Hop-a-Long Hotel Pet Boarding

07/02/2024

08/01/2024

When your rabbits go off the hay they’ve been eating forever because there’s been a tiny change 🙄🙄🙄

30/11/2023

Perfect diet 😉☺️

16/09/2023

🤔 DID YOU KNOW? – Rabbits have a total of 28 teeth: 4 incisors (those are the big choppers up front; what you picture when you think of 'bunny teeth'). There are 2 of those on the top and 2 on the bottom. These are the teeth they use to chunk off mouthfuls of food...or to bite through phone cables!

Right behind the top incisor teeth are 2 small peg-like teeth called auxiliary incisors or (duh) 'peg teeth'. They also help with severing things, especially if it's something tough that needs more than just a quick snip.

They also have 6 upper and 4 lower premolars, then 6 molars up top and 6 more molars down below. Collectively, these 22 teeth further back in their cheeks are known as (more duh) 'cheek teeth'. Just as with our own premolars and molars, they're used to grind food, readying it to be swallowed and digested.

Unlike us, however, rabbits have teeth that never stop growing, so it's not just that they *like* to bite and chew – though they do – but it's actually a necessity for them. They MUST continually wear down their teeth or, trust us, there will be much dental badness and huge vet bills!

You can help your bunny care for their teeth by feeding the roughest cut hay they're willing to eat (1st cut takes the most biting and cutting work, 3rd cut is the softest and often suggested for old rabbits or ones who already have tooth trouble of one kind or another; 2nd cut is in between) and providing lots of tempting chew toys.

Properly maintained, all those teeth are SHARP! Every time we get a glimpse of them, we can't help thinking, "Boy, it's a really good thing they like us!"

🐰😁🐇 PLEASE DONATE: 🙏 PayPal.me/Bunanza

03/07/2023

RABBIT BODY LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

Part 3️⃣- OTHER MISCELLANEOUS BEHAVIORS
~Ears - A rabbit’s radar. They are used for tuning into what’s going on around them. Their ears are both expressive & inquisitive. See graphic by The Rabbit House
~Grunts - Rabbits grunt when they feel threatened, or to show their disapproval, it means “leave me alone” -or- “back off!” Some show their disapproval by grunting to protect what is theirs (space, food, etc.) from a human or another rabbit. It can be followed with a bite.😲
~Chinning - A scent gland is located under a rabbit’s chin. Rubbing with the underside of the chin is your rabbit’s way of marking his/her territory – “this belongs to me”.
~Poops - that are not in a pile, but are scattered means this territory belongs to me. This may occur if it’s a new area or if another unbonded rabbit goes into the play area of the same house.
~Periscoping - When your rabbit stands on its hind legs and turns its head, it looks around to get a better view from up high.
~Begging - Rabbits are particularly good at begging, especially for sweets. It's hard to resist those eyes and that cute mouth, but remember treats make rabbits fat too!
~Tooth-Purrs – Your rabbit is very contentment – meaning “I’m a happy rabbit.” Think of it as a cat purring. It usually occurs while your rabbit is being pet/stroked or when they are completely relaxed and comfortable with their environment.
~Tooth-Grinding - indicates severe pain, discomfort, or stress. Often, body language accompanying tooth-grinding is that of a rabbit sitting hunched up in corner of a room or cage. Your rabbit is sick! Contact your rabbit savvy veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!

Our rabbits have lots of behaviors, more than we’ve listed the last several days. They keep us on our toes!
📖
🐰❤️













While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.
Sources: wikiHow, Beloved Rabbits, PetMD, Bestfriends, Rabbit Resource, Bunny Hugga, House Rabbit Society, The Rabbit House

30/06/2023

Here's Why You Shouldn't Lay Bunnies on Their Backs!
The Dodo has a very short video that provides a BIG message on Trancing/Tonic Immobility.
https://youtu.be/O3s6UiCIS3I
Please politely share it everywhere - Bunnies will Thank you ❣️
📖
🐰❤️













While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

30/06/2023

RABBIT BODY LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

When compared to a dog or cat, your rabbit’s body language can be very subtle. However, if you pay attention to your bunny you’ll notice changes in their posture and behavior. Understanding the meaning of the changes is important so you are aware of abnormal behaviors that may indicate your rabbit is not well.
Knowing when and what makes your rabbit happy is crucial if you want to strengthen your relationship.

Part 1️⃣ HAPPY/RELAXED BEHAVIORS
😊Binky: When rabbits are very happy, they jump up in the air, usually with a sideways kick or a body shake.
😊Confident: Rabbits will sit relaxed, ears at a 45-degree angle, with a slow nose twitch.
😊Flopping: When your rabbit flops over and throws him/herself onto their side, they are relaxed and might be about to take a nap.
😊Nudging: Rabbits will usually nudge your hand, foot, or pant leg if they want attention. However, they may also nudge your hand away when they are done.
😊Grooming: Rabbits are meticulous groomers. They rub their paws on their faces and lick their fur to clean themselves. This behavior can also show affection if your rabbit grooms you or their bonded friend.
😊Loafed/Splooting: When your rabbit is in relaxation mode. They’re either bundled up and looking like a little loaf with their front legs tucked in to form a rounded shape or stretched out with their back legs stretched out behind them.
😊Teeth grinding/purring: When rabbits are content/happy, they lightly chatter or vibrate their teeth like they are purring. (This behavior is not to be confused with bruxism or teeth grinding, indicating pain that is slower and louder.)
😊Throwing/tossing toys: Happy bunnies love to play and will toss toys around with their mouth or bat them with their paws.
😊Yawning: Rabbits will stretch out their front feet and pull their head back, opening their mouth to yawn when they wake up or before they go to sleep like many other animals.
😊Zooming: When rabbits are very happy and have a lot of energy, they may run around the room fast and binky up in the air.
Tomorrow - UNHAPPY/SCARED BEHAVIORS
📖
🐰❤️













