Rabbits, Rabbits !!
Are You Thinking You May Want A Rabbit?
Author, Dorinne Whynott, Owner of Professional Pet Sitting Etc.
Rabbits make great house pets with wonderful personalities. They easily adapt to an inside domestic lifestyle. In order to keep rabbits healthy and happy, they need special care. In this article, we are going to share with you how to properly care for your pet rabbit in our rabbit care basics.
Housing
Your rabbit needs an appropriately sized cage. For the average sized rabbit of about 8 pounds, you will need a cage that is at least 4 ft wide, 2 ft deep, and 2 ft tall. Your rabbit should be able to comfortably lay down, stretch out, jump, hop, and still have plenty of room for water, food and a litter box. Ideally, the cage should be about 5 times the actual size of your rabbit. The cage should be well ventilated, draft free, and protected from extreme temperatures.
Too many rabbits are in small cages for their entire life. It is better to get a cage that is 2, 3, or 4 times the size above. The bigger the cage, the more exercise and happier your rabbit will be. Many rabbit owners have an area that is gated, rather than a cage.
If you will be housing your rabbit outside, make sure that the cage can withstand any wildlife intruders like fox, raccoon, bears, bobcats as well as dogs and cats. Most outside cages are up high off the ground with a wire bottom. Make sure to place a wooden enclosed nesting box inside to not only keep your pet rabbit out of wind and rain but also a place to keep them safe from intruders trying to bite feet underneath or sides of the cage. Pet rabbits should preferably be kept inside, where it is much safer and only let outside under supervision.
Bedding
You can line the bunny cage with absorbent bedding material like dust free hay, barley straw, or soft wood shavings. Rabbits generally like to make cozy nests, so try and fill the cage’s bottom with soft natural bedding material so as to keep your pet comfortable. During winter, you can add plenty of hay or barley straw to help insulate your rabbit’s habitat. You can also provide a hiding place in the rabbit’s cage. Rabbits are actually burrowing prey animals, therefore providing some hiding places such as cardboard boxes or logs, is great for their well being.
Cage Placement
Place the cage in a rabbit proof area (keep anything that is chewable out of the area – electrical cords, furniture, etc). Place the cage in an area that you do not mind sharing with safety in mind. Place the cage away from any extreme heat, and avoid placing the cage in the same room with any barking dogs or animals that will continually bother or harm your pet rabbit. Rabbits are particularly sensitive to stress.
Cage Cleaning
All soiled litter (any urine or feces), Any uneaten food, fruits and vegetables should be removed every day. The cage should be thoroughly washed at least once a week after removing the bunny from the cage, and getting rid of old hay, wood shaving and leftover food. After cleaning the cage, fresh soft wood shavings or clean hay should then be placed inside it before returning the bunny to his/her’ home.
Rabbits can also be litter box trained!
Feeding
Most of a rabbit’s diet should be composed of Timothy hay (stay away from alfalfa hay, only give as a treat) which is rich in vitamin A and D, fiber, protein, calcium, and other nutrients. The fiber contained in Timothy hay is vital to promoting normal digestion, and also for prevention of hairballs. Moreover, the hay fiber helps wear down the bunny’s teeth. Fresh Timothy hay should be available to your rabbit at all times. You can use a large hay feeder to help keep large amounts of hay off the floor, clean, dry and accessible.
Fresh Food
Supplement hay with fresh vegetables and fruits. You can try to feed your bunny a small amount of vegetables (or fruits) every day, about 1 or 2 handfuls. You can provide vegetables and fruits such as spinach, carrots, collards, turnip greens, mustard greens, celery, watercress, broccoli, apples and dandelion leaves.
Always make sure you wash the vegetables beforehand, and avoid feeding your bunny straight from the fridge since a chill can end up upsetting their stomach. Also make sure the vegetables have not been sprayed with any kind of poison or repellents. Any fruits and vegetables which aren’t eaten within 24 hours need to be discarded.
Vegetables which aren’t good for your rabbit include; corn, beans, iceberg lettuce, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, beets and rhubarb. Also avoid feeding bamboo, grains, chocolate, bread, seeds, and meat.
Rabbit Pellets
You can offer your rabbit quality pellets, but in limited amounts. Uncontrolled feeding of a rabbit pellet diet may lead to obesity, liver disease, kidney disease, and chronic diarrhea which results from high concentration of carbohydrates and high calcium levels in the rabbit pellets. Make sure you get high quality pellets which are high in fiber.
