Rabbits can be easy to love, but they are not easy to care for. These lovable, social animals are great companions for people who take the time to learn about their needs. Although providing care for these adorable creatures is not difficult, rabbits have a long lifespan and have specific care requirements. In this guide we provide you with a basic overview of how to care for house rabbits. At Petaholic you will also find all the essentials to prepare your home for your pet friendly friend.
What are the basics of rabbit care and how to take care of them at home?
The basics of caring for rabbits are as follows:
the right environment
Every rabbit owner should know that the safest place for them to live is indoors. Rabbits should never be kept outdoors. House rabbits, unlike wild rabbits, do not tolerate extreme temperatures well, especially in the hot summer months. Even in a secure enclosure, rabbits are at risk of being attacked by cats, dogs, or other predators. Just seeing or hearing another animal nearby can cause rabbits so much stress that they have a heart attack and die of fright.
Preparing the house for the care of rabbits
Whether you decide to allow your rabbit to roam freely in your entire home or just a limited area, it is important to make everything rabbit-safe. A little rabbit can easily find a lot of trouble in a small home. Because rabbits love to chew, make sure all electrical cords are out of reach and that outlets are covered. Chewing through an attached wire can result in serious injury or even death. Their chewing can also lead to poisoning if the wrong things are left out in the open or in low, unlocked cupboards.
Aside from obvious poisons like pesticides, rodenticides, and cleaning supplies, be aware that many common plants can be toxic to rabbits, such as aloe vera, azalea, calla lily-of-the-valley, and love tree.
rabbit cage
If rabbits are kept in a cage, they need plenty of space to move around easily. The rabbit's cage should be at least five times its size. Your rabbit should be able to lie completely flat in its cage and stand on its hind legs without hitting its head against the top of the cage. In addition, cages with wire floors are hard on rabbits' feet, as rabbits' feet do not have protective pads like dogs and cats do. If you put your rabbit in a wire cage, be sure to cover the floor with cardboard or other material. You should also put a cardboard box or a small house in the cage so that the rabbit has a comfortable place to hide in, and respect your animal's need for quiet time, as rabbits usually sleep during the day and night, and become playful at dawn and dusk.
However, when rabbits are kept in a cage, they should be allowed out for several hours each day to exercise. Apart from running and jumping, rabbits also enjoy exploring their surroundings. This is the perfect time to play and interact with your bunny. So make sure he has a safe area to play and explore.
litter box
Rabbits can easily learn to use the litter box like cats. Place a litter box in the cage to encourage this behavior. If your rabbit roams freely in multiple rooms in your home, it's a good idea to have litter boxes in several places. Many rabbits enjoy spending time lounging in their litter box, so make sure it's a large size. For a butterfly in a cage, stay away from cedar or other sawdust, which can cause liver damage or trigger allergic reactions in rabbits. Also, avoid piling up uncleaned droppings, which can cause serious health problems if your rabbit accidentally ingests it. Instead, stick to organic litter made from paper, wood pulp or citrus fruit. Newspaper can also work, but it may not be as absorbent.
Some of our special products that you can use to prepare your little rabbit's home are:
What is the appropriate diet for rabbits?
Rabbits have complex digestive systems, so it is very important that they get a proper diet. Many health problems in rabbits are caused by foods that are not compatible with their digestive systems. Therefore, the rabbit's basic diet should consist of the following foods:
hay
Rabbits need hay. Rabbits should have a steady supply of this hay, which helps their digestive systems and provides the fiber needed to help prevent health problems such as hairballs, diarrhea and obesity. On the other hand, alfalfa hay should be given to adult rabbits in very limited amounts because it is high in protein, calcium and calories.
Vegetables
In addition to hay, an adult rabbit's primary diet should consist of dark green and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, parsley, cilantro, cabbage, watercress, and more. Variety is important in the care and upbringing of rabbits, so feed your rabbit three different vegetables at a time. When introducing new vegetables to your rabbit's diet, try only one at a time and keep quantities limited.
Fruits and sweets
While hay and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, rabbits also enjoy rewards. Cartoons and other fictional depictions of rabbits might lead us to believe that carrots are the foundation of a healthy rabbit diet. Many rabbits enjoy carrots, but it is a starchy vegetable and should be eaten in moderation. Other foods your rabbit might enjoy include apples, blueberries, papayas, strawberries, pears, peaches, or watermelon. High-sugar fruits such as bananas, grapes, and raisins are also good, but they should be eaten on a limited basis.
Among the featured foods that you can provide your rabbits are:
Now that you have a good overview of how to take care of a pet rabbit at home, you can buy all of its supplies from Petaholic at the best prices.