While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

30/06/2023

RABBIT BODY LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

Part 2️⃣a - UNHAPPY/SCARED/ILL BEHAVIORS
☹️Boxing: Rabbits stand on their hind legs with their front paws up, ears are usually straight and pointed outwards are typically signs of AGGRESSION FROM FEAR.
☹️Thumping: Rabbits will stomp their back legs if they sense danger to warn other rabbits. They may also do this if they are upset with something going on to warn their owner or another animal to stop what they are doing.
☹️Cautious: A cautious rabbit will move around slowly, ears pointed forward and tail down if they are nervously exploring.
☹️Territorial/Enclosure Protective: In addition to marking, your rabbit might growl with their ears flat to their head and lunge, grunt, and bite at intruders in their area.
☹️Ear shaking: A rabbit shaking their head or ears can signal that they do not want to be handled or dislike a smell and are annoyed. This can also occur right before they settle down to eat or groom. Repetitive ear shaking could be a sign of an ear infection as well.
☹️Nipping: Usually a gentle bite that means you need to move over or to put them down.
☹️Cold shoulder: Your bunny might sit with their behind facing you and refuse to look at you. This behavior indicates your rabbit is upset with you for maybe a nail trim or rearranging their cage when they were inside.
☹️Feet flicking: If your rabbit hops away and flicks its feet up aggressively, they are unhappy with the current situation or with whatever you just did to them, like trimming nails.
☹️Tail-wagging: Believe it or not, your rabbit can, and will wag his/her tail. Indicates defiance – “No, I don’t want to go to my cage!” -or- “You can’t make me!” -or- “You’re not the boss of me!” Watch closely and you’ll see that your rabbit will occasionally “back-talk” – they just think you won’t notice!
Tomorrow - Part 2️⃣b – UNHAPPY/SCARED/ILL BEHAVIORS
📖
🐰❤️




While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it is right for every rabbit, all the time. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

30/06/2022

15/06/2022

☀️ Keeping bunnies & piggies cool in the heat ☀️

Looks like we’re due some good weather this week! 😎 While you might be planning ways to keep yourself cool (who else is digging out the fan for Friday?!), please spare a thought for your small animals, who will be wearing a fur coat throughout 🥵

It’s really important we help them out during this time, as they can overheat very quickly, and heatstroke is sadly almost always fatal. This can be avoided with proper planning.

Here are some top tips to help your pets keep cool in the heat:

✅ Provide outdoor animals with plenty of shady spots so that they can sit out of the sun. Both rabbits & piggies should be brought indoors rather than in a hutch/shed with no shaded run.
✅ For indoor animals, keep your home as cool as possible by opening windows very early in the morning and then closing them throughout the day. Drawing blinds/shutters can also help keep the sun out during the hottest part of the day.
✅ Use a fan to create airflow - however please ensure any cables are away so that they don’t get chewed. And also ensure the fan is not blowing directly onto your buns or pigs and that they can move away if they wish.
✅ Freeze bottles of water or ice packs and cover these with tea towels so that they can lie on these if they wish. We (and our animals) really like Scratch and Newton ice pods.
✅ Provide ceramic tiles or concrete slabs for them to lie on. However be sure these remain in the shade, as they can get hot if they are in the sun.
✅ Ensure they have plenty of fresh water to keep them hydrated.
✅ Soak your their greens in fresh water to help with hydration (but don’t overdo it!)
✅ Wet your their ears with a damp cloth or spray a fine mist onto their ears. Bunnies lose heat through their ears, so this helps speed up this process.
✅ Provide litter trays with soil in them to give your bunnies somewhere cool where they can lie down.
✅ Long haired rabbits & piggies would benefit from a hair cut/groom so they aren’t carrying that extra fur in this heat!
✅ Please do not use plastic piggy hides in hot weather, it will be so much hotter inside those than outside

And a couple of words of caution:

❌ Please do not put ice cubes in their water or provide them with frozen fruit. This can upset their often delicate tummies and cause GI stasis. Providing lots of cool water that is changed regularly will be fine.
❌ NEVER submerge a rabbit or piggy in water to cool them down.
⚠️ Take care with cooling mats. Although these can be great, some bunnies may chew these and accidentally ingest the cooling gel. We prefer frozen water bottles/ice packs covered in towels for this reason.

Finally, don’t panic if your pets are a little less energetic during this time. They are likely taking good care of themselves by slowing down to keep themselves cool. You may also notice that they eat earlier in the morning and a little later in the evening. In the wild, this is a natural behavioural adaptation to help bunnies cope with the summer and they spend most of the day underground where it is nice and cool, and only come out to eat at dawn and dusk when the temperature is lower. Top tip: do as they do! 😉

❗️However if your animals seem very lethargic, are panting, have very red ears or seem confused, these are signs of heatstroke, so please do contact your vet straight away ❗️

We hope you and your animals enjoy the lovely weather. Be prepared, stay cool, and enjoy the sunshine while we’ve got it! 😊☀️😎

‼️MESSAGE US IF YOU NEED ADVICE, BUT PLEASE SEEK VETERINARY TREATMENT IF YOU ARE REALLY WORRIED YOUR PETS ARENT COPING ‼️

10/10/2021

27/07/2021

Storm & JV 😍 how utterly adorable are these two 🐰🐰