Caring for your rabbit - How to make your rabbit a happy bunny

Please think very carefully before you decide to have a rabbit as a pet - ALL RABBITS LIKE COMPANY! HOUSING YOUR RABBIT Rabbits should be provided with as large a cage as possible in which they can comfortably stand on their hind legs without their ears scraping the ceiling. They should be able to take at least 3 hops in their hutch. An outside hutch should be sturdy and waterproof. It should be raised off the floor by about 25cm and placed in a sheltered position or inside a shed. Rabbits must be protected from wet, windy and cold weather as well as strong sunlight. A hutch cover, blanket or piece of old carpet will offer added protection on cold nights. House rabbits are often kept in cages similar to those used for hamsters, only much larger. These should be placed in a cool room and out of direct sunlight and draughts. A secure caged area should be provided when you are not present. It is important to protect electrical cables from chewing and to avoid poisonous house plants. All rabbits benefit from access to a pen or run in the garden. Avoid using pesticides nearby your rabbits enclosure and run and ensure that the enclosure is secure enough to keep the rabbit in as well as other animals out. BEDDING AND HUTCH MAINTENANCE A hutch or a cage should have a layer of shavings on the floor with plenty of hay provided for nesting. Any shavings or bedding that become wet should be removed daily along with uneaten fresh foods. Hygiene is extremely important, particularly in summer. If not kept clean, the hutch will attract flies and other pests which can cause illness and death to your rabbit. As a general guide, the hutch should be cleaned out thoroughly at least once a week and a weak solution of soapy water can be used for this. FEEDING YOUR RABBIT A vast number of health problems in rabbits are related to incorrect diets; for example, overgrowth of teeth, upset tummies, obesity, boredom and aggression, hairballs, etc. Rabbits need to spend a lot of time eating, 4-6 hours daily, in order to keep their teeth wearing down at the correct rate. This is easily achieved by feeding you rabbit ad lib quantities of good quality hay or providing access to grazing in warmer weather. A dried rabbit mix, although not essential, can be added in very small quantities daily - preferably scattered amongst the hay. The best dried mixes available are those which are pelleted 'all-in-one' to stop the rabbit from selectively eating only the pieces it wants. It is OK to feed fresh cut grass (within half an hour of cutting), dandelions, chickweed etc and fresh vegetables small amounts of fruit can also be provided.

An excellent book that we recommend is ''Rabbit Lopedia'' and can be ordered from all good book stores.

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Created by Taylor Made

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