Binky Bandits

08/09/2023

Always feel free to share these posts as the more people they reach, the more rabbits will benefit AND who doesn't love to see cute rabbits on their Facebook wall? Especially when they're as cute as these two!🐰

08/09/2023

HOT WEATHER☀️

Due to the weather, we've been having lately, it is important to mention that rabbits and heat aren't always a perfect match!
Although we may love the hot weather, rabbits very often do not, this is because heat can lead to heatstroke which can be fatal if not attended to!

Signs of heatstroke in rabbits include:
- ears that are red and hot to the touch
- short quick breaths or rapid breathing
- breathing with mouth open
- lethargy
- blood from the mouth, nose or bottom
- blood in p**p
- shaking and tremors
- wobbling when moving
- confusion
- seizures
- collapse
- unconsciousness

Whether you use bowls or bottles, they should be filled with fresh and clean water every day (multiple times if using bowls). I personally use water bowls as opposed to bottles as Buddy and Fifi prefer them and it allows for a more natural drinking experience. It also allows them to intake more water which is beneficial in this weather. Adequate shade from the direct sun. Providing cooling mats (be careful if your rabbit is known to chew everything *Buddy*) or things such as bowls or bottles of ice for them to lie next to. Fans can also be used to create airflow in sheds and hutches and to cool the rabbits off. you can also spritz your rabbit's ears with COOL water (not cold as this can lead to shock and actually heat them up more). Ensuring your rabbit is a healthy weight is also a good way to prevent heatstroke as obese rabbits get warmer quickly and may not be able to move out of direct sunlight as easily. Having a good grooming routine also helps as any excess fur is removed which will make the rabbit cooler.

NEVER SUBMERGE A RABBIT IN WATER or give them deep water to swim in as this can send them into shock which is often fatal. Although rabbits can swim, it is for survival only and they do not enjoy it. Shallow water dishes can be provided and you may see your rabbits play in it but most will just drink it. Again, make sure this water is cool and not freezing.

Despite the sun being dangerous for them, many rabbits like a good sunbathing, such as Buddy and Fifi who can regularly be seen flopped over in the sun (yes I do have to go out and make sure they're alive because they are experts at playing dead!). This is normal and okay and your rabbit will move if they are too hot!! I have a shade that I put over the run, early in the morning, when the weather is so hot to keep the flags cool and create a shaded area. Fifi will often ignore this and chase the sun around the run whereas Buddy tends to flop in the same space every day (which I make sure is under shade).

Always think, if you're warm, your rabbit is likely to be warm too!!

01/09/2023

Apologies for not posting in a while! I've been extremely busy getting myself ready to go back to university in September! This does however give me a really good opportunity to talk about ROUTINE and how much rabbits like one.

Like us, rabbits enjoy having a routine. They enjoy being fed and cleaned at the same time every day and will get to know the times when you should be coming to give them their supper! Rabbits like routine as it gives them confidence and reduces their anxiety, as they know what to expect and when to expect it! This makes them more likely to trust and befriend their caretakers and more likely to explore new things and their environment.

My rabbits know exactly when tea time is due to the time of day and the actions I take beforehand. My rabbit cleaning and feeding routine is as follows:
- 7:30pm: I let the rabbits have free range of the garden and I start cleaning. I take both the outdoor litter trays out and clean the wee and poo from them. I then do the same to the inside litter tray. I then sweep up any soiled or wet hay and then hoover any loose poos (that Fifi has undoubtedly left) and place all this in a flexitub ready for the bin. I also check the hides for any soiled material or waste.
- 8:00pm: I check and refill all the hay bags with timothy hay and then throw some loose hay into the run too as this is just how my rabbits like their hay!
- 8:30pm: I get the rabbits back into their home and give them their tea either in individual bowls or mixed in with the loose hay so they have to forage for it (even though this is Buddy's idea of personal hell) as this provides mental stimulation!

