This week, I’ve been on dog-sitting duty. My daughter, Zoey, and son-in-law, Dan, packed up and headed to LA with their son to visit Dan’s father and sister. That left me in charge of Daisy, their sweet, wild, bundle-of-energy dog.
And oh, does Daisy have energy.
She needs attention. A lot of it. She’s rambunctious in the best and most exhausting way, and she absolutely loves to chase bunnies. At first, I didn’t think much about it. Dogs chase things. It’s what they do.
But let me tell you, walking Daisy is a workout. She pulls. And I mean she pulls. Hard. It takes everything in me to hold on. Normally, I’d just jog along with her, but my knee hasn’t been cooperating lately, so running is off the table. Instead, I plant my feet, hold the leash tight, and pray she doesn’t drag me down the block.
The Incident I Can’t Unsee
A couple of weeks ago, we found Daisy with a bunny in her mouth. I honestly think she thought it was a toy. Thankfully, Dan was right there and managed to get it out and toss it away before I even saw much of it. Crisis averted, or so I thought.
Then came the other day.
I was walking Daisy when she suddenly spotted a nest. Before I could react, she darted over and scooped up a baby bunny in her mouth. It was alive for a moment. And then it wasn’t.
She devoured it right there. My heart sank. She trotted proudly back into our backyard, prize in mouth, and refused to let go. I was screaming at the top of my lungs, “Drop it! Daisy, DROP IT!” She didn’t listen. Not for a second.
The whole thing played out from the moment she grabbed that poor bunny until I finally lured her inside with a treat. Bribery, it turns out, works better than yelling.
The baby bunny was left outside. Shredded. It was awful.
Dan, over the phone, suggested I cover it so Daisy wouldn’t see it again. So I marched into the house, grabbed a bucket, and plopped it right over the poor thing. There was no way, absolutely no way, I was picking that up with a shovel. It was traumatic enough just looking at it.
When my husband got home, he took care of the cleanup. But he was less than thrilled that I’d left it under a bucket instead of dealing with it myself. Let’s just say he wasn’t my biggest fan that evening.
What to Look for When Your Dog Kills a Bunny
Once the shock wore off, I started worrying. Was Daisy okay? Could eating a wild rabbit make her sick? If you ever find yourself in this messy situation, here’s what I learned and what you should watch for.
1. Keep an Eye on Their Health
Wild rabbits can carry parasites, bacteria, and diseases. Two big ones to know about are tularemia (a bacterial infection) and coccidia (intestinal parasites). Your dog can pick these up from eating an infected rabbit.
Watch for these warning signs over the next few days:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or unusual tiredness
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
2. Check for Physical Injuries
In all the chaos, your dog could get scratched or bitten. Take a moment to gently check their mouth, face, and paws for any cuts or wounds that might need cleaning.
3. Know When to Call the Vet
If your dog seems totally fine, that’s a good sign. But if you notice any of those symptoms above, especially vomiting, diarrhea, or low energy, call your vet right away. It’s always better to be safe. Mention that your dog ate a wild rabbit so your vet has the full picture.
4. Watch for Worms
Even if your dog seems healthy, wild rabbits can pass along tapeworms. Keep an eye on their stool over the next couple of weeks, and ask your vet about deworming if you’re concerned.
Tips to Prevent It From Happening Again
I wish I could say I’ll never deal with this again, but Daisy’s a hunter at heart. Here’s what I’m doing to lower the chances:
- Keep them leashed in areas where rabbits hang out, and stay alert for nests.
- Work on the “drop it” and “leave it” commands. Trust me, I’m making this a priority now.
- Scan your yard regularly, especially in spring when baby bunnies are everywhere.
- Keep dogs supervised outside, even in a fenced backyard.
Final Thoughts
Dog-sitting Daisy has been an adventure, to put it kindly. She’s lovable, energetic, and clearly a skilled little hunter. This whole experience shook me up, but it also taught me a lot about keeping our furry friends safe.
If your dog ever catches a bunny, don’t panic. Watch them closely, trust your gut, and call your vet if anything feels off.
And maybe keep a bucket handy. Just in case.