BASIC RABBIT CARE GUIDE

Congratulations on adopting a rabbit into your household! Rabbits make excellent pets. With good care, s/he will live 6-12 years.

Do’s and Don’ts

~DO~

Pay attention to your rabbit. She is a social animal and gets lonely without company. With frequent handling, your rabbit will look forward to petting and play time.

Make certain that she is fed properly and has fresh water daily. Keep in mind that the bunny relies on YOU for these essentials.

Keep food dishes and litter box clean. Be sure to rinse off soap residues when washing equipment.

Keep her away from other animals, especially strange dogs. Cats and dogs are natural predators. Rabbits CAN be raised with other pets, including dogs and cats, but only if properly introduced and supervised through the early stages.

Keep their housing clean. Like other pets, a clean, fresh and well-ventilated environment prevents disease, ensures long life and gives your pet a pleasant disposition.

Spay or Neuter your rabbit. Help us to prevent pet overpopulation. Spay or neuter can prevent some health problems in later life and keep sexual behavior in check through the breeding years.

Keep your rabbit out of cold drafts. Rabbits are susceptible to colds, known as snuffles. Otherwise they are tolerant to cool weather.

Keep your rabbit shaded and well ventilated during the hot summer months. Provide refrigerated water and avoid high calorie treats.

Keep the phone number of your veterinarian handy for emergencies. Find a vet experienced with rabbits. Get a checkup for your rabbit soon after adopting them and annually thereafter.

Give them toys to play with. Baby toys that make noise are favorites.

Exercise the bunny daily. Keeping him in a cage all of the time can cause him to get overweight and listless.

The more you handle your rabbit and play with it, the friendlier and more entertaining it will be.

Rabbits are not fond of being carried. When you must handle your rabbit, support their feet or even cradle them in your arms. Long sleeves are suggested when you first get to know your rabbit. Rabbits can be leash trained.

Keep their nails trimmed. Rabbits are very good about keeping themselves clean. If you keep the hutch and litter box clean your rabbit should not require any other grooming.

Long -haired rabbits must be brushed. Fuzzy lops once to twice a week. Angora rabbits must be brushed daily.

~DO NOT~

Pick a rabbit up by the ears, ever! This can seriously harm the animal.

Pick the rabbit up by the feet. If the rabbit struggles, it can break a leg.

Wash the rabbit with human soaps. Rabbits clean themselves like cats, so most of the time washing is not necessary.

Get a rabbit rabies or other shots. There are generally no recommended vaccinations for rabbits. However, always rely on the discretion of a qualified veterinarian for health advice.

Feed your rabbit too many treats. Fresh veggies, not exceeding 10% of their diet, will keep your rabbit healthy and very happy. You will quickly discover your bunnies’ favorites.

Article written by Nefer

For use on Gander Gab

2007