AboutDana Krempels, Ph.D. Expertise I can answer just about any question regarding rabbit BIOLOGY and HEALTH from the commonplace (e.g. "runny stool"; dental problems) to the unusual. I can also help you with the most recent information on general rabbit care, as recommended by the nation`s top rabbit veterinarians and other experts.
For the best information on rabbit care anywhere on the internet, be sure to visit www.rabbit.org and consider joining EtherBun, a free listserve about rabbit health, care, and behavior. For more information on EtherBun, visit www.bio.miami.edu/hare/etherbun.html
Experience I have lived with companion rabbits for over 30 years, and have been a rabbit rescuer for the last 13. (Our first rescue, Maggie, just celebrated her 13th birthday!) I can answer just about any question concerning rabbit biology, health, care, and behavior.
I have a Ph.D. in biology (expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, ecology, botany, and herpetology), and have worked extensively with veterinarians who are on the cutting edge of rabbit medicine.
I own EtherBun (EtherBun@yahoogroups.com), the largest free listserve devoted to companion rabbit health, care and behavior.
Since 1998, I have answered rabbit health and care questions from all over the world via the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org), and if I cannot answer your question, I can certainly refer you to someone who can.
Organizations belong to House Rabbit Society
Publications Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide
Education/Credentials Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English
Awards and Honors Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)
Question Hi we are the proud owners of a new (we think) dwarf rabbit but never having owned a pet before I am an anxious mother. She has a beautiful outside cage and she comes into a smaller cage at night inside the house. Occasionally as she wakes up in the morning she jumps on a very expensive lounge and wees and poos everywhere can you tell a rabbit off does it understand the tone of my voice? She also does not come to us much yet she has free rein of house but sticks to one back area only which i am pleased about.She has bitten us also a few times how do we deal with this??She has a box full of hay and newspaper that we assume she thinks is her litter box is this the correct way to do it? Lots of questions but we are a bit frustrated with any answers from the pet shop as they do not seem to know correct answers?? Thanks for your help all the way from Australia.
Answer Dear Donna,
The first step to help improve her litterbox habits and aggression is to have her spayed. Not only will this calm her, but it will remove her very high risk of uterine cancer:
www.rabbit.org/health/spay.html
You should be able to find a good rabbit vet (though they're more scarce Down Under) with the list linked here:
www.rabbit.org/vets
Once she's had a chance to heal and calm down, you can begin the training in ernest with the tips here:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/training.html
In the meantime, you also can start to address her aggression with the information and tips here:
