Over the years rabbits as pets - as distinct from rabbits for fur, meat or breeding - have gained huge popularity.
Rabbits are now the third most popular pet in the United States, surpassed only by cats and dogs. We have welcome rabbits into our homes as friends and companions in droves however the information available on pet rabbit care can sometimes be lacking or confusing for the newcomer.
The subject of caring for our beloved bunnies is huge. To make it easy we will look at the five main area - housing, feeding, exercise, health/grooming and play.
1. Housing
More and more people are choosing to have their bunnies live inside with them rather than outside. Inside bunnies need a pen or cage with the following:
Sturdy bottom - if wire cover with a few layers of cardboard to protect your bun's delicate feet
Litter tray - use a high sided one (rabbits spray urine horizontally) and place in a corner as rabbits prefer to use corners as their toilets. If your rabbit seems to prefer one corner over another then move it to the preferred corner.
Food bowl - heavy ceramic is best as rabbits love to tip these over! However you can also use a metal one with a wide base. Plastic is a definite no-no. A bored rabbit could easily chew this and become very ill.
Hay bag/basket - rabbits love hay and they need a constant supply of it to provide the essential fibre they require for their digestion. The chewing also grinds down their teeth naturally. It is a good idea to hang their hay basket on the side of their cage so that it remains fresh. Placing it in the hutch is not a good idea as rabbits have a tendency to walk over it and even urinate in it.
Water bowl or bottle - teaching your rabbit to drink from a bottle is always a good idea. The water remains fresh and the cage will stay drier. Failing this place use a bowl similar to their food bowl ie: one they can't tip over!
Nesting/Sleeping box - your rabbit will need somewhere to sleep and hide when it wants some peace and quiet. It can be as simple as an upturned cardboard box with two holes cut into it. The two holes are important as bunnys need to know they have an escape route. Add some hay for warmth. Your rabbit will also probably chew this but that's fine - who would say no to breakfast in bed?!
2. Feeding
A rabbit's diet should be made up mostly of hay (70%) then mixed green veggies (1 cup per 3lb) and finally small amounts of treats (5%) like carrots (yes, these are treat foods as they are high in natural sugars), apples & pears (no pips, they're toxic), bananas, grapes, raisins, strawberries, papaya etc.
Hay is super important to a rabbit. It is low in calories and high in fibre and is import for both keeping teeth ground down and for your bun's digestive system.
Much has been written about feeding and whether a diet of pellets is really the most suitable food for rabbits. Bear in mind that pellets were developed as a high calorie food for breeders so that their rabbits gained weight quickly and better cope with the stressful environment of a breeding situation. House rabbits live a much more relaxed existence (well they should!) and don't need such high calorie, high protein meals. Feeding a diet of pellets may be linked to the increased rates of house rabbit obesity seen today. If you choose to feed pellets monitor your rabbit's weight carefully!
Fresh water must be available at all times.
3. Exercise
Rabbits need a minimum of two hours exercise per day. Now don't think you need to be donning your walking shoes and grabbing your rabbit's leash - although many rabbits can be trained to walk on a harness! - what we mean here is two hours out of their cage where they can roam freely, but supervised.
You may choose to let them roam your house or outside. We can't stress enough the issue of supervision. Unless your whole house and/or garden is rabbit proofed you must follow your bunny very closely. They love to burrow so could easily dig into your next door neighbour's house or eat something they shouldn't.
4. Health & Grooming
It is very important that you handle your rabbit often. In this way you will form a bond with your rabbit and know when something is wrong. Grooming your bunny gives you an opportunity to do this.
Rabbits are very clean animals and spend a lot of time grooming themselves. Unless you have a longhaired breed like an Angora or Lionhead which must be groomed twice weekly, your rabbit will require little grooming.
5. PlayCaring for your rabbit involves not just looking after their material needs (food, water, shelter etc) but their emotional ones as well. Playing with your rabbit is a fun and relaxing way to keep him happy and it vital for their wellbeing. There isn't much better in life than seeing your bunny doing a binkie - the rabbit equivalent of jumping for joy!
You don't have to buy expensive toys. Tie a juicy piece of carrot with a string and get your bunny to chase along after it. Or build them a rustle box out of a shoebox and crunchy autumn leaves. This one is only limited by your imagination.
So, there you have it. Rabbit care in 5 easy steps!
Rabbits are now the third most popular pet in the United States, surpassed only by cats and dogs. We have welcome rabbits into our homes as friends and companions in droves however the information available on pet rabbit care can sometimes be lacking or confusing for the newcomer.
