10 Things Your Rabbit Needs to be Happy

It goes without saying that you want your pet rabbit to be as happy as possible. You love your little

long-eared friend and want to make sure he has everything he needs to have a happy life.

While one of the best things you can do for your pet rabbit is provide plenty of love and attention, your rabbit does have a few health and environmental requirements so he’ll stay healthy and love his home,

Proper Hutch

A hutch should actually only be viewed as your rabbits’ ‘bedroom’. The hutch should be permanently attached to a much larger run or exercise area, so your rabbits can decide when they go outside to stretch their legs

The hutch should be big enough that your pet can stretch out in any direction and have plenty of room to move around.

It’s best to avoid cages with wire bottoms, since your rabbit’s feet can get caught in the holes and even develop sores from standing on the wire. If your cage does have a wire bottom, provide a solid surface he can rest on, like a piece of cardboard or a carpet sample.

Also be sure to choose a hutch with a door that is big enough for you to reach into and that will be wide enough to move accessories in and out.

Bedding

Bedding provides a soft place for your rabbit to rest and also allows him to forage as he would in the wild. Choose a bedding that is made up of straw/hay. Do not use bedding made of cedar, which releases toxins that can cause liver damage when inhaled by your rabbit.

Make sure the bedding is always clean and dry. You’ll likely need to do spot cleanings regularly and completely change out all the bedding periodically.

Nutritious Food and Fresh Water

Most of your rabbit’s diet should be made up of Timothy Hay. Rabbits love this hay, which is rich in fibre and very nutritious. You can also feed your rabbit pellets and vegetables like kale, collard greens, peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrot tops. These supplemental foods provide additional nutrients and will keep your rabbit’s diet interesting.

Your rabbit always needs access to fresh water, either by way of a water bottle or a water dish. Make sure your pet has plenty of water and be sure to change it daily.

Food and Water Dishes

It’s best to feed your rabbit with a food dish so he doesn’t accidentally swallow bedding while trying to eat. Look for a dish that is big enough for him to reach in and access the food and that is heavy enough that it can’t be easily tipped over.

Your rabbit can drink water from a dish or a water bottle. If you opt for a dish, make sure it is heavy so it won’t accidentally get tipped over.

Litter box

Some pet owners make the mistake of providing a litter box that is too small for their rabbit. Rabbits need to be able to fit comfortably in the box, and some even like to lay in the box throughout the day, so it needs to be roomy. The litter box should be at least 10 centimetres deep.

The box should always be full of litter that is safe for your rabbit. Opt for a paper-based or organic litter and avoid litters made of wood shavings. Be sure to clean out and fill the litter box with new litter regularly to keep your rabbit happy!

House

While you may consider your rabbit’s hutch to be his home, this isn’t the ideal situation. The hutch constitutes a safe place where your rabbit can spend his time, eat and sleep, but it doesn’t provide much privacy.

Add a house to your rabbit’s cage so he can hide and be alone. Remember, in the wild rabbits live in holes in the ground, so they are used to small, cozy homes.

Brush

Do you groom your pet rabbit? Grooming your rabbit keeps him healthy and happy, and it’s never too late to start. Use a rubber or wire slicker brush to gently brush your rabbit and remove loose hair. This will keep his coat healthy and will make your bunny feel loved and happy.

Nail Trimmers

Trimming your rabbit’s nails is another important grooming process. Rabbit nails can grow very quickly, which can be dangerous. They could get caught on something or can actually grow in a curled shape and grow back into the rabbit’s foot. Of course, these painful situations won’t keep your pet very happy, so use trimmers to keep the nails a safe length.

If your rabbit is very small, you can use human nail trimmers. But, if your rabbit is larger you should use scissor trimmers. Make sure your rabbit is still and constrained before you begin trimming, and then look closely to find the vein, or quick, in the nail, and trim just above that.

Toys

Your rabbit will be extra happy if you provide some toys to keep him entertained and to stimulate his mind. Your rabbit’s teeth grow continually, so rabbit chew toys that help him keep his teeth at a proper length are vital to his health.

Rabbits love toys like cardboard boxes, untreated wicker baskets, plastic Slinkies, hanging parrot toys, small towels, toilet paper rolls stuffed with Timothy Hay and even hard plastic baby toys.

