Ask Mrs. Bun

ASK MRS. BUN ... questions from our two-legged friends!

I have been told by some of my rabbit-loving human friends that I am not a real bunny slave. What constitutes a proper bunny slave?

The answer to that question varies depending on the particular rabbit. To get a range of opinions, I asked several foster-rabbit friends to chime in: Alice the Californian - I think you know. Lots of food, petting upon request, and not plucking the fur off my butt. Penny the Holland Lop - And treats. Lots of treats. Valentina the Silver Marten - And no cages. Roscoe the Wonder Bunny - My preference is humans to not touch me. But lots of out time is good. Isaac the Siamese Sable - Basically, catering to our every whim. Veggies on request. Free run of the house. No yelling when we tinkle outside the litterbox.

I just got a lovely Angora bunny that I want to keep outside in a run. I've been told that is dangerous. Why exactly would that be? I thought the outdoors was a rabbit's natural territory.

Since I have all these rabbits gathered already, let me turn it over to the foster bunnies again: Cocoa the New Zealand Black: Having come in from the great outdoors, I can speak well on this subject. Predators, including cats, dogs, raccoons, hawks, snakes, cars. No matter how well fenced the yard, no matter how secure the hutch, predators can still get in. Outdoor bunnies tend to live only a couple of years. Indoor buns can live 10 years or more. Besides, would you want to sit outside alone in a box day after day after day? Valentina: I am going to put in my two cents. I lived outdoors and some ruffians came one day and killed my companion and broke my pelvis and leg. Young humans are also a predator to be aware of. Scott the Dutch mix: Young humans? It wasn't a young human who tried to decapitate me! Penny: And you forgot fleas. Flea dermatitis is uncomfortable, and flea anemia can be deadly. I nearly died of anemia caused by flea bites. And don't forget heatstroke, hypothermia, and respiratory illnesses.[At this point in the discussion, several other bunnies clamored to be heard on ear mites, fly strike, maggots and pneumonia.] Roscoe: I believe that should answer your question.