  GraveheartedCampbell, CA
2444 posts  | |
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| 11/28/2006 02:56 PM |
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This article from Ontario Rabbit Education Organization has some good advice for keeping your bunnies safe this holiday season.
This is the season of ribbons and bows, mistletoe and lights, and holiday cakes and goodies. This is a wonderful time of year, but did you know that many of the decorations and treats of the holiday season may pose a threat to your rabbit? Below are some tips to help ensure a happy and healthy holiday season for your rabbit.
Christmas Tree Hazards
It is very difficult to keep Christmas tree lights and decorations, which are irresistible to many rabbits, out of your rabbit's reach. We recommend blocking off the area around your tree with decorative fencing.
See http://members.aol.com/Mombeanie/ph...ery3.html, and the photo to the right, for a festive way to keep your rabbit away from your tree. Real pine Christmas trees that have not been treated with fire retardant spray are safe for bunnies to chew; however, note that ingesting pine can turn your rabbit's urine orange. This is normal, and should not be a cause for concern. Do not let your rabbit drink the water in the Christmas tree stand, especially if you put sugar or soft drinks in it to help prevent the tree from losing its needles.
If you cannot block off the area around your Christmas tree, please remember to keep electrical cords out of reach. In addition, some Christmas 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 chewable pieces high on the tree, and out of your bunny's reach. Save hard plastic and wooden ornaments (provided that you do not mind if they are chewed or played with!) for the bottom of the tree.
* Do not string popcorn or dried cranberries around your tree if the tree is not blocked off. A few dried cranberries will not hurt your bunny, but don't let him eat too many. Dried fruit should be considered a treat food (See Fruits and Other Vegetables (Treat Foods) under http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Co...&S=5). Rabbits should not eat popcorn (See Mueslix under http://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's reach. Keep in mind that rabbits can jump onto surfaces such as coffee tables and get to bowls filled with holiday treats and pot pourri! See "Forbidden Foods" in http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Co...3&S=5.
* Candles: Do not leave burning candles on coffee tables and other surfaces that your rabbit can jump on to. In addition to being a burn hazard, according to a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain lead wires inside their wicks (usually scented candles), and aromatherapy candles made of paraffin (a petroleum by-product) release carcinogenic soot when burned. See http://www.realmoney.org/articles/candles.htm for more information. NOTE FROM BINKYBUNNY - Since the above link seems to be broken, here is another helpful link http://findarticles.com/p/articles/...i_66918312
* As with all houseplants, keep holiday plants out of your rabbits reach, and take care to pick up fallen leaves. Some Christmas plants, such as holly and mistletoe, are poisonous. Poinsettias are not poisonous, 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 be dangerous to your rabbit. Plain white tissue paper is safe for chewing, but your rabbit should not be allowed to consume quantities of other kinds of wrapping paper, especially shiny or foil wrap.
What's all the Hub-bub?
Rabbits love routine, which may be disrupted by holiday parties and the arrival of holiday guests. It is important to try to stick to your rabbit's routine as much as possible. Some rabbits may be bothered more by excessive noise than a disruption in routine. For such rabbits, consider moving the cage out of excessively noisy or busy areas. Keep a close eye on your rabbit - it is even easier to miss subtle symptoms that can indicate illness during the busy holiday season. Finally, always remember to never give a pet as a gift. If that special someone wants a pet as a gift, please adopt a friend from your local shelter after the holidays, when your home is less stressful and you are less busy.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization.
Please feel free to share any other ideas or suggestions you may have |
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| ~ bunny mom to to HRH Hareiette, Viktor the crazy Krum and Pandora, prima binky ballerina ~ Save a life, Adopt! |
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 jacki fullertonSan Francisco
80 posts | |
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| 12/09/2006 05:35 AM |
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Thanks for this information, graveheated. Noble loves to poke around the Christmas tree, he especially likes to hide under it and chew on the packages and pine needles. I try to keep him away from it, but he is so curious, he can't help himself. |
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 dmh426Syracuse, New York
431 posts | |
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| 12/09/2006 05:21 PM |
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So a holiday tradition growing up is one that I have kept as a single woman. I string popcorn for my tree every year. You have no idea how long it takes to do in one night if you are doing it alone. It was discovered last year during Sophie's first Christmas that she LOOOOOVES popcorn. So picture this- I come into my living room last year from putting in a load of laundry and Sophie has dragged the popcorn strand off the bottom of the tree and it is wrapped around her as she is laying there quietly munching away. Ahhh. Still have the popcorn strand this year, but I sprayed pine air freshener around the tree skirt and she stay far away from it. |
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 BBSan Francisco Area
 Forum Leader 8520 posts | |
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| 12/09/2006 09:48 PM |
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I'm glad the air freshener worked!
