Before we get into your rabbits needs, you will want to know a few of the species available. Most common are cottontails, dwarf, and lop eared rabbits for pets. The dwarf rabbit is small and best kept indoors, while the cottontails are not as sensitive to the weather and can be housed outside in moderate climates. The lop eared rabbits like the cottontails grow to be a good size and have long floppy ears. The type of rabbit you wish to have for a pet will in part decide on the care.

First like cats and dogs, rabbits require shots from the vet to keep them in good health. People carry diseases that can harm animals if we do not wash before and after we handle our pet. Rabbits can be susceptible to worms and other dietary parasites so it is important to take your rabbit for its vet visit when needed. Speak with a vet about your rabbit’s care and any questions you may have before you complete your purchase.

Rabbits eat pellets, hay and vegetables. Most rabbits like to munch on carrots or lettuce. You want to feed your rabbit everyday to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of food. Unlike cats that eat when they are hungry, a rabbit can over eat and become over weight. Some commercial feeds for rabbits contain nuts; however, these are typically not good as they are high in fiber. You can feed your rabbit fruit as a treat, but you should not do so daily.

Housing for a rabbit can be in your home or if you wish to keep them outside a wooden cage will work. Most outside cages are designed to let the waste fall through so they are not sitting on it or laying on it. The cage should be built large enough to house an adult rabbit with bedding spread out to make a nice little home. They should be given plenty of water and have it changed out daily. Having a backyard for your pet rabbit is a great idea. They can roam for a little exercise, which all pets need.

You will want to clean their cages out at least once a week or more depending on how messy or smelly it becomes. Your rabbit needs a clean environment just like you to eliminate the possibilities of disease. An important factor in having a long living rabbit is their environment. Most rabbits live 5 to 10 years.

Rabbits with their fuzzy cottontails or floppy ears are just some of the cutest pets you can own. They are a medium maintenance pet with proper feeding and environment care you can have your rabbit for years. Your children will enjoy showing off their pet rabbit to all their friends and beg you to take him to show and tell. Pets are needed to complete a family and provide enjoyment for everyone.

Under natural conditions the rabbit’s diet consists mainly of green vegetables,and other plant material. Natural diets include cereals, freshly cut lucerne, vetches, cabbage, carrots, herbs and hay according to the season and availability.

Pelleted balanced diets are produced commercially (usually going by the name of rabbit pellets) and are the most sensible form of feed for the owner. They have been fed for long periods with no ill effects and can only be supplemented by green feed three to four times per week. Pellets not sufficient to maintain lactating does in good condition.

Rabbits can be groomed just like a dog or cat. Brush with a soft hair and smooth the hair afterwards to add extra luster. If claws are sharp annoying they can be trimmed as you would a cat.

Fresh water should be available to the rabbit at all times. This can be provided through a plastic bottle fitted with a special dewdrop nozzle or by an ordinary watering trough. Whatever type of system issued, it is necessary to change the water daily.

Housing Rabbit

Each rabbit should be kept in a cage made of wood or metal, measuring at least 1 metre by 2 metres by 0.3 metres in height. The cage should preferably be made of wire mesh. One end of the cage should be enclosed, with wooden roof, floor and walls. With a small doorway onto the rest of the cage, such an enclosure ensures that the rabbit has somewhere to nestle away from cold winds and rain. For long-term use, metal cages might be better than wood because the rabbit will chew at wood. However, as rabbit urine is very corrosive, iron must be galvanized in order to avoid rapid corrosion.

The whole cage can be set on the ground and periodically moved around so that the rabbit can eat fresh grass. Feces and urine will pass through the wire mesh on to the grass, leaving the cage hygienic.

Additional food should be kept in pellet hoppers affixed to the cage so that small quantities are always available to the rabbit without risk of their being soiled or spoiled. Rabbits are watered using nipples attached to 600millilitre water bottles.

First, you have to realize that rabbits are creatures that like to roam in groups, by and large.? Additionally, the usually stay within a region as a creature and are not know to wander far from that area they are familiar with.? Because the nature of rabbits are of a fairly docile creature, they are usually easy game for prey.

With house rabbits, you have got to know a bit of the history so you can accommodate them as a pet.? With that in mind, let’s look at 5 basics to keep them happy in your home.

First, their home.? Rabbits don’t like to be caged all day, but they must feel safe.? Many like the idea of a larger cage that the rabbit can go in and out of and allow the rabbits to roam.? Be sure to make sure you rabbit-proof the home and give them something to use for waste.? Believe ti or not, rabbits will use litter boxes, just make sure? they don’t share it with a cat…that is trouble with a capital “T”.

Second, use anything but Cedar, as it can harm rabbits, for their bedding.? They love a soft blanket that they can nest in.? I have seen may take old towels and cut into several nice size shapes and let the rabbit arrange as he chooses.

Third, rabbits are vegetable lovers, so resist the need to give them stuff you think they might like.? This means that your favorite house plant will look good to them, so just be aware.? Know that Rabbits have small digestive tracts and you have to be careful to give them too much as they will eat most anything if you let them.? The idea that the furry little friends only will eat lettuce is not so much true as lettuce does nt haove a lot of nutritional value.? Let the eat other veggies as well such as; carrot tops, spinach, broccoli, and other green vegetables.? Vary it up and your pet Rabbit will love you.? And don’t forget the fresh water; and a clean, cool environment.

