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Rabbit Pets: How to Take Care of Them

Updated on August 31, 2016
Beautiful Female Rabbit
Beautiful Female Rabbit

Rabbits: The Perfect Pets

Having a pet involves a lot of responsibilities and attention. It is no different with the rabbit. Rabbits have an interesting attribute. They don't make noise, which is great for people living an introverted life.

Think about it. You’re a bachelor or a bachelorette living on your own in the big city. You could never make your dream of raising a furry little critter all on your own come true. The building where you live has a policy against dogs. But it says nothing nowhere about cats, horses or elephants. Let’s face it though, you’re allergic to cats. You are not a fan of horses ever since you fell off of one and you’d have to constantly move the elephant out of the room.

I’ve got the perfect answer for your woes! Bunnies. Rabbits are quiet peaceful creatures that are generally easy to care for if you’re raising one or two. Believe me, more than two rabbits roaming around your house is more than a handful to deal with.

Ready for the Camera
Ready for the Camera

Rabbits are Delicate Beings

It is my duty to disclaim though. Rabbits are delicate beings. Their intestinal flora is volatile and abrupt changes in their diet may be fatal to them. Their droppings are generally odorless. But if you give them more greens than they ought to have you’ll have a bad case of diarrhea. This sickness is the most common, affecting your loved ball of fluff.

Rabbits live up to their fluffiness and this isn’t a compliment. I must remark once again that they are delicate and are in constant danger. When you place them in heights and squeeze them out of burst of cute squishing syndrome they face danger. Their urine is particularly the loudest attribute they have to their name. Its stench is disagreeable but it isn’t something that a litter box won’t solve.

Two Months Old Rabbits
Two Months Old Rabbits

Rabbits Tend to Become Aggressive

Rabbits tend to become aggressive at around four months of age due to their sexuality. A way to bring this aggressiveness down is by considering castration. During the periods of latent sexuality the attitude of a bunny may be alarming. This can be a turn off when deciding to keep one as a pet.

Dogs, cats and other household pets tend to be aggressive and territorial at that age. It’s a natural thing and in that same way all animals have pros and cons you can take to your advantage. Some people like dogs because of their loyalty and the fact that their dog will protect them. Some people love their cats despite not receiving as much love back.

Lixit Reversible Waterer/Feeder for Rabbits and Other Small Animals. (Pack of 1)
Lixit Reversible Waterer/Feeder for Rabbits and Other Small Animals. (Pack of 1)
The Lixit “Gravity Feed” Rabbit feeder or fountain can be used as a dry food feeder or a watering bowl. It all depends on which side of the base you choose. Each side of the base is engraved to show which side is for water and which side is for food. If you need a feeder and a waterer you will need to purchase 2 units. Holds 5 cups of small animal pellets or 48 fl oz of water.
 

Learn to Love your Rabbit

You can learn to love a rabbit as well even though rabbits take a while to train and get used to humans.This is why it is extremely recommended that you pet them during their first five weeks of life. You do this to get them accustomed to you. But during this age they’re a lot more fragile and not so tempting to touch. So you decide to buy them after they’re a month old. It is still not recommended you buy them. These lovable animals need 35 days to be taken away from their mothers. If you take them away before the best amount of time, then you’d be hurting the rabbit.

Right Age to Get a Rabbit Pet

To train them with a swift success rate you need to buy the bunny between two and three months of age. This is if you don’t mind their frailness during the first few months of their lives. This way it’ll grow accustomed to you and its surroundings. This is an essential part of having a rabbit since they’re nervous creatures by nature. Think about it as you will be having a large rodent in your house. (By the way, they technically aren’t rodents). Feeding it would seem like a gargantuan task after reading what I wrote above, but fear not.

How to Feed your Bunny

Feeding a rabbit just takes a little bit more attention than feeding a cat or a dog. This pet can eat pellet feed, hay, an array of foliage and certain vegetables like carrots. 70 to 80 % of their diet should be hay. The remaining part of it (20-30%) should be pelletized feed for rabbits. Some greens like king grass; carrots and Brussels sprouts may be added to their diets as well.

