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Rabbit Behavior and Care
Despite the wild appearance of the rabbits you might see in the
wild, domestic rabbits actually make very good pets. They are quiet,
require very little housing space, and can be litter box trained.
If properly socialized and gently held from a young age, rabbits
will learn to eagerly respond to affection, and will often lick
fingers or sit comfortably in the lap when showing affection.
Licking and grooming are a rabbits way of showing affection, just as
a dog licks and a cat sometimes grooms her owner.
If your bunny feels that it needs more affection, it will resort to
nudging or huddling against you to gain your attention.
Since rabbits naturally live on the ground, they do not usually like
to be picked up, held or hugged. To a rabbit, hugging feels like the
grip of a predator and they might bite and scratch. Rabbits’ hind
legs are extremely powerful and can scratch. Be sure to support
their hind legs when you pick them up or hold them. The best place
for a rabbit is in your lap while you're seated either on a low
couch or on the floor, better on the floor. That way the rabbit
feels secure and you can still interact and play with it.
Rabbits are very intelligent. They enjoy playing with toys, such as
wood blocks, plastic toys and other assorted toys.
Rabbit Food, a basic diet guide
The best food base for any for a bunny is a nutritionally complete
rabbit pellet that is available at most pet stores. For adults, feed
approximately 1/4 cup per five to seven pounds of body weight split
into two daily feedings. If the pellets are more than 90 days old or
have been exposed to moisture, they should be discarded.
These pellets must be supplemented with fresh timothy hay. Timothy
hay is low in protein and the rabbits can have free access to this
hay. Fresh foods, such as pesticide-free grass, dandelion greens,
chickweed, shepherd’s purse, clover, kale, broccoli, parsley, snow
peas, alfalfa sprouts, cabbage, escarole, basil, parsnip, brussel
sprouts, collard greens, carrot tops and carrots, chicory, spinach,
and bokchoy can also be given. Although all should be given in
moderation.
Do not give them salty or sugary snacks!
Treat foods such as papaya, pineapple, berries, apple, melon, and
pear are best provided in small amounts; no more than one tablespoon
per five pounds of body weight per day.
Untreated fruit tree branches such as plum or apple, are good for
rabbits to gnaw on. Their teeth never stop growing, and if the bunny
doesn't have something to chew on it's teeth can become so long that
it can no longer chew it's food, and it will starve to death. If
your rabbits teeth look like they are getting too long, it's best to
take it to the vet and have them clipped back down to a better
length for eating with.
Rabbits need physical attention every day.
Rabbits must have at least several hours to themselves each day and
time to sleep. They should be given a clean living area (about 48”
long x 30” wide x 18” tall) with fresh water and food daily.
Grooming with a soft cloth (for short haired rabbits) or a shedding
comb (for angora or longhaired rabbits) will help stimulate blood
flow and keep your pet healthy, while also giving it much needed
attention from you. Other grooming requirements include keeping the
nails trimmed, and occasionally cleaning the ears with a Q-tip,
never enter the ear canal however or you could cause severe damage
to the ear drum. Just like people ears, rabbit ears are very very
sensitive.
They'll need good bedding (Carefresh bedding or shredded black and
white newspaper) that they can burrow into or form into nests to
sleep in. Never use cedar shavings as these have oils in them which
can cause organ damage to smaller animals such as rabbits.
Rabbits will enjoy spending time outside in the sun and shade on the
grass in an appropriately confined and protected structure (walls to
stop escape, a roof to protect from hawks, cats, etc., and a place
out of the sun to cool down). Do not take them outside if it is over
80 degrees.
Purchasing a Rabbit
Rabbits can be obtained from pet or feed stores, animal shelters,
animal rescue foundations, or breeders.
A few things to remember when you take a new animal home:
1. Wait at least two hours before you handle the animal — the
car ride makes them nervous and they need some time to recover.
2. Place the cage in a place that is free of drafts and not in
direct sunlight.
3. It is best to take the animal out of the cage in the bathroom or
kitchen. There are fewer places for the animal to hide and it is
easier to clean up any mess that may be made.
4. The animals should get fresh food, water and bedding everyday.
5. Always place the cage on the floor when you take the animal out.
6. Take off the water bottle when moving the cage because the water
bottle will leak.
7. Please carry the cage from the bottom.
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