Rabbit care basics are the same for all breeds – housing, feed, health and safety. Rabbits are known as being excellent pets, an easy meat source and a wonderful resource for quality fiber. Keeping different breeds for different uses will vary their care depending on their size, coat, use and specific health concerns. Here are five basics to know before buying your first rabbit.
#1 Housing
Rabbits are popular pets because of their size and limited need for space. They are adaptable – able to live in the house, in hutches, cages and in colonies.
Rabbits are easy to litter box train and make excellent house pets because of this. Docile breeds are recommended as pets for older people or those with limited mobility due to their ease of care and love of cuddling.
When raising rabbits in cages, it is important to make certain they have enough space for their physical and mental health. Animal welfare organizations recommend rabbits be able to have “three hops” from end to end and be able to stand on their hind legs comfortably. Does with a nest box and kits need extra space.
Many people are concerned about outdoor housing for rabbits in cold climates, but rabbits are often more resilient to extremely low temperatures than they are to the heat. Rabbits that are outside in warm climates need shade and a regular breeze. Rabbits will also regulate their body temperature by digging into the ground to stretch their bellies against cool soil, so giving them access to dirt can be helpful.
#2 Feed
Rabbit pellets are available in varying protein levels from 13-20%. The correct type and quantity are dependent on the rabbit’s size, and breeding status. Rabbits can become obese very easily if they lack the opportunity for exercise or are over-fed.
Rabbits should also be given a steady supply of good-quality hay. This not only helps provide them with enough roughage but helps prevent their teeth from overgrowing, which can cause health issues. Rabbits can also get small amounts of roughage with fresh vegetation, provided they are fed small amounts to become accustomed to it. A sudden addition, or change to their diet can cause gastrointestinal distress, which can be deadly to rabbits.
#3 Health
Before purchasing your first rabbit, it is important to make certain you have a vet who can care for them. While rabbits are a common pet, it can be difficult to find them proper medical care when in need. Not all veterinarians will treat rabbits, so check with yours ahead of time.
Individual rabbit breeds may have health concerns specialized to them, but rabbits as a whole also have a number of issues that owners will need to be on the lookout for. Infections of the upper respiratory system, urinary tract or ears are common. Parasites can be an issue, depending on where you live and how the rabbits are kept. Other serious issues that should be diagnosed by a vet include cancers, GI stasis and – most recently in the western part of the United States – Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease.
If your rabbit becomes sick, take it to a veterinarian right away. If your rabbit’s illness is serious or prolonged, you may spend hundreds, or possibly thousands, of dollars for diagnosis and treatment. (Postponing care often increases veterinary care costs, so always bring your rabbit to the vet when it first shows signs of a medical condition.)
#4 Safety Basics
For Indoor Rabbits:
Rabbits are prey animals and intensely curious – traits that can lead them into dangerous situations, even living in your home.
While rabbits raised with house cats can get along well, this is not always a good match-up. In cases where the cat or rabbit feels threatened, they may fight. A cat scratch or bite can easily become infected and fatal.
Likewise, household dogs can be a danger. No matter how friendly your pooch is normally to animals, rabbits can awaken a predator drive by running away. Even a dog who only means to play can kill a rabbit, simply by being bigger, and by having a strong bite.
Rabbits are voracious chewers. Make sure electrical, computer and telephone cords are covered with plastic tubing and wooden table legs are covered in bubble wrap. Some rabbits like to chew on cloth, so rugs, pillows and other upholstery items may be in harm’s way if a rabbit is given the run of a room. Household plants can also be fatal. Anything they chew that may have been cleaned with household chemicals, such as baseboards, can also be a risk.
Digging is another rabbit habit, and you may find the corners of your carpet lifted up if you let your rabbit roam free in a carpeted room. You’ll need to protect the corners of your carpeting if you have a rabbit with an inclination to dig. Offer digging options in the form of untreated grass mats as an outlet for your rabbit’s digging urge, or monitor your rabbit as it roams the backyard.
For Outdoor Rabbits:
A rabbit living outdoors or in cages is at risk for any of these things they come in contact with, as well as wild predators, such as rats, raccoons, foxes and aerial predators. Finding a way to protect your rabbits from Mother Nature can be a daunting task.
#5 Away-Care
If you go on vacation or business trips, you’ll need to find someone to care for your rabbit while you’re gone. Keep in mind that caring for a rabbit is different from pet-sitting a dog or cat in both feeding requirements (rabbits need an ample supply of hay throughout the day) and interaction (a rabbit needs supervised time outside its enclosure in a stress-free environment). Make sure your caretaker is fully aware of your rabbit’s needs.
How Much Time Do Daily Rabbit Chores Take?
Your rabbit’s hutch needs to be cleaned daily. During these clean sweeps, you will also need to wash and refill its water bowl or bottle and provide fresh hay, pellets and greens. Allowing it two to four hours to exercise outside the hutch is also beneficial to your rabbit’s health and well-being.
Before embarking on rabbit ownership, think long and hard about these responsibilities and whether you really want to take them on. Rabbits can live for nine to 12 years, so providing a home for a rabbit is a serious commitment. If you decide to make this commitment, try researching breeds such as Mini Lops, Mini Rex and Tan that you are interested in to find one that suits your specific needs.
This article about rabbit care basics was written for Hobby Farms magazine by Sherri Talbot and Audrey Pavia. Click here to subscribe.
