Rabbits can be excellent house pets. They are clean animals and can be easily housetrained to use a litter box. Their overall personality is different from common pets, such as cats and dogs.
Rabbits are quiet animals; they seldom express themselves through noises. That's why buying a pet rabbit can bring many unexpected challenges. If you plan to adopt a rabbit as your pet, this article just might help you.
For some people, handling rabbits may be a bit difficult due to their introverted nature. They love to stay on their own and often resist being picked up. If you don't handle them well, they might start kicking, biting, and scratching to get off your lap.
They may also attempt to escape and end up injuring themselves. Hence, they may not be a good choice for your children's first pet.
Rabbits love chewing. They’re unable to distinguish between items that are appropriate to chew and items that are not. That's why they can be destructive in your house.
They might even end up chewing essential items such as furniture, electric cords, and books. So, to keep a pet rabbit, you need to make sure your house is secured enough.
You must ensure that your rabbit’s living area does not contain any harmful material that may hurt them, like wires. You can add some bunny chew toys so they can fulfil their chewing needs without being destructive.
Rabbits have an exceptional sense of smell. Their sensitive hearing and long-distance vision keep them constantly on alert.
They can trigger a fear reaction by anything that affects their sight, sound, or scent. It’s crucial that they feel safe in their environment to live healthy lives. Otherwise, this constant fear might affect their appetite; a change which can be fatal.
Unlike common pet animals like cats and dogs, rabbits are herbivores. Their diet is entirely different and is based on fresh pellets. They have certain health conditions, as every pet does. Rabbits need regular vet checkups to maintain their health.
Here are some common health conditions that you should look out for:
1. Myxomatosis: A severe disease caused by a pox virus known as the myxoma virus. If left uncured, it can kill the rabbit within ten days.
2. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus: Another highly contagious and fatal disease of rabbits, this virus can spread within seconds by direct or indirect transmission.
3. Uterine Adenocarcinoma: It is among the most common cancers that are found in female rabbits. It develops slowly in the uterus and can cause a rabbit's death if not treated on time.
4. Trichobezoars: A small ball of fur that is ingested in rabbits' stomachs. The fur combines with undigested food and clogs the stomach, which results in severe pain.
Here are some of the ways to look after your rabbit and ensure that your bunny buddy is safe, healthy, and happy in your home. Rabbits need a lot of your time and attention. They have particular dietary and hygiene needs that need to be fulfilled. You also need to observe their condition and check their litter box every day.
Rabbits are clean animals, so they prefer clean food as well. Make sure to give them clean water. Besides, most of the diet of rabbits involves eating hay. Give them one bundle of hay every day to fulfil their nutritional needs.
Rabbits need a specific environment to feel safe and protected. Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits are not fond of children who like to cuddle and hug them. They are more compatible with other pets with mild temperaments. Rabbit love a clean, calming, and quiet environment.
To bunny-proof the home, you need to make sure that the rabbit cannot access essential things. Don't let it roam around near your TV, computer desk, or stereo. Try to fill the open storage under the furniture with plastic tubs so your bunny doesn't go there. Cover the wires with plastic loom tubing and block the areas having lots of cables.
Here’s how you can create a safe space for your rabbit and some items you should add. The litter box and bedding should be inside the bunny's cage.
To provide the required level of nutrition, ensure the availability of hay by adding a hay feeder. You can also add a water bowl and food box to fulfil your rabbit’s dietary needs. Buying good food is also very important to give your bunny a healthy lifestyle.
Rabbits are considered desirable pets by many individuals. On the surface, this small and fluffy little creature seems easy to take care of.
However, owning a rabbit is easier said than done. You've got to have a lot of knowledge and spend a significant amount of time to be a responsible rabbit owner. Hopefully, our guide has helped you understand rabbits better, along with the challenges you might face as a rabbit pawrent.
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