Keep large bags of rabbit pellets stored in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage. Never place any bagged pet food directly on concrete flooring, like in a garage or basement. The concrete will draw out moisture and nutrients from the bottom of the bag, creating the lower portions to literally be useless. Place all bagged pet food up about an inch or more from the concrete to prevent this.
Avoid pellets with nuts, grains and dried fruits.
Balanced Diet
Hay should constitute 80% of your bunny’s diet. The remainder should be fresh vegetables and fruits (15%) and rabbit pellets (5%).
Fresh Water
Besides a nutritious diet, your bunny needs plenty of fresh, clean water. Insufficient water can lead to serious health problems like bladder stones. Fresh, clean water should always be available, and be changed on a daily basis. You can put the water in a bottle or in a heavy crockery bowl that’s secured to the side of the rabbit’s cage so it doesn’t tip over.
Grooming
Grooming is part of normal health care routine of rabbits. Rabbits are very delicate animals and grooming should be done on a regular basis. That said, it’s important to note that bunnies do not need baths since they normally groom themselves just like cats. Grooming a rabbit includes; fur brushing, nail trimming and removal of any debris caught in your rabbit’s fur. Grooming can also include; cleaning the ears, eye areas, and teeth.
Brushing
Rabbits generally go through shedding cycles about 4 times a year. It is important to regularly brush your bunny so as to remove the excess fur. Otherwise, the rabbit might ingest it and suffer serious digestive issues. You can use a soft bristled brush to gently remove the fur at least every 3 days. When your bunny is shedding, more frequent brushing will be needed. Regular brushing will help remove hair that’s shedding, prevent hairballs, and will keep the long-haired bunnies from matting.
Nail Clipping
Regular nail clipping is important because excessively long nails are uncomfortable, may get snagged on things, or can curl into the rabbit’s paw. Allowing the nails to grow extremely long might also cause nail or toe injuries, foot injuries and gait issues. Check the rabbit’s nails at least once a week when you’re grooming, and trim them whenever necessary. You can ask your vet or rabbit groomer to show you how to properly clip the nails as you can easily cut through a blood vessel.
Teeth
A rabbit’s teeth grow throughout their entire lives, which makes dental problems a common occurrence. Rabbits chew in order to maintain their teeth, so try and provide your rabbit with enough chewing sticks and material. Branches from trees like apple, willow, pear, and other untreated wood treats can help keep the rabbit’s teeth worn down. Avoid branches from trees which are chemically treated or which are close to any sources of pollution. Consult your veterinarian if you happen to notice any problem with your rabbit’s teeth. If they are too long or malformed, your veterinarian may have to trim them. Teeth that are too long or malformed can cause your rabbit to stop eating which will cause other health issues. So, always check your pets.
Exercise and Attention
All rabbits need exercise, attention and proper stimulation in order to maintain their mental and physical well being. Rabbits are highly social pets who thrive on social interaction and attention. Majority of the rabbits are overtly affectionate, and tend to nuzzle and lick their owners/handlers. Take time to bond with your rabbit, and remember to be calm and gentle. If possible, talk to the bunny calmly and stroke him/her daily. This helps build a happy relationship which can be rewarding since rabbits are playful and curious animals, and will give out as much love as they receive.
You can also give your bunny some toys to play with. Toys are a great way to exercise and interact with your bunny. You can toss a ball, some rabbits enjoy running after a moving object and some learn to bring it back to you!! You will also see your bunny playing with toys by themselves. Alternate the toys on a regular basis to keep them interested.
Handling
Rabbits have very fragile bones and should be handled with great care. Whenever you do need to lift up your bunny, the safest way to do it is by sliding one hand underneath the bunny’s body and in between the front legs, with the other arm around its’ hindquarters, supporting his body weight. You can then place the bunny against your body with his head toward your arm. Never lift a rabbit by his ears or by scruff of his neck. Remember to always put your bunny down gently, the hind legs 1st. If your rabbit struggles to get back down when lifted, you should lower yourself (along with the rabbit) close to the floor so as to prevent injury.
If you are thinking of getting a rabbit for your next pet, check out humane societies and shelters in your area. Many are up for adoption. Rabbits make great pets but as with any pet, please do your research. Read as many things about care and requirements as you can find beforehand. Talk with people who own or have owned rabbits. Rabbits make great pets and we hope that this article gave you some insight.
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Dorinne Whynott, is a long time animal professional. She is a successful business owner establishing one of the largest pet sitting companies in New Hampshire since 1990. Click to Read her complete History.
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