HELOISE: Thinking of getting a rabbit? Read this

Dear Readers: Cute as they are, rabbits require a lot of specialized care and handling. Intelligent, trainable and affectionate, they also can be anxious and destructive if not cared for properly.

The best place to get a rabbit, in the opinion of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is at a shelter or from a rescue group.

What’s needed? A large-enough (at least 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet) cage. It’s best to keep the cage indoors and cover the bottom with wood or cardboard; a rabbit’s feet can’t handle the grating of a cage. Straw or hay should be put down for nesting material. A litter box lined with newspaper can be placed in a corner. Do not use pine or cedar shavings or clay cat litter. These can damage a rabbit’s respiratory system. Clean the cage daily, and brush your rabbit every day to keep the coat unmatted and shiny.

What’s on the menu? Grass hay for digestion, and good-quality rabbit pellets. Dark lettuce, turnip greens and carrot tops round out the healthy rabbit’s diet. Of course, clean, fresh water must always be available. Yearly vet visits are a must, too, after initially spaying or neutering.

A general cost guideline for the animal is about $1,000 for food, housing, supplies, toys and bedding the first year. They can live seven to 10 years or longer.

Rabbits must be handled carefully; their bones are very delicate. Because of this, rabbits may not be ideal for small children, who may want to play roughly with their pets.

These are very general hints from our friends at the ASPCA and the House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org). Do your homework before bringing a rabbit into your home.

Heloise

P.S.: If you have a pet rabbit, I’d love to print your hint and comment.

Dear Readers: Kelly of New Braunfels, Texas, sent in a photo of her miniature rat terrier, Rambo, ready to go on vacation, standing in the suitcase. Kelly says, “I guess this was his way of reminding me not to forget him!”

To see Rambo’s reminder, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have two hummingbird feeders on my patio and had a cleaning problem until I went to a pet store and looked in the aquarium department. I found a set of three various-size soft brushes with long wire handles that can be bent easily into different shapes. The brushes were only a few dollars and made the cleaning easy enough to do.

Marilyn in California

Dear Heloise: We have two outdoor dogs that were constantly spilling their water bowl. I’ve found that an angel food cake pan (with a spout and hole in the middle) makes a perfect water dish. I put a wooden stake in the yard and slip the bowl onto the stake. The dogs can’t upset the bowl and go without water, which can be dangerous, especially in the summertime.

Kay in Austin, Texas

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate