Do you have roaches or other crawling insects like ants, bedbugs, and carpet beetles in your house with your rabbits? Want to get rid of roaches and not hurt your pets? To protect your house from roaches without harming your indoor rabbits you must proceed carefully.
A few years ago when we moved into a new house we had a carpet beatle problem. We searched high and low for a solution. We called the exterminator who was going to bringing some supposed “natural” pesticide. After asking him what exactly this “natural” pesticide was that he was going to use I was shocked. A quick google search revealed that the main chemical permethrin can cause siezures and among other things “Dermal exposures to cats and dogs may cause temporary paresthesia and neurological signs as evidenced by paw flicking or ear, tail or skin twitching, or rolling on the ground”. After reading that I told sorry but we are going to have to wait.
So off to home depot I went to find an alternative. I ended up buying a spray that was real high in oregano, mint, and rosemary. At most the spray irritated the carpet beetles, at worst they began to like it. Plus the smell was pretty overpowering for a few days in the house. If I had used this on roaches or ants, I know they would have enjoyed it. We also tried to use baking soda, but that didn’t work either.
Photo by JayD Photography
While doing some research I came across these pet and children safe alternatives. Still use these with caution and please do some of your own research. I would still keep these out of reach of your pet rabbits, cats, dogs, children. Avoid using in sleeping areas. I am recommending these products based on my own research. I am not a professional and you should consult one prior to using any of these. A few come in powder form so be careful about breathing in when applying. and keep your rabbits and kids away from the area for that day.
Here are a couple of the highest rated and most recommended pet safe pesticides that you can buy:
Harris Roach Tablets – tablets that work real well for roaches and avoid the mess of boric acid powder.. Just keep them out of reach of your rabbit and kids. I have not used these before but many pet owners will attest to it.
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – Possibly an even safer to use product than boric acid. Daimotaceous earth is used in organic farming. It’s not harmful to mammals, and kills insects physically by absorbing and drying them out. Works well for ants, and beetles.
I hope this was helpful. If you have a real roach or other crawling insect problem there is hope. Yes, with some diligence you can protect your house from roaches without harming your indoor rabbits. Do your research though, because many so called “natural pesticides” aren’t so natural and can do serious harm to you and your pets health. Have you had any success with pesticides in getting rid of roaches, ants or any other bugs and you have indoor rabbits? Please share what worked for you. Have you have had any bad experiences with certain pesticides? Please share those in the comments below so others can learn and avoid them.
Your pet rabbit has many needs and a few wishes as well! We have partnered with Amazon to provide you with a list of top rated items for your sweet bunny. Although this is not a comprehensive list of everything that you might want, it will start you out on the right path. From basic needs to the extras that your pet rabbit will absolutely love, below is a list of recommended products that other bunny buffs have approved as the best of the best. Treat your sweet pet and yourself to something new!
The Super Pet Rabbit Rollin’ The Hay Holder is a great nutritional toy for rabbits. It comes with a stand that allows it to sit stationary, or it detaches to be played with as a ball and can be hung inside a cage. Nutritious and delicious, your bunny will have fun with this best-selling favorite!
The Oxbow Western Timothy Hay will appeal to your pet rabbit with its fresh scent. Once consumed the fiber will allow his digestive system to work at optimal ability.
The Super Pet Paw-Print Petware Bowl is a great addition to your pet rabbits’ home. Cute and functional this little dish won’t overturn easily, and it is also chew-proof.
The Prozyme Pet Formula is a great product that will help your pet rabbit to get the most viability out of her nutrition. Older pet rabbits will benefit even more greatly.
The Midwest Black E-Coat Exercise Pen is an indoor/outdoor pen that folds down for easy transportation and storage. Its black E-coat prevents rust and ensures a long life for this great product.
The Iris RP-750 Rabbit Cage is rated highly for being easy to use in “litter box” training pet rabbits. It does not take up much room, and provides the rabbit with some protection from little fingers. The food and water is kept higher on the top level, the bunny sleeps on the lower level, and its waste goes below in a handy pull out compartment that is easily emptied.
