Information Edit Rabbits




Forgotton
Password
› Advertise Rabbits

Rabbit Care

> Housing
> Diet
> Company
> Cost

Are you ready for a rabbit?

If you haven't had a rabbit before you need to reasearch whether you expectation of what owning a rabbit will be like match up to the realities. Rabbits are often portrayed as cute bundles of fluff that are happy to sit and be cuddled all day. In reality rabbits moult leaving the cute fluff all over your furnature and may not like being picked up. Like cats, rabbits will interact with you on their terms, they may allow you a cuddle but they will also want to spend time excerising and running around. Personalities vary from rabbit to rabbit, just because Mrs Jones down the road has a pet rabbit that follows her around like a dog doesn't mean yours will too.

Visit a local rescue and meet some of the adult rabbits (remember bunnies don't stay babies for ever). You can also discuss adoption with the staff and volunteers there, they will be able to answer your questions about preparing for a new rabbit. Volunteering at a rescue is a good way to find out about caring and handling animals whilst you make up your mind whether you are ready to commit to one long term.

Before adopting a rabbit or looking for one too adopt you need to consider whether you can provide everything your new bunny(s) will need. A rabbits life span is 7-10 years and you will need to meet your rabbits needs for this length of time.

The Rabbit Welfare Associations Article - Is a rabbit for me? may help you decide whether a rabbit is the right companion for you.

It is important to research the care of rabbits, its much better to read advice and get it right to start with than learn from potentially fatal mistakes. You should be able to find books in the library/bookshop, information on the internet and from your vets or local rescue.

You will find conflicting advise in some places, knowledge about care is continually updated. If you find something thats conflicting or doesn't sound right then find someone to ask, your vet or local rescue should be able to help. Do not ask in a petshop, they are notorious for giving out wrong advice.

Housing

Rabbits may be kept inside or outside.

Outside your rabbit will require a secure hutch and run. Accommodation must be secure from predators, escapees and the weather. Animals including dogs, cats and foxes may kill a rabbit if they have the opportunity. Rabbits need a warm, dry area to shelter from rain and snow, and shade on hot days. Many commercial hutches are too small, and to provide your rabbit with suitable accommodation you may need to build you own, join serveral together or have one custom made. Rabbits will need both a sheltered hutch or sleeping area and a run for exercise. The size of the accommodation needed will also depend on the size of rabbit you are getting, large breeds will need very large accommodation. The larger your bunny's home the better. You rabbit should be able to stand up on his/her back legs without banging the top of the hutch/run and have room to run and play. The Rabbit Charity Recommends a run should be at least 4' X 10' X 2½' high (120cm X 300cm X 75cm high).

If your rabbit is going to live inside it will need a litter tray and a hutch or sleeping area. The house will also need to be 'bunny proofed'. Electrical wires, poisonous plants, book etc will all need to be out of reach. You will also need to be prepared for possible teeth marks in furniture and holes in carpets.

Diet

Rabbits need a constant supply of hay. In addition they will also eat rabbit pellet food and vegetables (greens).

Information about diet can be food on the House Rabbit Society Web Site:

Diet FAQ
The importance of Fibre
Treats FAQ

Company

Rabbits are social animals and like to have other rabbit company, unless you are going to be with your rabbit most of the day, and even then, it will still appreciate having the companionship of another bunny. Rabbits should be neutered to prevent baby rabbits before being introduced to a friend.

For further information please visit:

FAQ: Should I Get a Second Rabbit
Bonding Bunnies by Tom Speer
Making A Match: Rabbit Pairing Tips

Cost

These are approximate costs, obviously they will vary slightly depending on where a rabbit is kept and unforceen vets bills.

In short, excluding vet care, a rabbit will cost an average of £8/week which means £416 a year.

Advertising
Rabbit Hutches

Your Ad Here

Bunnies Available...


lucia
(Hertfordshire)


Elderflower (A1a)
(Nottinghamshire)


Mickey (A3a)
(Nottinghamshire)


Sid (A4)
(Nottinghamshire)


Bert (A5a)
(Nottinghamshire)