The Rabbit Tips You Need to Provide Optimum Health?
While rabbits may be nothing like dogs and cats, it’s very easy for humans to associate with the basic needs of these animals. You can almost judge a rabbit’s happiness by the comfort of their home, the good food on their table, and the company they keep.
Housing – rabbits need a lot more space than their little bodies would suggest. In the wild, bunnies cover immense ground. As pets, a hutch is just the beginning; it’s a comfortable place to sleep and hide, but that’s about all. Every rabbit needs access to a run that’s safe, shaded, and always available.
Food – popularised through cartoons, carrots seem like an excellent food for rabbits. And, they’re not bad… as a treat. Rabbits are fibrevores and they need an extraordinary amount of fibre in their diet. Every rabbit in your warren needs a pile of Timothy Hay at least as large as he is every day (and that’s just for eating). Carrots and plenty of leafy greens round off that diet, as does a bowl or bottle of fresh water.
Friends – rabbits are very social. They’re happiest when they have a best friend to share every minute of their day. In fact, bunnies can become depressed without a special friend. If you’re about to adopt your first rabbit, always try to adopt two, and preferably from the same litter if you can. If you have a lonely rabbit at home, reach out to your local rabbit welfare association to learn more about bonding.
Activities – don’t forget, your rabbit loves stimulation just like you do, so keep an eye out for fun and enriching activities for your pets.
When Should You Call Your Vet?
With a large and cosy home, plenty of Timothy Hay, and a best friend to play with, your rabbit is on the way to a long and happy life. But, there are a few other things you’ll need to consider. Bunnies do require veterinary attention throughout their lives. Here’s when and why:
- Neutering – even if your rabbits are the same gender, it’s important to have each one neutered. This prevents several healthcare complications in addition to pregnancy.
- Immunisations – there are a few deadly diseases that can be prevented through vaccinations. Your vet will inform you of the frequency of these shots.
- Dental care – rabbit teeth continue to grow for life. Teeth are ground down naturally when rabbits eat fibre such as Timothy Hay (but not when eating carrots or any other food). Still, this is one area that needs regular examination; leaving teeth to grow can be expensive and terribly painful.
Top Tips to Take Away:
- Rabbits require a different level of care than cats or dogs. Ensure you know what bunnies need before committing yourself to care for a pair.
- Above all, rabbits need a lot of space (with a snuggly area to sleep), lots of Timothy Hay (with a few treats of carrots), and a good friend to pass the time with.
- If you need help bonding your bunny to a best friend, you can call your local rabbit welfare organisation.
- Rabbits also need veterinary care throughout their lives. This includes neutering, vaccinations, dental and nail checkups, as well as the unexpected urgent care.
- If you ever have any concerns about your rabbit’s health, call your vet. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.