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Supper Time! What Should You Feed Your Pet Rabbit?

by: Andrea Austin

One of the most important aspects of properly caring for a pet rabbit is providing him with a healthy, satisfying, and well-balanced diet.

Fortunately, doing so is relatively easy, since there is general consensus about what is good for rabbits and a wide range of great food pellet options. Rabbits can also eat many of the fruits and veggies that you probably have on your dinner table every night (see below for recommendations and portions).

Pellets

Rabbit pellets, available at your local pet store, on the internet, or through mail-order, can be a backbone of your pet’s diet. They provide many nutrients in a dense fashion, and they make your job as a feeder so easy. However, you don’t need pellets to keep your rabbit healthy. Hay, veggies and the occasional treat of fruits can be an equally or even more effective diet. After all, rabbits in the wild subsist on hay, grass, and veggies … why should domestic rabbits be any different? On the other hand, pellets are easy and widely available. The choice is really up to you.

If you do decide to feed your rabbit pellets, alfalfa pellets are recommended, as are the excellent rabbit pellets offered by Oxbow (Bunny Basics), Purina or Manna Pro. Feed your rabbit a small amount twice daily (morning and night).

Purchase in small bags if possible (not jumbo size) to ensure that they are as fresh as possible by the time your bunny actually gets to eat them. Pet rabbits are widely known as picky eaters who respond badly to sudden changes in diet, and they may balk if you try to feed them pellets that are spoiled or that have gone rancid or stale.

Veggies

Pellets are a great starting point, but they are only a portion of an overall balanced diet. Rabbits also love to consume vegetables, and many vets recommend giving pet bunnies a small amount of a variety of veggies each day.

Here are some veggies rabbits love:

Alfalfa sprouts

Basil

Brussels sprouts

Carrots

Celery

Clover

Green peppers

Mint

Parsley

Peppermint leaves

Radish tops

Wheat grass

While you may have seen bunnies crunching down on carrot sticks in the cartoons, it’s important not to give only carrots or to overfeed too many carrots to your pet. Carrots contain vitamin A, and too much of it can cause problems. On the other hands, vitamin A is essential to good nutrition, so aim for one item that contains it per day. Besides carrots, some veggies that contain vitamin A are:

Beet tops

Broccoli

Endive

Romaine leaves

Dandelion greens

Be careful not to give your rabbit too many vegetables, as they are high in water content and can cause diarrhea or loose stools. If this happens, reduce or eliminate veggies from the diet.

Moreover, don’t give your bunny rabbit so many veggies that he starts to eat them only and neglect his pellets. Veggies should be a supplement, not a main dietary staple.

Fruits

While you should give your rabbit more veggies than fruits, some fruits can be a nice treat for your pet. Only give him fresh fruit, never canned (which often has added sugar). Again, give only small amounts, as too much can cause watery stools.

Rabbits tend to like apples, bananas, kiwi, and strawberry. Papaya and pineapple are also great choices, as they both contain papain, which is an enzyme that helps to keep rabbit hairballs at bay.

Be Consistant!

Rabbits tend to be quite sensitive when it comes to changes in their diet or feeding schedule. In fact, if there is a sudden change or interruption, a rabbit may lose his appetite or become ill.

Therefore, it’s important to maintain consistency. Establish a feeding routine that is easy for you to stick to each and every day. Set your timer and fix the feeding schedule into your own everyday routine. Make sure you have enough rabbit food (whether hay, pellets, veggies, etc.) on hand so that you don’t run out unexpectedly.

Feeding your rabbit a consistent, balanced and healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure that your pet rabbit has a long and happy life as your prized companion.

by Andrea Austin,

http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

About The Author

Andrea Austin

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide: http://rabbits-n-bunnies.com/index.html

5 Dog Movies to Watch this Memorial Weekend

  by: DogChannel.com
Memorial Day is a special time to celebrate all the individuals and dogs who have served this country.
1. War Dogs of the Pacific – This movie depicts the remarkable true stories of the Marine war dog platoons of World War II. This touching film uncovers the unique and special bond formed between the Marines and their dogs. Through dangerous missions and the saving of countless lives these dogs are more than just “Man’s Best Friend.”
2. Chips the War Dog – Chips, a German Shepherd, Collie and Siberian Husky mix was the most decorated war dog of World War II. In 1993 Disney filmed a made for TV movie based on this national hero. The movie is a loving story about a recruit with a fear of dogs who gets paired up with Chips, a chicken chasing Shepherd. Together they learn what it means to work as a team as they head off into the war.
3. War Dogs/Pride of the Army – Filmed in 1942, this patriotic film is about a boy who donates his best friend to the Dogs for Defense, a government organization responsible for training household dogs for the military during WW II. War Dogs is a great story about soldiers and dogs doing what they can to survive war and make a difference.
4. Dogs of the Vietnam War: Sentry, Scout, & Patrol – This behind the scenes documentary is unique look at the dogs of the United States Air Force. Broken into three parts, the film focuses on dogs training for assignments in Vietnam, including a USAF training film and features rare and unedited film footage of dogs and their Army handlers in Vietnam.
5. My Dog Skip – While not a movie about a war hero, “My Dog Skip” is about a dog who is a hero to a young boy during war time. A heart-warming and emotional film, this movie is one any dog lover can enjoy.

