Did you know?

HealthcareAdvice
A carrot a day keeps the vet away

Home Sweet Home
We all like having a big room for us to play in, and the same is true for your pet rabbit. The cage should be a good size, at least four times the size of the rabbit, the bigger the better. Avoid metal cages as they tend to be to hot in summer. Cages should be made of two compartments, one enclosed, the other open. The enclosed compartment is where the rabbit will sleep; so it needs to be protected from the wind and rain, make sure the roof is waterproof. Make sure this side of the cage still has plenty ventilation, as your rabbit may die from lack of it. A wire mesh should cover the other compartment, this is where the rabbit will spend his time running around, jumping and playing. Allow plenty of sunshine, and fresh air on this side of the cage and your rabbit will thank you for it. If your cage is outside, cover the entire floor of the cage with mesh to protect the rabbits from predators as well as allowing you to lift and move the cage for simple and effective cleaning. If your cage is inside, make sure the floor is waterproof, cleaned and scrubbed weekly to prevent skin infections, mite infestation or fungus that will cause ring-worms. Your cage should also be covered with mosquito netting as mosquitoes carry myxomatosis and calicivirus.

Healthy Bunny
A good healthy and cared for rabbit can live up to an average of 10 years. So by doing the right thing by your rabbit you can ensure it a happy and healthy life. When you first get your bunny, check that it is healthy. It should be alert, its eyes should be bright and bold, and its movement free and easy. The rabbit shouldn't feel bony and the muscles along either side of the spine should be firm. Make sure that the coat is in a good condition and that there are no sores on the rabbit’s body. Check that there is no discharge from its ears, eyes or nose. We advise that you get your rabbit vaccinated against calicivirus every year; it is not a nice way to die. Take your rabbit to the vet if you notice symptoms like weepy eyes, sneezing, diarrhoea, scratches or cuts. Myxomatosis is disease carried by mosquitoes that cannot be treated by vets; this is why it is important to screen your rabbits cage. If your rabbit catches this disease it will have to be put down humanely by a vet. It is suggested that you de-sex your rabbits to prevent unwanted litters, do this at 4-5 months of age. Your rabbit will be more content and docile after this, making for a better pet. During hot weather rabbits can die from heat exhaustion. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and plenty of shade. During those hot summer days place a water bottle in the freezer overnight and place it in your cage for the rabbit to lie next to and keep cool during the day.

Eat Your Greens
We all like to have a big drink on a hot day; your rabbit is the same. Your rabbit needs access to fresh water at all time, ideally from a drip feed bottle, these are available from pet shops. They should be provided once a day with a small cup of rabbit pellets, and given plenty of fresh clean hay. Fresh dark greens, such as spinach, carrot tops, broccoli leaves, parsley and mint are very healthy additions in your rabbits diet. Also as a treat pieces of apple, pair and melon make a healthy treat. Note that rabbits under 5 months of age should be limited to a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruit as it may cause diarrhoea. At the end of the day throw any food out that hasn't been eaten. If your rabbit has lots of food left over at the end of the day you are probably feeding him to much, and an overweight rabbit will not live as long. Do not feed your rabbit any of the following, as they are poisonous, potatoes, rhubarb, lettuce, leftover salads with dressing, cakes, onions, dairy, pickled foods or chocolate. Many garden plants are also toxic. Do not be disturbed when you see your rabbit eating their own droppings, this is very important. Rabbits have a great ability to digest fibre that many animals cannot. To do this they digest their foods twice by eating their droppings. Your rabbits front teeth also grow continually, so to prevent a trip to the dentist, give your rabbit a piece of bark covered wood or any of the rabbit chew treats sold at pet shops. Your rabbit will gnaw on the wood, thus keeping their teeth trim and healthy. If the teeth become overgrown the rabbit will need veterinary treatment, without it the rabbit will have trouble eating and will die

Skip Run Jump
If your hutch has adequate room your rabbit will exercise themselves naturally, to encourage this behaviour place some rocks, or a hollow log in the cage, provided it is big enough. Alternatively purchase a rabbit lead sold at any good pet shop. This will enable the rabbit to go for a walk and nibble on the grass with you. Be on alert at all times for any predators such as dogs or cats, and be prepared to snatch your rabbit up at any time. You can also house-train you rabbit and let it exercise safely in your home. Never leave your rabbit alone inside as its natural instinct is to chew. Make sure you keep all electrical wires out of harms way. Many a rabbit have chewed through electrical cords to their own dismay

Looking Good
Daily grooming is essential for long-haired breeds, for short haired varieties once a week is enough. Use a wire brush known as a ‘slicker brush’ for this task. Grooming time is a very important time to socialise with your rabbit. Grooming each other is a very important part of rabbit society; so don’t be surprised if you find your rabbit licking you back in return. While brushing, look for any parasites of dirt, especially under the tail, if left here it can lead to fly-strike. Check the length of your rabbit’s nails regularly; if they get too long have them clipped by your veterinarian or an adult who knows how to clip a rabbit’s nail. It is important not to cut the quick inside the nail as it will bleed excessively. Toilet training a rabbit is fairly easy as their natural habits lend themselves to it. Fill a litter tray with wood shavings or cat litter safe for rabbits. (Breeders Choice Cat Litter is a safe brand available at most supermarkets.) Add a few droppings to the litter tray and place it in the rabbits favourite toilet spot. The rabbit will very soon get the idea. Its is also a good idea to place several litter trays around when the rabbit is young as their bladders are week and they often don't make it back to the litter tray if they stray to far.

Figure 1. Where to trim a rabbits nail.

General Advice Only
Information provided on this page is provided as general advice only. If you are worried about the health of your pet you should seek the advice of a trained veterinarian immediately.

Hug Me
Rabbits love to be handled and given affection. They need to be treated gently though as they have very fragile bones. Don’t play any rough games with your rabbit and never pull your rabbits from its ears. Pulling a rabbit from its ears is cruel and can damage the muscles and membranes in the ears. To pick up your rabbit approach from the front, gently hold the rabbit by the scruff of the neck, and place your other arm around the rabbit’s hindquarters, taking the weight. Lift up the rabbit towards you; let it rest against your body with the rabbit’s head towards your shoulder. Hold the rabbit firmly but gently against your chest, gently stroke your rabbit, speaking to it in a soft tone. Rabbits also love to have behind their ears gently scratched.