The subject of caring for our beloved bunnies is huge. To make it easy we will look at the five main area - housing, feeding, exercise, health/grooming and play.
1. Housing
More and more people are choosing to have their bunnies live inside with them rather than outside. Inside bunnies need a pen or cage with the following:
Sturdy bottom - if wire cover with a few layers of cardboard to protect your bun's delicate feet
Litter tray - use a high sided one (rabbits spray urine horizontally) and place in a corner as rabbits prefer to use corners as their toilets. If your rabbit seems to prefer one corner over another then move it to the preferred corner.
Food bowl - heavy ceramic is best as rabbits love to tip these over! However you can also use a metal one with a wide base. Plastic is a definite no-no. A bored rabbit could easily chew this and become very ill.
Hay bag/basket - rabbits love hay and they need a constant supply of it to provide the essential fibre they require for their digestion. The chewing also grinds down their teeth naturally. It is a good idea to hang their hay basket on the side of their cage so that it remains fresh. Placing it in the hutch is not a good idea as rabbits have a tendency to walk over it and even urinate in it.
Water bowl or bottle - teaching your rabbit to drink from a bottle is always a good idea. The water remains fresh and the cage will stay drier. Failing this place use a bowl similar to their food bowl ie: one they can't tip over!
Nesting/Sleeping box - your rabbit will need somewhere to sleep and hide when it wants some peace and quiet. It can be as simple as an upturned cardboard box with two holes cut into it. The two holes are important as bunnys need to know they have an escape route. Add some hay for warmth. Your rabbit will also probably chew this but that's fine - who would say no to breakfast in bed?!
2. Feeding
A rabbit's diet should be made up mostly of hay (70%) then mixed green veggies (1 cup per 3lb) and finally small amounts of treats (5%) like carrots (yes, these are treat foods as they are high in natural sugars), apples & pears (no pips, they're toxic), bananas, grapes, raisins, strawberries, papaya etc.
Hay is super important to a rabbit. It is low in calories and high in fibre and is import for both keeping teeth ground down and for your bun's digestive system.
Much has been written about feeding and whether a diet of pellets is really the most suitable food for rabbits. Bear in mind that pellets were developed as a high calorie food for breeders so that their rabbits gained weight quickly and better cope with the stressful environment of a breeding situation. House rabbits live a much more relaxed existence (well they should!) and don't need such high calorie, high protein meals. Feeding a diet of pellets may be linked to the increased rates of house rabbit obesity seen today. If you choose to feed pellets monitor your rabbit's weight carefully!
Fresh water must be available at all times.
3. Exercise
Rabbits need a minimum of two hours exercise per day. Now don't think you need to be donning your walking shoes and grabbing your rabbit's leash - although many rabbits can be trained to walk on a harness! - what we mean here is two hours out of their cage where they can roam freely, but supervised.
You may choose to let them roam your house or outside. We can't stress enough the issue of supervision. Unless your whole house and/or garden is rabbit proofed you must follow your bunny very closely. They love to burrow so could easily dig into your next door neighbour's house or eat something they shouldn't.
4. Health & Grooming
It is very important that you handle your rabbit often. In this way you will form a bond with your rabbit and know when something is wrong. Grooming your bunny gives you an opportunity to do this.
Rabbits are very clean animals and spend a lot of time grooming themselves. Unless you have a longhaired breed like an Angora or Lionhead which must be groomed twice weekly, your rabbit will require little grooming.
- Brush his coat to remove loose dirt
- Check length of nails and clip if necessary
- Check ears for mites, fleas and any redness which could be a sign of infection
- Check for nasal discharge. Rabbits should not have discharge from their noses. Consult your rabbit-friendly vet if yours does as they may have the case of snuffles which is a cute sounding but not cute to have respiratory infection.
- Check his teeth regularly. A rabbit needs healthy teeth to chew properly. With healthy teeth the upper incisors should just reach over the lower incisors rather like how a pair of scissors fits together.
5. PlayCaring for your rabbit involves not just looking after their material needs (food, water, shelter etc) but their emotional ones as well. Playing with your rabbit is a fun and relaxing way to keep him happy and it vital for their wellbeing. There isn't much better in life than seeing your bunny doing a binkie - the rabbit equivalent of jumping for joy!
You don't have to buy expensive toys. Tie a juicy piece of carrot with a string and get your bunny to chase along after it. Or build them a rustle box out of a shoebox and crunchy autumn leaves. This one is only limited by your imagination.
So, there you have it. Rabbit care in 5 easy steps!
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