Rabbit care?

Question
Dear Dr.Dana,

                  Hi I am a first-time rabbit owner for three years. I have purchased an english angora dwarf at the petstore. I love her so much I named her Gizma. I have grown attached to her. She is so affectionate. See the questions I want to ask is what kind of Moist foods can I give her, I am confused because my doctor for her said to give her greens and other moist foods and fruits, but at the pet store they told me not to give her lettuce and she loves it. Now I am stuck. What can she eat and not eat? And what can I give her to play with? I even notice that she was always walking around me in a circle and giving me little kisses on my feet, even dashes on the couch. And jumps off again lol. How else can I entertain her? I even have a hard time to potty train her in her cage and out of the cage. Help what to do? She is three years old still a baby I got her when she was eight weeks old.

Answer
Dear Jacqueline,

Gizma is lucky to have such a loving mom! But I'm glad you wrote, because her diet is the single most important thing you can provide to make sure she has a long, healthy life.  You can read about a correct rabbit diet here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

It's also very important that she be spayed, as unbred, unspayed females have a very high risk of uterine cancer.  Please read:

www.rabbit.org/health/spay.html

For all the best information on rabbit health and care, visit

www.rabbit.org/

and you may even want to consider joining EtherBun, a 5000+ member (very busy!  digest might be the best "beginner" option) listserve devoted to rabbit health, care, and behavior:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/etherbun.html

For ideas on rabbit toys and entertainment, there are good articles here:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp
-q=toys&user=enter+email+address

(or just go to www.rabbit.org and put "toys" or "entertainment" in the search engine window)

Litterbox training will be easier, once she's spayed, but here are some tips:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/training.html

Hope that makes life more fun and even healthier for you and Gizma.  Noserubs to her!  :)

Take care,
Dana