Every year huge numbers of adorable baby rabbits go to new homes for Easter, along with chicks and ducklings by the thousands. And that's bad news for the vast majority of these babies.
Most of these traditional Easter pets will be gifts for children, impulse purchases made with little thought given to the needs of the animals. No pet purchase is more likely to end tragically than one that's based on nothing more than cuteness.
Many of the chicks and ducklings will die within a few days or weeks, killed by neglect, improper care or unintentional mishandling by children. Those birds who do make it to adulthood are often turned loose to fend for themselves, once parents realize how unsuitable these farm animals are as urban and suburban pets.
Rabbits, on the other hand, can be wonderful pets, but only for those people who are prepared to care for them properly. Although it comes as a surprise to most people, rabbits are not well-suited to life as a children's pet, at least not for young children and never without adult supervision. Too many rabbits die from injuries caused by children who drop them or hold them in a way that can injure their backs, without the firm support they need for their lower bodies and hind legs.
And like other pets bought on impulse, a great many rabbits end up turned loose or dumped on shelters after the novelty wears off.
If you're tempted by the idea of a chick or duckling (picturing your child in Easter best holding a fluffy baby), please pay attention to the following words: Get over it. Unless you have rural property, you should not entertain the idea of buying a such a pet.
What about a rabbit? Now here's a possibility, and you'll never find more of them about than at this time of year. But again, you need to make the decision based not on impulse or on how much fun you think it would be to have a baby rabbit. You must consider the larger issues: Is your child ready for a pet? Do you have the time to show your child how to properly care for one and see that the chores involved are done whether or not the child wants to do them? Will you spend the money for housing, food and veterinary care? Are you willing to show your child how to handle a rabbit? Are you willing to ensure that it's done properly so the animal isn't injured? Finally, are you prepared to keep a full-grown rabbit for the rest of the animal's natural life?
If you cannot honestly see beyond the cries of delight on the day your child and baby bunny meet, do not bring home a rabbit. Buy a stuffed animal instead. One of these can take abuse and neglect with no problem more serious than an occasional ripped seam or detached shoe-button nose. They cannot feel pain, and they will not end up in a shelter.
In the short run, passing on a pet that will not hold your family's interest is important to the welfare of a single animal -- the one you would have bought. In the long run, teaching your child that animals are not to be picked up on a whim and discarded just as lightly is important to the welfare of all animals. Perhaps even more essential: Making sure children grow up learning to care about other living things is important to the welfare of us all.
One of my favorite sayings applies here: Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as important to the child as it is to the caterpillar. The lessons of compassion and respect for all life could not be more appropriate than during this holiday season. Don't bungle your chance to make an important contribution to your child's education with the impulse purchase of a pet you will not cherish for life.
PETS ON THE WEB
The House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org) is the absolute best site on the Web for anyone looking for information on caring for these sweet-natured pets. Before the HRS, most of the information that was out there was of the 4-H variety -- from people who were raising rabbits for meat.
Thanks are due to the House Rabbit Society's members for helping others to realize the pet potential in these long-overlooked animals. The society's Web site offers information on everything from housing to nutrition to finding a bun-friendly veterinarian. If you have a rabbit or are thinking of getting one, you must do your research at this site first.
THE SCOOP
My dogs love to ride in the car! I don't know if it's the promise of adventure at the end of the road, or all those fine, fresh smells coming in through the windows, but even the senior canine resident will do a little bunny hop at the magic words, "Wanna go for a ride?"
If you plan to leave your dog in the car while you run errands, though, you'd better start disappointing your pet. That's because now is the time of year when it's getting too warm to leave your dog in a car.
Most people realize it's not safe to leave a dog in the car on a hot summer day, but fewer know that even a pleasant spring afternoon can be deadly. A car is like a greenhouse with all those windows, and heat can build up to lethal levels in a matter of minutes -- even when the temperature isn't all that high, even when the windows are cracked a little. Dogs aren't very efficient at lowering their internal temperature (panting is about the only mechanism they have), and they can quickly become overheated, or worse. Yes, it's fun to take your dog along, but play it safe and leave him home on warm, sunny days.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: I read your article about crate-training a puppy. Would this work for an older dog? About five months ago we adopted a 4-year-old bichon frise because the owners were ill and had moved into long-term care. He is an intelligent and delightful dog to have, except that every week or two he defecates on the family room floor not far from the patio door. He knows that he has done wrong. The following morning, he refuses to come out from under the bed. Can you suggest a solution? -- F.M., via e-mail
A: Your dog does not know that he has done wrong. He's aware only that you're angry with him for some reason, and he'd better hide until the storm passes. Dogs don't understand cause-and-effect. Your pet doesn't think "I'll be in such trouble for doing this" while he's making the mess.
To train him, you must make it possible for him to make only good decisions by limiting his freedom and by praising him for getting it right. And yes, a crate is part of the solution.
Before you start insisting that your pet "hold it" for long periods of time (while you're at work or through the night), make sure he's physically capable of doing so. The first rule of solving any behavior problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. That means a trip to your veterinarian to ensure your pet hasn't any illness that's making house-training difficult.
Once your dog has the veterinarian's clearance, bring some structure into his life. If you're free-feeding, stop immediately and change to two meals a day, morning and evening. Because canned food has a high water content, feed him only a high-quality kibble, which produces a smaller, less runny stool. Offer water freely during the day, but pick it up a couple of hours before bedtime.
Make sure you offer your pet regular opportunities to relieve himself, and don't just throw him outside. Go out with him every time, give him a command word -- I use "hurry up" with my dogs -- and then praise him to the stars when he goes. You want him to start making a positive connection for this behavior, with praise for a job well done.
Take him out one last time just before bed and crate him for the night. (Put the crate next to your bed so he's comforted by your company.) You didn't say you were having problems during the day, but if you are, never leave him unattended and out of sight in the house. He should either be crated, or be leashed to you so you can spot an accident at the first squat. If he starts to create a mess, interrupt him with a sharp "no" or hand clap. Then hustle outside with him and give your command word. Don't forget the praise when he finishes up outdoors.
After a few weeks of diligent adherence to monitoring your pet, you can start experimenting with giving him more freedom. It may be, though, that your pet will be better off crated at night for the rest of his life. This is not punishment: Dogs come to enjoy the security of their crates, and often will go into them voluntarily when it's time for a nap.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.
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