I was thinking about making a wreath this Christmas, and got lazy and just bought one. I'm sure a wreath wouldn't have taken that long, so I can't even imagine how long it would take to make a string of popcorn to go around the tree. Do you do in sugar coating on it? Ya know like carmel, or cherry? YUMMY!!
My husband and I usually make a whole boat load of cookes - usually over 300 to give away. It's a recipe that was passed down from his mother, and they are the BEST sugar cookies. Melt in your mouth, heavenly! Everyone we give them too freaks out because they are so good.
I am glad something yummy came from his side of the family because my side of the family....eh...let's just say are challenged in that area, and they have passed down these stunted cooking skills to me.
During my single days, I remember I had a tree with three ornaments on it, a black sheep, a white sheep, and a typewriter with a Christmas mouse on it. Boy, what a sad state. So I envy you! : ) |
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 LucyChicago, IL
379 posts | |
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| 12/10/2006 07:28 AM |
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We were going to get a little tree and put it on a stool so that way Fujoe couldn't get to it... well, they ran out of little trees... so.. we got a big one- like 6 1/2-7 feet : D
Found out that Fujoe loves eating it.. We cut off most of the bottom branches, but he'll stand up on his back legs, grab onto a branch and start pulling... what an odd rabbit.. We covered up the stand with a cloth so he can't get to the water, that and we had to hang the surge protector really high.. He would run out of his cage in the morning and starting pulling at the lights near the plug. always doing something that Fujoe.. |
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 ospreyLos Altos, California
2093 posts | |
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| 12/21/2006 10:12 AM |
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DJ and Curly Sue are fascinated by the tree, DJ in particular. He is doing the same as Fujoe, standing on his hind legs to browse the lower branches of the tree. He snagged a mouthful of Pointsettia too. The two of them like laying curled around the tree stand, back legs out, contemplating the state of the world. |
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 Anita StarkOntario, Canada
200 posts | |
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| 12/21/2006 02:27 PM |
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Last year we bought one of those artificial pre-lit trees. Dh came up with an interesting, yet attractive setup for it this year. I tried taking a picture but it came out too dark so I will have to take another shot. Anyways, before we moved into this house, I used to keep my knitting yarn in a big wooden box. When we moved here I graduated to rubbermaid bins on shelving and the box was relegated to being used to store knick knacks like wrapping paper and ornaments.
I'm not sure what he used as the supporting surface but I came back from a weekend away to find he had set the tree into the top of this box which he had put in the corner of the living room. It is much too high for Sable to jump onto and we actually get to enjoy a fuller view of the tree because it isn't obscured by the furniture. |
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| Sable's Mom |
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 BB AdministratorGeekville
BB Webmaster 293 posts | |
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| 11/10/2007 07:29 PM |
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The holidays are approaching so I'm bumping this up from last year and pinning it! If you have any great holiday safety tips and advice to add, or any questions and concerns about holiday hazards, post 'em here! |
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| Fixes Stuff. Thinks about Fixing stuff. Dreams about fixing stuff. Is it fixed yet? |
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 medinaserpaPhilomath, OR
248 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 09:02 AM |
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Does eating the needles from the tree harm them? What is in the water that they can't drink? |
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 MooBunnayDallas, Texas (Allen)
3086 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 10:42 AM |
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This will be my first Christmas with bunnies - so thanks for posting the tips! I'm sure that every single one of my mischevious bunnies is going to try to eat the darned tree...probably the ornaments too...and probably the gifts...and anything else they can get their teeth around! I'm excited to make them all some bunny stockings though, and I have a real fireplace so I'll be able to hang them up! |
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BBSan Francisco Area
Forum Leader 8520 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 11:23 AM |
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Posted By medinaserpa on 11/11/2007 12:02 PM
Does eating the needles from the tree harm them? What is in the water that they can't drink?
The water bowl for live trees is what they should not be drinking out of. Many times there are additives that people put in it to keep the tree alive and fresh for longer that is not good for bunnies (even if it's natural like sugar) , as well as it can get old and mildewish if it's just be refilled over and over. Okay for the tree, not okay for bunnies.
Regarding the needles. There are actually two different answers for that. You can search the net and find out that there are claims of pine needles puncturing a bunny's intestines, but several of my rabbit savvy vets have said, that since they chew the needles up, it shouldn't be a problem. (or at least they haven't seen it to be a problem in during all of their years of practice)
so my personal choice is - I have let my bunnies chew on a a few but I usually don't let them go crazy with the tree.
