From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: bunny questions
Summary: Some answers and opinions.
Date: 23 Dec 92 22:27:04 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <1992Dec23.205153.9774@ee.ubc.ca>, jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca (John Paul Morrison) writes:
> 
> 1. How long do bunnies live? Our book seems to ignore this eventuality.... 
>    our bunny is nearly seven years old (how much time left?) 

12 to 15 years (smaller breeds closer to 12, larger to 15) if well cared for.

> 2. I've read a few posts and....what's with all this papaya tablet and 
>    acidophilus enzyme stuff? Will giving it to him now do anything good? 

Papaya tablets containing amylase help prevent hairballs (deadly if not
prevented or treated--easy to prevent; can be difficult to treat).
Rabbits, like cats, groom themselves and if a hairball forms, the rabbit
cannot vomit, so it grows and blocks all digestion.  I'm not sure
why, but older bunnies seem more likely to develop these, so yes, start
giving them to him.  (Get the chewable type from a health food store and
crumble it over his food.  After a few days, he'll probably beg for them.)

Acidophilus simply provides the "good" bacteria that digest the rabbit's
food.  There is no need to give it unless the rabbit shows some sign of
poor digestion or is going to undergo some sort of stress.

> 3. We know it's "bad", but how much in sweet things is tolerable? He's crazy 
>    about sweet things (marshmallows, mini-oreos, Toblerone chocolates etc.) 
>    I imagine moderation is a safe guide(?). 

Depends on your definition of moderation.  I'd give no more than something
about a 1/4-inch cubed of sweets.  It isn't so much the sweets hurt the
rabbit as that they replace nutritious food.  An older bun, especially,
needs very good nutrition.

> 4. I think 6-7 years is at least middle age, or old age for bunnies. Any 
>    suggestions for older rabbits? He appeared to be waning recently, so 
>    I gave him a lot more carrots and apples etc, and he perked up. 
>    He doesn't hop as much when let him out (he'll hop for a little while, 
>    then just sit down for a long time). 

Your bunny is behaving about like someone in their 40's.  Without some
motivation (such as a touch-football game), they seldom choose to romp as
they did when they were 10 years old.

However, if he never frisks when let out of his cage, something is wrong.
I would suspect some malnutrition--vegetables and fruits are not good
nutrition.  I don't give a rabbit more than about 1/2-inch of carrot a day
or the equivalent in other vegetables and fruit.  And sweets easily create
some malnutrition in older rabbits.

> 5. Feed: he lives on Purina Rabbit Chow, or Buckerfield's Rabbit Feed. 
>    He has unlimited access to food. He doesn't appear fat, so should we 
>    change anything? 

No, but he should have grass hay (timothy is good) every day in addition
to his pellets and veggies/fruit.

> 6. (not important) any theories why rabbits will lick some people but not 
>    others? He licks me, but not others (and they feel like the bunny's not 
>    being affectionate), I say it's just for salt. 

Rabbits will sometimes lick for salt, but more often, they lick out of
affection.  They are "grooming" you, just as they groom each other, not
out of necessity, but of fondness.  There is, however, a difference
between the "salt-lick" and the "love-lick" that is pretty easy to
discern if you know your rabbit.

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl
Newsgroups: rec.pets