Crappy rabbit-sitters!

**Minerva** · 02-01-2007, 02:11pm

Got back from our weekend away last night, and went straight out to see my rabbits, Muppet and Daisy. The neighbours were looking after them, but they didn't do a great job

Firstly, the hutch door was open upstairs, so they could have jumped/fallen out and hurt themselves on the concrete. And secondly, they had no water! There bottle was completely empty. And I even left a bottle of tapwater out so the neighbours wouldn't have to make the trip back to their own kitchen.

I usually ask a friend in the village who is very responsible. But now, my neighbours won't hear of anyone else looking after them, cos they loved doing it so much! TBF, I don't think it was deliberate, but it scares me!

Of course, I couldn't say anything, they are pensioners, not to mention I wouldn't ever want to be on bad terms with the neighbours.

**RedTiger** · 02-01-2007, 04:28pm

Oooh difficult one, especially with them being pensioners and keen to look after them. Could you type up a 'care' sheet for them next time so they know what to do and what not to do? Or print something off the internet about caring for rabbits so that they have it written down and don't forget anything? When my neighbour watched my bunny she fed him scraps of fruit and veg which was fine except it included lettuce which rabbits aren't supposed to eat. She didn't know this - I kind of dropped in into a conversation at a later date hoping she would pick it up without me having to directly say to her 'please don't feed him lettuce' as I would have felt bad doing that when she was doing me a favour in the first place by looking after him.

**Minerva** · 02-01-2007, 08:05pm

I like the idea of a care sheet. I did tell them I would leave them some water, but they just said "oh I'm sure they'll have enough". Well they didn't! If I leave them again the sheet will be in bold lettering. I left some cabbage & kale outside in a plastic box, which they gave them, although they did give them some carrot as well. But that's OK, my two are fine with that. But it is surprising how many people think lettuce is OK.

Thanks for the tips!

**Sweetie Pie** · 02-01-2007, 09:15pm

My mom looked after my rabbit when we were away, i told her what to give him and what not to give him and came back to find he was addicted to lettuce

I told her (nicely) that he shouldn't have it and she said "oh he loved it, he couldn't get enough of it!!"

Me thinks the care sheets are a very good idea!!

**miffys_mummy** · 08-01-2007, 09:51pm

Well I might be inclined to a little white lie and saying bunnies have not been on top form so on a special regime and leaving instructions then they are more likely to take notice.As to the open bit on the hutch hmm I dunno hth Fiona xxx

**Minerva** · 08-01-2007, 11:11pm

This I like. Also thought of saying that my friend who normally looks after them has cried and cried and cried... you get the picture... and so I have to let her look after them next time. My friend thinks its a hoot!