Caring for your rabbit - How to keep pet rabbits healthy and happy - Notcutts
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Caring for your rabbit How to keep pet rabbits healthy and happy
Caring for your rabbit
Are rabbits right for me? • Clean ears
• Neat teeth in alignment
Rabbits are lively and responsive pets,
each with their own distinctive characters. • Healthy fur with good coverage
Rabbits can be great fun, but it is a big • Good gait with no limping
responsibility and a long-term commitment • Healthy appetite and weight
to care for them.
• Clean bottom
Rabbits can be good pets for children • Good feet with no swellings or cuts
provided they are handled with care and
always supervised. If looked after properly, The first few days
pet rabbits can live for up to 12 years.
Your rabbit will need at least two days
Rabbits can even be house trained.
to settle into his new hutch before being
handled. To start with, stroke and talk to
Your rabbits will be completely dependent
your rabbit when he is being fed. After two
on you. They need affection and attention
days you can take him out of his hutch.
every day and will require regular and
frequent opportunities to exercise. Rabbits
It is a good idea to have a chair available
shouldn’t be left for any more than 24 hours
to sit on, as some rabbits do not like being
(ideally no more than 12).
picked up at first and will feel more secure if
settled on your lap.
Pet rabbits themselves are usually
inexpensive to buy but setting up the
Only let your rabbit out of the hutch for a
correct home environment can cost
few minutes at first, increasing the time
hundreds of pounds plus the cost of
each day for a few days to begin with. Soon
neutering and regular supplies of good
your rabbit will be able to go into the rabbit
quality food. Rabbits also require annual
run. Rabbits should be vaccinated prior to
vaccinations which can be expensive over
being allowed to run on grass.
time. Pet insurance is highly recommended
in case of illness which is another financial
Our pet centre team will advise you of the
factor to consider.
food that your rabbit has been eating, and
also what they have had from their breeder
Choosing a new pet so you can settle them in with the food
rabbit they are used to. Avoid giving your rabbit
any greens (e.g. cabbage and grass) at all
When selecting your rabbit, check these unless he has been used to eating them.
signs that he is healthy: Rabbits should not be fed biscuits, cake
or wholemeal bread as this may make
• Alert and interested in his surroundings them ill. Carrot should only be given as an
• Clean, dry nose occasional treat as it is very high in sugar.
• Bright, clear eyes
Caring for your rabbit
After four weeks, a small dandelion leaf or Creating a happy home run should be as big as possible but as a Clean, fresh water should be available at all
small handful grass (as long as vaccinations minimum have space for your rabbit to times. Vitamin drops can be added to fresh
have been administered) can be given each Except during the coldest of weather, be able to make 3 full hops and be able to water given each day.
day so that your rabbit’s stomach gets used rabbits can be kept outside all year round. stand up fully on his hind legs. Please ask a
to new foods. Too much of anything or too Choose a sheltered site away from driving member of our pet team to make sure your There are two basic types of dry rabbit food,
suddenly can make him ill. rain and wind or the midday sun. hutch is the correct size before choosing both of which provide a complete diet, and
your rabbit. are widely available:
Avoid putting your young rabbit in a run for The hutch should be raised off the ground to
a few weeks, unless the run is on concrete prevent rising damp and possible problems Inside the hutch • A mix of flakes, grains and pellet
or the grass is completely covered. In those from rats and other vermin. Line the floor of the hutch with a deep • Pelleted food (which prevents selective
cases, your rabbit can be put in for small pile of shavings and with shavings topped feeding)
amounts of time if the weather is good. A waterproof roof with overhanging eaves with straw in the sleeping compartment.
will keep your rabbit’s hutch dry. A good As rabbits urinate heavily, soiled bedding Other food:
It is important to reduce stress as much hutch will also contain an enclosed sleeping needs to be changed daily. They usually use
as possible, particularly in the first two area with plenty of living space. the same spot for this and do not normally • Plenty of good quality, fresh hay should
weeks of your rabbit being in his new dirty their bedding. It is a good idea to use be available to help with digestion.
surroundings. Given time, your nervous When there is very cold weather the hutch a litter tray in the ‘toilet’ corner to make
should be covered or brought into a shed or • Fresh, clean fruit and vegetables can
rabbit can turn into a happy and friendly cleaning easier.
outhouse that offers natural light and good be given every day. Suitable produce
member of the family.
ventilation without vehicle fumes. includes: apple, Brussels sprouts,
A healthy diet and treats cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale,
Bubble wrap or foam backed carpet can parsnip, pear and spinach. Wild plants
A rabbit’s diet should be made up of: such as dandelion, plantain, chickweed
provide good additional insulation when • 85% hay or grass
draped over the hutch at night. You can also and knapweed can also be offered (only if
• 10% leafy green veg not taken from busy roadsides). To avoid
buy a special hutch cover if you prefer.