The grand mistake certain people make when feeding their rabbits is overfeeding them. It is also bad to feed them too much green. Rabbits are slender by nature; any excess food they eat is stored in an unhealthy manner. Over feeding your pet can lead to its obesity and its laziness. Any green should be held over night to feed them the next morning or during the day.

Rabbits that eat greens without a drying process can get sick. They will suffer from diarrhea and their bowel movements go askew. Keep water and feed dispensers clean and cared for. This will protect their digestive system and you will have an excellent pet.

Living World - Deluxe Hybrid Habitat, X-Large - Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchillas, and Small Animal Cage
Living World - Deluxe Hybrid Habitat, X-Large - Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchillas, and Small Animal Cage
This deluxe habitat provides everything you need for safely housing pet rabbits. It is also suitable for guinea pigs, ferrets and chinchillas. The hybrid cage, consisting of an upper wire frame and a plastic bottom base, provides a safe, well ventilated and comfortable place for small pets. The wire cage is elegantly styled, with an arcing red wire top and white wire sides. The wire top opens easily in 2 separate parts for easy access inside the cage. There is a wire door at the front for additional accessibility. Includes a balcony with an access ramp and a tip-proof food dish that secures to the balcony floor. There's also a hideaway space under the balcony to provide your small pet with a quiet and secure hiding place. Comes with a drip-proof water bottle and a hay guard, both of which are located outside the cage to save interior space and allow easy maintenance access. The cage assembles in minutes using eight easy-to-use plastic clips, no tools required. Comes in X-large size.
 

Take Care of your Pet

Consider buying a silent vacuum cleaner to deal with all the hairs your bunny will shed. This is a measure that’ll benefit your bunny’s nerves and your airways. Other items you should consider buying for your silent companion are the following:

  • A litter box: It may take a while but you can either train your rabbit or learn its poop schedule. One thing you have to your advantage is that rabbits are creatures of habit. They tend to urinate in the same geographic location which will be of help in the cleaning area.
  • A cage to keep them safe, to travel with them and also avoiding any extra disasters in your house at night.
  • An automatic feeder and water dispenser: These come in handy if you have to leave them alone in your house for an extra couple of hours.
  • Pelletized feed: That’s a no brainer.
  • Chew toys: Though rabbits aren’t rodents, they are fascinated by chewing on things. So I’d recommend you spend a few dollars on a chew toy and not your mahogany legged couch’s finish.

Take your Rabbit to the Vet as Mandatory

Take your pet to the vet as mandatory. They need to be vaccinated and the vet will recommend vitamins. The delicateness of rabbit has no boundaries. That is way it is and it is better to play it safe and have them checked by a professional. Some things that may tip you off that your rabbit is not doing too well are:

  • Diarrhea in there droppings: you must act quickly. Rabbits are delicate with their intestines and this symptom may be fatal to them.
  • Droppings with a bad odor: This s a tip that’s a little more subtle and open for interpretation. This is a fact that should be taken into consideration. Your rabbit may worsen depending on what you feed them from that point on.
  • Droopy or depressed attitude: this isn’t a good sign. Maybe get it a partner or take it to the vet, as sick rabbits tend to become depressed and stop eating or drinking.
  • Bloated belly: if you observe an absurd enlargement of their belly take them to the vet. This is a symptom that usually goes hand in hand with the diarrhea in their droppings.
  • Wet eyes and excessive mucus: this is a sign of respiratory infection. It should be taken seriously but it is generally not fatal.

Rabbits may be flimsy and after you read you might digress in buying one or caring for one for that matter. I can assure you that this is a rewarding and pleasant experience. The silence, the fluffiness and the tranquility a rabbit can bring to your life. This is the introverts pet.

Source
Source

Some Rabbits Update

This is a first time mom. She had a total of 8 babies. They are healthy and big. She built an extraordinary nest and went through labor with no difficulties. When I thought she was starting to have the babies she was already done. It was fast and very well done.

Images Courtesy of:

Gibape Bunny Farm

working

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