How To Care For Bunny Rabbits

Bunny rabbits make excellent pets for any animal lover looking for a cute and cuddly sidekick. Rabbits are affectionate and have their own unique personalities, making them much more interactive and trainable than other small pets like gerbils and hamsters. Knowing a little bit about rabbits before making the decision to become a rabbit owner will help you figure out if you’re ready to care for a rabbit, and the necessary steps to take to ensure that your bunny rabbit has a healthy and happy life.

Before you get a bunny, you’ll want to consider what breed of rabbit you want, if you want to purchase from a breeder, pet store or adopt, and what type of living environment your new pet will have. Remember that rabbits are delicate animals that need a lot of love and care, so thinking through these things before purchasing a rabbit will save you headaches in the long run, and avoid having to give the rabbit up if its not a good fit.

Rabbit housing is up to personal preference, with many rabbit owners opting to have house rabbits over outdoor rabbits to keep their pets close by. There are advantages to both environments, but it is generally better to keep rabbits indoors so that they can socialize and bond with their owner or owners. Rabbits are social and affectionate creatures by nature, so having your rabbit in a place where you can easily hold, play with and exercise the rabbit is the best environment for the pet. Depending on space limitations, you can either house your rabbit in a cage, a large custom enclosure, an x-pen enclosure or a rabbit-proofed room.

In order to give you pet rabbit the best life possible, you’ll need to pay close attention to their diet and several health issues that might creep up throughout your rabbit’s life. The average lifespan for an indoor house rabbit with proper care is 9 to 12 years, and about 5-10 years for an outdoor rabbit. Watch for signs of conjunctivitis, cold, intestinal coccidiosis, ear mites and sore hock symptoms, which are the most common illnesses and health issues that rabbits face.

Rabbits also require a strict diet of hay, pellets and fresh vegetables in order to thrive and maintain their ideal weight. Rabbits should be given hay daily so that they can nosh at their leisure, which not only fills them up, but also helps with dental health. Fresh vegetables and pellets provide vital nutrients that will keep a rabbit full and healthy.

Giving your rabbit a nice place to live and a proper diet aren’t the only things that will make your rabbit happy. Regular handling and bonding with your rabbit will truly make it a pet that will become part of the family. To handle your rabbit, approach him or her slowly and scoop the rabbit up with one hand under its stomach and one supporting the rabbit’s backside. Hold your rabbit closely to establish a loving and protective bond.