![]() A secure backyard where no other animals (particularly cats or wild rabbits) can enter is great, but a sectioned off area of grass is also good.Įnsure that if you leave your rabbit outside for long periods of time they have access to their hutch or a weather proof area with bedding so they can rest. They should be confined to an enclosed area and not allowed to roam free. Your pet rabbit should have the opportunity to dig and forage when they are outside. You could attach it to the hutch to give your rabbit a larger space to exercise and play. If you wish to provide your rabbit with a larger living area than its hutch when you are not home, consider a pet pen or a children's play pen. Remember, that rabbits like to chew on things, so if leaving your rabbit free to roam unsupervised, you may come home to some chewed skirting boards, cables or chair legs. You may wish to set up a room or two rooms where your rabbit can roam free and interact with the family. ![]() When you rabbit is indoors it should have at least some time each day to roam free. Rabbit should spend most of their time indoors or equal time indoors and outdoors. There is plenty of information online about toilet training rabbits. Rabbits are capable of being toilet trained. Rabbits that do not have clean bedding can suffer from respiratory infections, skin ailments and pest infestation such as fleas and mites. It is important to clean the hutch at least every second day by removing soiled bedding and make sure rabbits have a dry area to sleep. If you buy a juvenile bunny, remember they will grow. Anything smaller and your bunny will be too cramped. Your hutch needs to be at least 'three hops long' (approximately 4 times the length of your bunny when stretched out) and twice as wide as your bunny. Many two story hutches provide this option. It is ok for part of the pen to be made of wire as long as your rabbit has an area where they can stand on solid ground. Rabbits should not be placed in pens or hutches with wire floors, it is bad for their feet. It is best to have a hutch made out of wood as metal hutches heat up more quickly. The other section of the hutch should be light and large enough to allow for a separate exercise and toileting area. A suitable hutch design is water proof and includes a dark, dry area for the rabbits to rest which has a bedding of soft hay. It needs an area that protects them from the weather and has enough space for exercise. Rabbits require a hutch to live in that is safe from predators, such as dogs and cats. Always remember to introduce new food slowly to avoid digestive upset.įresh, cool water must be provided at all times. Speak to your local vet, pet shop, or rabbit breeder about the most suitable diet for your pet. There are a many toxic food and plants for rabbits t hat you should avoid feeding your rabbit or growing in your garden. You can use these types of foods as environmental enrichment. High fat and high sugar foods such as carrots, other root vegetables, and fruit should only be fed in small amounts. Rabbits eating muesli also tend to leave the bits they don't like, and this leads to nutrient deficiencies. Do not feed your rabbit muesli - this causes dental disease. ![]() Rabbits need a tablespoon of commercial rabbit nuggets or pellets once or twice daily. Rabbits must be provided with a high fibre diet. But fresh green vegetables must not be their only source of food, the fibre content is too low. Lawn clippings must not be fed as they ferment rapidly and cause digestive upset in your rabbit.įresh green vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and celery should be included in their daily diet - approximately 2 cups a day. If you are keeping your rabbit inside most of the time or they do not have access to grass for several hours a day you can use grass hay as an alternative fibre source. Their diet must consist of unlimited access to grass hay and/or grass. Rabbits' teeth are constantly growing and need to be continually worn down by eating. Pet rabbits must be fed a high fibre diet to help maintain their body and teeth health. Approximately 30 feeds, of 2 to 8g of food, each day is normal. Rabbits need to eat small amounts frequently. sometimes the bark from bushes and trees.Their natural diet consists generally of young leaves from: Rabbits are herbivores and only eat plant material. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 protects the welfare of all animals, including rabbits. If you decide to purchase a rabbit, make sure you are prepared to care for them that long. Rabbits generally live for 5 to 8 years depending on their environment and breed, but they can live for as long as 12 years. It is important that you understand all the requirements for caring for a rabbit before you buy one. Some breeds of rabbits, particularly the longer haired rabbits, may require daily grooming. In general rabbits need appropriate housing, exercise, socialisation and a specific diet for good welfare.
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