AshLovesRabbits123
Mama Doe
Rabbits Are The 3rd Most Poplure Pets In The UK
&& Since We Are on a rabbit forum i want to tell you (alittle:lol about rabbits, Like Any other pet, rabbits have 5 most important things you have to make sure of that:
They Have A Sutibal Home (Hutch..Ect..)
In the wild, rabbits have a home territory the size of 30 tennis courts! So, to get enough exercise, pet rabbits should have as much space as possible. Sadly, many hutches sold for rabbits are too small for them.
Rabbits need a large weatherproof home, raised off the ground, out of direct sunlight and strong winds. It needs to be moved indoors in very cold weather. The hutch should be tall enough for rabbits to stand up on their back legs without their ears touching the top, and long enough to allow at least three hops. A suggested minimum size for most rabbits is 6ft x 2ft x 2ft high.
Rabbits also need a large run on a grassy area, so that they get enough exercise. This must be safe from predators and offer some shade. They need an indoor run in cold weather. A run should be tall enough to allow the rabbits to stretch up to full height and they should be able to run, rather than just hop. A suggested minimum size of run for most rabbits is 8ft x 4ft x 2ft high.
A hutch should be lined with newspaper or clean woodshavings, with soft hay or straw on top. The sleeping area should contain clean, dry hay as bedding.
The hutch should be cleaned at least once a day, with all the bedding changed weekly. From time-to-time the hutch should be completely stripped out and scrubbed, with the rabbit only being allowed back into the hutch when it is completely dry.
Need A Perfect Diet
Many of the problems that vets see with rabbits are caused by their diet. It’s extremely important that you give them the right food. Lots of people have become used to feeding rabbits a bowl of ‘rabbit mix’, which resembles muesli. But these muesli-type mixes can cause real health problems, especially with the teeth.
How to feed rabbits
In the wild, rabbits eat virtually nothing but grass. So most of a pet rabbit’s diet should be hay.
Rabbits should be given at least their body size in hay each day (so if you put the daily
amount of hay next to the rabbit, it should be at least as big as the rabbit!)
They should be fed a handful of fresh vegetables, morning and evening
They should be fed one tablespoon of commercial rabbit pellets once daily (or twice daily if they weigh over 3.5kg).
Aim to feed a few different greens/vegetables each day. The list below shows some greens that are safe to feed, and some that aren’t.
Safe
,Broccoli,Cabbage ,Carrots,Cauliflower ,Parsnip,Peppers ,Radishtops ,Rocket ,Spinach
Unsafe
,Foxglove,Lily of the valley ,Laburnum ,Poppies ,Privet Ragwort ,Rhubarb
leaves
Fruit
You should only give fruit occasionally and in small quantities because it is high in sugar. Apples, grapes, pears and strawberries (including the strawberry leaves) are suitable in small amounts.
Changing a rabbit’s diet suddenly can upset their digestive system, so always introduce new foods gradually.
Rabbits do eat their own droppings so that they can get the full goodness out of their high-fibre food, so don't be concerned if you see this.
Water
Fresh water must always be available and should be supplied from a suitable water bottle with a metal spout.
Normal Behaviour
Exercise and toys
Rabbits need lots of exercise. They can get this if they have a large hutch and run (see A suitable environment). As well as lots of space, they also need things to do, so they don’t get bored. Toys for rabbits are available from pet stores, and include things like large tubes and platforms to climb on. Cardboard boxes and safe, untreated logs are also good for rabbits to explore. By offering different toys in different weeks you can make sure your rabbits stay stimulated. When a particular toy isn’t being used, this also gives you a good opportunity to clean it.
Digging
Rabbits love to dig, and a great way of letting them do this is to give them a planter filled with potting compost. Because they like burrowing so much you should sink their enclosure in to the ground so that they can’t burrow out!
Handling
Rabbits should be handled gently from a young age to make them more confident when handled as adults. Always be calm and gentle when handling them. On the whole they are fairly docile, but if handled incorrectly they can struggle quite vigorously, which can result in serious injuries to their spinal cords. Never lift a rabbit by the ears.
Lift your rabbit by putting one arm underneath the bottom and the other arm across the back of the head, holding them close to your chest. Make sure the rabbit can’t fall during handling, as even a small fall can damage their bones.
If they struggle when you handle them, carefully place the rabbit on a firm surface, hind-feet first, or back into their hutch.
Training
Rabbits can be trained to use a litter tray. Put a litter tray where you want them to toilet and place some of their droppings in it. Use a paper-based litter and offer a food reward, such as a small piece of carrot, each time your rabbit jumps into the tray and uses it.
Need Company-From There Own Kind
Rabbits are very social animals and need the company of other rabbits. The best combination is usually a neutered male with a neutered female. Un-neutered males and females shouldn’t be kept together, as they will breed and it can be difficult to find homes for the young.
Female rabbits reach sexual maturity between 4 and 5 months of age, male rabbits reach sexual sexual maturity between 5 and 8 months of age, and smaller breeds may reach maturity earlier than the larger breeds.
Rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn't be kept together as bullying can occur and they both need company from their own kind.
&& Since We Are on a rabbit forum i want to tell you (alittle:lol about rabbits, Like Any other pet, rabbits have 5 most important things you have to make sure of that:They Have A Sutibal Home (Hutch..Ect..)
In the wild, rabbits have a home territory the size of 30 tennis courts! So, to get enough exercise, pet rabbits should have as much space as possible. Sadly, many hutches sold for rabbits are too small for them.
Rabbits need a large weatherproof home, raised off the ground, out of direct sunlight and strong winds. It needs to be moved indoors in very cold weather. The hutch should be tall enough for rabbits to stand up on their back legs without their ears touching the top, and long enough to allow at least three hops. A suggested minimum size for most rabbits is 6ft x 2ft x 2ft high.
Rabbits also need a large run on a grassy area, so that they get enough exercise. This must be safe from predators and offer some shade. They need an indoor run in cold weather. A run should be tall enough to allow the rabbits to stretch up to full height and they should be able to run, rather than just hop. A suggested minimum size of run for most rabbits is 8ft x 4ft x 2ft high.
A hutch should be lined with newspaper or clean woodshavings, with soft hay or straw on top. The sleeping area should contain clean, dry hay as bedding.
The hutch should be cleaned at least once a day, with all the bedding changed weekly. From time-to-time the hutch should be completely stripped out and scrubbed, with the rabbit only being allowed back into the hutch when it is completely dry.
Need A Perfect Diet
Many of the problems that vets see with rabbits are caused by their diet. It’s extremely important that you give them the right food. Lots of people have become used to feeding rabbits a bowl of ‘rabbit mix’, which resembles muesli. But these muesli-type mixes can cause real health problems, especially with the teeth.
How to feed rabbits
In the wild, rabbits eat virtually nothing but grass. So most of a pet rabbit’s diet should be hay.
Rabbits should be given at least their body size in hay each day (so if you put the daily
amount of hay next to the rabbit, it should be at least as big as the rabbit!)
They should be fed a handful of fresh vegetables, morning and evening
They should be fed one tablespoon of commercial rabbit pellets once daily (or twice daily if they weigh over 3.5kg).
Aim to feed a few different greens/vegetables each day. The list below shows some greens that are safe to feed, and some that aren’t.
Safe
,Broccoli,Cabbage ,Carrots,Cauliflower ,Parsnip,Peppers ,Radishtops ,Rocket ,Spinach
Unsafe
,Foxglove,Lily of the valley ,Laburnum ,Poppies ,Privet Ragwort ,Rhubarb
leaves
Fruit
You should only give fruit occasionally and in small quantities because it is high in sugar. Apples, grapes, pears and strawberries (including the strawberry leaves) are suitable in small amounts.
Changing a rabbit’s diet suddenly can upset their digestive system, so always introduce new foods gradually.
Rabbits do eat their own droppings so that they can get the full goodness out of their high-fibre food, so don't be concerned if you see this.
Water
Fresh water must always be available and should be supplied from a suitable water bottle with a metal spout.
Normal Behaviour
Exercise and toys
Rabbits need lots of exercise. They can get this if they have a large hutch and run (see A suitable environment). As well as lots of space, they also need things to do, so they don’t get bored. Toys for rabbits are available from pet stores, and include things like large tubes and platforms to climb on. Cardboard boxes and safe, untreated logs are also good for rabbits to explore. By offering different toys in different weeks you can make sure your rabbits stay stimulated. When a particular toy isn’t being used, this also gives you a good opportunity to clean it.
Digging
Rabbits love to dig, and a great way of letting them do this is to give them a planter filled with potting compost. Because they like burrowing so much you should sink their enclosure in to the ground so that they can’t burrow out!
Handling
Rabbits should be handled gently from a young age to make them more confident when handled as adults. Always be calm and gentle when handling them. On the whole they are fairly docile, but if handled incorrectly they can struggle quite vigorously, which can result in serious injuries to their spinal cords. Never lift a rabbit by the ears.
Lift your rabbit by putting one arm underneath the bottom and the other arm across the back of the head, holding them close to your chest. Make sure the rabbit can’t fall during handling, as even a small fall can damage their bones.
If they struggle when you handle them, carefully place the rabbit on a firm surface, hind-feet first, or back into their hutch.
Training
Rabbits can be trained to use a litter tray. Put a litter tray where you want them to toilet and place some of their droppings in it. Use a paper-based litter and offer a food reward, such as a small piece of carrot, each time your rabbit jumps into the tray and uses it.
Need Company-From There Own Kind
Rabbits are very social animals and need the company of other rabbits. The best combination is usually a neutered male with a neutered female. Un-neutered males and females shouldn’t be kept together, as they will breed and it can be difficult to find homes for the young.
Female rabbits reach sexual maturity between 4 and 5 months of age, male rabbits reach sexual sexual maturity between 5 and 8 months of age, and smaller breeds may reach maturity earlier than the larger breeds.
Rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn't be kept together as bullying can occur and they both need company from their own kind.
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