rabbit care

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 11 February 2021
Update Date: 6 November 2024
Anonim
DAILY RABBIT CARE 🌻
Video: DAILY RABBIT CARE 🌻

Content

Many people have rabbits as pets but, although it is a common per, we should know that this animal needs some specific care. You must know the rabbit as a wild animal to be able to provide everything it deserves and needs, for this you need to have correct information about rabbit care.

To help animal caretakers and ensure you have a happy, healthy rabbit at home, in this PeritoAnimal guide we'll talk about rabbit care, explain optimal feeding, health, vaccinations, education and much more. Keep reading!

pet rabbit

In most cases, and out of ignorance, many rabbit keepers believe that this is a rodent like any other, which needs a cage, food and little else. The rabbit is a species of lagomorph order and it has some physical and behavioral differences that make it need special care, unlike hamsters or guinea pigs.


In addition to some obvious differences, you must bear in mind that the rabbit is an animal that, when it is free, runs throughout the day, digs and enjoys the smell of plants and flowers. Furthermore, it is a very smart animal and sociable, who recognizes his tutor, his own name and who also learns to perform various exercises in exchange for small pieces of fruit or vegetables.

To start with the rabbit care, it is important to highlight that all care is equally important and that dedicating time to your pet will increase its life expectancy, quality of life and happiness. Are you thinking of adopting a rabbit as a pet? Read on and see more information about rabbit care.

How long does a rabbit live?

Generally speaking, rabbits have a life expectancy around 6 and 8 years old, although some can live between 10 and 12 years. How long a rabbit lives depends on how the keepers take care of it, as well as genetic conditions, as there are rabbit breeds that have a longer life expectancy than others.


Wild rabbits have the shortest lifespan, between 3 and 4 years, as they are more threatened by predators and untreated diseases.

rabbit cage

The cage is your rabbit's nest, where he will sleep and spend most of his time. Therefore, we recommend that it be as spacious as possible so that it can move around more and better. The size is directly related to your quality of life, for this reason we advise that the rabbit cage has a minimum dimension of 80 cm2, always located in an environment without drafts or direct sunlight.

The truth is that you may find smaller cages for sale that we don't recommend, as they could cause anxiety in the pet. There are people who even offer entire rooms to meet genetic space needs.

Rabbits are sociable animals, and if you plan to have a couple, you will need to have a space of at least 4 square meters (as recommended by the animal associations).


Rabbit Cage Types

Keep in mind that there are different types of rabbit hutches, so it is important that you choose one that is suitable for you and your pet.

Indoor cage: Most rabbit cages found in pet stores are indoors, meaning indoor cages. You may find some cages with wider doors than others, they are the most recommended as they allow your pet to enter and exit the cage more easily.

Outdoor cage: on the other hand, if you are planning to have your rabbit in the garden or in an outdoor space, you should know that there are outdoor rabbit hutches. Most of these cages are floorless, meaning that the pet will step directly onto the grass or dirt in your garden. However, this type of cage is not recommended if the floor is made of earth, as the rabbit may unintentionally eat earth or stones.

Rabbit hutch: if you have adopted a pregnant rabbit, you must have a den-type cage. Thus, you will offer everything possible so that the mother-to-be feels comfortable and can keep the puppies safe.

Grid cage: you can also find cages with a grate or iron floor. These types of cages are not suitable for rabbits as, in addition to not being comfortable, they are also not very hygienic.

Transport cages: these cages are used to facilitate the transport of the animal, for example to the veterinarian. There are different cage types made from different materials, however, plastic ones are more recommended.

Wooden cages: despite being very beautiful, they are not always big enough to make the pet comfortable. Generally, this type of cage is usually outside the house, so it is recommended to put a fence around the cage to leave it open and thus provide even more space for your rabbit.

The rabbit cage must have:

  • Tray so he can do the necessities and maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Never use cat litter or the like as it can cause infections. The tutor must purchase a special rabbit sand available at any pet store. Daily cleaning must be carried out with mild soap.
  • Drinking bowl of at least 1/2 liter. You can also use a drinking fountain that is a small bowl of water, although it is less recommended as it will get dirty more easily and you will have to clean it often. Always have plenty of water.
  • Dispenser or bowl for feed, hay and daily servings of fruit and vegetables.
  • Bed, cotton towel or cloth are some of the elements where the rabbit will rest for the night, although many rabbits do not understand the function of these elements and end up doing their needs there.
  • wood to gnaw. They should never be treated as they could break and create a serious problem with the rabbit's intestines. You should opt for wood from fruit trees such as apples, oranges, etc, or purchase untreated pine wood.

