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Bringing Home Bunny
What is soft, gentle, always quiet, has long ears and a nose that never stops twitching? If you guessed rabbits, you are absolutely correct. Our domestic rabbits are descendants of wild rabbits from Europe and Africa. Even in the wild, though, rabbits are gregarious animals, which means they are social and friendly. This trait endeared them to people and made them easy to domesticate as pets.
Today, many people enjoy a very special relationship with their pet rabbits. Their popularity continues to increase because they are relatively easy to care for, and just about anyone in any household can keep them with a few simple necessities.
First, though, let's talk a little about the pet qualities of these long eared little bundles of fur. Rabbits are not rodents, but rather lagomorphs, and live an average of 5-10 years, though reports of 15 year old rabbits are becoming more common as people learn how to properly feed and maintain these quiet house pets. Rabbits are not expensive and do not require much space. They are very clean animals, and like cats, are constantly licking and grooming their fur. Because they are quiet and non-aggressive, they are suitable even for families with younger children.
When purchasing a rabbit, as with any pet, start with a young, healthy animal. Baby rabbits can leave the mother at six weeks of age. The eyes should be bright and clear and the nose slightly moist and always twitching. There should not be any discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth. Be sure to ask about the size of the parents, because rabbits come in different sizes, from quite small to very large. Long hair varieties, such as the Angora and Cashmere, will require frequent grooming and brushing to prevent hairballs and to keep their coat shiny and clean. Short hair types, such as the Rex, Himalayan, and French Lop generally do not require as frequent grooming but certainly benefit from the contact with the owner.
Housing considerations: adult rabbits do best housed one bunny per cage or hutch, because even a male and female housed together will fight most of the time. The cage should be spacious enough for the rabbit to move and hop about freely and should allow adequate ventilation, thus aquariums are not acceptable. A solid floor is necessary to prevent hock or foot sores. Aspen shavings, clean corn cob bedding, and small animal cage litter all work nicely in the cage bottom.
Place a water bottle or ceramic crock and a food dish in the cage. Clean and wash the water and food bowl daily. Rabbits can even be house trained quite easily! Just place a litterbox in a corner of the cage and provide another when the rabbit is out exercising. Use small animal cage litter to line the litterbox. Clean the box and cage frequently. Once a day is best.
Rabbits love to roam through your house. This is great fun for the family too. Remember, however, rabbits also love to chew. Keep them away from electrical cords, house plants and other dangers. If a rabbit is naughty or is getting itself into trouble, a sharp, loud "No" is usually sufficient to stop the behavior. Never hit or strike a rabbit as this will make it very frightened of hands and people.
Never allow your bunny to roam unsupervised in your home. Keep doors closed and be careful that no one accidentally steps on the rabbit as it darts about the room. Suggest that a home is "bunny-proofed" before going to a new home. The new owner simply gets on their hands and knees and crawls around the room searching at rabbit eye level for potential dangers.
The more time a rabbit spends outside its cage, the better pet it will be. A rabbit's natural curiosity is rivaled only by the cat, so exploring is one of its favorite activities.
Rabbits will get along well with other pets if introduced slowly. Take special care with dogs because they may frighten the rabbit unintentionally especially by barking or playing too roughly. It is best not to allow a rabbit and cat to meet. Small birds and other small animal pets are great companions for rabbits. The best friend a rabbit can have however, is the one who daily cares for, grooms, and spends time with him.
When it comes to chewing, rabbits are the experts. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they must have chew toys available in their cage. You can even give a rabbit wood branches for them to gnaw. Fruit branches are ideal. They won't actually eat them.
Rabbits have one of the most delicate digestive systems of any animal, so their diet is critical to good health. One of the biggest health concerns with rabbits is related to their diet- too little fiber. Rabbits require non digestible fiber in their diet to maintain a normal functioning digestive tract. An adequate pellet should have at least 17 % fiber. Rabbits are also very sensitive to taste, so recommend a pelleted diet that has consistent ingredients, a fixed formula and does not use binders.
Pellets should be fed twice daily in controlled portions based on the rabbit's size. Provide fresh hay at all times. Timothy hay is recommended for adult rabbits and Alfalfa hay can be offered for growing and lactating rabbits. Rabbits also enjoy dandelions and clover, but make sure they are clean and have not been sprayed with chemicals. Give fresh vegetables such as carrot tops, spinach, cabbage and beet tops as treats. These are best fed by hand to earn the rabbit's trust and increase positive interaction.
Rabbits have one particularly odd habit which is entirely normal. They eat small, soft, fecal pellets directly from their bottom at night or in the early morning. These special pellets are different from the usual rabbit fecal pellets because they are very high in protein, vitamins and minerals. It is not only normal, but necessary for the rabbit to do this.
Rabbits love to keep busy, so play with them every day. Handle it gently and talk to it softly. When picking up a rabbit, take great care. Never pick up a rabbit by its ears! That would be just as painful to the rabbit as if you were picked up by your ears. Instead, place one hand over the neck and the other under its bottom and gently scoop it up, holding it close to your body. If the rabbit is large, it may be grasped by the neck like a cat, or it may be wrapped in a towel. Make the experience pleasant for the rabbit. Remember, they are very clean animals, so they love to be petted and brushed while held.
Besides eating the right foods, grooming, and exercising, rabbits must also visit the veterinarian at least once a year. A poor appetite, rough hair coat, dirty or foul smelling ears, mucus around the eyes and nose, and overgrown teeth or nails are signs that a rabbit may not be healthy. Take it to a veterinarian immediately if these signs appear.
Rabbits truly make wonderful, friendly and intelligent house pets. With the right diet and housing, and plenty of love and affection, they can bring years of enjoyment to any family.
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