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Rabbits like company and as much they might like interaction with a human, it isn’t the same as their own kind. The best rabbit pair to have is a neutered female and a neutered male but you can bond 2 females and 2 males together but this is something that may take a long period of time or it may never work. It is something that mustn’t be taken lightly.
Many rabbits are bought for children and every year many of these rabbits are given up due to the child getting bored of the rabbit. Any parents taking on a rabbit for a child must take them on as their responsibility and not the child’s. Rabbits are difficult for children to pick up and hold correctly, leading to the child and rabbit both getting injured.
Rabbits can live up to 8-10 years if looked after well and some have even been known to live up to 18!
Rabbits can live as house rabbits and be litter trained but the house must be made “Rabbit Proof” as rabbits like to chew wires!! Sometimes curtains, carpet etc…
Rabbits like to live in large accommodation with toys, tunnels, grass and hay. A small bowl of rabbit food a day just isn’t enough, it will be eaten in minutes and your rabbit will get bored. It isn’t natural for them. In the wild rabbits spend 80% of their time foraging so a constant supply of hay and/or grass a day is very important for their digestive system and to keep their teeth nice and trim!!
Reasons for Neutering Rabbits
The best age to neuter is shortly after sexual maturity. Usually between 4 – 6 months. Neutering costs between £40 - £100 locally
Prevention of Pregnancy – every year thousands of rabbits are given as unwanted presents and every year thousands of rabbits die of neglect!! Rescue centres are full up of unwanted rabbits and so are the local papers
Prevention of Uterine Cancer – 80% of female rabbits that are not neutered are likely to get Uterine Cancer before the age of 3, this can be fatal.
Prevention of Other Uterine Disease
Prevention of False Pregnancies – This can be stressful for the rabbit that thinks she is pregnant; she can become aggressive, start nest building and produce milk.
Prevention of Aggressive Behaviour
Prevention of Urine Spraying
Less humping!!
Having a happy / well balanced rabbit!!
Vaccinations / Health
Rabbits should be vaccinated against both myxomatosis and VHD. This can be fatal and if your rabbit is not vaccinated, it is likely to die. House rabbits must also be vaccinated.
Myxomatosis is caught by biting insects, which carry the virus and inject it into the skin when they bite. Mixy is a slow and painful death and rabbits that are not vaccinated, will die!! Mixy must be vaccinated every 6 months. Mixy vaccinations can cost between £10 -£34 locally.
VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease) is easily spread between rabbits. We can also carry the virus on our clothes, shoes etc… You may not see signs that your rabbit has VHD, you may just find him/her dead so it is important to vaccinate! VHD must be vaccinated every year. VHD vaccinations cost the same as Mixy jabs.
Flystrike
Rearguard is a protection against Flystrike during the winter months and is available from from your vet.
This is when flies lay eggs on a rabbit, the eggs then hatch into maggots, which then eat into the living flesh of the rabbit, usually within 24hours. This is prone to rabbits that are over weight and cannot clean their bottoms!! You should check your rabbit’s bottom twice a day, maybe more in the summer months.
Worming
Rabbits must be wormed to avoid the E.Cuniculi parasite. Worming should be done at least once every 6 months but can be done up to 4 times a year. We worm our cats and dogs and it is important to worm out rabbits too. Worming with Panacur is done for many worms, active cases of E.Cuniculi need to be treated for a minimum of 6 weeks. The 9 day course is mainly to prevent actual worms. The EC parasite is spread by spores and panacur doesn’t remain active for long. You would want to worm rabbits at periods of high risk such as bonding and after handling or taking care of an active case. All rabbits cohabiting with an active case will also need a 6 week course. Other buns should receive a 9 day course to lower the amount of infected spores.
Symptoms of EC are:
Head Tilt
Hind Limb Weakness
Seizure
Blindness
Kidney Disease
Death
If you notice your rabbit is not it’s usual self, take to the vets immediately!!! Rabbits go down hill very quickly and you may be too late.
To find out more about EC in rabbits please visit www.yourpetshealth.co.uk/page15.htm
GI Statis
This is extremely common in rabbits. When rabbits have GI statis they do not want to eat/drink and they do not poop or have very small droppings. If your rabbit stops eating or drinking, take to the vet IMMEDIATELY!!
Causes of GI Stasis
- · hair ingested during grooming
- · High fat, low fiber diet (Too much dry food, not enough hay!!)
- · Too many carbohydrates in the diet (breads, crackers, etc.)
- · Stress (moving, illness, loss of rabbit companion, etc.)
- · long term use of antibiotics
- · lack of proper exercise
- · Dental problems
- · Too many starchy treats
- · Dehydration
Signs of GI Stasis
Does not eat or drink
on and off diarrhea and irregular shaped droppings
grinding teeth
hunched up
lethargic
What to Feed
Constant supply of hay and/or grass
Constant supply of water
Pellets or Musli food – 2 tablespoons a day
Fresh Greens – Half a cup a day –do not feed lettuce!! Please contact me if you are unsure what greens are suitable for your rabbit. Carrots and Fruits are high in sugars so shouldn’t be fed too often!!
Accommodation
RSPCA guidelines are a minimum of a 6ft x 2ft hutch and run. Many pet shops that sell hutches and runs are too small and getting one made can be pricey. It may be cheaper to buy a shed or children’s play house and turn it into a rabbit house!!
Toys
Rabbits like to chew so gnaw toys are a must! You don’t have to spend a fortune. My top 5 toys are:
Toilet roll tubes
Willow Balls
Hamster ball stuffed with hay and hidden veg – hours of fun
Boxes with holes in filled with shredded paper – to dig and chew!!
Tunnels
Bedding
Hay
Straw
Shavings - however, recycled card products (i.e megazorb) are preferable as some shavings can be associated with lung problems.
Newspaper
Shredded Paper
Litter tray
Rabbits should be given fresh bedding every day and cleaned out completely, AT LEAST once a week!!
Sorry if I have forgotten something, please contact me if you have any questions. Also please use this forum if you are a rabbit enthusiast, someone will always answer your questions and they would love to see your new bun!!
www.rabbitrehome.org.uk
Every thing you need to know about rabbits is on the rabbit re home website!!
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