- Papaya (and fresh pineapple) can help prevent hairballs and aid in digestion.
Please note that the fruit must be FRESH and untreated in any way (including un-pasteurized) so that it still has the necessary enzymes that help to break down blockages and food. My bunnies like fresh pineapple juice as well. Note that the canned versions of these treats don't count. Give as a treat, but only in very small amounts, as the sugar content is very high and bad for bunnies to have too much!
- Mold is poisonous to bunnies.
I found this out through researching suitable litters for bunns. Apparently corn cob litter does a BAD job at staving off this potential poison. Something to think about if you're currently using this type. Try CareFresh, my bunns love it!
This is also an excellent argument for buying smaller amounts of pellets or hay; always keep them in a cool, dry place.
- Mushrooms are poisonous to bunnies! One can be fatal if ingested.
I didn't know this til now! Wow. Not like I would ever actually *feed* them to my bunnies, you know, since they aren't GREEN, but I do cook with them quite a bit. Will make me a bit more conscious of my cleanup job in the kitchen, that's for sure! I found this, of all places, at Petco.com. Here is a pretty good list of other poisonous plants and such.
Quick Link to some poisonous/dangerous things for bunnies & some bunny proofing ideas
- Bunnies can get cataracts.
As i have learned with puppyHead, who indeed had cataracts. i am gathering more info by the handful as i find it about this condition which potentially robs bunnies of their eyesight.
What i know so far is that it's characterized by a whitish "layer" over the area where the pupil should be. it can be caused by old age, heredity, an injury to the eye, or infection. To read about cataracts, go to this "Information that may be of interest in veterinary ophthalmology" page.
- Did you know that bunnies cannot vomit?
I found this out on a trip to my bunny-knowledgeable vet (Maria Castiglione in the South Bay, CA). Read what the HRS has to say about it.
- Sometimes the shape of the face can affect respiration in bunnies.
Case in point: puppyHead had a flat face and she SNORED.
- Bunnies eat their poops.
Oh yes, you heard me. When I first realized this, I did some research to make sure I had not gotten a freaky bunny. The softer pellets are called "caecotropes" and the bunns eat them -- straight from the source, hehe -- to gain nutrition that is left in them due to incomplete digestion of them. They're also full of beneficial bacteria that the bunnies need to maintain proper digestive tracts.