Rabbit care for beginners

By Staff

Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 12:20

Are you planning to welcome the soft furred animal with red eyes and long ears. Then here are some basic rabbit care tips the beginners should know. Follow them and enjoy the company of one of the most popular house pets.

Rabbits' life period varies with breed. Their life expectancy may vary from 5 to 15 years.

Rabbit care The safest place for the rabbit to live is indoors. They should never be kept outdoors as domestic rabbits are different from their wild relatives, they cannot tolerate extreme temperatures and cannot play a safe game in the presence of predators. Researchers state that the sight or sound of a nearby wild animal can make them suffer heart attacks.

Bunnies face a lot of problem even in the limited area of your house. Therefore it is important to keep everything rabbit safe. If you are not caging it then make sure hat all electrical cords are out of reach and outlets are covered. Their chewing can also result in poisoning if the wrong objects are left in the open or in unlocked low cabinets. If you are caging your pet then make sure that the cage is minimum 5 times the size of rabbits. Your rabbit should be able to completely stretch out in his cage and stand up on his hind legs without bumping his head on the top of the cage. Do not place them inside the wire cages, be sure to layer the floor with cardboard or other material. Experts suggest to keep a cardboard box in the cage so that the bunny has a comfortable place to hide,

The best food for rabbit are, hay, vegetables like carrots, carrot tops, parsley, broccoli, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, endive, romaine lettuce, kale and spinach. You can even feed them pellets, however remember overfeeding them with these will lead to obesity problems. Experts recommend restricting the amount of pellets fed, and compensating with fresh vegetables and grass hays.

Rabbits have sensitive digestive system. Therefore remember not to feed them with these foods. These include iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, beans, peas, potatoes, beets, onions, rhubarb, bamboo, seeds, grains, and many others. Also, don't feed your rabbit chocolate, candy, anything moldy, or most human foods. Be aware that common plants such as aloe, azalea, Calla lily, Lily of the Valley, philodendron, and assorted plant bulbs can be poisonous to rabbits.

Rabbits love to chew. It is an unavoidable behaviour. However this act can turn your house into a messy place. Imagine a house with bitten carpet, curtain, notebooks or anything that it can break into tiny bits. To avoid such an act and to keep them active or amused, put untreated wood blocks or cardboard in their cages. Bowls, balls, and rings made of willow wood are big hits with many rabbits. You can also use paper-towel rolls, and other chewable cardboard materials that can be tossed in the trash once they've served their nibbling act. Make sure to avoid objects with sharp edges, loose parts, or soft rubber that they can chew into pieces and swallow.

As rabbits are social, they need a great deal of interaction with their owners or other rabbits to be keep them active and un-destructive. Researchers state that it is necessary to schedule a daily playtime

Rabbits have individual preferences to the area to be groomed, the most common area they love to be patted or broomed is on their heads

So, follow these guidelines and caress your new buddy affectionately.