Pet’s Place: Moose Takes Over the Living Room
A doll’s bed, a cardboard house and lots of napping spots make Moose a hoppy bunny
Moose might be new to this Minnesota home, but he has already started to take over. And the home dweller isn’t mad. She actually encourages it.
Home life: Moose lives in the living room, occupying a cage in the corner of the room when Lee is away. Inside his cage, he has his favorite blankets, his Ikea bed, toys, and plenty of hay, food and water.
When Lee comes home, Moose can roam the whole room. Gates at the doorways keep him from wandering too far.
Bunny-proofing: For Moose’s safety, Lee keeps all the electrical cords out of reach so he can’t chew on them.
Litter box training: Moose has a litter box in his cage and another in the corner of the living room. “When he is out running around, he struggles a little bit with going in his litter box,” Lee says. “Luckily, bunny poops are easy to clean up, and he always pees in one of his litter boxes.”
When Lee comes home, Moose can roam the whole room. Gates at the doorways keep him from wandering too far.
Bunny-proofing: For Moose’s safety, Lee keeps all the electrical cords out of reach so he can’t chew on them.
Litter box training: Moose has a litter box in his cage and another in the corner of the living room. “When he is out running around, he struggles a little bit with going in his litter box,” Lee says. “Luckily, bunny poops are easy to clean up, and he always pees in one of his litter boxes.”
Lessons learned: Lee gives Moose cardboard boxes to play with, lie on and use as a bunny house. The boxes keep him occupied and distract him from digging into the carpet, one of his less popular habits. “He is such a little rascal,” Lee says. “If he thinks he isn’t getting enough attention, he will start digging at the floor or turn his back to us.”
Outdoor adventures: Right now Moose is too young to go outside, Lee says, noting that new noises and sights can frighten a baby rabbit. As he gets older, she’ll introduce him to the outdoors by bringing him grass and dandelions. “Dandelions were my previous bunny’s favorite,” she says. When fall arrives and it’s not too hot or too cold, Lee will take him on outdoor adventures.
Outdoor adventures: Right now Moose is too young to go outside, Lee says, noting that new noises and sights can frighten a baby rabbit. As he gets older, she’ll introduce him to the outdoors by bringing him grass and dandelions. “Dandelions were my previous bunny’s favorite,” she says. When fall arrives and it’s not too hot or too cold, Lee will take him on outdoor adventures.
Favorite spot: Moose can often be found playing around the coffee table. “It is so fun watching him explore,” Lee says. “He is just so playful and cute!”
Lee adds an old towel to this favorite spot to protect the carpet. That and a bowl of fresh water offer a nice place for Moose to relax.
Couch assistance: Moose also likes to hop up on the couch, but Lee worries about him hurting himself when he jumps off. She keeps a stool there to serve as a step down to the floor.
Lee adds an old towel to this favorite spot to protect the carpet. That and a bowl of fresh water offer a nice place for Moose to relax.
Couch assistance: Moose also likes to hop up on the couch, but Lee worries about him hurting himself when he jumps off. She keeps a stool there to serve as a step down to the floor.
Nap time: Lee keeps little beds in some of Moose’s other favorite places, giving him more reasons to explore the room. See more pictures of Moose napping, and exploring, on Instagram.
Bunny-approved meals: Moose still eats a young-bunny diet of hard food and timothy and alfalfa hay. In about a month, Lee says, he’ll start eating fresh food, such as romaine lettuce, parsley and cilantro and, as a treat, bananas and carrots.
Bunny-approved meals: Moose still eats a young-bunny diet of hard food and timothy and alfalfa hay. In about a month, Lee says, he’ll start eating fresh food, such as romaine lettuce, parsley and cilantro and, as a treat, bananas and carrots.
Welcome home: “I love coming home every day to see him,” Lee says. Their greetings usually include lots of kisses and snuggles. “He is always excited to see me, and I love having him follow me around. He just makes everything better and brings such light and positive energy to everyday life.”
Your turn: Have you adapted a room of your home to accommodate your pet? Tell us about it in the Comments.
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Your turn: Have you adapted a room of your home to accommodate your pet? Tell us about it in the Comments.
Read more pet stories
Pet at a Glance
Pet: Moose, a Holland Lop
Age: 12 weeks
Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Owner: Jessica Lee, an interior design associate and account manager at Sika Design
Meet Moose: The young bunny likes to explore his home and find good places to snuggle, such as in this doll’s bed from Ikea.
He came to Lee as a present from her boyfriend, who surprised her with a stuffed-animal bunny on her birthday. Two months later, after she had had time to prepare her home for a real bunny, Moose joined the family. This is Lee’s third rabbit. She grew up around rabbits, helping her mom take care of one when she was young and purchasing her own in high school. “Bunnies are a lot of work!” she says. “They are adorable and very rewarding, loving pets, but they need lots of attention and room to play!”