Read About Rabbit Care

Rabbits make wonderful pets and with proper rabbit care, they provide their owners with great companionship. Rabbits come in a variety of breeds with different sizes and colors. Rabbits are not rodents though they have many characteristics in common. Rabbits love to chew and actually need to chew to keep their teeth from growing too long. If you plan to allow your rabbit to roam free in the house, you will need to make sure that your house is rabbit proofed (especially electrical cords) and provide chewable toys Imageso they will not nibble on your furniture and rugs.

Rabbits are intelligent creatures, though older rabbits are easier to train than babies. Rabbit enclosures should be larger enough for the rabbit to sit without hitting their head and long/wide enough for the rabbit to fully stretch out (2’ high x 2’ deep and 4’ wide). Enclosures should have a solid bottom to prevent damage to the feet.

They can be house trained like a cat to use a litter box. Training to use a litter box should begin in the rabbit enclosure. Fasten a litter box in the corner of the enclosure that your rabbit has chosen as a bathroom site. Use positive reinforcement (treats and praise) when your rabbit uses the litter box. ImageOnce the litter box is used consistently, be sure to show your rabbit where the litter box is outside of the enclosure a few times. Rabbits tend to nibble on the litter so chose a litter that will not hurt a rabbit such as organic litters or ones made from alfalfa, oats, etc. Wood shavings, clumping litter,and clay litter should be avoided. Litter boxes should be cleaned daily by removing the feces and urine soaked litter and regularly washed with a little vinegar added to the water to neutralize the odor. Do not use ammonia; this will make the litter box smell worse.

House training allows rabbits to play a more active roll in the family than other small pets. Rabbits can also live with indoor house cats and well mannered dogs. First introductions with cats and dogs should be very well supervised and continued to be supervised for dogs. Just like dogs and cats, proper rabbit care includes spaying and neutering. Spaying and neutering will help to control marking of both sexes in the house as well as decreasing aggression, increase life span and litter box usage. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered between 31/2 and 6 months of age.

Though rabbits do not require vaccinations, rabbit care should involve routine visits to the veterinarianImage for health checkups and whenever health problems occur. Rabbits can develop hairballs but do not vomit them up like cats. If the hairballs do not pass, an intestinal blockage can occur that requires veterinarian attention. Suitable rabbit care includes brushing to remove the loose fur so the rabbits will not swallow as much when they groom themselves. Regularly check your rabbit’s eyes, nose, ears, teeth, weight, appetite, and droppings to keep ahead of any health problems.

Appropriate nutrition is another part of good rabbit care. Commercial rabbit pellets should be fresh and contain at least 18% fiber. Fresh hay (timothy, oat or alfalfa) should also be provided daily along with fresh water (water bottle) and fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables should be both leafy and root varieties.

Rabbits have a fairly long life span – 7 to 10 years. Rabbits are bright, interesting, inquisitive, loyal, and affectionate pets. With proper rabbit care, you will have a wonderful relationship with your rabbit for many years to come.