Rabbits make great pets thanks to their friendly and inquisitive nature.You will find that a rabbit will often be happy to sit on your lap and be stroked and petted.Make sure that if you adopt a rabbit as a pet you look after it and ensure rabbit care is a priority in order for it to benefit from a long and happy life.Rabbits are easy to look after and make a great addition to any family. To ensure your rabbit is healthy and happy try and follow some of these great tips.
Before you adopt a rabbit make sure you can provide it with a hutch, bedding, adequate amounts of food and enough safe, open space for it to be able to run around.You don’t need to spend a vast amount of money on your hutch, but you do need to buy one big enough for a full size rabbit to be able to stand up in (on its back legs). In terms of space make sure the hutch is big enough to allow the rabbit to make at least 4 hops in any direction.Plan out your hutch in zones, so there are separate areas in which the rabbit can play, sleep eat and go to the toilet.Of course, if you have more than one rabbit you will need to provide a bigger hutch.As UK nights can be very cold please make sure you provide your rabbit with a quality bedding.On the base of the hutch you should line it with newspaper and importantly you should use dust free straw.Think carefully about where you position your hutch. Do not allow it to stand in direct sunlight for long periods of time and make sure it is in a well ventilated spot.Remember to cover the hutch at night so the rabbit cannot be easily spotted by threatening anilmals like cats and foxes.Of course rabbits don’t want to be couped up in a hutch all day. Your rabbit would really appreciate a safe place to run and play and a rabbit run can provide this environment.
A rabbit needs a specific diet and digestible and non digestible fibre is important.This is necessary because food actually passes through a rabbits system twice.Do try and avoid the mass market muesli type foods available as these can be high in sugar and starch which can lead to increased weight gain, obesity and even diabetes.To give your rabbit the very best chance in life feed it a specialist rabbit food product.You can buy specialist rabbit food online or through your vet.Rabbits love a treat, so offer it healthy and tasty snacks like fresh apple, chopped cabbage and juicy tomatoes.
Pets thrive in a loving home, and by following these simple guidelines you are playing your part in being a responsible pet owner.
HART (1-800-HART)
(From the PetLvr Archives): Taking Care Of A Pet Rabbit http://bit.ly/clpt9h