After dogs and cats, pet rabbits are becoming the most popular household pets. However, rabbits are not suitable pets for everyone. This article is a beginner's guide to those who are thinking of getting rabbits as pets.
Rabbits are lovely, gentle, friendly and cute. They are relatively easier to care for and demand very little in terms of care and housing. Pet rabbits should preferably be kept indoors as they are very susceptible to heat stroke and house rabbits tend to live healthier and longer lives.
A rabbit can live between 6 to 13 years of age and there are some reports of rabbits living up to 15 years old. This should be taken into consideration if you are thinking of keeping rabbits as pet. Are you prepared to care and provide for the rabbit during its life span?
A pet rabbit may be kept in a rabbit hutch or a rabbit cage. Rabbit cage with raised wire mesh and a plastic tray at the bottom is the easiest to maintain and clean. A rabbit cage should be at least 4 times the size of the rabbit and should be tall enough to enable the rabbit to stand up straight. Rabbit housing should be cleaned daily.
Pet rabbits may be litter box-trained. However, no matter how well trained is your rabbit, occasionally, he may still drop some poops outside the litter box and you have to be prepared to pick them if you like to get a rabbit as pet. Rabbit's droppings should be inspected daily for any irregularity in shape and size as this can be the first sign that the rabbit is sick.
A pet rabbit's diet can be made of commercially produced rabbit pellets, hay, greens and fruits. The rabbit's diet should be adjusted as they get older. Younger rabbits less than 7 months old should be fed with pellets and alfalfa hay. Older rabbits should be fed less with pellets and the hay should be substituted with timothy hay instead. Hay is the most important diet for rabbit. Adequate fresh water is a must.
Pet rabbits are quite particular about their own cleanliness and spent quite considerable time grooming themselves. They shed their hair every 3 months and you should be prepared for more vacuuming in the house. Family with members who are allergic to rabbit's fur may not be suitable to keep rabbits as pet.
Rabbits reproduce few times a year and therefore should be neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying your rabbit also helps prevent development of cancer in female rabbits and eliminate aggressive behaviour in male rabbits. It is easier to house train neutered and spayed rabbits.
Rabbits do not need frequent trip to the vet. Common illness in rabbits include intestinal blockage, diarrhoea, molar spurs and viral infection. When your pet rabbits get sick, they should be immediately brought to a savvy vet to be treated.
Pet rabbits like to chew on furniture and electrical cords. Therefore, bunny proofing the house is important for the rabbit's safety and to prevent damages. Electrical cords may be wrapped in plastic tubing. Adult rabbits tend to be more disciplined.
Pet rabbits love toys even though they may get bored easily with the toys. It is recommended to rotate the toys available. Rabbit's toys need not necessarily be expensive toys. Hand-made toys will provide the rabbits with just as much fun.
Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. This may suits working adults most as your pet rabbits will be active when you are at home. You also need not feel guilty about leaving your pet rabbits in their cage while you are working as they will be napping anyway.
Most people keep rabbits as pet because they are quiet and easy to care for. Do not leave children to care for the rabbits by themselves as they may not be responsible to handle the rabbits. It is important to understand that adults should still be the primary care taker.
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