Pet Rabbit Care Information
These
cute and cuddly creatures are often made pets because of the mentioned
features. However, if you plan to bring one in your family or if you
already
have a pet rabbit, you should remember these: rabbits are communal
creatures that
need care, sufficient attention and love. They always gnaw so be
watchful with
your furniture when it is allowed to roam inside and around the house.
They
easily get frightened and should be given a den where they could run to
when
scared. Lastly, you should provide rabbits with ample amount of
pellets, fresh
water and exercise to maintain their health.
Food
The
most basic food you should give to your rabbit is the pellets. It
contains the
nutrients that your rabbit needed. Always remember to purchase pellets
that are
fresh and store them in cool and dry place.
Fresh
water should be made available for your rabbits at all times. You may
purchase
different styles of water dispenser that will keep the water clean and
is easy
for your rabbit to use. The water dispenser should be changed every 2
days. A
disinfectant should be used to clean it to avoid bacterial growth.
Lastly,
include
fresh
fruits
and
vegetables
in their diet. Some of their
favorites are
apples, carrots, spinach, lettuce, grass and clover. Fruits and
vegetables are
generally made up of fiber, water, and vitamins, which are helpful for
the
maintenance of health, but should not replace the pellets.
Grooming
Rabbits
are
not
very
difficult
to
care for. As a matter of fact, they are very
great in
keeping themselves clean. However, they still need some extra help from
you to
maintain their health and cleanliness.
If
your rabbit is longhaired, perform fur brushing at least twice a week.
If it is
undergoing shedding period, brush their fur daily. Keeping their fur
clean will
prevent hairball ingestion. Brush the hair along with the path of hair.
As you
brush, also watch for any sores, pests, etc. that is harming your pet.
Trim
the
nails
every
two
weeks.
Use pet nippers and be careful not to trim
their
nails too shortly to avoid bleeding and infliction of pain. Provide
oral care
by giving your pet something to chew and gnaw, which will clean their
teeth.
Clean
the ears every two weeks and check daily for presence of wax blockage
or ticks.
Use a soft cotton or soft cloth to clean all the noticeable areas of
the ears.
Do not insert the swab towards the ear canal. You may use oil, rubbing
alcohol,
or water to aid in easy removal of dirt. Make sure to dry it off later,
though.
Shelter
Provide your rabbits an enclosure where it will feel safe and secured while resting, eating and sleeping. Indoors, you may provide the rabbit with a simple wire frame rabbit box. Make sure that the rabbit has enough room to hop, hide and climb. Outdoor houses should be made to protect the rabbit from the hot or cold environment.
Exercise
If your rabbit is kept in a cage, don’t forget to let him out occasionally. This will promote good blood circulation and prevent undesirable behaviors like aggression.