Rabbit Care

Life Span-Depends on type of breed but generally 8-10 years.

Home Sweet Home- When kept in a cage, rabbits need a lot of room to easily move around. A rabbit's cage should be a minimum of fine times the size of the rabbit. Your rabbit should be able to completely stretch out in his cage and stand up on his hind legs without bumping his head on the top of the cage. When rabbits are kept in a cage, they need to be let out for several hours each day for excerise. You may even consider purchasing a Midwest Exercise Pen to allow your rabbit to enjoy the outdoors. Aside from running and jumping, rabbits enjoy exploring their surroundings. This is an ideal time to play and interact with your rabbit. Make sure that he has a safe area to play and explore.

Bunny Bathroom- Just like cats, rabbits can easily learn to use a litter box. Place a litter box in the cage to encourage this behavior. If your rabbit roams freely through multiple rooms of your home, it is a good idea to have litter boxes in several places. Many rabbit enjoy spending time relaxing in their litter box, so make sure that it is of ample size. For bedding(litter), stay away from cedar or other wood shavings, this may cause liver damage or trigger allergic reactions in rabbits. Also avoid clumping or dusty kitty litters, which can cause serious health problems if eaten. Instead, stick with small animal litters or organic litters made of paper, wood pulp or citrus.

A Balanced Diet- Rabbits have a complex digestive system, so it is very important that they receive a proper diet. A basic rabbit diet shoudl consist of the following foods:

Hay- Rabbits need hay-specifically, Timothy grass hay. Rabbit should have acces to a constant supply of this hay, which aids their digestive systems and provides the necessary fiber to help prevent problems such as hairballs, diarrhea and obesity. Alfalfa hay, on the other hand, should only be given to adult rabbits in very limited quantities, it at all, because it is high in protein, calcium, and calories

Pellets- Fortified Rabbit Pellets should be offered daily. Make sure they are fresh!

Rabbits under 6 months should only be offered pellets, hay and water!!!

Water- Rabbits should always ahve an ample supply of fresh water available. Be sure to change your rabbit's water at least once each day. If you use a bowl, make sure that the bowl is heavy enough to avoid tipping and spilling. Use a water bottle for a more continouse supply.

Chew on This- Chewing is part of a rabbit's natural behavior, but it doesn't have to be destructive. To keep rabbits active and amused, you may want to put untreated wood blocks or cardboard in their cages. Bowls, balls, and rings made of willow wood are big hits with many rabbits and can be purchased at most pet stores. Avoid objects with sharp edges, loose parts, or soft rubber that rabbits could chew into pieces and swallow.

Handle with Care-Rabbits are fragile animals who must be handled carefully. As a result, if not properly restrained, struggling rabbits can break their own spines. To pick up your rabbit, place on hand underneath the front of the rabbit and the other hand underneath his back side, lifting him carefully with both hands and bringing him against your body. Never let a rabbit's body hang free, never lift by the stomach, and never pick a rabbit up by his ears. Be sure to go slowly with your rabbit and practice. Let your rabbit get accustomed to being handled.

Dutch Rabbit	Holland Lop Rabbit	LionHead Rabbit