company (Kirk is very much enjoying beating up cats). If you couldn't turn your house upside down and bunny proof and deal with stray poop finding its way into your bed then a bunny is not for you.

If however you are prepared to lose your heart, part with lots of cash and spend time learning about them and give them the care that they need then maybe in a few weeks you should head to your local bunny rescue and make some bunnies the happiest little fluff butts in the world and help to spread the word that bunnies are not as cute and easy as every one thinks, but they are worth the time and effort they deserve.