Raising Rabbits the Right Way to Avoid Costly Mistakes
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by: berg0101a
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Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2009 Time: 6:31 AM
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Rabbits live about 10 years, so you need to make a long term commitment if you are interested in raising a baby rabbit until adulthood. One of your first questions will probably be whether or not the rabbit should live indoors or outside. The answer is indoors. Domestic rabbits, unlike their wild cousins, cannot tolerate the heat and weather of the outdoors, even when kept in an enclosure. The stresses of outdoor environments such as dogs and other loud noises are also very unhealthy for rabbits and can make them nervous.
Whether you keep your rabbit in a cage part time or let them roam entirely free, be sure to bunny safe your house. This means keeping electrical cords that they may chew out of the way, covering electrical outlets, and keeping things which can poison him if chewed out of the way. This includes chemicals like household cleaners as well as certain plants.
If your rabbit will spend most of their time in a cage, make it comfortable and spacious. Make sure that their enclosure is at least five times larger than the rabbit, and tall enough so that he can stand up on his hind legs without hitting his head. Your rabbit should also be able to stretch completely. Your bunny should also have a comfortable surface on the bottom of the cage, whether it¡¯s cardboard, a blanket, or an old towel. Don¡¯t use wood shavings, as these can cause organ damage or trigger allergic reactions.
Wire enclosures should have wood or cardboard on the bottom to protect your pet rabbit's delicate feet. Cover the cage during the rabbit's sleeping hours or provide him with a shelter inside the cage to lay in when he rests. Limit their cage time and give a good amount of exercise each day. Have fun playing with your rabbit during this free time.
For pottying, rabbits can use a litter box like a kitty with the right training. Unlike pet cats, rabbits may also relax in their litter box, and may require multiple boxes throughout the house if they have a large area in which they are allowed to play. Use an organic kitty litter instead of a clumping one, which could harm some rabbits, and include a bit of grassy hay in the box for your rabbit to nibble on.
In addition to their litter box hay, take care to ensure that they receive the proper diet. Vegetables such as leafy dark greens (like lettuce) are a good source of food for rabbits. Feed them a good variety to keep the rabbit's diet in good balance and keep him from getting bored. For a treat you might want to also give your rabbit fruits like apples, berries, plums, pears, melons, bananas, grapes or raisins.
Rabbit pellets can be used to supplement their diet as well, given in small amounts. Rabbits need plenty of water too. Avoid feeding your rabbit human foods and sweets like chocolate. Provide them with a wood block, cardboard toilet paper roll, or other chewing device to keep them from chewing your furniture or other things in your home.
Be gentle with your rabbit, especially if you have kids. Teach them to hold the rabbit gingerly and not to squeeze them or play too roughly with them. Rabbits enjoy being petted and stroked, so it¡¯s acceptable to rub their heads and bodies in a calm fashion. Most importantly, take your rabbit to the vet and have them receive the right medical treatment just like you would with any other animal. Get a few books or search the web for other appropriate rabbit care, rabbit breeding, or rabbit rearing information.
Kristen Paterson has been raising rabbits for over 15 years and she is an expert at rabbit care and breeding. Discover her rabbit raising secrets at: http://www.raising-rabbits-guide.info
About the Author
Kristen Paterson has been raising rabbits for over 15 years and she is an expert at rabbit care and breeding. Discover her rabbit raising secrets at: http://www.raising-rabbits-guide.info
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