rabbit feed

Rabbit food is specific for each stage of its life, as nutritional needs change. In general, you should always offer these elements:

  • Hay: your rabbit must always have hay available, so it is recommended to offer it in abundance. Since rabbits' teeth keep growing, they always need to have something to eat to wear them out. In addition, hay also has numerous benefits for the gastrointestinal health of rabbits, as it helps to expel hairballs from the stomach and keeps the digestive system active.
  • Ration: the feed must be grains or pellets and must not contain seeds or added cereals. Its composition must contain at least 20% fiber or cellulose and a maximum of 16% protein. From 6 months of age onwards, the rabbit does not grow anymore, so from that moment on, you should give only one tablespoon of feed for each kilo of the animal, avoiding obesity problems.
  • Greenery: with vegetables we speak of fresh herbs and green leaves such as carrot leaves, spinach, celery, endive, dandelion, etc.

In the case of young rabbits (between 2 and 7 months), they must have at their disposal unlimited and in abundance all the above elements, with the exception of fruit and vegetables, which will be rationed in small daily portions. It is a fundamental growth stage for their development and, in addition, it is when they begin to experience the fruits.

Foods the Rabbit Can Eat

The rabbit's diet can be very varied, containing:

  • fruit (always seedless) such as apple, pear, peach, banana, melon, grape, orange, etc. Offer small pieces, so that you understand what options your pet likes the most.
  • Vegetables such as endive, kale, cucumber, spinach, carrots, green beans, broccoli or alfalfa.

Foods the Rabbit Should Never Eat

  • Seeds: you should avoid all kinds, including nuts, vegetables and cereals.
  • Vegetables: deve avoid lettuce, cauliflower and parsley.
  • Food for other animals: as cat or dog food.
  • Other foods such as: cooked, meat, cheese, dairy, preserved fruit or in syrup, including salt, sugar or barley.
  • toxic food such as: potato, onion, garlic, avocado, chocolate, tomato leaves, vegetables, tea leaves, bamboo.
  • toxic plants: poinsettias, belladonna, fungi, ferns, cacti, carnations, geranium, oak, aloe vera, violet, juniper, mistletoe, daffodil, oak.

rabbit hygiene

Rabbits are very clean mammals that clean themselves. It is not recommended to bathe them, except when they get excessively dirty, otherwise they may lose the skin's natural protective layer. You can bathe the animal at most once or twice a year. To get rid of dirt that appears, you can use wet baby wipes.

How to Bathe a Rabbit

If, in an exceptional case, your rabbit has become heavily soiled, follow these steps:

  • Find a quiet place to wash your rabbit, remember that they are very sensitive;
  • Never put the pet upside down, this causes stress;
  • Fill a container with warm water, which is pleasant for him;
  • Use only water to wash, in case the dirt doesn't come out, you can use a shampoo with neutral pH;
  • Rinse and dry.

How to brush a rabbit's fur

Remember that you should brush your rabbit regularly to get rid of dead fur and prevent it from swallowing. It is also important that you use a specific nail clipper if you see that your nails have grown in excess, always with care.

To brush your rabbit's fur, you must do it gently and very carefully. Usually, the hardest areas to brush are the belly and tail, as the rabbit can move around a lot.

How to clean the rabbit cage

It is very important to keep the cage clean and the places where you play with it. To clean it deeply, you can use a little bleach or apple cider vinegar, always with care and keeping your animal away from the place during cleaning.

Bleach and apple cider vinegar are perfect for eliminating bacteria and the smell of urine from your pet, so they are a perfect ally if you try to teach your rabbit to clean up in the corner.

Rabbit physical activity

As we have already mentioned, the rabbit is a mammal with a high level of physical activity when it is in the wild. For this reason, one of the most important cares for a rabbit is to let it get out of the cage at least twice a day, always under his supervision, as it can gnaw cables or objects dangerous to him.

You can create paths with elements purchased from the pet store or that you can make yourself. Toys of all kinds are allowed. It is also important that the tutor spend time with him and give him affection and attention. Remember that the rabbit is an intelligent animal that can learn tricks and orders if you put in the time and patience.

Take your rabbit for a walk

It is increasingly possible to find collars in pet stores to take your rabbit for a walk in a park or on the beach. All this is important for him to smell and enjoy the wild environment without getting lost.

If you are going to take your rabbit for a walk, put the collar inside the house a few days beforehand so that, little by little, it will get used to it. When you're out, find a place that's quiet and away from any other type of pet, like dogs.

rabbit health

In addition to daily hygiene, you should periodically consult a veterinarian to ensure your pet's health status. Rabbits also need to follow a vaccination schedule.

