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Rabbit Care Sheet
General
Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that make affectionate and rewarding family pets when they receive plenty of attention. Although traditionally rabbits have been kept outdoors in hutches, they can be trained to use a litter tray and can be more enjoyable and responsive pets when they live indoors as house rabbits. Given appropriate care a rabbit can live up to 10 years.
Rabbits as Pets
Rabbits make good pets for a family, but children should not be expected to look after a rabbit without the help of a parent(s). Small children should be supervised. When handling a rabbit it should be lifted with its weight fully supported, never by the scruff of the neck or ears. Rabbits can easily be injured by improper handling. They can be taught to share your home, though hazards such as electrical cables and toxic plants should be removed or made inaccessible to prevent accidents. Rabbits will chew and dig, so make sure you provide items specifically for these purposes, such as wooden toys and a safe digging box filled with straw. Encourage your rabbit to use these items and you will minimise damage to your furnishings. Kind training, using lots of praise and treats, will teach your rabbit its place as a member of the family.
Important Equipment and Accessories -
Optional -
Housing for Rabbits
Rabbits should live indoors or in a secure hutch outdoors, safe from predators and extreme climates. Your rabbit may enjoy exercise in your garden, provided it is enclosed in a sturdy covered pen or run, but even the presence of a predator may result in a panic attack and cause injury or death due to heart failure or a broken back. It is safest to keep on eye on your rabbit whenever it is outdoors. Always bring your rabbit in at nightfall. It is important to choose as large a cage as possible, at least four times the size of your rabbit. Avoid wire floors, which can injure rabbits’ feet. Give your rabbit a litter box filled with safe litter such as Safe Bed, never pine or cedar shavings which contain harmful oils. A secluded bedroom or box to hide in will also be appreciated. Chew toys such as untreated wicker, untreated wood blocks, cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes and dried out pine cones will keep your rabbit busy. A rabbit will even find a plastic plant pot interesting! Remember that your rabbit needs ample daily exercise outside of the cage to stay healthy and fit.
Your Rabbit’s Diet
A healthy diet is based on a good quality complete rabbit food (most of the recognisable brands sold in pet shops are ‘complete’) or pellets and ample fresh hay (alfalfa, timothy or oat hay are particularly palatable) should be freely available. Hay is a vital source of fibre for good digestive functioning. Provide fresh vegetables each day (about two cups per 6 lbs of body weight). Good choices are dark green leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, rocket and dandelion, but not lettuce) and root vegetables (carrots or turnips). Rabbits also like young apple or pear leaves in the spring. Small amounts of fresh fruit may be given as a treat (some rabbits are particularly partial to strawberries). Fresh water in a sipper bottle should be available at all times. A multiple enzyme supplement may be given to aid digestion.
Cleaning
Remove soiled litter daily and wash food dishes, water bottles and the cage bottom once a week. Always rinse and dry the hutch or cage well before adding clean bedding and returning your pet.
Breeding
A pet rabbit should either be kept separate from other rabbits or be spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted babies. Spayed or neutered rabbits also live longer, healthier lives. Aggressive and territorial behavior is also reduced as a result of spaying or neutering, resulting in a friendlier companion. Be sure to find an experienced rabbit Vet to perform a spay or neuter operation on your pet. However, as an alternative, rabbits and guinea pigs of either sex make very good companions so this is the best solution if you intend to keep your rabbit in an outdoor hutch and do not have a lot of spare time to share with your pet.
Health
Rabbits are prone to intestinal blockages, due to swallowing hair while grooming. Regular grooming can help minimise this problem. Be alert and consult your Vet if you notice serious signs of illness or injury such as: lack of appetite; change in droppings; bloated abdomen; runny nose; laboured breathing; head tilt; urinary problems; lumps or bumps.
Antibiotics of the Penicillin family, such as Amoxicillin, are toxic to rabbits and should NEVER be used.
© 2008, Pets Mate Limited
Disclaimer: We have tried to provide the best advice possible in this Care Sheet based on our own experience of keeping and selling pet rabbits. However, Pets Mate Limited cannot be held responsible for any problems you may experience with your rabbit from any cause whatsoever.
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