Carrier

Even if you don’t plan on traveling with your pet rabbit, a carrier is essential. You will need it to take your rabbit to the vet and it can be helpful when you need to clean his cage if you don’t have a safe place to let your rabbit play.

Carriers that have an opening on the top are ideal because they are easier to clean and if your rabbit is timid, you can easily reach in and lift him out.

Providing your rabbit with a happy home will keep him healthy and will make being a pet owner even more rewarding. These 10 things can help you make sure your rabbit is healthy, mentally stimulated and as happy as can be!

For more information on the right rabbit care, please visit - http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/excelfeedingplan/about-the-feeding-plan/herbage-and-forage.html

Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Your Pet Rabbit

You may know your rabbit better than anyone else, but rabbits are interesting animals and there are some interesting and fun facts about them that might surprise you. From their amazing senses to their smart personalities, there is so much to love about rabbits.

Rabbits Live on Every Continent Except Antarctica

Rabbits are loved around the world. In fact, they live on every continent except Antarctica. The breeds differ depending on where they live, but your furry friend has relatives all over.

Pet Rabbits Live Much Longer than Wild Rabbits

Your adopted rabbit has a lifespan of between eight and 10 years, which is much longer than his cousins who live in the wild. Wild rabbits have an average lifespan of only about one year.

Rabbits can Run as Fast as 56 Kilometres per Hour

While it probably comes as no surprise that rabbits are fast animals, you might be surprised at just how fast they can run: 56 kilometres per hour! This is in part due to their strong and powerful hind legs.

Rabbits Eat in Groups and Stand Guard

In the wild, rabbits eat in groups. While most of the rabbits are busy eating, one rabbit will stand guard, watching for danger. If he senses trouble, he thumps his feet to warn all the other rabbits.

The World’s Biggest Rabbit Weighs Almost 23 Kilograms and is Just Over 1 Meter Long

Darius, who lives with his owner in Worcester, England holds the Guinness World Record for the largest rabbit in the world. The huge rabbit likes to eat at the table and sit on his owner’s lap. He has a big appetite, eating a bowl of rabbit food, 12 carrots, two apples and half a cabbage every day.

There are About 50 Breeds of Rabbits Who call the United Kingdom Home

From large breeds to small breeds and from long-haired rabbits to short-haired rabbits, there are about 50 breeds of rabbits in the UK. These breeds vary greatly by looks and personality, and many of them make excellent pets.

The British Rabbit Council Invests in Rabbit Breeders

Did you know there is an entire organisation devoted to the well being of rabbits? It’s true! The British Rabbit Council has the mission of protecting and furthering the interest of British rabbit breeders. It also encourages research that finds ways to help and benefit rabbits.

A Rabbit’s Strongest Sense is his Eyesight

Rabbits have excellent senses, including hearing and smell, but their strongest sense is their eyesight. Amazingly, rabbits have almost 360 degree panoramic vision. This is especially helpful in the wild where rabbits need to avoid and run from predators.

Rabbits Have a “Happy Dance”

While your rabbit doesn’t wag his tail when he is happy, he does have another way of showing you he is in a good mood: his own “happy dance.” When a rabbit is happy, he binkies, or runs, jumps and then twists his body, flicking his feet.

Rabbits are the Third Most Common Furry Pet

We love our rabbits. In the UK, rabbits are the third most common kind of furry pet and in 2010, about one million pet rabbits called this country home. We just can’t resist those furry faces, cute little tails and fun personalities.

Pet Rabbits Can be Trained

Your rabbit can actually be trained to do things like jump over small hurdles and exercise. The most successful training techniques for rabbits are reward-based techniques.

A Rabbit’s Whisker and Nose are Nothing Short of Amazing

Have you ever noticed how long your rabbit’s whiskers are? They are generally as wide as the rabbit’s body, so he can feel his way around tunnels and underground burrows. Another amazing feature is his nose, which can twitch between 20 and 120 times per minute. It twitches faster when he is scared or excited.

Rabbits are truly amazing animals and deserve the best care possible. Feed your rabbit a healthy diet, provide a large and clean home for him, and groom him often to keep him happy and healthy. When your rabbit is well cared for, he will give back lots of love and devotion in return.

Visit - http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/excelfeedingplan/about-the-feeding-plan.html for more information!