Bunnies, with their soft fur and charming personalities, make for popular pets among individuals of all ages. Whether you are considering adding these adorable creatures to your home or are already a seasoned bunny parent, there is always something new to learn from the vast rabbit glossary. Join us on a fascinating journey through the Rabbit A to Z to enhance your understanding of these delightful furry friends.
Agouti: refers to the fur color commonly seen in wild and pet rabbits. It is characterized by hairs displaying multiple colors, typically resulting in grey, sandy, or reddish fur.
Alfalfa Hay: best suited for young bunnies or as a treat for adult rabbits, alfalfa hay is rich in calcium. However, caution is advised to monitor calcium intake, as excessive amounts can lead to bladder stones. Exceptions include pregnant or nursing dams and young kittens who require additional calcium.
Binky: a joyous expression of happiness in rabbits, a binky involves a leaping motion with the bunny's back end twisting in different directions. Observing binkies is a sure sign that your bunnies are feeling particularly content.
Bloat: a potentially serious condition in rabbits, bloat occurs when there is a gas build-up in the stomach due to disruptions in the normal gut movement. Prompt veterinary attention is crucial if bloating is observed.
Blue-eyed White (BEW): a rabbit with white fur and blue eyes is referred to as a Blue-eyed White (BEW).
Broken: a bunny with white fur adorned with irregular patches of color on their back and face is classified as "broken."
Buck: a male rabbit.
Bunny: an affectionate term commonly used to refer to rabbits.
C&C Cage for Rabbits: constructed with cubes and coroplast, a C&C cage for rabbits provides a flexible and easy-to-clean living space. The cubes form the cage's structure, while coroplast serves as the base.
Calcium: an essential component of a rabbit's diet, especially for pregnant and nursing does and kittens. Care should be taken to limit high-calcium foods to avoid the risk of bladder stones.
Carrots: while popular as treats, carrots should be given sparingly due to their high sugar content. They are not a natural part of a rabbit's diet.
Castration: the removal of a male rabbit's testicles, allowing them to live peacefully with does without the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Recommended around 5 months of age.
Charlie: a type of broken rabbit characterized by minimal patterned fur, named after Charlie Chaplin due to the moustache-like dark fur under their noses.
Chewing: a natural behavior in rabbits, chewing helps keep their teeth at a healthy length. Rabbit parents should provide suitable items to prevent boredom-induced chewing on household items.
Companionship: critical for rabbit well-being, companionship involves rabbits living with at least one other rabbit. Whether free-roaming or not, rabbits thrive in pairs or small groups.
Coroplast: also known as correx, coroplast is corrugated plastic used as an easy-to-clean base in C&C cages for rabbits.
Crown: the soft area between a rabbit's ears, a prime spot for petting.
Dam: a female rabbit who has given birth to babies (kittens). A bunny's mother is referred to as a dam.
Dewlap: a skin flap found on the chest of does, especially noticeable in pregnant rabbits who pull out fur from their dewlap to create a nest.
Doe: the term "doe" is used for a female rabbit.
Dutch: dutch rabbits feature a white chest and upper back with a dark bottom, creating the appearance of wearing a white shirt with dark trousers. They are often chosen as beginner pets.
Enteritis: a common cause of death in rabbits, enteritis is inflammation of the digestive tract, marked by symptoms such as reduced food intake, lethargy, and diarrhea. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial.
Flemish Giant: among the largest rabbit breeds, the Flemish Giant can weigh up to 10 kg and is known for its gentle nature, making it a popular family pet.
Foraging: a natural behavior in rabbits, foraging involves searching for food. Creating foraging activities can keep pet rabbits engaged and mentally stimulated.
Free-Roaming Rabbit: increasingly popular, free-roaming rabbits have the freedom to hop around their owners' homes. Ensuring a bunny-proof environment is essential for their safety.
Free-Range Rabbit: kept outdoors, free-range rabbits have a larger fenced-in area instead of a small cage or hutch. Often raised for meat.
French Lop: recognizable by their large size and floppy ears, French Lops weigh around 5 to 6 kg and are known for their calm personalities.
Gestation: the period between breeding and birthing, known as gestation, varies among rabbit breeds but generally lasts between 28 to 33 days.
Hay Bag: an accessory to keep rabbit cages tidy, a hay bag helps maintain the cleanliness and freshness of hay.