If you are a rabbit owner, you should know what the 6 most common rabbit diseases:

  1. Colds: Like people, rabbits also suffer from colds and can infect each other. The symptoms are the same as in the case of humans (they secrete fluid through the nose and sneeze). Although a cold is minor, it is important to take care of it, especially during the time you are sick.
  2. Fungi: Fungi are a serious problem that can be transmitted from one rabbit to another. Take your pet as soon as possible to the veterinarian in the presence of a fungus. It usually appears in young specimens and is detected by hair loss.
  3. coccidiosis: appears when the rabbit licks its dirty fur, drinks or feeds on bad water. To prevent the onset of this disease, be careful with the hygiene of the cage and utensils. It is a very serious case that can cause the rabbit to die. Symptoms are sudden hair loss and diarrhea. Take him to the vet urgently.
  4. Insolation: It is very common, especially in hot weather. If you notice that the rabbit breathes deeply continuously, this is the symptom that will indicate heat stroke. Don't take him to the vet unless he doesn't get better. Take him to a cool and quiet space, apply a few drops of water on his head and underarms, little by little you will see how he will improve.
  5. red urine: If you see red urine but it's not blood, don't be alarmed, it must be because you're offering too much greenery. Try to give it plenty of water. If after 12 hours the problem does not improve, seek help from a veterinarian. Do not confuse this problem with urine and blood, a more serious problem that needs urgent and immediate treatment.
  6. Scabies: Mites are small red insects that inhabit the ears of rabbits, but it is also common for them to appear on the feet or skin. The most common scabies is the one that appears on the ears and, in advanced cases, it already appears outside the ears. Consult your veterinarian to know which treatment is most suitable to fight them. In addition, you should sanitize the entire cage and utensils with boiling water or chlorine and leave them in the sun for at least a day.

Also, we recommend the rabbit sterilization to avoid tumors when reaching adulthood and avoid unwanted pregnancy.

One of the most important cares for rabbits is knowing how to act in the face of a disease. Now that you know this, it's important to keep in mind that you should take your rabbit to the vet if he has any of these symptoms:

  • Did not eat or defecate in at least 12 hours;
  • Did not urinate in at least 24 hours;
  • He doesn't move and looks very listless;
  • Teeth have overgrown;
  • May see mucus in stool;
  • Great difficulty breathing or secretions;
  • It has fallen and does not move;
  • Tilts head uncontrollably;
  • Seizures;
  • Crusts inside the ears.

How to catch a rabbit correctly

Rabbits do not like to be carried in their laps as they feel insecure. You must remember that, in nature, those who raise them are predators. If you need to hold your pet, you should run your hand over its chest and hind legs. You shouldn't grab him, just hold them for a bit so that he notices they're not loose in the air, I mean, so they understand that they don't pose a threat.

What you should NEVER do:

On the other hand, you should never hold your rabbit in the following ways:

  • Through the ears;
  • In the fur;
  • By the paws.

Holding your rabbit in one of these places can cause serious spinal trauma or fractures to your pet. Also, you should take into account that you should not be behind him, or make any sudden movements, or even joking, as it may scare him. If this happens multiple times, it can scare your pet and make it not trust you.

Does a pet rabbit recognize the guardian?

Rabbits are very intelligent animals, in addition to recognizing their guardians, they are able to recognize their own name and learn to perform various exercises in exchange for small pieces of fruit or vegetables. On the other hand, rabbits are very social animals, they love attention and play with their human family. If you spend a lot of time with him, giving him a lot of affection and love, he will recognize you and will also look for you to play and ask for affection.

Rabbits miss their guardians if they spend a few days away from home, it shows how much a pet rabbit can love their guardian.

Rabbit Fun Facts

Now that you know what are the most important rabbit care, get to know some fun facts about the rabbit:

  • Their body temperature is usually between 38ºC and 40ºC;
  • The ambient temperature should be around 18ºC and 21ºC;
  • They like to live with other members of their species;
  • They like the night;
  • They reach sexual maturity between 3 and 5 months;
  • Observe and weigh it weekly to check that everything is fine.
  • Rabbits make two types of feces, one in the shape of balls and the other softer ones in the shape of a bunch. The rabbit usually eats the latter. If you see these feces in the cage, this could be an indicator of overfeeding.
  • Pineapple and papaya avoid the hairballs in the stomach.

To find out even more information about rabbits, check out the rabbit breeds and how rabbit and cat coexist in these articles by PeritoAnimal.