We are including the Super Pet Treat Pet-n-Play Habitat primarily for its easy assembly and for the treat dispenser that encourages your pet rabbit to interact. With the press of a button the bell sounds and the treat comes down guaranteeing lots of fun for your furry friend!
Let your pet rabbit live it up in this beautiful cedar home! It can be used indoor or outdoors and can be attached to a pen. The Ware Premium + Penthouse is easily assembled in no time at all.
Give your pet rabbit’s feet a soft rest on this great little mat. Use Peter’s Woven Grass Mat inside or outside your bunny’s cage. It is safe for chewing as well.
Every bunny needs a place to get away sometimes, and you can provide that in the Super Pet Giant Rabbit Igloo Hideout. It is easily cleaned, translucent for visibility of your pet, and has ample space inside for pet rabbits.
Bendable and chew-safe the Super Pet Rabbit Hideout can be used to create a “safe spot” for your pet rabbits to go. Shape them to fit your bunnies’ cage especially.
The Ware Double Fleece Hang-N-Tunnel Crinkle Sleeper is easily hung in your pet’s cage. Washable, durable, and cozy, your pet rabbit is sure to enjoy it for many hours.
The K&H Heated Resting Mat can be used indoor or outdoor and keeps your pet at a comfortable 100 degrees. A great resting spot, it can also be used to comfort sick pet rabbits.
The Argo by Teafco Pet Avion Airline Approved Pet Carrier is great during travel for both your pet rabbit as well as you. It has great ventilation and plush nylon material for your pet rabbit, and it has padded shoulder straps and a lightness to it for you. Approved by IATA requirements for airline travel it also comes with a strap that allows your pet rabbit to be buckled in while traveling by car.
All of us at petrabbits.org hope that these suggested best-sellers will be of benefit to you and your pet rabbits. Enjoy!
The modern day rabbit needs a very simple diet. According to Wikipedia, the bulk of the domestic rabbit’s diet comes from Timothy-grass, otherwise known as Timothy-hay, and other hays. Hay in combination with pellets and vegetables is the perfect combination of food for your pet rabbit. According to the House Rabbit Society, pellets should be reduced in a rabbit’s diet as he matures and when fed to him should be fresh, within six weeks of purchase. Vegetables should be plenteous in your pet rabbit’s diet. Look for a variety of dark leafy vegetables such as kale and other veggie roots, such as carrots. As you reduce the amount of pellets on the menu, you should also increase the availability of hay and vegetables to make up for the calories lost. A small amount of fruits are okay to feed rabbits as well. Always, always keep plenty of fresh water available for your bunny. Thank you to the House Rabbit Society for the following recommended foods list.
Recommended Foods for Your Rabbit
Alfalfa, radish & clover sprouts Baby bok choy Basil Beet greens (tops)* Bok choy Broccoli (mostly leaves/stems)* Brussels sprouts Carrot & carrot tops* Celery Chinese celery Cilantro Clover Collard greens* Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)* Dwarf choy sum Endive* Escarole Gai long Green peppers Kale (!)* Mint Mustard greens* Parsley* Pea pods (the flat edible kind: snow pea or sugar snap pea)* Peppermint leaves Raddichio Radish tops Raspberry leaves Romaine lettuce (no iceberg or light colored leaf)* Spinach (!)* Watercress* Wheat grass Yu choy
(!)=Use sparingly. High in either oxalates or goitrogens and may be toxic in accumulated quantities over a period of time
If you would like some additional resources to read more in depth about what to feed your rabbit please reference the following books. We wish healthy and happy eating to your bunny!
Rabbits: Complete Care Guide by Virginia Parker Guidry
Rabbits for Dummies by Connie Isbell and Audrey Pavia
The Rabbit Handbook (Barron’s Pet Handbooks) by Karen Parker D.V.M.
