Rabbit Care
A Guide to Choosing and Caring for Pet Rabbits
by Lianne McLeod, DVM
for About.com
See More About:
* rabbits
* choosing a pet
* rabbit photos
* rabbit names
Rabbits can make absolutely wonderful companions, as long as you have appropriate expectations of life with a rabbit and are prepared to make the commitment to proper care over the whole life span of the rabbit. From deciding if a pet rabbit is right for you, to how to properly care for your rabbit, here’s a guide to sharing your life with a pet rabbit.
1. Is a Rabbit Right for You?
“Bunny With a Girl”Photo © DCA Productions / Getty Images
The first thing to consider is that rabbits have a long life span, so be prepared to care for your pet rabbit through the long term. They are also unique creatures, who form tight bonds with their families, though they have some quirks you should know about. They also require some routine vet care from a good rabbit vet, and are not low maintenance pets. If you are prepared for all the unique qualities and needs of rabbits, you will best be able to fully enjoy the wonderful companionship they can offer.
2. Choosing a Healthy Rabbit
“Young Grey Bunny”Photo © GK Hart/Vikki Hart / Getty Images
A fairly quick look at potential pet rabbit will help you sort out if there are any obvious signs of illness or other issues. While there are no guarantees, avoiding rabbits that have common signs of health problems can save you a lot of heartache in the future. By having a close look at a rabbit you are considering, you also get a chance to see the personality of the rabbit.
A note on where to find rabbits: if you have decided to add a rabbit to the family, I highly recommend you start out by looking at your local shelter or rabbit rescues. There are lots of rabbits who need a second chance at a forever home.
3. Choose a Rabbit Cage
Choosing the right kind of cage for your rabbit is extremely important. Cages that are spacious enough, easy to clean, and easy to for your rabbit to get in and out of, will make sharing your home with a rabbit so much easier. A cage that is large enough is important for the well-being of your pet rabbit, but is is no substitute for exercise and social time out of the cage.
Related items:
* Choosing Bedding and Litter
* Rabbit Cage Cleaning Tips
4. Feeding Pet Rabbits
“Rabbit And Carrot”Photo © Shalom Ormsby / Getty Images
Even the best quality rabbit pellet is not adequate on its own as a diet for pet rabbits. Plenty of fresh grass hay is very important in a rabbit’s diet, as are fresh greens and vegetables. The right diet is critical to keeping pet rabbits healthy — find out the scoop on feeding your rabbit a well balanced and high fiber diet.
5. Toys for Rabbits
“Binky - Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Picture”Photo © Alex
Rabbits are playful, active, and curious, and need a good variety of toys to keep them occupied (and out of trouble!).
6. Rabbit Training and Behavior
“Specky - Rabbit Picture”Photo © 2006 Lianne McLeod
Rabbits are really quite trainable, but it may take some patience, especially when it comes to litter training and redirecting very natural behaviors like chewing and digging. The following articles can help you understand why your rabbits do the things they do, and ways to train them to do some of the things you want them to do:
* Rabbit Communication Basics - Understanding Your Rabbit
* Litter Training Pet Rabbits
* Rabbit-Proofing Your Home
* How To Stop Rabbits From Chewing Your Belongings
* How To Stop Rabbits From Digging Up Your Carpet
7. Grooming Rabbits
Find out why regular brushing is a must, bathing is out, and the low down on nail trims.
8. Rabbit Health
You should try to find a knowledgeable rabbit vet, to spay or neuter your rabbit and to call on if your rabbit develops health problems. In some parts of the world, rabbits are vaccinated as well, so find a vet and check with them about a preventative health plan for your rabbit.
9. Rabbit Care Videos
These videos, by Dr. Rebecca Campbell (of Symphony Veterinary Center in Manhattan), show some very helpful aspects of rabbit care in visual format:
* How to Choose a Healthy Pet Rabbit
* Beginner Rabbit Care
* How to Rabbit-Proof Your Home
* Common Rabbit Health Problems
Related Articles
* Rabbit Housing - Picking a Rabbit Cage
* Litter Training Pet Rabbits
* Rabbits as Pets Quiz
* Hospice, End of Life and Palliative Care for Pets
* Rabbits as Pets - House Rabbit Care Guide
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