I tend to also clean them out the same way every time as this is just how I personally do it. My rabbits have become used to this now though with Fifi knowing exactly when tea time is. She knows that once I have taken all my cleaning things back in that it is tea time and she will follow me to the garage door and wait while I make up her tea. She'll then follow me back to their home where she waits for me to give it to her. Buddy is a lot more relaxed and will come for his tea in his own time. Fifi however, knows she can't have her tea till Bud comes in too and around 8:30pm, she will get impatient with him and go and get him😂

Remember rabbits❤️ROUTINE

20/08/2023

Rabbit P**p 💩

Anyone who knows anything about rabbits will know that they p**p all day, every day, nonstop! Like many animals, p**p can be used to determine the general health of your rabbit and it's essential to keep an eye on your rabbit's p**p so any issues can be caught early!

Rabbits do two kinds of p**p: the pellets you usually associate with rabbits and cecotropes.

Pellets💩
- Normal rabbit pellets will be uniform in both shape and colour (ranging from darkish to golden). They should have a stable form and keep their shape but be able to be broken apart with the fingers. They should resemble sawdust inside!
- Small pellets can be a sign of GI Stasis, a deadly disease in rabbits (I will be covering this in the next couple of days) which will require veterinary treatment. P**ps can also be smaller in times of stress, they should return to normal size once the stressful situation has been fixed but if not contact your vet.
- Very dark pellets indicate too much protein in your rabbit's diet. this can be combated by reducing leafy greens and pellets and increasing hay intake.
- Pellets linked by hair mean your rabbit is ingesting too much hair, this is especially common during moulting season. Regular grooming and removal of hair with brushes (or lint rollers, but be gentle!) can rectify this.
- Double pellets can indicate a slowing in the rabbit's gut. This is often due to stress and will rectify itself but if not, again, contact your vet.
- Large egg-shaped p**ps can come from genetics or after trauma, again, this is a job for your vet!
- Mucous-covered p**ps can be caused by antibiotics or anything that can upset the intestinal lining. These p**ps should be monitored but it is often a temporary situation.
- Mucous IN p**ps may be caused by parasites or cecal impaction which is an extremely serious situation where a vet should be contacted.
- Diarrohea is extremely serious in rabbits and a vet should be contacted immediately. Diarrohea can mean an infection of deadly parasites or exposure to poisons.

Cecotropes💩
- Cecotropes are completely normal. Chances are you won't see them as your rabbit will usually eat them straight from their bottoms! They look like grapes, due to the way they are strung together by their membranous outer coating.
- If you are seeing cecotropes, there could be too much sugar in their diet. This can be rectified by reducing the amount of fruit and veg (such as carrots) your rabbit is eating and seeing if the issue improves. Stress can also cause the overproduction of cecotropes.
- Excess cecotropes are usually not serious but as always, if you are worried, contact your vet. Always check your rabbit's bottom to ensure it is not dirty from the excess cecotropes or from sitting on them in the litter tray.

I cannot stress the importance of knowing your rabbits and their p**ping habits, especially if you have more than one!
My male rabbit Buddy (left) has large p**ps that are usually a dark brown to light brown colour. He likes to p**p in the corners of the litter trays, especially the one inside the shed. Fifi (right) on the other hand is a menace, She fills all the litter trays (both outside and inside) and p**ps wherever else she feels like! Her p**ps are a lot smaller than Buddy's so it is easy to distinguish between the two! Fifi is also very prone to bouts of GI stasis so we like to keep an extra eye on her p**ps so we can catch it early and get her treated and reduce potential pain!

📱If you are ever worried about your rabbit's p**ps it is best to contact your vet so that they can have a look. When possible try to take a sample of p**p (or a picture) of the abnormal p**p and the normal p**p so your vet can get a good idea of what could be the issue!

14/08/2023

Flystrike and How to Prevent It!!!

Flystrike is when flies such as bluebottles and greenbottles lay their eggs on your rabbit. These eggs will then hatch into maggots that eat the rabbit's skin, causing infection and even death in just a few days. All rabbits are at risk of flystrike, especially during summer months when flies are more prevalent. However, some rabbits, like the ones covered in the next paragraph, are more at risk than others.

