Content
The rabbit toy or dwarf rabbit has long been a very popular pet. Its small size, adorable appearance and affable character make it the perfect pet for apartment dwellers. It was developed in the Netherlands in the early 20th century from a small wild rabbit crossed with domestic breeds until reaching England, where breeders managed to standardize the animal's colors and appearance.
Source- Europe
- Netherlands
physical appearance
The toy or dwarf rabbit is truly small, having a total length around 33 and 50 centimeters and reaching a weight between 0.8 and 1.5 kg in adults.
The dwarf rabbit's appearance is very sweet, which is noticeable just by looking at its physiognomy: it is a compact and short rabbit. It has short, round ears as well as a small, flat nose that make it unmistakable.
It has a soft, short fur that can be found in a wide variety of very different colors such as white, brown, gray or black.
Behavior
Unlike other rabbits, the Toy or Dwarf rabbit is, in a way, independent. This is because they are an especially nervous and fearful breed. To avoid the isolated behavior of the rabbit, it is essential to get him used to your presence daily playing and offering treats, in order to have a sweet and friendly rabbit.
They are very grateful for the caress of those who trust close to the ears and loin, always with adequate softness.
They are generally afraid of other pets like dogs and cats. However, given time and proper guidance, you can build a good relationship between cat and rabbit.
care
Toy rabbits need a series of general care and also have some specific care. For example, it is very important that the toy rabbit has a quiet, quiet place to rest when in its cage. Isolate it from drafts, direct sunlight or excessive noise. Try to make other pets not approach until he gets used to your presence.
You must be very careful when picking up the rabbit, a sudden gesture or a poorly made catch can easily cause a fracture.
Another type of care is brushing. It should be frequent, especially at the time of hair removal. It is not advisable to give him a bath, as the rabbits clean themselves. Only in cases of excessive dirt can you use a damp cloth or damp towel to clean the rabbit's fur.
Provide toys for him to take care of whenever he gets bored. Look for toys suitable for rabbits at the market. This step is important as not all toys are suitable for this mammal that eats everything.
His cage should be spacious with wood shavings, feeders for hay and vegetables, a water cooler, and something he can use as a nest to get comfortable. You can also prepare a small space for exercise. Don't forget that if you let him run around the house, you should watch him as he could end up gnawing on a cable and injuring himself a lot.
In addition to what has been mentioned so far, you should also pay attention to the rabbit's diet, which should be varied and age-appropriate.
Health
Below you can find a list of the most common diseases that affect dwarf rabbits:
- Myxomatosis: It consists of a virus transmitted by insects such as ticks, mosquitoes or motucas. It can be detected by inflammation of the vulva in females and the appearance of pustules around the rabbit's mucous membranes. It can even cause blindness in your little pet. You should consult your veterinarian who will try to alleviate the symptoms of the disease with intensive care as it has no treatment.
- Tularemia: It is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through mites and fleas. It can be identified through the rabbit's loss of appetite. Consult veterinarians if they relate parasites to this symptom.
- Anger: Like cats and dogs, rabbits can also get rabies. Although it is rare, it can happen if you adopt a rabbit of tin origin. For this reason, we recommend that you consult the advice for adopting a rabbit.
- Pneumonia: Generally, it occurs at times of the year with low temperatures when the pet is exposed to drafts. If you don't provide extra care, your rabbit can get worse.
- abnormal tooth growth: It is common when the rabbit does not have access to forage or elements that it can gnaw, as it would in nature.
- Scabies: Scabies is caused by mites, insects that lay eggs and multiply at breakneck speed. Consult your veterinarian to have the ivermectin vaccine administered.