Head Tilt: a common symptom in house rabbits, head tilt indicates an underlying health problem, often an ear infection. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary.
Holland Lop Bunnies: known for their irresistibly cute floppy ears, Holland Lops are popular due to their sweet personalities.
Impaction: when a rabbit experiences a blockage in its gastrointestinal tract, preventing the passage of feces. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary.
Junior: a rabbit under the age of 6 months is referred to as a junior.
Kindling: the process of a pregnant doe giving birth to a litter of kittens.
Kindling Box: providing materials like shredded paper, newspaper, and hay for a pregnant doe to build a nest as she prepares to give birth.
Kit: a baby rabbit is called a kit, and a group of baby rabbits is referred to as kittens.
Lifespan: rabbits typically live for 8 to 12 years. The oldest recorded rabbit, Flopsy from Australia, lived nearly 19 years.
Lionhead: recognizable by their mane of fur around their heads, Lionhead rabbits are known for their playful nature.
Litter: the term "litter" is used when a doe gives birth to a group of kittens.
Litter Training: training rabbits to use a litter tray can minimize clean-up efforts, confining waste to a designated area.
Malocclusion: occurs when a rabbit's teeth do not align correctly, often requiring additional dental care.
Meadow Hay: made from flowers, seeds, and long grass, meadow hay is suitable for foraging activities. However, it may have higher calcium content and is best offered as a treat.
Nail Trimming: a monthly necessity, nail trimming prevents a rabbit's nails from becoming too long. Proper technique is crucial to avoid injury.
Netherland Dwarf: among the smallest rabbit breeds, Netherland Dwarfs weigh just over 1 kg and are recognized for their short ears, large eyes, and shy personalities.
Neutering: the umbrella term for spaying and castrating rabbits to remove reproductive organs, preventing unwanted litters. Offers health and behavioral benefits.
Nibble Guards: designed to prevent rabbits from chewing on their C&C cage's base, nibble guards protect the structure.
Oat Hay: golden in color with coarse stems, oat hay is higher in protein and fat than other hay types. Suitable for foraging activities or as a treat.
Orchardgrass Hay: similar to second-cut timothy hay but leafier, orchardgrass hay is an alternative for individuals allergic to traditional hay. High in fiber, it's excellent for foraging activities.
Open Coat: refers to fur that is loose on a rabbit, often observed just before shedding.
Palpation: a technique used by breeders or rabbit parents to carefully feel a doe's abdomen and determine if she is pregnant.
Peanut: a rabbit with two dwarf genes is called a peanut, and unfortunately, these buns do not survive beyond the first 2 weeks of life.
Pellets: in addition to hay and fresh veggies, rabbits consume pellets that are rich in nutrients and fiber.
Peripheral Vision: rabbits have limited blind spots, with excellent peripheral vision above their nose and behind them.
Respiratory: rabbits possess a sensitive respiratory system, making them prone to respiratory issues. Avoiding dusty bedding and scented candles is recommended.
Ruby-Eyed White (REW): a white rabbit with red eyes is known as a Ruby-eyed White (REW).
Ryegrass: also known as pasture hay, ryegrass provides a balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus but is high in protein and natural sugars. Suitable as a treat for foraging activities.
Saline: a mix of water and salt, saline solution is useful for cleaning wounds and is recommended for inclusion in small pet emergency kits.
Self: a rabbit with the self gene has the same color of fur throughout their bodies, such as a black rabbit.
Sore Hocks: inflammation of a rabbit's hocks or paws, often caused by pressure points and infections. Requires veterinary treatment.
Sire: a male rabbit that has fathered a litter with a dam.
Styptic Powder: a quick-acting powder that stops bleeding and is safe for use on small animals, particularly useful for nail trimming.
Tort: short for tortoiseshell fur coloring, commonly seen in rabbits with various colors in their fur.
Thumping: when a rabbit thumps both hind feet, it serves as a warning or expression of annoyance.
Timothy Hay: considered the most recommended hay for rabbits, timothy hay is rich in essential nutrients for a rabbit's diet.
Delving into the rabbit glossary provides a wealth of knowledge for both new and experienced bunny parents. Understanding these terms contributes to the well-being and care of these charming creatures, fostering a deeper connection between humans and their furry companions.