Rabbits may make great pets but, if you have never owners one, you may not be aware of basic bunny care. Here is a guide, from Katrina D. Keller at Bunny Rabbit Lover, on things you must know about caring for your rabbit…
Please remember that rabbits are illegal as pets in some areas of Australia!
Bunny Care – Things You Must Know About Caring for Your Rabbits
Planning to bring a pair of rabbit into your family? Well, that’s a very nice idea, as now that you will have a couple of Bugs Bunnies in your home. Speaking of Bugs Bunny, the real-life bunnies will need more than a couple of carrots a day!
Rabbits are very unique pets because they have some specific needs in order to live a long and healthy life. If you are a real bunny rabbit lover then definitely you will take care of their special needs and make them comfortable.
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Indoor rabbit housing with safety measures
You need to make sure the primary location of your bunnies is not an isolated one. To let them reign free inside your home without isolating them, there are several options. For example, you can put your bunnies in a bunny proof room (can be a family room or a living room) or in a bunny condo or in a large bunny cage.
If you are going to put your bunnies inside a cage, then you must choose one with plenty of space so that your bunnies can hop around with comfort. Additionally, you need to let them out of their cage for a few hours a day to give some exercise.
Rabbits are very curious creatures. Due to their high level of curiosity, they love to run around and explore new things. For this reason, you need to make a safe confined space for your bunnies which includes the lifting of all wires 3-4 feet above the ground or you can cover them with flex tubing. Also, put some barriers around the area to protect your household pieces of stuff.
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Rabbit’s diet
A large portion of your furry friend’s diet must consist of fresh hay. If you are buying baby rabbits then they should be given alfalfa hay and, if adults, then timothy hay, grass hay, and oat hay will serve best. Besides feeding hay, you need to provide fresh vegetables, fiber-rich pellets (in a limited amount) and fresh water on a regular basis.
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Make a litter box
Rabbits are naturally inclined to poop and pee at one specific area. Take advantage of such natural behavior and set up a medium-sized litter box or a shallow storage bin near their food or water bowls.
How to prepare a litter box?
- Put a thin layer of recycled newspaper at the bottom of the litter box
- Do not use any kind of clay or wood shavings as they are not rabbit-safe
- Finally, put some hay on top of the thinly layered newspaper. The hay will encourage them to maintain a good litter box habit.
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Entertain your rabbits
Rabbits are very active creatures. This is why, when they get tired of running around, they can get bored. Provide toys for your rabbits in order to pique their interest.
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Groom your rabbits
Although rabbits have a natural habit of cleaning themselves, you still need to handle them frequently. It is also essential to brush your rabbits regularly, to remove excess fur from their bodies, especially when they undergo the shedding cycle couple of times a year.
Also, do not forget to clip their nails weekly. It is important because, when the nails are long enough they get snagged into various items.
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Take your rabbits to a vet for a routine check-up
Rabbits fall into the category of a prey, so it is a kind of defense mechanism to hide their symptoms of illness from their predators. For this reason, you need to observe them regularly and detect any kind of odd behavior or change in diet. Although this may sound gross, you also need to check the structure and colour of the poop and pee respectively. If you notice anything different, then do not waste a second and take them to a professional vet for treatment.
Conclusion
Keeping rabbits, a delicate animal, as your pet is not an easy task. Unless you are prepared to provide all of the above, you might need to reconsider your pet option. If you are prepared, then go for it and have fun with your adorable friends.
About the author:
Katrina D. Keller is a well-known blogger who has a wide variety of interests. She is a Writer, Editor & Blogger. She is also a pet lover. She loves to spend time with her little bunny. More at bunny rabbit lover.
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