Rabbit's Lacto

This is one and only suppliment I have picked for Kenshiro so far.
Rabbits' Lacto (うさぎの乳酸菌）WOOLY 150g --- 1,575 yen

This products, another one not found in HK, have a established repuration among rabbit lovers in Japan.

Lacto is said to promote working of the intestine, but rabbits can't intake them from their daily diet, namely hay, veg and pellets.

The reason I give them to Kenshiro is because I care about her intestine health.
Every single day all year around, I pay attention to and concern for her faeces and furball.
I get worried everytime I see her faeces being tiny or becoming like a part of neckless.
So hoping this product works, I give her approx. 1.5g/day as directed. Kenshiro just LOVES this suppliment! It has become her treats.

Description:

- contains 3 different lactos (ビフィズス菌、フェリリス菌、有胞子菌) that can produce lacto acid in the intestine.

- Lacro acid stimulates intestine's working and improves emittion of faeces.

- Lacto acid prevents growth of harmful virus in the intestine.

They recommmend us to use it together with another product called ACTIVE ENZYME(furball remedy). I have not tried that, but I would like to buy one next time I go back to Japan.

Rating (out of 5) by KENSHIRO ★★★★★

Oh... no spece in the 2010 calender...

In the previous entry, I wrote about rabbit calender HKRS make every year.
2 days ago I received their reply.
" I regret to inform you that we have already had all spaces full. "

Oh.....

Though the application deadline was June 30 and I had gone to their office to apply on 19th, I was too late!!

They said they would refund my payment andso asked me for the bank detail.
So, I replied and asked them to keep the money as a donation.

I felt sorry (for myself:)), but at the same time, glad that many people responded so quick.
Ok, next year, I will apply within a few days after their announcent!
Sorry Kenshiro, you missed your debut opportunity!

Say NO! to Animal Testing! (download cruelty-free shopping guide here)

This logo is a Leaping bunny, one of the recignized cruelty-free logos we can see on various products in the market. It is onky the international logo that represents the toughest non-animal testing standard.

About a month ago, one of my rabbifriends had posted "Campaign against SHISEIDO" organized by by JAVA (Japan Anti Vivisection Assoc.)on her blog.
Untill then, though I have always been an animal lover, I had not thought about how shampoo or cosmetic or ditergent we daily use might have developed at the cost of many animals, many of which use rabbits. I felt ashamed of my ignorance.

After that night, I started to search for more information on Animal Testing as well as on companies that conduct or do not conduct animal testing for developping their products.

I learnt that now we have alternatives to animal testing, which used plant cells or artificial skin, which is even more reliable anddo not cost any animals' lives.
I also learnt that as a result of many consumers protesting against this by rallies and by not purchasing thpse company's products , they passed "anti-anmal testing law" in EU.

On that day, I swore to start my quiet protest by buying non-animal testing products.
I have gone to City Super to check the price for shampoo/conditioner as well as dish washing detergent. Surprisingly, the price was competitive, probably only less than $10 more expensive than the conventional ones.

Do we want more animals tested on and disposed for what we use daily? There is an alternative way for the testing. Then we must not be silent, but at least start voicing out by becoming a wise consumer as the first step.

Sun-dried broccoli leaves

This is Kenshiro's latest favorite;
Sun dried Broccoli leaves (KAWAI 525 yen)

She absolutely goes CRAZY!! making her piggy sounds and demanding them with her paws.

In regard to both treats and supliments for Kenshiro, most of them come from Japan. That's partly because I'm a Japanese, but more than that, environment surrounding rabbits are very advanced in Japan. I usually order them on line and have them delivered to my parents' home in time for my holiday.

Though it's been not too long since rabbits has become part of family compared to dogs and cats, rabbits are definitely very popular pet to have there and they have established themselves as "very important family members". Thus owners demand better and healthier stuff for their rabbits just myself, and the rabbit-related industryhas grown so big.