Your rabbit’s hutch will need to last 8 to • 5% extruded pellets or nuggets (about an diarrhoea, introduce fresh produce slowly
10 years so consider this purchase wisely. egg-cup full) if your rabbit is not used to eating it.
Wood will last longer than ply but may • A mineral lickstone provides essential
need weather-proofing. You can treat the Rabbits are grazing animals and should salts and minerals and should be
exterior of the hutch with gloss paint or have constant access to hay or grass. available at all times.
polyurethane varnish. Alway check the Offer pelleted mix in the morning or • Wood gnaws help to wear down your
product used is suitable and will not harm evening as too much can cause obesity rabbit’s teeth keeping them from
your rabbit. The treatment will need to be and constipation. becoming overgrown.
totally dry before your rabbit can enter.
Any change to your rabbit’s diet should be • Treat your rabbits with natural sweet
made gradually, over several days. Do not treats such as fruit e.g. a bite of banana
Hutch size
change from one food to another overnight or apple, or small chunks of ‘sweet’
• 1.5m (5 feet) for dwarf rabbits vegetables such as carrots and broccoli.
as this can cause them great stress.
• 1.8m (6 feet) for other rabbits
It is a legal obligation for owners to provide
suitable housing for their pets. Any rabbit
Caring for your rabbit
Poisonous plants then you may be able to progress to gently
Your rabbit will be vulnerable to poisonous placing your hands around the back end
plants around the garden and home. If you and under the shoulders, always supporting
have these growing, ensure your rabbit the legs. This lets him get used to the feeling
cannot get to them. of being lifted. Once he’s familiar with lifting
you may be able to gently and quickly scoop
• All houseplants. your rabbit up using both hands supporting
the weight of his body and place him in
• Bulbs such as snowdrops, hyacinths
your lap. Now you can give him a treat
(including grape hyacinths), bluebells,
but if at any point your rabbit panics, then
crocuses, daffodils.
stop handling for the day. Keep trying the
• Buttercups, foxgloves, primrose, process again until your rabbit becomes
delphiniums/larkspur, columbine accustomed to you and handling.
(aquilegia) hellebore, comfrey, poppy,
periwinkle, monkshood, nightshade, ivy, When placing your rabbit in his hutch, lower
privet, holly. him in gently. Never pick up a rabbit by the
ears, or by the scruff of the neck.
Getting to know you Exercise your rabbit
While many rabbits can get used to being needs
handled with time, don’t assume that
they always enjoy being handled. Rabbits Exercise is very important to rabbits for
that have been handled between 4 and 8 their health and wellbeing. They will suffer if
weeks of age (which is the time spent with they stay in their hutch all the time.
the breeders) are much more amenable
to being handled than those who have A large run allows rabbits to graze, dig and
had little or no human contact during this binky - which is when a rabbit jumps with
key phase. happiness.
Daily handling of your rabbit is vital if he is to Free reign of your house or garden can be
feel at ease with the situation. given but only with close supervision. There
are many potential dangers to your rabbit
Remember, a rabbit is a prey animal so it is and property which need to be monitored.
natural for them to fear anything that tries
to whisk them off into the air. Rabbits will enjoy playing with toys such as
balls, tubes, tunnels and boxes. Rabbits love
Start by hand feeding one or two of your to pick up toys and throw them, so light toys
rabbit’s favourite treats or fresh produce are ideal.
for the first couple of days. Once he is used
to that, slowly progress to stroking him At night your rabbit must be locked into his
while he is feeding. Try stroking his forehead hutch for security.
or back, as these are less sensitive areas,
Caring for your rabbit
Rabbits and other pets How your rabbit may displaying fear and aggression will need
time and patience to gain the trust of the
Potential health issues
Rabbits shouldn’t be kept alone, unless they behave owner. If your rabbit feels unsafe when with rabbits
are a house rabbit which will receive lots of It is important to understand rabbit first being handled, he will try to avoid the Flystrike
attention. Company is important to rabbits behaviour to interpret your pet’s feelings situation again, which normally means
in preventing psychological and behavioural This is a serious condition and is quite
about their environment and what may kicking and struggling to get away.
problems. The best pairing is a neutered common. It usually happens during hot
need to be altered to make it the happiest summer weather and is caused by flies
male and female of the same species. rabbit it can be. If you have a rabbit that doesn’t like to be
settling on soiled fur under the rabbit’s tail
handled, spend time on its level, for example
Male rabbits may be kept together if they and laying eggs. Maggots will then burrow
Normal rabbit behaviour sitting on the floor while he runs around
are neutered and taken home at the same into the rabbit’s skin causing toxic shock
you. You must gain your rabbit’s confidence
time, however, there is still a chance they Rabbits that don’t want to be handled, that and many affected rabbits do not survive.
and ensure that he associates human
may fight. kick, scratch or show signs of aggression
contact with positive experiences. Using
are usually scared. In the wild, rabbits This can be prevented by keeping the hutch
treats in this respect is ideal.
