Holidays can be a stressful time for us, but it can be even more difficult for a rabbit. Halloween to New Year’s Day is a relatively short span of time, but it’s a time that is jam packed full of major holidays and gatherings are inevitable. Family, friends, neighbors or co-workers may stop by unexpectedly or you may be having planned guests staying for a few days. With some careful planning and safety measures set in place, you will be able to easily navigate the holidays with your bunny.
Every rabbit is unique, and some may be more or less comfortable around guests so it’s essential to prioritize their well-being and comfort during holiday gatherings. They can be sensitive to changes in their environment and may become stressed or anxious with the presence of new people or routines. Safety is also a major issue to consider during any time of celebration.
Navigating Holidays with your Rabbit
There are six rules of thumb so to speak to create a safe yet festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Safe and Quiet Space: make sure your rabbit’s space is quiet and secure so they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. It could be a separate room or a quiet corner of their enclosure that has small hideaway huts. This gives them a place to retreat to if they feel stressed or need some quiet time.
- Halloween can be a night of loud doorbells ringing…consider leaving your bowl of candy outside, or stand by your door to answer it before it rings!
- Thanksgiving can bring about a lot of kitchen noises such as clattering of pots and pans.
- Christmas can lead raucous laughter, loud music and caroling
- New Years Eve, besides those pesky fireworks, may have noisemakers and poppers especially at midnight
Inform Your Guests: Let your guests know about your pet rabbit and educate them on how to interact properly such as approaching calmly and quietly. Ask them to avoid loud noises, sudden movements, and not to reach into the rabbit’s enclosure without your supervision.
Limit Interaction: Knowing your rabbits personality will come in handy here. If your rabbit enjoys being around people, allow brief supervised interactions with your guests. Make sure your guests know how to handle your rabbit gently or avoid picking them up unless you’re confident they can do so safely. If your rabbit is skiddish and shy around new people, keep your bun away altogether. Another thing to keep in mind is that some small children or elderly relatives may be unstable on their feet. It may be better to let your bunny stay put in their enclosure or another room for everyone’s safety.
Maintain Routine: Stick to your rabbit’s regular feeding and playtime schedule as closely as possible. Exercise and socialization time should be a priority especially if your rabbits enclosure will be minimized or moved. Routine helps rabbits feel safe and secure.
Monitor Stress Signals: Keep an eye on your rabbit’s body language. If your rabbit appears stressed (e.g., thumping, hiding, or refusing food), it’s best to move them to a quieter area and limit their exposure to the visitors.
Comfort: Consider giving your rabbit comfort items like their favorite toys or a new stuffed animal to help them feel secure during the influx of new people.
Toxic Holiday Plants
Did you know that several holiday plants can be toxic to pet rabbits? It would be wise to instead opt for faux plants, however it is still essential to keep any plants, real or faux, out of the reach of your rabbit.
- Poinsettias contain a milky, white sap that can be irritating to a rabbit’s mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
- Mistletoe is toxic to rabbits and can cause symptoms such as digestive upset and cardiovascular problems if ingested.
- Holly can be toxic to rabbits, causing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.
- Amaryllis bulbs are toxic to rabbits and can lead to gastrointestinal distress if consumed.
- Laurel contains cyanogenic glycosides & amygdalin which can cause respiratory issues, diarrhea and mouth pain.
- Lilies including peace lilies can cause tissue penetration from oxalate crystals and severe digestive issues.
- Christmas Cactus is not highly toxic, but may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
- Winter Cherry or Jerusalem cherry contains solanine which cause digestive issues.
- Christmas tree needles of some evergreens, such as pine and fir trees, can be sharp and potentially harmful if ingested. Not to mention, commercial trees are often sprayed with fertilizers that could also be harmful.
If you suspect your rabbit has ingested any potentially toxic plants or materials, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance and treatment. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center has round-the-clock availability and their phone number is (888) 426-4435.
Decorating for the Holidays
I think it is safe to say that most people enjoy decorating for holidays whether it is Halloween, Thanksgiving or Autumn in general, Christmas etc… When you have pet rabbits though, this requires some careful planning to ensure their safety and comfort.
Secure Decorations: Rabbits are curious creatures and may be tempted to chew on or play with decorations. Make sure that all decorations are securely anchored or out of your rabbit’s reach.
Avoid Toxic Materials: Choose decorations made from non-toxic materials or make your own organic ornaments! Avoid items with small, detachable parts that rabbits might swallow, as these can be a choking hazard or lead to intestinal blockages.