Nip-and-tuck planned for mutilated pup

Buckley's ears and tail were cut off with scissors in a cruel attack. (Nine News)
ninemsn
Buckley the abused puppy will face another challenge this week when he undergoes plastic surgery.

The eight-week-old collie-staffordshire terrier cross will spend about 45 minutes in the operating theatre while his severed ears and tail are repaired.

"We'll probably have to remove a little more from the stump of his tail so that the skin can be sealed over the top of it to avoid infection," Lost Dogs' Home manager Sue Conroy said.

"We will also trim up the ears and give them more of an even surface."

The operation, estimated to cost between $800 and $1000, will be paid for by donations that have flooded into the North Melbourne centre since the horrifying attack on July 11.

Buckley will also be de-sexed before the home makes the difficult choice of choosing his new home from hundreds of offers.

"He'll have stitches and fairly intensive care for the next 10 days to fortnight, and then about another fortnight after that before we adopt him out," Ms Conroy said.

But gifts delivered to Buckley will be appreciated by abused and neglected animals long after the puppy leaves the home.

"We're still getting people dropping in blankets, food and presents, so it's not only Buckley but the other animals in our care that are benefiting from people's generosity," Ms Conroy said.

"We've also had a very big weekend with animal adoption and that's continuing with an increase in phone calls."

A St Albans man, 32, was arrested on Friday over the incident following a tip-off to Crime Stoppers.

He is yet to be charged but is undergoing psychiatric assessment.

Puppy found with ears, tail cut off

By ninemsn staff

A puppy has been found with its ears and tail cut off with scissors after it was abandoned in a Victorian schoolyard.

Buckley, an eight-week-old border collie-cross-staffordshire bull terrier, was discovered by a passing ambulance on July 11 before being rushed to a veterinarian, Nine News reports.

Staff at the Lost Dogs' Home in North Melbourne gave Buckley emergency treatment, with shelter manager Sue Conroy saying the attack had left staff distraught.

"We've got to get him over these physical injuries that he's had to face … he's on lots of pain relief and some antibiotics for infection," Ms Conroy said.

"My concern is that he also has to get over this emotionally so it's going to take some time.

"In my 23 years of working at the dogs' home, I've not seen anything like this … for this little puppy to endure what he has, it's just unspeakable cruelty.

"It's really upset us terribly."

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Wanted: love for pound pups

yahoo7
Unfortunately, 144,000 animals are surrendered to the RSPCA each year - and 63,000 of those are dogs.

Just after Christmas, when people go away on holidays, or when their cute puppy is becoming an adult, are the busiest time of year for animal shelters.

In December, Bree from the RSPCA was shocked to discover a young Rhodesian Ridgeback out the front of their shelter.

'The dog had been dropped off and he was in a really bad state. His ribs were sticking out and his fur was matted and dirty.

'He was so nervous, and he had obviously been mistreated by people who couldn't cope with him. While I wanted to break down and cry, I knew I had to be strong and do all that I could to save this poor, helpless dog.

'A month on, with love and constant care, he's put on 5kg and has learnt to trust humans. We've called him Tyson and he's like a different dog.

'We're still working with him but have started looking for his new home. He deserves it after all he's been though.'

Michelle Minehan from the RSPCA encourages people to consider the life-long commitment of owning a pet before they take one on.

'You should only buy a pet if you can dedicate time to playing, walking and taking care of the animal as part of the family, not just a pet in the backyard,' Michelle says. She has this advice for anyone who's thinking about adopting an animal.

Look past the cute and cuddly factor. Will you still be devoted when your pet is no longer a cute baby?
Pets cost money, not only initially, but over their entire lifespan. Can you afford it?
Weigh up whether or not you can give the animal a good life. Are you at work all day, leaving the pet home alone? Who will look after them while you're on holiday?

If you are struggling to look after your pet, especially during the current economic crisis, you can surrender them to your local RSPCA.

'We prefer people to bring their pets to us, rather than dump them,' Michelle explains. 'Once an animal has been surrendered, they go through behavioural and vet checks, which determine if the animal will go up for adoption.'

2 British police dogs die after being left in car during heat wave

Associated Press

LONDON — Two British police dogs died after being left in a car during a heat wave, police said today.

The German shepherds were left in a car Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of police headquarters in Nottingham, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of London. Temperatures topped 84 F (29 C) that day.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was investigating the incident under animal welfare legislation. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary distress to an animal is six months' imprisonment or a 20,000 pound ($33,000) fine, or both.

The dogs' police handler was on duty and had gone inside the building. Police did not say how long the dogs were in the car.

"This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis," Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies said in a statement.

The Dogs Trust, an animal welfare charity, said heat can kill dogs in just 20 minutes, and that temperatures inside cars can top 104 F (40 C).