In the case of flystrike, prevention is better than cure, and following these simple steps can help prevent flystrike in your rabbit:
- ensure your rabbit's bottom is clean from faeces and urine.
- clean wounds and make sure they are kept dry.
- if there is any diarrhea or urinary problems, contact a vet so they can be addressed. Both diarrhea and urinary problems increase the risk of flystrike.
- make sure your rabbit is the correct weight as obesity can prevent the rabbit from eating their cecotropes and cleaning themselves properly, again increasing their susceptibility to flystrike.
- make sure your rabbit's living area is cleaned regularly and thoroughly, removing urine and faeces often.
- using a flystrike prevention tool like rearguard.

Some of the things I personally do (alongside the tips just mentioned) are:
- Place basil oil around the living area (ensuring your rabbit cannot eat it) as flies are warded off by the smell.
- feeding basil regularly as the rabbits like it as a treat and again, the smell keeps flies away.
- keeping an extra eye on their p**ps and looking for even the smallest change so that I can act quickly.

It is important to always check your rabbit's bottom anyway, regardless of season as it can be an indication of any digestive or urinary problems. You should not assume that just because your rabbit is usually clean that their bottom is always clean too. It is always beneficial to check your rabbit's body for any changes, this should just be done more commonly in summer! If your rabbit has a dirty bottom then mix a small amount of small animal shampoo in a bowl of hot water and clean them. Remember, a rabbit should never be submerged or 'bathed' as this can cause them to go into shock and even die! Once cleaned, monitor your rabbit and ensure the fur is dried as flies are attracted to damp fur as well as urine and faeces!

If your rabbit has maggots on their body then it is important to contact your vet IMMEDIATELY due to the fatality of flystrike. If maggots are present, you will likely notice them most commonly around your rabbit's bottom as they will be feeding on the faeces there. Maggots can also be seen above the tail and on other areas of the body too so always check everywhere just in case! As mentioned before, it is important to contact your vet if you suspect any digestive or urinary diseases so that they can be treated too!

11/08/2023

A brief overview of hay!

Hay is the main staple of any domestic rabbit's diet, making up 85% of their total food intake. The reason hay plays such a big part in a rabbit's diet is due to digestion! The fibre hay provides ensures that the digestive tract is always kept moving which is vital for the overall health of your rabbit! Hay also helps to naturally wear down the teeth of your rabbit, preventing them from becoming overgrown and causing dental issues.

Fresh hay should be available to your rabbit 24/7 but how you give this hay is up to you! We like to use hay bags for hanging over litter trays as this ensures the hay stays fresh and clean! we also like to throw a pile of hay onto the run floor so the rabbits can eat between their naps in the sun!

With so many different types of hay available and marketed to rabbits, it can be difficult to choose which will be best for your rabbit. Timothy hay and meadow hay are among the most popular hays that are fed to our pet rabbits due to their availability and price. Other types of hay include alfalfa, orchard, and oat hay. All these hays, apart from alfalfa, can be fed as the base hay for your rabbit's diet- that 85%. Alfalfa on the other hand is suitable for young or pregnant rabbits due to the high protein content. it is not suitable for the everyday feeding of adult rabbits!

Some rabbits can be fussy with their hay and it can take some trial and error to get them to eat enough of it. One way to increase their hay intake is to feed them good quality, tasty hay that they enjoy! Try a mixture and see which your rabbits like best! incorporating hay into games and puzzles (unscented toilet roll tubes are great for this!) can also encourage them to eat! Having hay in different places (all over the place in our case!) can also entice them to eat due to it being readily available!

The best hay you can feed your rabbit is their favourite as they need to eat so much of it, it's best they enjoy eating it! Personally, I feed timothy hay from Hay Box as my rabbits go straight to it and start eating as soon as it is put out and I constantly find myself topping it up!

hay box-

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10/08/2023

Hi, this is Binky Bandits!

We are a page dedicated to providing knowledge on rabbits and keeping them as pets. We want all rabbits to receive the best care possible so this page was created to help do just that!
Our experience comes from owning rabbits ourselves and lots and lots of research into every aspect of owning them.

Please always feel free to message or email any questions or queries but do be aware this is NOT a substitute for veterinary advice and if you are worried about your rabbit please contact your vet!