Dog Community

Ginger's first whole rabbit

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:14:22 PM

Somebody was asking me about the whole rabbits in another thread. Can't quite remember, but I did say I'd check back in with an update.

Well, Ginger had her first go at the whole rabbit tonight. It was de-furred, and looked like maybe de-eared as well. It had a skin-like covering, but I don't think it was actual skin, more like some sort of membrane.

Before I gave it to her I weighed it. 2 lbs, 11 oz. She typically gets in the neighborhood of 8-10oz total daily, so this puppy's gonna last her for about 4, maybe even 5 days, easily.Anyhoo, I tossed it into her crate whole. She flopped it around and messed with it for a while, and I could see she was trying to figure out how to approach it. She ate some of the head, part of the rear, and part of a shoulder. When she stopped and looked at me - I asked if she was finished. She just licked her lips and stared at me.

So, I took it away (to no protest) and weighed it. 2 lbs, 3-1/2 oz. So, she at 7-1/2 oz. I'm sort of surprised that she self-moderated, but pleased as well. In the morning I'll probably give her an egg, and maybe some yoguirt for breakfast- and then toss the rabbit back in tomorrow night.

She's not *entirely* sure what the deal is with this thing - after all, its not a nicely cut up chunk of meat. [

] Woo-hoo for self-moderation though. I never thought I'd see it out of this dog.

Alex M

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:18:26 PM

sounds pretty neato. i really can't imagine any of my mutts self-moderating like that, but now i wonder.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:27:12 PM

A whole rabbit (fur, guts, and all) doesn't stand a chance with any of my beagles. They get whole rabbits during rabbit hunting season and will eat the whole thing in just a matter of minutes. Of course, they are used to it, and wild rabbits don't weigh near what domestic rabbits do.
Glad she enjoyed it!

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:35:30 PM

(fur, guts, and all)

The only thing these guys are missing is the fur... and next time I may actually get the ones with the fur!! The wild ones around here are much smaller than these jobbies though.

You never know Alex!! I figured she'd snarf the whole thing in one meal. However, she may get a little more enthusiastic tomorrow.

cakana

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:35:33 PM

I almost got hysterical imagining the look on my DH's face if I said "hmmm, dogs didn't finish the rabbit, so I'm just gonna stick this back in the frig till tomorrow". [sm=lol.gif]

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/15/2006 6:36:53 PM

I almost got hysterical imagining the look on my DH's face if I said "hmmm, dogs didn't finish the rabbit, so I'm just gonna stick this back in the frig till tomorrow".

[sm=rotfl.gif]I didn't exactly mention that part to my Dh. I hope he doesn't open the meat drawer. [sm=rofl.gif]

jennie_c_d

Posted : 8/15/2006 7:24:56 PM

Sounds like fun! I'm seriously considering ordering from them... I do need to email and see what the rabbits eat, before I order for Emma....

Ginger looks so cute shaved down, with her ears left long! Adorable!

olinda

Posted : 8/15/2006 8:20:01 PM

I am in love [

] She is so cute, I love her ears.

Where do you get your rabbits from? do you order on line? I am trying to find another supplier.

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/15/2006 9:42:34 PM

I got these from [linkhttp://www.hare-today.com]www.hare-today.com[/link] . They are up a few states north of me, though, maybe PA? OH? You'd just have to see what sort of shipment times you'd be looking at - at this time of summer you wouldn't want anything more than a day or two at most.

I got the whole skinned rabbits, whole ducks, goat parts, and green tripe/spleen. So far everything has been a resounding YUM from Ginger.

I love Ginger shaved down too. It always amazes me when she "unfurls" her ears for me. It's like a bat-dog thing.

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/16/2006 5:49:37 PM

Did I say something about self moderation? Tonight Ginger ate all but about 5 oz of entrails. That's 2 lbs, 6 oz, roughly. Yep, snarfed it all. Needless to say, she'll be fasting tomorrow, and maybe the next day... and eating light for a day or so after that.

Um, I have to say, the whole entrail thing was a tad gross to me. I'm gonna have to buck up some.

olinda

Posted : 8/16/2006 6:33:05 PM

Thanks for the link. I can't wait to take a look at what they have to offer.

brookcove

Posted : 8/17/2006 2:11:24 PM

When they start eating the offal, the hit of vitamin B they get makes them hungrier and they gorge (at least I believe so). It's a neat little adaptation that I believe ensures that these vital parts that go bad quickly, get eaten and don't go to waste.

She should self-regulate again tomorrow and the next day - maybe only a few bites but I often just offer green tripe on those days.

Ben says, "Let's split a fresh duck someday, you gorgeous bat-eared darlin.'" [sm=wink2.gif]

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/17/2006 2:55:37 PM

rofl. Yeah, Becca, she's self regulating all right - the beast was begging me for breakfast this morning. She didn't seem all that terribly upset when I refused though. I fasted her this AM - she'll be getting some treats tonight at agility, maybe some gr. tripe for dinner, and then probably a few smaller than usual meals for a couple of days. Last night she looked like she had eated a football--- waddled around and everything. It was almost comical. 2 lbs is a lot for her smallish self.

I do have to share this one thing... when she was working her way through the entrails I heard "tink... tink tink". What IS that I thought? Rabbit turds. Oh dear.

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/17/2006 2:56:37 PM

Ben says, "Let's split a fresh duck someday, you gorgeous bat-eared darlin.'"

Ginger says, "Your place or mine?"

[sm=rofl.gif]

sooner

Posted : 8/17/2006 3:06:32 PM

ORIGINAL: dogslyfe

I do have to share this one thing... when she was working her way through the entrails I heard "tink... tink tink". What IS that I thought? Rabbit turds. Oh dear.