MyBoyHarper
Well-Known Member
http://www.ontariorabbits.org/hot_topics/holiday_hazards.html
Coutesy of the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization:
Seasons greetings from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization. Thisis the season of ribbons and bows, mistletoe and lights, and holidaycakes and goodies. This is a wonderful time of year, but did you knowthat many of the decorations and treats of the holiday season may posea threat to your rabbit? Below are some tips to help ensure a happy andhealthy holiday season for your rabbit.
Christmas Tree Hazards
Itis very difficult to keep Christmas tree lights and decorations, whichare irresistible to many rabbits, out of your rabbit's reach. Werecommend blocking off the area around your tree with decorativefencing. Seehttp://members.aol.com/Mombeanie/photogallery3.html,and the photo to the right, for a festive way to keep your rabbit awayfrom your tree. Real pine Christmas trees that have not been treatedwith fire retardant spray are safe for bunnies to chew; however, notethat ingesting pine can turn your rabbit's urine orange. This isnormal, and should not be a cause for concern. Do not let your rabbitdrink the water in the Christmas tree stand, especially if you putsugar or soft drinks in it to help prevent the tree from losing itsneedles.
If you cannot block off the area around your Christmas tree, pleaseremember to keep electrical cords out of reach. In addition, someChristmas tree decorations pose a threat to your rabbit. For example:
Other Holiday Hazards
In addition to your Christmas tree, many holiday treats and other decorations can also be dangerous to your rabbit:
Rabbits love routine, which may be disrupted by holiday parties and thearrival of holiday guests. It is important to try to stick to yourrabbit's routine as much as possible. Some rabbits may be bothered moreby excessive noise than a disruption in routine. For such rabbits,consider moving the cage out of excessively noisy or busy areas. Keep aclose eye on your rabbit - it is even easier to miss subtle symptomsthat can indicate illness during the busy holiday season. Finally,always remember to never give a pet as a gift. If that special someonewants a pet as a gift, please adopt a friend from your local shelterafter the holidays, when your home is less stressful and you are lessbusy.
In addition to providing tips for a safe holiday season, we would liketo offer some ideas for gifts for your rabbit this holiday season.
Bunny Wish List
Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization.
Coutesy of the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization:
Seasons greetings from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization. Thisis the season of ribbons and bows, mistletoe and lights, and holidaycakes and goodies. This is a wonderful time of year, but did you knowthat many of the decorations and treats of the holiday season may posea threat to your rabbit? Below are some tips to help ensure a happy andhealthy holiday season for your rabbit.
Christmas Tree Hazards
If you cannot block off the area around your Christmas tree, pleaseremember to keep electrical cords out of reach. In addition, someChristmas tree decorations pose a threat to your rabbit. For example:
- Tinsel and garlands are a choking hazard and may cause digestive problems if ingested.
- Be sure to hang breakable ornaments or ornaments with small chewablepieces high on the tree, and out of your bunny's reach. Save hardplastic and wooden ornaments (provided that you do not mind if they arechewed or played with!) for the bottom of the tree.
- Do not string popcorn or dried cranberries around your tree if thetree is not blocked off. A few dried cranberries will not hurt yourbunny, but don't let him eat too many. Dried fruit should be considereda treat food (See Fruits and Other Vegetables (Treat Foods) underhttp://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=673&S=5).Rabbits should not eat popcorn (See Mueslix underhttp://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/treat.html).
Other Holiday Hazards
In addition to your Christmas tree, many holiday treats and other decorations can also be dangerous to your rabbit:
- Pot pourri and holiday treats: Keep pot pourri and bowls of holiday"people treats", such as chocolate and nuts, out of your rabbit'sreach. Keep in mind that rabbits can jump onto surfaces such as coffeetables and get to bowls filled with holiday treats and pot pourri! See"Forbidden Foods" inhttp://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=673&S=5.
- Candles: Do not leave burning candles on coffee tables and othersurfaces that your rabbit can jump on to. In addition to being a burnhazard, according to a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product SafetyCommission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain leadwires inside their wicks (usually scented candles), and aromatherapycandles made of paraffin (a petroleum by-product) release carcinogenicsoot when burned. Seehttp://www.realmoney.org/articles/candles.htmfor more inforamtion.
- As with all houseplants, keep holiday plants out of your rabbitsreach, and take care to pick up fallen leaves. Some Christmas plants,such as holly and mistletoe, are poisonous. Poinsettias are notpoisonous, but may cause stomach discomfort if ingested. See:http://www.rabbit.org/care/poinsettia.html.
- Wrapping paper, ribbons and tape: Ingesting ribbons and tape can bedangerous to your rabbit. Plain white tissue paper is safe for chewing,but your rabbit should not be allowed to consume quantities of otherkinds of wrapping paper, especially shiny or foil wrap.
Rabbits love routine, which may be disrupted by holiday parties and thearrival of holiday guests. It is important to try to stick to yourrabbit's routine as much as possible. Some rabbits may be bothered moreby excessive noise than a disruption in routine. For such rabbits,consider moving the cage out of excessively noisy or busy areas. Keep aclose eye on your rabbit - it is even easier to miss subtle symptomsthat can indicate illness during the busy holiday season. Finally,always remember to never give a pet as a gift. If that special someonewants a pet as a gift, please adopt a friend from your local shelterafter the holidays, when your home is less stressful and you are lessbusy.
In addition to providing tips for a safe holiday season, we would liketo offer some ideas for gifts for your rabbit this holiday season.
Bunny Wish List
- Members Muffy and Fuzzbutt highly recommend the Willow Tent TunnelfromTheBusy Bunny Company.
- Members Moe and Jasmine are fond of the Boredom Buster from Pet Valuor PetSmart.(Seefor a photo and description of this toy). The BordemBuster can be filled with treats that fall out when the rabbit playswith it.
- Member Priya thinks that Purina Apple Chunks make wonderfulpresents. Remember that treats, such as apple chunks, should be fed inmoderation.
- Members Theo and Bossy think pinecones are not only festive, butenjoyable and fun to chew. (Remember, it is a good idea to disinfectpinecones by washing them in your diswasher (no soap of course!), thenbaking them in a low temperature oven for about an hour).
- Members Beau and Miss Yvonne are quite fond of chewing on pesticide-free apple branches.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization.
Thanks! 
