HOLIDAY HAZARDS: Tips for a Safe Holiday Season

Seasons greetings from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization. This is the season of ribbons and bows, mistletoe and lights, and holiday cakes and goodies. This is a wonderful time of year, but did you know that many of the decorations and treats of the holiday season may pose a threat to your rabbit? Below are some tips to help ensure a happy and healthy holiday season for your rabbit.

Christmas Tree Hazards
It is very difficult to keep Christmas tree lights and decorations, which are irresistible to many rabbits, out of your rabbit's reach. We recommend blocking off the area around your tree with decorative fencing. See http://members.aol.com/Mombeanie/photogallery3.html, and the photo to the right, for a festive way to keep your rabbit away from your tree. Real pine Christmas trees that have not been treated with fire retardant spray are safe for bunnies to chew; however, note that ingesting pine can turn your rabbit's urine orange. This is normal, and should not be a cause for concern. Do not let your rabbit drink the water in the Christmas tree stand, especially if you put sugar or soft drinks in it to help prevent the tree from losing its needles.

If you cannot block off the area around your Christmas tree, please remember to keep electrical cords out of reach. In addition, some Christmas tree decorations pose a threat to your rabbit. For example:

• Tinsel and garlands are a choking hazard and may cause digestive problems if ingested.
  
• Be sure to hang breakable ornaments or ornaments with small chewable pieces high on the tree, and out of your bunny's reach. Save hard plastic and wooden ornaments (provided that you do not mind if they are chewed or played with!) for the bottom of the tree.
  
• Do not string popcorn or dried cranberries around your tree if the tree is not blocked off. A few dried cranberries will not hurt your bunny, but don't let him eat too many. Dried fruit should be considered a treat food (See Fruits and Other Vegetables (Treat Foods) under http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=673&S=5). Rabbits should not eat popcorn (See Mueslix under http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/treat.html).

Other Holiday Hazards
In addition to your Christmas tree, many holiday treats and other decorations can also be dangerous to your rabbit:

• Pot pourri and holiday treats: Keep pot pourri and bowls of holiday "people treats", such as chocolate and nuts, out of your rabbit's reach. Keep in mind that rabbits can jump onto surfaces such as coffee tables and get to bowls filled with holiday treats and pot pourri! See "Forbidden Foods" in http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=673&S=5.
  
• Candles: Do not leave burning candles on coffee tables and other surfaces that your rabbit can jump on to. In addition to being a burn hazard, according to a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain lead wires inside their wicks (usually scented candles), and aromatherapy candles made of paraffin (a petroleum by-product) release carcinogenic soot when burned. See http://www.realmoney.org/articles/candles.htm for more inforamtion.
  
• As with all houseplants, keep holiday plants out of your rabbits reach, and take care to pick up fallen leaves. Some Christmas plants, such as holly and mistletoe, are poisonous. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but may cause stomach discomfort if ingested. See: http://www.rabbit.org/care/poinsettia.html.
  
• Wrapping paper, ribbons and tape: Ingesting ribbons and tape can be dangerous to your rabbit. Plain white tissue paper is safe for chewing, but your rabbit should not be allowed to consume quantities of other kinds of wrapping paper, especially shiny or foil wrap.

What's all the Hub-bub?
Rabbits love routine, which may be disrupted by holiday parties and the arrival of holiday guests. It is important to try to stick to your rabbit's routine as much as possible. Some rabbits may be bothered more by excessive noise than a disruption in routine. For such rabbits, consider moving the cage out of excessively noisy or busy areas. Keep a close eye on your rabbit - it is even easier to miss subtle symptoms that can indicate illness during the busy holiday season. Finally, always remember to never give a pet as a gift. If that special someone wants a pet as a gift, please adopt a friend from your local shelter after the holidays, when your home is less stressful and you are less busy.

In addition to providing tips for a safe holiday season, we would like to offer some ideas for gifts for your rabbit this holiday season.

Bunny Wish List

• Members Muffy and Fuzzbutt highly recommend the Willow Tent Tunnel from The Busy Bunny Company.
  
• Members Moe and Jasmine are fond of the Boredom Buster from Pet Valu or PetSmart. (See for a photo and description of this toy). The Bordem Buster can be filled with treats that fall out when the rabbit plays with it.
  
• Member Priya thinks that Purina Apple Chunks make wonderful presents. Remember that treats, such as apple chunks, should be fed in moderation.
  
• Members Theo and Bossy think pinecones are not only festive, but enjoyable and fun to chew. (Remember, it is a good idea to disinfect pinecones by washing them in your diswasher (no soap of course!), then baking them in a low temperature oven for about an hour).
  
• Members Beau and Miss Yvonne are quite fond of chewing on pesticide-free apple branches.

The toys listed above were given two paws up by some of our members' rabbits. Remember, not all rabbits will enjoy the same toys.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization.

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