Females can usually live happily in twos that feel threatened by predators would clean, checking your rabbit’s fur daily and
or threes, if they are neutered and kept normally retreat into their warren for safety. using a fly repellent spray. Consult a vet
Some female rabbits may display some
together at the same time and given plenty If they can’t do this then the last resort immediately if you spot this problem.
kind of aggression around the breeding
of space. would be for the rabbit to attack to save its
season (January to June) when they would
own life. Constipation or diarrhoea
want to protect their nest and young. This
Rabbits and guinea pigs should not be is perfectly natural, but is not always the This may be a sign of a simple dietary
kept together. In the home environment we do not disorder or caused by a blockage caused
case as some females will show no signs of
normally have the facilities for escape into by eating the wrong foods. For constipation
aggression at all.
a warm secure warren. A hutch restricts feed more greens and for diarrhoea
the rabbits’ environment because in the withhold green foods until the symptoms
Neutering may reduce some aggression,
wild they would live in a huge network subside. Both of these conditions can kill
but only if the cause is hormonal e.g. sexual
of tunnels and dens. This explains why within 48 hours so veterinary advice should
aggression towards another rabbit, or
sometimes they react against their owners be sought as soon as possible.
females defending their ‘nest’.
because they perceive them as a predator.
This behaviour includes stamping a back Overgrown teeth
foot or charging and nudging your hand Rabbit gender and
Teeth are really important to your rabbit’s
with their nose. neutering health so they must be checked regularly
Please ask a member of our team to to ensure they are not overgrown or
This is perfectly normal behaviour and
confirm the sex of your rabbit before buying. aligning properly. If unsure, have your rabbit
shouldn’t be confused with aggression. It
checked by a vet.
sometimes happens when we invade the
rabbit’s territory (even by just reaching in to Neutered rabbits are easier to toilet train,
are better behaved and lead less stressful Grooming
fill the food bowl).
lives. Neutering also eliminates ovarian, Regular grooming is essential for long and
Although this is normal behaviour for a uterine or testicular cancers. This can be short haired rabbits especially when they
rabbit, it is not considered acceptable, done by a vet when rabbits reach 4 to 6 are moulting. Grooming equipment should
particularly around children. A rabbit months of age. be soft and used very carefully as rabbits
have very delicate skin. There are several
tools on the market, a rubber pimple
Caring for your rabbit
or soft brush will be great for general Your new pet checklist
grooming but you will need something
harder during moulting. Large hutch and run
Water bottle
Stress
Stress and fear can not only lead to Woodchips
aggression, but can also cause illness, Feeding bowl
especially in young rabbits. When
stressed, their body slows down all Straw
functions and the stomach is less able Cage disinfectant
to digest food. This means the beneficial
bacteria found in the gut is taken over Hay
by harmful bacteria causing diarrhoea, Vitamins
bloated abdomen and can sometimes
be fatal. If your rabbit is showing signs of Food
stress, seek veterinary advice. Brush
Mineral lickstone
Vaccinations and vet
visits Toys
Plastic or cardboard
We strongly advise that you seek out a
good local vet for long term care of your Tunnels
rabbit. Rabbits are classed as Exotics so
you will need to find an Exotic Vet or rabbit
savvy vet.
It is important to have your rabbit
vaccinated every year against myxomatosis
and two strains of rabbit viral haemorrhagic
disease (RVHD1 & 2).
Consult your vet about neutering which
is essential for the rabbit’s health and
wellbeing. Teeth should also be checked
regularly.
Pet insurance for your
rabbit
We highly recommend taking pet insurance
for your rabbit as soon as he is settled into
his new home.
Help and
further advice
If you have any questions about caring for It is against the law to release, or allow to
your pet, our fully trained team are happy to escape, non-native animals or birds. If you
help if they can, or advise on where to find have trouble caring for any animals contact
more specialist information. our team for advice.
Whilst there is a wealth of information
available online, only a professional will
be able to correctly answer your query.
If in doubt, call your local vet for an
appointment.
Share your experiences of your new pet with us on social media.
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