Rabbits as pets: what you need to know advice
Rabbits make wonderful pets for many people due to their friendly nature and relatively low-maintenance care requirements. They are social animals that can form strong bonds with their owners. Here’s a comprehensive guide on keeping rabbits as pets, covering their care, housing, diet, and more.
Why Choose a Rabbit as a Pet?
- Affectionate and Social: Rabbits can be very affectionate and enjoy interacting with their owners. They often like being petted and will show affection in return.
- Quiet Companions: Rabbits are generally quiet animals, making them suitable for apartment living.
- Variety of Breeds: There are many breeds of rabbits to choose from, each with its own unique appearance and personality traits.
Housing and Environment
- Space Requirements:
- Indoor Living: Rabbits can live indoors, which helps protect them from predators and extreme weather. They need a spacious area where they can move freely.
- Cage or Hutch Size: The enclosure should be large enough for the rabbit to hop around comfortably. A minimum of 4 times the size of the rabbit when stretched out is recommended.
- Bedding:
- Use absorbent materials like paper-based bedding or straw. Avoid pine or cedar shavings as they can be harmful to rabbits.
- Enrichment and Exercise:
- Rabbits need daily exercise outside their cage. Provide a safe, enclosed area for them to run and play.
- Include toys and objects to chew on, such as untreated wood or cardboard, to keep them mentally stimulated and to help wear down their constantly growing teeth.
- Litter Training:
- Rabbits can be litter-trained. Use a litter box with paper-based litter in their enclosure. Place hay in or near the box to encourage use.
Diet and Nutrition
- Hay:
- Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet. It should be available at all times and makes up the majority of their diet.
- Timothy hay is ideal for adult rabbits, while alfalfa hay is suitable for growing or pregnant rabbits.
- Fresh Vegetables:
- Provide a variety of fresh vegetables daily, such as leafy greens (romaine lettuce, kale, parsley), carrots, and bell peppers.
- Introduce new vegetables slowly to avoid digestive upset.
- Pellets:
- Feed high-quality rabbit pellets in moderation to supplement their diet.
- Choose pellets with high fiber content and no added seeds or dried fruits.
- Fresh Water:
- Ensure a constant supply of fresh water. Use a water bottle or heavy ceramic bowl that cannot be easily tipped over.
Handling and Socialization
- Gentle Handling: Rabbits are delicate animals that require gentle handling. Support their hindquarters and avoid sudden movements to prevent injury.
- Social Interaction: Spend time with your rabbit daily to build trust and strengthen your bond. Rabbits enjoy being part of the family and need interaction to stay happy.
- Companionship: Rabbits are social animals and may benefit from having another rabbit as a companion. If introducing a new rabbit, ensure proper introductions to prevent aggression.
Health and Veterinary Care
- Regular Check-ups:
- Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to monitor your rabbit’s health. Rabbits require annual wellness exams by a veterinarian experienced with rabbits.
- Vaccinations and Parasite Control:
- Depending on your location, your rabbit may need vaccinations against diseases like myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). Discuss with your vet.
- Check regularly for parasites such as fleas and mites.
- Signs of Illness:
- Be aware of signs of illness, including loss of appetite, lethargy, changes in behavior, or unusual droppings. Rabbits are prey animals and can hide illness, so prompt veterinary attention is important.
- Dental Care:
- Rabbit teeth grow continuously, so a diet high in hay is essential to prevent overgrowth. Monitor for signs of dental problems, such as drooling or difficulty eating.
Grooming
- Brushing: Regularly brush your rabbit to remove loose fur, especially during shedding season. Long-haired breeds may require daily grooming.
- Nail Trimming: Trim your rabbit’s nails regularly to prevent overgrowth and discomfort.
Conclusion
Rabbits can be delightful and rewarding pets when given proper care and attention. They require a balanced diet, a safe and enriching environment, and regular veterinary care to thrive. By understanding their needs and behaviors, you can ensure a happy and healthy life for your pet rabbit.
Further discussion
Rabbits as pets can be housed in exercise pens, free roaming without any boundaries in a rabbit-proofed space, and as a house companion. Rabbits can be litter box-trained and taught to come when called. They need exercise and can damage a house that has not been “rabbit-proofed” because of their innate need to chew.
Male rabbits are called bucks and females are called does. A young rabbit is called a bunny. More recently, the term kit or kitten has been used to refer to a young rabbit. A group of rabbits is known as a “colony” or a “nest.”
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbits in 70 countries around the world. Selective breeding has produced rabbits ranging in size from dwarf to giant.
A rabbit may be considered a type of pocket pet, depending on its size. They can bond with humans, can learn to follow simple voice commands, and come when called. Rabbits are curious and playful, can be trained to live indoors perfectly, and can be litter box trained.
Not all veterinarians will treat rabbits, and pet owners may have to seek out an exotic animal veterinarian for their rabbit’s care. Rabbits need regular checkups at the veterinarian because they may hide signs of illness or disease. Additionally, rabbits need regular maintenance in the form of being able to chew on something and having their nails trimmed regularly.
Pet rabbits can often exhibit behavior problems, including aggression towards humans and conspecifics, particularly with poor husbandry. Rabbit owners can seek behavior help through their vets and rabbit behaviorists.
Rabbits as pets exercises
To encourage exercise, stimulate natural behaviors, reduce boredom, and for bonding, you can play some easy and fun games with your rabbit:
- Hide and seek
- Peek-a-Boo
- Tag
- Balancing Act
- Piggy Back
Here is an excellent link to: Games With Pets – Enriching our pet’s lives!
Featured image courtesy: Grace M. Elston
Content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder
Reference: Wikipedia
You might also be interested to keep rodents as pets.
