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Rabbits are active, playful and social. Entertaining
to watch, a rabbit can be a very rewarding pet. They are quiet
and do not demand a lot of attention. They will allow you
to hold them but lots of times they would rather not be held.
Indoor rabbits will love to hop around your house, however
rabbits like to chew. Chewed wires is dangerous for the rabbit
and can also be a fire hazard for you. A rabbit must be provided
with things it is allowed to chew such as a block of wood.
Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they are more active
during twilight hours (around 10pm).
They sleep most of the daylight
hours. Some rabbits will sleep with their eyes open. When
Rabbits sleep they will often twitch, and their noses stop
wiggling. A happy rabbit will sometimes jump up into the air
twisting and flicking its feet and head. Your rabbits home
should be kept clean. Their bedding should be changed every
other day or so depending on how dirty it gets. Some rabbits
will eliminate in the back area of the hutch while others
will not. Rabbits need to have their nails clipped short so
they do not get caught on the wire cage or scratch their owners
arms.
Rabbits have 4 different
types of fur, normal, rex, satin and wool. Normal fur has
a dense undercoat with coarse guard hairs extending past the
undercoat. Rex fur is denser than normal fur and the guard
hairs are about the same length as the undercoat. Satin fur
is fine and has a hair shaft that reflects light, giving it
a spectacular sheen. Wool is found on Angora rabbits. Rabbits,
like cats will groom themselves, however in doing so they
are prone to hair balls. Brushing your rabbit at least once
a week will reduce the chances of hairballs.
Rabbits generally do not need
to be bathed. If your rabbit is dirty in only one area only
wash that area as bathing a rabbit can be very stressful for
the bunny. Check ears regularly for waxy buildup or debris.
Rabbit ear cleaner solution can be purchased from your vet.
Dark build up can be a sign of ear mites. Lop eared rabbits
are more prone to ear problems.
A pet rabbit should be fed
good quality pellets, fresh alfalfa, timothy or oat hay, water
and fresh vegetables. Rabbits will enjoy freshly picked grasses,
clover, herbs (be sure what you pick outside for your rabbit
is pesticide free!) If a rabbit is kept outdoors in the winter,
you should have several of these water bottles rotating them
with a fresh bottle several times a day as the bottles freeze.
Some rabbits will eat their soft mushy poop, which is called
cecals.
This is a normal behavior
for a rabbit. A rabbits diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently,
and it will poop out lots of undigested nutrients.
Daily exercise and playtime
out of the cage is a necessity. Rabbits need exercise to keep
fit and stay healthy. Be sure to only let your rabbit run
around in bunny proof areas (rabbits WILL chew) and where
they will not be harmed by other animals such as the family
dog. You can give your rabbit toys to play with such as a
card board toilet paper roll stuffed with hay or a small cardboard
box to jump on.
Rabbits are generally healthy
animals, however, rabbits can develop, hairballs, diarrhea,
bacterial infections, respiratory or intestinal problems,
respiratory damage - caused from wood chip fumes. If you think
your rabbit might be sick, contact your vet.
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