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medinaserpaPhilomath, OR
248 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 02:44 PM |
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Oh also I was wondering about the candles. I am using the scented one like posted above they are being kept up high, but I notice that Coney keeps sniffing when they are being burned. My question is, is there something in the scents that is bad for them to breath? Is it the new smells that is causing him to sniff all the time? I like to use the christmas smelling kinds. |
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 TracySt. Pete Fl.
111 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 02:55 PM |
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last year Mr. Man would just run around the base of the tree and just bat at the lower ornaments. But about a week before I took the tree down He would not go near it...well I found out why. There was a snake in my tree...not a big one but enough to keep Mr. Man at bay. |
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TracySt. Pete Fl.
111 posts | |
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BB AdministratorGeekville
BB Webmaster 293 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 04:39 PM |
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Posted By medinaserpa on 11/11/2007 5:44 PM
Oh also I was wondering about the candles. I am using the scented one like posted above they are being kept up high, but I notice that Coney keeps sniffing when they are being burned. My question is, is there something in the scents that is bad for them to breath? Is it the new smells that is causing him to sniff all the time? I like to use the christmas smelling kinds.
Actually the whole scented candle thing has been a learning lesson for me too, as I love scented candles. I will be choosing ones made from soy from now on. I guess the reason that many candles (scented and unscented) are not good is because they are made with paraffin wax and when it burns, the soot that goes out into the air covers our floors, walls, furniture, and it's that residue of soot that is not good for our bunnies....and us. (as well as what is still in the air is not good either) But since bunnies hang on on the floor and then they clean themselves, their feet, their fur with their mouth, they would be more likely to digest the stuff. Here is an article that explains it in detail http://findarticles.com/p/articles/...i_66918312To research it more you can just put it paraffin wax vs soy wax, and you'll get a plethora of information.
Here's a site that I found which was helpful in explaining it in easy to understand terms. http://www.aromaticalternatives.com...bsp; Of course, they also sell Soy candles, so they'll give you a reason why to buy soy, but the articles they supply are informative anyway.
Hope that helps! OH, by the way...this is BINKYBUNNY - I'm just in admin mode, and realized that after I wrote up and posted this.
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| Fixes Stuff. Thinks about Fixing stuff. Dreams about fixing stuff. Is it fixed yet? |
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BBSan Francisco Area
Forum Leader 8520 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 04:58 PM |
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Posted By tracy on 11/11/2007 5:55 PM
last year Mr. Man would just run around the base of the tree and just bat at the lower ornaments. But about a week before I took the tree down He would not go near it...well I found out why. There was a snake in my tree...not a big one but enough to keep Mr. Man at bay.
WAIT, hold the boat! What? What do you mean you had a snake in your tree? Now THAT's a new one for me.
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GraveheartedCampbell, CA
2444 posts | |
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| 11/11/2007 11:02 PM |
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holy cow - a snake in a christmas tree??! that's scary!!! i wonder if it was in the tree when they cut it down? or was it like a pet snake that escaped? |
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| ~ bunny mom to to HRH Hareiette, Viktor the crazy Krum and Pandora, prima binky ballerina ~ Save a life, Adopt! |
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TracySt. Pete Fl.
111 posts | |
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| 11/12/2007 01:16 AM |
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no...not a pet and it was in a FAKE christmas tree. I grabbed its tail thinking it was a string, a black string that the cat had. and when it pulled from my hand I jumped a mile and screamed.... soon after that it was a dead snake under my broom! |
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TracySt. Pete Fl.
111 posts | |
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| 11/12/2007 01:21 AM |
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...by the way has anyone seen the wild rabbit attack the snake on Youtube...very funny |
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 KokaneeandkahluaEdmonton, Alberta; Canada
Forum Leader 11108 posts | |
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| 11/12/2007 05:07 AM |
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I have seen that youtube video...Everyone always says if Kokanee came accross a snake she would do the same (tree the snake) because she takes guff from no one!  I seriously cannot believe you had a snake in your tree??!! Especially a fake tree! Thanks for all the holiday tips! I had no idea pointsietta wasn't poisonous! I am pretty lucky in a way, we always had dogs growing up, so we really never have anything hazardous for pets (like tinsel or pointsietta or candles or popcorn)... Also now that I live on my own, I really don't decorate as we spend so much time at my mum's or my boyfriends mom's house! |
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Kokanee & Chuck My Bridge Bunnies-you left paw prints on my heart |
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 Beka27Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Forum Leader 13993 posts | |
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| 11/12/2007 06:13 AM |
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a snake in the tree?!!? now i'm freaked out...
i'm not afraid of snakes (or mice, or rats) but i am afraid of surprise snakes (or mice, or rats)... lol. |
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Meadow.....
