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