How to celebrate a stress-free Christmas with rabbits

Regardless of whether you’re celebrating Christmas with your rabbit for the first time or are a long-time rabbit owner wishing to give your loyal companion a Christmas gift – you can ensure with our tips that your rabbit has a happy and stress-free festive period.

Why Christmas with pets is something special

In the peaceful advent period, humans and animals are to rest and regain energy for the new year. However, the reality is often quite different: a Christmas party here, a shopping marathon there and suddenly the big day is just a few advent calendar doors away. Stress is pre-programmed.

Rabbits, cats and the like sense this too. Our pets are not just confronted with falling temperatures and shorter and shorter days, but also with colourful Christmas decorations, family visits and general chaos in the household

Treat yourself and your rabbit to a break more often this year and reward it with a present. We have come up with three simple ideas for you and will also show you how to protect your rabbit from dangers lurking in your household at Christmas.

Have you not been a rabbit owner for long? Follow this guide on getting your new housemate settled in.

Christmas presents for rabbits

According to a Forsa survey from 2017, more than one in three pet owners give their pet a Christmas present. Rabbits also appreciate little details that provide variety and activity.

Handicrafts and baking in turn are a little distraction for rabbit owners from the hustle and bustle of Christmas. So how about one of these three presents?

Christmas tree for rabbits

Untreated branches from larch trees make a great Christmas tree. Tie the branches with a cord and fix the trunk in a shoe box or wooden board with a hole.

You can then decorate your little tree like a real Christmas tree – though with carrots, apples and berries instead of baubles and stars. You’re best off securing the rabbit-appropriate decorations to sisal twine.

© Stefan / stock.adobe.com

Delicacies from the Christmas bakery

Not just us humans enjoy eating biscuits at Christmas. Rabbits too enjoy homemade baked treats.

It’s easiest to make biscuits from a squashed banana and your rabbit’s favourite foods: you can chop carrots, herbs or dried fruit, for instance. Then mix the ingredients with the banana pulp and shape biscuits, which are then baked in the oven at around 60 degrees until the dough is completely dry throughout.

A snuggly bed for cold days

If you don’t find time for handicrafts or baking, surprise your rabbit with a new snuggly bed. This offers your pet variety and a welcome place to retreat, where it can spend hours snuggled up in winter and that acts as a refuge during the festive period. Playful rabbits certainly also appreciate new accessories for their enclosure.

Find even more gifts for rabbits and items for their enclosure all year round in the zooplus online store.

How to get your rabbits safely through the festive period

For many, a festively decorated tree is as big a part of Christmas as candles, mulled wine and biscuits. Of course you don’t have to completely do without a tree if you’re celebrating Christmas with a rabbit, but you should consider a few points so that your furry housemate gets through the Christmas period safely.

What dangers are lurking in your household?

If you keep your rabbit indoors, it will notice how you lovingly decorate the rooms. The Christmas tree and its glittering decorations will prove particularly eye-catching to curious rabbits.

How to avoid potential dangers relating to the tree:

• Ensure that the tree has a fixed stand and ideally observe your rabbit when it is close to the Christmas tree.
• Curious rabbits should not have access to the tree decorations and water if possible.
• Snow spray and tinsel are dangerous for all pets, as are glass baubles. You’re therefore better off using decorations made from natural materials like straw or wood. These sustainable alternatives also don’t break as quickly.
• Regardless of pets, fairy lights are safer than wax candles. However, cables should be positioned out of reach of rabbit teeth to prevent an electric shock.
• It’s best to get rid of wrapping paper, ribbons and packaging waste left under the Christmas tree from Christmas Day straight away. This reduces another area of danger for your rabbit and makes things a bit more comfortable for you and your guests.

Which Christmas treats can rabbits eat?

Both cables and Christmas treats tempt rabbits to nibble, but fatty or sweet foods, especially chocolate, are forbidden for them. Homemade rabbit biscuits are a healthier option.

Be careful with Christmas plants, as poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic for rabbits.

Look into Christmas opening times in our vet search before the festivities so that you can react quickly if your rabbit secretly eats something it shouldn’t.

How can my rabbit have a relaxed Christmas?

If you receive many guests during the festive period, give your rabbit enough breathers. Chaos, noise and clumsy children’s hands soon unsettle them. If possible, set up a quiet spot for your rabbit to retreat to and don’t expose it to too many new sensations at once.

© Ольга Симонова / stock.adobe.com

Making Christmas with rabbits a pleasant experience

Decorate your home gradually rather than all at once so that your rabbit can adapt to the festive period.

This allows your pet to get used to all the new concepts and makes it easier for you to observe whether it is chewing anywhere it shouldn’t. If your rabbit behaves well, you can reward it – for instance, with an advent calendar that makes the run-up to Christmas all the sweeter for your beloved pet.

As a rabbit owner, you know what is good for your pet and how curious it is. Put yourself in your rabbit’s shoes at Christmas and you will intuitively discover many potential dangers.

Take time for your pet in quiet moments and pay attention to its body language. By doing so, you will have a peaceful Christmas time together.