...... Max |
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 babybunsmumWaterloo ON Canada
3872 posts | |
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| 11/19/2007 04:35 AM |
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Posted By Beka27 on 11/12/2007 9:13 AM
i'm not afraid of snakes (or mice, or rats) but i am afraid of surprise snakes (or mice, or rats)... lol.
same here! i'm just reading this thread now... since i'm past Baby's surgery & getting into the holiday spirit. a SNAKE?!?! gees louise! that would surely take me by surprise!
great holiday tips... thank you =) |
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| I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours. |
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 Scarlet_RoseColorado
4371 posts | |
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| 11/19/2007 03:45 PM |
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Me and Indiana Jones have something very much in common, I hate snakes. I would have totally come unglued. Wow. I am just speechless. |
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 lucygooseyCanada
40 posts | |
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| 11/26/2007 03:05 PM |
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A snake in a tree? Oh my I would've fainted. I remember when I was little there was a large garden snake in my backyard and I almost stepped on it. My mom got so scared she called 911!
Anyways this is my first christmas with Lucy and I was nervous about what I would do with the tree. However, I got a cheap artificial tree and you know how they are, the lower branches don't start until quite high (which is why they are cheap, they just extend the base) but it served us well. Lucy can't reach the bottom brances because she has to stand up and she can' tdo that on hardwood floor. I couldn't find any simple plain treeskirts though (if I got a nice one she would ruin it in hours, she loves fabrics). But Lucy seems to really love to flop under the tree. I think she likes the lights I should post a pic some day |
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| People make fun of me for being on here... |
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Scarlet_RoseColorado
4371 posts | |
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| 11/26/2007 04:21 PM |
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That would be cool to see a pic of it wunwun! |
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BBSan Francisco Area
Forum Leader 8520 posts | |
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| 11/26/2007 08:58 PM |
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wunwun - Rucy also LOVES to sit under the tree. I don't put lights down low enough for her to get to, and i put edible Christmas Ornaments on the bottom portion of the tree - made for bunny chewing. I also, put a net around the water bowl - as we have a live tree, so she won't drink out of it. But she could hang out under the tree all day long. She really really enjoys it. I too will have to get some pics of this when we put it up this year. |
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Scarlet_RoseColorado
4371 posts | |
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| 11/23/2008 04:24 PM |
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I thought I would refresh this since the holidays are coming up!  Gravehearted gave tons of great info! Happy and safe Holidays everyone! |
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Beka27Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Forum Leader 13993 posts | |
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| 11/24/2008 05:16 AM |
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thanks Scarlet for bumping this up. i cannot believe it's that time again, this year has literally FLOWN by... 
a couple more links, some of the info is repeated, but i think the HRS article has some things that have not been mentioned yet.
HRS: Your Bunny and the Holidays... www.rabbit.org/care/holidays.html
HRN: Holiday Safety... www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/calvin6.shtml
i block off access to the tree altogether. last xmas we had a one-high NIC fence around that was sufficient, this year i'll be using a two-high. i really don't think the fence detracts from the beauty of the tree, and as an added bonus, we can stash presents inside the fence and not worry about them getting chewed up and the paper eaten. we anchored our fence to a side table and it was very stable. if you allow your bun to explore your tree (maybe for a xmas photo opportunity), i'd suggest doing it with supervision.
(please excuse the bad/blurry camera phone pics... )
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| Meadow.....
...... Max |
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 Aspens mommyFort Knox KY
33 posts | |
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| 11/24/2008 06:15 AM |
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Thanks for the holiday advice! Last xmas i didnt have any bunnies so i guess this xmas will be different. since garland is bad, is there anything thats similar that i can use? (thats safe of course) Thanks |
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| Hi from Aspen and Pancakes |
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 Moonlight_WolfUnited States of America, Pittsford, New York
1153 posts | |
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| 11/24/2008 01:47 PM |
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a snake in the tree?!!? now i'm freaked out...
i'm not afraid of snakes (or mice, or rats) but i am afraid of surprise snakes (or mice, or rats)... lol. Yes, I agree with that. I also seem to be afraid of things that should be outside the house, but are inside, and some bugs scare me all the time. Like if there was a snake in out house I would be scared but if it was outside I would think it was cute. Mice and rats I think are cute all the time, and crickets GIANT crickets are definitely scary all the time. We once had a colony of GIANT crickets in our basement! And I was the one to spot the first one, I screamed really loud and I hardly ever scream. For weeks I was afraid to go back in the basement. My mom kept going down and finding more of them! It seemed like they just did not go away even after we squished many of them. Finally they are gone, but I still survey the basement before going down there.... |
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| “We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.”
M. Facklam |
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