What are some guidelines to keeping a pet rabbit?

Answer 1

Every pet rabbit needs a cage. This is the first consideration. It is important to remember one rabbit per cage. If you intend to have multiple rabbits, it is in our best interest to have a separate cage for each rabbit. Rabbits of the same sex tend to fight (especially two males) and rabbits of the opposite sex tend to breed, so you could end up with a lot of problems very quickly. The size of the rabbit's living quarters depends on the size of the rabbit. An adult rabbit should have one square foot per pound of live weight.

Rabbits need light, ventilation, protection from drafts, and clean quarters. There are a variety of different cages for rabbits that you can purchase at a pet store. An all-wire enclosure works best for these animals. Wire is easy to handle, a rabbit cannot chew through wire, and wire will not become soaked and smelly with rabbit urine. It is a good idea when choosing an all-wire cage that at least a portion of the cage not be wire. This prevents a disease called sore hocks, where a rabbit will acquire sores on its feet due to the wire. Outdoor rabbit cages should also include a hutch. This gives the animal a place to escape the elements. In summer it will be a place of shade, and in winter it will be a place the animal can escape the cold.

Water should be available at all times for the animal. Rabbits get overheated quickly and can die of dehydration. A water bottle can attach to the side of the cage for this purpose. In winter you will need to throw a tarp over the outdoor rabbit enclosure to prevent an excess of wind and snow from getting in the enclosure. It is also important to provide your rabbit with a sufficient amount of hay to for additional warmth.

The cage must be cleaned regularly to prevent illness and disease. If you are keeping your rabbit inside you will need some sort of litter to line the cage. The best type of bedding to use is aspen bedding. Pine and cedar chips can harm the rabbit's respiratory tract.

Food is another important consideration when having a rabbit as a pet. The diet is very simple. Animal nutritionists have developed a palletized rabbit food containing all the nutrients a rabbit will ever need. The pellets are a blend of alfalfa, clover, hay, cereal grains, and minerals. How much your rabbit eats will depend on the size and age of the rabbit. A five-pound rabbit will consume approximately five ounces of dry food daily. The process of feeding your rabbit is done mainly on a trial and error basis.

The first couple of nights it is important to feed your rabbit as much as you can fit in its dish. If the rabbit eats all of the food in the dish, then you need to feed the rabbit more food. If a great deal of food is left in the dish, then perhaps you need to feed less. Any food that is left uneaten should be disposed of each day. The pellets should be provided in a food crock or hopper. The dish should be strong, rust resistant, and tip proof. The food dish should be cleaned thoroughly each day. Rabbits should be fed daily. As a supplement to the pellet diet, you may give your rabbit all the hay it wants. An occasional fresh vegetable can be offered as a treat. You should introduce new foods slowly. Sudden changes in the diet can play havoc with your rabbit's diet and can cause problems such as diarrhea.

Special care should be taken when handling your pet rabbit. Children need to be supervised when handling the pet. You should never lift a rabbit by the ears. A rabbit's ears are sensitive and easily injured. To properly lift the rabbit, one hand should grasp the loose skin across the shoulders. The animal should be held with its head up and belly against your chest. One hand should support the back of the neck and the other hand should be under the rump. Failure to handle a rabbit in the proper way can cause serious injury or death to the rabbit.

There are some common health problems that afflict rabbits. Diarrhea often affects rabbits. This is caused by a rapid change in the diet, or by feeding too many fruits and vegetables. It is a good idea to cut back on such items if you notice your animal having loose stool. Toenails grow constantly in pet rabbits, and for the health of the rabbit it is a good idea to keep them trimmed. If you are unable to do this, most veterinarians are able to trim the nails for you. A rabbit is also able to get heat stroke. Making sure the animal has a fresh supply of water and is cool can prevent this.

As with any pet it is important to get educated before bringing the rabbit home.