Things Needed for a Rabbit

Bringing a new bunny rabbit home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Yet a pet rabbit requires great care and preparation or else its physical and mental health will suffer. Rabbits should never be given as Easter gifts or purchased on a whim. In addition to setting up a place in your home for the rabbit, it will need continuous food, litter, toys, veterinarian visits and, of course, interaction with you.

Housing

Domestic rabbits should not live outdoors due to extreme weather and natural predators, not to mention traffic. Most commercially sold cages, however, are too small to allow the rabbit to stretch out and stand on its hind legs without bumping its head on the roof. Multi-level cages or puppy pens are a good alternative provided there is a flat floor, not wire. The rabbit should not be confined to the cage all the time. Some owners find it best to give the rabbit its own room in the house, which involves dedicating the entire room to the rabbit.

Food

A rabbit's diet should consist of pellets, hay (alfalfa, timothy or oat), fresh water and vegetables. As the rabbit ages, gradually give it more hay than pellets. Suggested vegetables include spinach, Romaine lettuce, carrots, celery, radish tops, Brussels sprouts and green pepper. Never buy more than six weeks worth of food at a time or else it will spoil.

Litter

Rabbits naturally try to relieve themselves in the same general area. While younger bunnies are more difficult to litter train than older rabbits, a consistent routine with organic litter, free of pine and cedar, will help them in the meantime. Spaying or neutering your rabbit after it matures at six months of age will prevent it from marking its territory all over the place.

Toys

Certain toys can provide both mental stimulation and physical exercise and are pertinent for the rabbit while you are not at home. Cardboard boxes or paper towel rolls and untreated wood sticks provide good chewing sources. Chase balls and cat lounges normally given to felines also interest rabbits. Generally anything the rabbit can climb on, hide in or chew will be a big winner.

Veterinary Care

Do your homework when looking for a veterinarian qualified in rabbit care and medicine. Ask the vet how many rabbits they see regularly and have spayed or neutered. Inquire about their recommendations for rabbit health issues such as ear mites, worms, overgrown teeth, hairballs, diarrhea and skin rashes. If the vet is unable to answer these questions, they should be able to refer you to a specialized doctor.


Source: ehow
Author: Pam Smith