Pet Rabbit CareThe basics of pet rabbit care include providing proper housing, a nutritious diet and mental stimulation. Rabbits make wonderful pets, but it is important that you understand the level of care that will be required in order to keep them healthy and happy.Rabbit Housing Some people choose to keep their pet rabbits outside, but this is not ideal because you cannot control the temperature and humidity. Instead, consider keeping your pet rabbits inside. Some do this by providing a cage in which the rabbit spends most of his time. Others allow the rabbit to roam freely throughout the house. Rabbit Cages If your rabbit will be spending most of his time in a cage, it is important to be sure that the cage is as comfortable and safe as possible. • The cage needs to be large enough so that the rabbit will have room to easily walk around. It must also be large enough to allow for areas for feeding, sleeping and elimination. • NEVER house your rabbit in a tank. A glass enclosure does not allow for the proper amount of circulation that your pet rabbit needs. • The temperature in your rabbit’s cage must be monitored. If it gets too hot – more than 85° F, your rabbit could suffer from heatstroke. • Even if your rabbit is to spend most of his time in a cage, he will need to be let out for play time. • You will need to provide soft, comfortable and absorbent bedding. The bedding should be changed at least weekly,and the entire cage cleaned once per month. Free Roam Here are some tips for pet rabbit owners who want to allow their rabbit to roam throughout the house much of the time. • You will still need to provide a cage so the rabbit will have somewhere to go for rest or when company comes over. • Litter train your rabbit. Yes, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box just like a cat. This will make cleaning up after your free roaming rabbit MUCH easier. • Be sure to remove any hazards from the areas of the house in which your pet rabbit will be spending time unsupervised. Possible hazards include chewing electrical wires and ingesting toxins. Of course, you will also want to make sure that you keep items out of the rabbit’s reach that you do not want him to destroy, such as your favorite pair of shoes. • If you allow your rabbit to roam, do not be surprised to find furniture, carpet or other items have been chewed. If this is not something that you cannot deal with then do not allow your rabbit to roam unsupervised. Pet Rabbit Care:Feeding It is important to follow appropriate guidelines when feeding your pet rabbit. This is to ensure that the rabbit will get all of the nutrition that he needs and also to make sure that the rabbit does not become obese which can lead to all manner of health problems. You must not only feed the proper types of foods, but you must also take care to feed those items to your pet rabbit in the proper amounts. The amount of food that your rabbit needs is primarily based on weight. The exception to this rule is for young rabbits. When a rabbit is still growing, he will need extra food. In this case, it is fine to free feed, but only until the rabbit has reached maturity. Continuing free rabbit feeding beyond this can result in an obese rabbit. A general rule of thumb when it comes to how much to feed your rabbit is to provide 1 cup of food for every 5 pounds of body weight. Some of the foods that you can include in this calculation are listed below. • Romaine lettuce You can also include rabbit pellets, but be sure to choose a rabbit pellet that has less than 20% fiber. You should also provide plenty of Timothy hay for your rabbits. Rabbits should have access to Timothy hay at all times.You can provide treats, such as strawberries, apples and pears, in small quantities. Of course, rabbits should always have access to fresh, clean water. A water bottle is a better option than a bowl. It is easier to keep the water clean and cannot tip over. If you do opt for a bowl instead of a bottle, be sure to choose a bowl that is spill proof and clean the bowl on a daily basis. Pet Rabbit Care: Medical Some mistakenly think that pet rabbit care does not include routine vet visits. The truth is that your rabbit requires an annual checkup just like your dog or cat. Because not all vets are familiar with rabbit care, it is important to seek out a vet that does have experience in this area. You should take your pet rabbit for his first checkup as soon as possible. After that, an annual checkup should be done. Of course, you should also see a vet anytime your pet exhibits signs of illness or injury. Having your pet rabbit spayed or neutered is also recommended. Not only will this prevent unwanted pregnancies, but it can reduce the risk of certain medical conditions as well. Other Pet Rabbit Care Tips • A rabbit’s teeth continue to grow throughout his life. If he does not have a way to chew to keep the teeth length in check, this could cause problems later on. For this reason, you must provide sisal rope or wooden toys that can be purchased at the pet store for your rabbit to chew on. • Just like other types of pets, many rabbits enjoy a bit of socializing and play time with their owners. That doesn’t mean they will want to play fetch like your pet dog, but just take them out and hold them for a few minutes each day and, if possible, allow them some floor time while you watch. This is especially important if they spend most of their time inside a cage. • Providing toys will help alleviate boredom. Change the toys often and throw away any that are damaged or badly chewed. • If you do house your pet rabbit outside (and, again, this is not recommended), you should make arrangements to bring the rabbit inside during very hot or very cold weather. By providing proper pet rabbit care, your pet could live for between 5 and 8 years. It is a good idea to do research about your specific breed of rabbit to be sure that you are providing the best possible pet rabbit care.
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