Fourth, the handling of your pet Rabbit.? Remember that Rabbits are very sensitive creatures, especially with their ears and eyes as those are their predator defense mechanisms.? Their ears are an indicator as to what they are sensing as the ears will stand up when they sense something.? Respect their senses and never pick them up by their ears.? Always place a hand under their chest between the front feet and the other hand under their butt.? This will give them a comforting feeling and allow them to feel safe with you.? Also, never touch their nose.

A Rabbit is a pet that could live anywhere from 7 to 10 years on the average with proper care, with some rabbits living into the teens.? Take care of them and, like any other pet in your home, they will probably become a treasured member of the family adored by all.

Dealing with a Teenage Terror Rabbit

Spaying or neutering your pet will help calm his foul temper and that can be safely performed at any time after your bunny is four months old. If you do intend to breed your pet this is of course not an immediate option, but there are ways to deal with some of the most common problems that “teenage” rabbits present.

Taming a Biter Bunny

One of the most common things that a maturing rabbit will do is start to bite. To avoid becoming a victim never pull your rabbit from his cage when he is facing you, as he may feel “cornered” and his only defense is his teeth. Instead, stroke him gently behind the ears and turn him around gently with your other hand, so that he is no longer facing you. Then pull him out gently, supporting his back legs firmly.

Just like their human counterparts teenage rabbits will not appreciate being disturbed from a great nap. Most rabbits prefer to spend much of their day sleeping, becoming more active around dawn and dusk, a genetic throwback from their wild ancestors, as these are safest times for wild rabbits to hunt. To avoid being nipped allow him to sleep when he wants, he might be more up for a nice playtime if he decides what time that should take place.

Reintroducing the Litter Box

For the unaltered teenage rabbit this can be hard. When your rabbit is out and about make sure there is a litter box no farther away from him than about 15 feet. Teenage rabbits seem to forget about their litter box if it is much farther away, unlike a pet cat who search the whole house to track his down. Often a teenage rabbit will become so engrossed in his tasty hay that he will forget about his litter box. Placing hay in front of it may help him remember.

Proper Rabbit Tooth Alignment

Ideally, a rabbit’s teeth should have top incisors slightly overlapping the bottom set. If the incisors touch instead of overlap the rabbit is considered to have “butting teeth”. If they are given something hard but safe to chew on, the problem often takes care of itself as the teeth wear down into a better alignment. Longer teeth, called “wolf teeth” can keep growing until they resemble fangs, making it hard for the bunny to eat. Such teeth should be examined by a vet for possible clipping.

Clipping Rabbit Teeth

That may sound a little strange but clipping rabbit teeth is a very common practice. Experienced rabbit breeders are perfectly comfortable doing it themselves; a rabbit’s teeth are quite brittle and toenail clippers are adequate for the job. A file is then used to smooth the jagged result. However, as most rabbits are often jumpy and unpredictable in these kinds of situations a beginner will do best to visit a vet to have their rabbit’s teeth clipped. Most will charge the same as they do to clip a bunny’s toenails.

Molar Problems and Broken Teeth

A rabbit that has molar rather than incisor problems should be examined by a vet for treatment. Molar problems can cause abbesses and make it difficult for the rabbit to eat anything. Molar clipping should be handled by a professional only as it often requires the use of anesthesia. Broken teeth are less of a problem, as they grow back very quickly, in a matter of weeks.

Chewing for Good Dental Health

The best way to help your rabbit maintain good teeth is to make sure he has plenty to chew on, helping him wear his teeth naturally. Hay is helpful but the addition of chewing sticks is a good idea. As some woods are toxic to bunnies it is best to stick to the commercially prepared ones that can be found in most pet supply stores.

]]> http://rabbitbreeding.info/caring-for-your-rabbit%e2%80%99s-teeth-%e2%80%93-basic-tips-for-your-bunny%e2%80%99s-dental-health/feed/ 1 http://rabbitbreeding.info/rabbits-and-toys-bunnies-need-fun-too/ http://rabbitbreeding.info/rabbits-and-toys-bunnies-need-fun-too/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:21:52 +0000 Mel http://rabbitbreeding.info/?p=428 The average rabbit is a naturally very curious and fun loving little animal. To be truly happy and healthy your bunnies need mental exercise as well as physical. If your rabbit has no outlet for fun he can become bored and overweight, depressed even. Toys should always be provided.

What Will My Rabbit Play With?

Some of a rabbit’s favorite toys can be common household items. Something as simple as an empty toilet roll stuffed with hay can provide your bunny with a safe chew toy as well as fun at mealtime. You can make him a bunny playhouse from a simple cardboard box, with entrance and exit doors for him to run through. Some rabbits enjoy shredding newspaper and will be amused that way. Often a bunny will enjoy digging and chewing. Why not fill another box with shredded paper for happy burrowing?

Store Bought Toys Suitable for Rabbits

Most bunnies enjoy playing with lightweight toys that they can pick up and toss around. Baby toys are perfect for rabbits too, and most of them love something that makes a noise. To encourage your rabbit to play with his toys toss one to him gently, in most cases he will toss it right back. Many rabbits enjoy playing with a small ball, but remember balloons are to be avoided; if they burst a rabbit may choke himself on the rubber. Many pet stores sell toys packaged especially for rabbits, but they tend to be more expensive than simple dollar store items that will keep your rabbit just as entertained.

Variety is the Key

Just like children, a rabbit will become bored with his toys at one time or another. Changing the toys in his cage or play area every so often will keep him interested. Do not give your rabbit any toy with small pieces that he could break off and choke on. Don’t forget to play with your rabbit and his toys, most rabbits like a good game with their owner, and regular playtime is a great way to “socialize” your bunny.