Supervise Playtime: While your bunny is free roaming during the holidays be sure to supervise. Keep a watchful eye to ensure they don’t chew on anything dangerous.
Electrical Cords: Holiday time tends to be a time for lots of extension cords. You probably already have regular electrical cords covered for protection, but don’t forget these added cords. Cover or secure them to prevent electrical shock, burns, or injury.
Christmas Trees: If you have a Christmas tree, anchor it securely to prevent your rabbit from knocking it over. Place tree ornaments higher up on the tree, so they are out of reach. Avoid using tinsel or string-like decorations, as rabbits are more likely to chew on and ingest these, which can lead to digestive issues. Make sure electric cords for tree lights are out of buns’ reach. If using a skirt, secure it to prevent your rabbit from burrowing underneath. I like to put a short x pen around the base of my tree which solves all of these potential hazards. Another option is to get a table top tree as long as your rabbit can’t jump up to it.
- Live Trees: cover the tree water stand to prevent your rabbit from drinking it, as some tree water additives may be toxic. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria also.
- Artificial Trees: keep in mind that any type of flocking can be hazardous to a bunny’s health. Choose a plain tree or place your tree in a different room as your bunny.
Gifts: There is nothing more festive than looking at a multitude of packages under the tree. Ribbons adorned with glitter, shiny foil paper, garland wrapped boxes, however these are all highly toxic to a rabbit. If you want your rabbit to be a part of the festivities, why not choose a “natural” theme for christmas such as plain white or kraft paper wrapped with twine ribbon bows and pinecone (properly prepared) adornments! And speaking of gifts, don’t forget to give your friend a special gift too!
Scents: Candles, plug in scents, wax melts and essential oil diffusers have strong scents that can not only be overwhelming to your rabbit, but can potentially irritate their sensitive respiratory systems. Use them in rooms where your bunny doesn’t go or better yet, put a pot of water on to boil with sliced lemons, oranges, cinnamon stick, clove and rosemary or bake some yummy cookies!
Holiday Treats: We all know holidays are a time to imbibe on cookies and treats, however you will need to remind guests that most human foods are not suitable for rabbits and to not give any to your rabbit. Sugary foods can lead to digestive issues and stasis along with obesity. High carb foods can cause a toxic overgrowth of bad bacteria in the intestines. Chocolate, well let’s just say, is poisonous.
Fireworks
Fireworks are the bane of all pet owners for sure. From Independence Day to New Year’s Eve, they can be extremely stressful for pet rabbits. Sensitive hearing and being prey animals, loud noises can startle, confuse and distress your rabbit. They may become frightened by the loud noises and bright flashes associated with fireworks displays. It’s important to be attentive to your rabbits’ needs and provide the comfort and security they require during potentially stressful events like fireworks displays.
- Bring them indoors if possible during fireworks displays. This will help muffle the noise and keep them safe from any potential harm.
- Close curtains and blinds to block the bright flashes of light that can disturb rabbits.
- Create a quiet and comfortable space for your rabbits inside their enclosure or a quiet room. Ensure they have their food, water, and familiar bedding.
- Reduce noise by playing soft, calming music or use white noise to help drown out the sound of fireworks. I love youtube bunny music channels for this! Consider using foam or thick blankets to insulate their enclosure to help reduce noise.
- Spend time with your rabbits during the fireworks to provide them added comfort. Stay calm and composed to help reassure them. (Rabbits are perceptive and can pick up on your emotions). You can talk to them gently or pet them if they enjoy it. If your rabbits seem extremely anxious, it’s best not to force them out of their hiding place. Allow them to stay where they feel safe.
- Some rabbit owners find that natural remedies like calming herbs (e.g., chamomile) or pheromone diffusers can help reduce stress. Consult your veterinarian before using any remedies.
- Ensure that all doors and windows are securely closed to prevent your rabbits from escaping during the fireworks. If your rabbit tends to be an escape artist you may want to ask your vet about microchipping. This could be crucial in case they do escape.
After the fireworks display is over, continue to provide a calm and reassuring environment for your rabbits until they have had time to settle down and relax.
Final Thoughts
Many people choose to travel during the holiday season which can not only add to your stress, but your rabbits. It might be wise to leave your rabbit home with a sitter or consider shorter day trips, however if you must take your rabbit away with you, it is best to be prepared.
Holidays should be a joyous festive time spent with friends and loved ones and that most assuredly includes your rabbit. As always be extra aware of how your rabbit is faring during all of the hustle and bustle. Take their clues and if they seem overwhelmed and stressed out, try cutting back on a gathering or two or simply move their space to a quiet area of your home.