Most of Japanese products sold in HK are made by major companies,(dominated by one company) and they are, as all Japanese imported stuff sold in HK, so expensive after almost 50% mark-up!! But to be honest, their products may be "not the best option" for rabbits even if they may like them.

There are lots of other options, such as products made by smaller, but rabbit-exclusive companies. They know rabbits' real nutritious need very well and make really great healthy stuff.
Just like us human, rabbit produts are going organic, natural, no addtives.

Description of Sun-Dried Broccoli Leaves:
- Leaves from the licenced farmers in NASU highlands (那須高原).
beautiful countryside north west of Tokyo, surrounded by mountain range.
- Sun-dried under the natural sun light.
- no additives/ no colouring.
- Rich in Vitamin A (beta carotene), said to be helpful in maintaining internal organs and prevention for aging.

I normally give her half of the leaf (whole leaf can be quite huge), as a treat when she's behaving very well or during her play time with me.

Rating (out of 5) by KENSHIRO : ★★★★★

About Treats & Suppliments.

My fundamental belief for treats and suppliments for rabbits is this;
"Basiclly they don't need them."

But this is based on the vital condition, that is they are fed with good quality hay and pellets (by this, meaning fresh and high in fibre) + approproate amount of fresh veg."

Yet saying that, I still believe there is a tremendous benefits for these treats and suppliments for some, I dare say "some" because I've seen products which is nothing beneficial but high in sugar. And surely we need to choose the products wisely.

Thus my search for "HEALTHY TREATS & SUPPLIMENTS" has begun.

My policy for treats:

• Natural source, no additive, basiclly, dried leaves of various kinds or fruits etc."
  
• Treat is for " reward ".

My policy for the suppliments:

• For beneficial nutrients Kenshiro can't take up from her daily food intake.

Go ! Rabbit calender 2010!

I went to HKRS today.
The reason?
To apply for a space in the 2010 rabbit calender HKRS'll make!
Submitting the form with $320 may get us a space with Kenshiro's photo for one for the weeks!
So far I'm not even sure if we've won the space,
but anyway I requested for one of the weeks.

This whole idea of calender is very practical and nice, I think.
You pay this fee, which will be used to support HKRS's management,
and you can get your beloved rabbit in the next uear's calender!!

What's more!?

They will give us 2-free copies of the calender, which would otherwise cost $60 per! (ref.2009)
What else can be "win-win"??

To be honest, HKRS has very limited marketing and publication power, compared to others like SPCA.

Many of my friends (non-Chinese) do not even know they exist.

I hope that being the only rabbit-exclusive welfare centre in HK,

more people will know about HKRS and support their cause.

Back to the photo business, now, I have to take a photo of really good-looking Kenshiro...

Must-read for the rabbit owners

It's too good to be true!

(Maybe I should be careful with these sites.. wonder if it's really clear with the copyright issue..)

A House Rabbit Primer by Lucile C. Moore
is now free to download.

This book really taught me a lot.
I borrowed it from the local library, and have been looking for the copy in so many bookstores!!
I even dreamed about translatinf it to Japanese.

This book is so informative, and solid.
There is nothing unnecessary.
It helps you to underwstand your rabbit and their behaviours with reasons why.

KENSHIRO Bio.

Name : KENSHIRO

Gender: Female ( she was given a boy's name by mistake)

Breed: Netherland dwalf

Birthday: January ?? 2008

Favorites: BANANA!!, dried brocolli leaf, lacto suppliment,

my husband stinky foot, heavenly massage

Not so favorite: noise from our neibourhood, clipping nails, combing , dandellion leaf

Habits: Dash back to the cage for treats whenever hearing the door.

Throwing her toilet in the air when she's unhappy:)

Memorable Opening!

I would like to dedicate this blog to all rabbits and their owners,

formost to my beloved rabbit KENSHIRO.

This is the first entry! of this journey with her.

I would write about my days with her and rabbit-stuff,

especially about my search for healthy treats and suppliments for Kenshiro.

Enjoy!