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Rabbits make wonderful house pets. But, keeping a bunny isn't like keeping a cat. Here's information about feeding, housing, veterinary care and other things you should think about before bringing Flopsy or Mopsy home.
1. Consider your lifestyle. While rabbits don’t need to run like a retriever or be groomed as much as a Persian kitten, they do need care and attention. They are social animals and without interaction will quickly become destructive and fail to thrive. Do you have the time to play with a rabbit? If not, are you willing to adopt two bunnies so they can keep each other company?
2. Do you have children? Rabbits don’t like to be handled roughly. While most bunnies will learn to love and appreciate your gentle touch, they are easily frightened and will respond to roughness first by trying to escape and eventually by scratching or biting. A rabbit is a poor choice of pets for children under nine or ten.
3. Do you own other pets? Because adult rabbits are about the same size as house cats, felines make good companions for bunnies. But take care before leaving your half-pound kit alone with a 10-pound Tom cat. Some dogs readily accept a rabbit into the family while others may never forget the thrill of the hunt. Before you bring a rabbit into your home it is always wise to think about the personalities of your other pets and realistically assess whether Rover will ever accept Flopsy into the fold. And, if worse comes to worst, you may need to be prepared to find your bunny or Fido a new home.
4. Feeding your bunny. While rabbits can survive on a diet of dried pellets, most experts agree they are healthier when nourished with a variety of fresh vegetables and some fruits. To keep your bunny in optimum health, feed it a diet of leafy green vegetables like kale and dark leaf lettuces with the occasional carrot, sweet potato and apple slice for variety. Rabbits should be fed a pile of greens roughly the size of the animal’s body every day.
5. Housing. Rabbits need lots of exercise and should not be confined to a hutch or cage 24 hours a day. But, during those times when no one is around to supervise the bunny, they should be kept in as large a cage as space permits. While most commercial rabbit confinements are constructed of wire mesh, all housing should include an area with a solid floor so the rabbit can live comfortably without injuring its feet or legs.
6. Veterinary care. Your bunny will need an annual check up as well as emergency care if it becomes ill. Make sure your veterinarian is qualified and willing to treat your pet. If not, look for a vet that specializes in exotic pets.
7. Spaying or neutering. Like most domestic animals, rabbits have been over-bred, and many animals’ lives end with euthanasia. Even worse, domestic rabbits are released into the wild where they are unequipped to survive and die at the hands of predators. Spaying or neutering your rabbit is not only the responsible thing to do, it makes your life better as well. Bucks no longer feel compelled to mark their territory with unpleasant odors while spayed does are spared a number of health problems including uterine cancer.
8. Potty training. You can house break a rabbit. It takes time and patience and no amount of bullying will get the job done. The easiest way is to put a litter box in a corner your rabbit’s cage. Rabbits are naturally clean animals and almost all will begin using the box. Gradually increase the area of your rabbit’s domain. He will continue to find and use the litter box and eventually he will be able to enjoy free reign and you won’t need to worry about finding surprises in the corner.
9. Grooming. Grooming a rabbit is a simple process. It is also an opportunity to handle the animal gently. All you need is a soft brush or comb to remove loose hairs. This also saves your bunny from developing a life threatening hairball in its intestinal track. You may also want to clip your bunny’s nails if they don’t wear down naturally. Have your vet show you the proper procedure during your bunny’s first check up.
10. Bunny proofing your home. Rabbits love to chew and are particularly fond of wood, carpet and electrical cords. This presents a couple of dangers, one to your rabbit’s health and another to your possessions. The best way to handle a rabbit’s need to gnaw is to confine it to a rabbit-proof area. Be sure there are no electrical cords or other hazards within the rabbit’s reach and remove any prized possessions. Meanwhile, give the bunny plenty of safe toys and blocks of wood to gnaw.
If you still think a bunny is the right pet for you and your family, the best place to start looking is your local animal shelter. If they don’t have any candidates for adoption check your newspaper for a local breeder. The American Rabbit Breeders Association can also recommend a good breeder in your area.
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