Pet Care - Rabbits

General

A rabbit is a small mammal from the family 'Leporidae' found in many parts of the world. Female rabbits are called 'Doe' and male rabbits are called 'Buck'. Baby rabbits are called 'Kit'. Most rabbits are tame, sociable, playful and friendly which makes them ideal pets for small children.

Wild rabbits live in burrows in the ground, whilst pet rabbits live in hutches or can be house trained to live indoors. Rabbits are vegetarians.

Rabbits can see very well in the dark. Wild rabbits often nap during the day, and are awake at dawn and dusk, whereas pet rabbits have a similar bedtime to humans, they are awake during the day and sleep at night.

Species

There are about 54 species of rabbits, each with long or short fur, big or small ears, big or small bodies etc. Rabbits come in different colours and some are even multi coloured.

The palm sized Pygmy rabbit is one of several rabbit species whose numbers are declining. The Pygmy rabbit depends on sagebrush for 99% of its winter diet. Pygmy rabbits live in the USA and are quickly becoming endangered.

The Netherlands Dwarf rabbit is a popular pet, but these rabbits aren't very tame or easy to pick up, unless constantly handled from a baby. They are smaller than most rabbits and can live for over 7 years.

The Lop Eared rabbit is another popular pet, because they are smaller and easier to handle. They have floppy ears that don't stand up, like on most other rabbits. They eat less than bigger rabbits.

Housing

Pet rabbits can either be kept outside in a hutch or inside in a rabbit cage. The hutch or cage should have enough room for the rabbit to make itself at home. The bigger the rabbit, the bigger the hutch or cage it needs. The best place outside for a rabbit hutch, is out of direct sunlight and in the shade, or a shed or enclosed area.

The floor of the rabbits house should be completely covered in sawdust and straw. This makes it comfortable for the rabbit to live in.

Indoor and outdoor rabbits can be trained to use a litter tray. Rabbits tend to choose an area where they like to toilet and stick to it, so you can just put a litter tray in that area, and teach the rabbit to toilet in that area only. You can buy litter trays from reputable pet stores. The litter tray must be cleaned out daily to prevent nasty odours.

It is best to keep a male and female rabbit together (once they have been neutered, if you are not planning to breed them, and also make sure they are from the same litter). Male rabbits kept together and female rabbits kept together will fight.

It is essential to clean the hutch / cage out at least once a week. This is especially important in the summer months to avoid attracting flies.

Rabbits should have access to an outside run to allow plenty of exercise and grass to eat. Obesity due to lack of exercise and poor diet is a common problem in domestic rabbits. Fly Strike can occur as a result of moist bedding, poor diet and obesity. Flies will lay eggs on the rabbit which hatch into maggots within hours - these maggots will then start to burrow under the skin. Good hygiene and husbandry along with the use of products such as 'Rearguard' is therefore of the utmost importance during the summer months. An unnoticed and untreated case of Fly Strike can be fatal so Rabbits should be checked thoroughly twice each day and any signs of soreness or soiling of their back end should be attended to immediately.

Gnawing

Rabbits have molar and incisor teeth that keep growing, up to 2mm per week and so it is very important to provide fibrous food such as good quality hay and grass. This should make up 90% of the rabbits diet.

Food

Most pet stores sell food for rabbits that contain a lot of the nutrients that healthy rabbits need. Pellet food helps prevent selected feeding associated with mixes. A Rabbit's main diet should consist of grasses and plant material. They especially love carrots, grass, green leaves, dandelion leaves, fruit such as apples and pears, mint and broccoli. You must ensure that your rabbit always has cold fresh water available. It is best to put the rabbits food into a small bowl in the corner of their house and put a water bottle on the netted front. It is not good to put a bowl of water in their hutch, as they tend to knock them over, leaving them with a soggy bed.

Rabbits should not be given lettuce, tomatoes or rhubarb as these can be poisonous or present various health problems. You should also avoid giving your rabbit sugary food such as chocolate and sweets.

Exercise

It is essential to let your rabbit have exercise, this should be in a secure run especially designed for your pet, or an open grass area (which must have all the exits blocked off, as you don't want your rabbit escaping). Rabbits are very sociable and love to run and jump and explore. You can also buy toys such as footballs (rabbits love to play football), and tubes which rabbits can run through.

Handling

When you handle a rabbit, place one hand underneath the front of the rabbit and the other hand underneath its back side, lifting it carefully with both hands and bringing it against your body. Never lift a rabbit up by its ears. Some rabbits don't like to be handled, so it's best to handle them as much as you can when they are younger, so your rabbit gets used to you.

Reproduction

Rabbits normally live up-to 10 years, especially if they are kept happy where they live. The gestation period is approximately 31 days. The average rabbit litter is 10. Baby rabbits are born bald with no fur.

Buying a Rabbit

It is advisable to buy a rabbit from a reputable breeder or reputable pet shop. Buying from a breeder means that the breeding has usually been planned carefully and the babies should be healthy and of good temperament.