We are dedicated to house rabbit rescue, education, and advocacy. Read below to learn what to feed your rabbit, as well as other important facts that will make you a confident pet owner. Grooming rabbits generally stay clean but can be bathed using a small animal shampoo. Greens fresh greens are a vital part of your pet s daily diet. Understanding and caring for your companion rabbit is a complete, uptodate handbook on all aspects of rabbit care for both new and experienced pet rabbit owners.
The more time you spend with your rabbit, the more friendly and bonded they will become. They have specific needs in order to live a long, happy and healthy life. Very young rabbits, between 7 to 12 weeks, should not be offered vegetables and never fruit as devastating gastrointestinal problems can arise. The rwaf guide to rabbit care rabbit welfare association. Before bringing your bunny to any pet emergency clinic, call first to see if they have a veterinarian on duty who treats rabbits. The rabbit consultation should begin with a discussion on. My documentszoe files educationguinea pig info helpful hint rabbit mix is not suitable for guinea pigs, as it does not contain vitamin c. They need a lot more time and effort than people assume, but the payoff is a curious, playful companion that will be part of the family for years. The right diet is critical to keeping pet rabbits healthy. Myxomatosis is spread by bites from mosquitoes, flies, fur mites, and fleas and can also be acquired from injuries caused by contaminated thorns or thistles.
Many rabbit health problems are preventable with proper diet and care. Rabbits need a balanced diet of unlimited grass hay timothy, orchard, oat, brome, limited pellets, and fresh greens. To be a true companion with and a good caregiver for your pet rabbit, he must. Here is a basic overview on how to care for a pet rabbit. Angora rabbit care sheet by sharon dalrymple email. Rabbits are gentle, quiet animals that make excellent pets. Background your rabbit needs exercise out of his cage in a. Rabbits are complex animals with many traits and characteristics, so we have put together ten facts to help you learn about your furry pet.
This care sheet can cover the care needs of other species. Before you choose your pet rabbit, examine it closely with the animal care specialist. A sick bunny needs medical care from a qualified veterinarian. Watch to see what you should be doing on a daily basis to care for your pet bunny. Rabbit care sheet because we care 1250 upper front street, binghamton, ny 901 6077232666 congratulations on your new pet. Rabbit care guide introduction bunny buddies is a 501c3 notforprofit organization, primarily serving the greater houston area. Provide safe chewing toys like commercial wooden pet toys found at a pet store, cardboard, dried pine cones, or untreated dried wood or twigs. Rabbit care rabbit diet house rabbits pet rabbit care. I have the appropriate housing for this pet i understand that it is best to keep rabbits separated unless they are neutered i can provide daily supervised time for my rabbit outside of its enclosure i can commit to taking care of my rabbit for up to 10 years there is an adult who can provide primary care for this pet. Your ultimate guide to pet rabbit ownership, training, and care martin, sarah on. There are four major infectious diseases seen in pet rabbits.
Guide to pet rabbit ownership, training, and care paperback pdf, you should refer to the button under and download the file or get access to other information which are relevant to the. They are easy to litter box train and will enjoy being out of their enclosures to. Rabbit care as a rabbit owner, it is important to know some rabbit care basics in order to create a safe, loving environment for the furriest member of your family. Rabbits are not good starter pets for children rabbits are delicate, groundloving. In addition to the initial cost of adoption, theres a whole litany of expenses that the average pet owner will incur within a year. They have dynamic personalities and enjoy human interaction. The english spot easily adapted to being a house pet after its long show rabbit history.
As the rabbit matures, gradually reduce the quantity of pellets offered and transition to grass haybased pellets. A sound rabbit diet consists of fresh hay, goodquality pellets, and fresh vegetables. Rabbits may be easy to love, but theyre not quite as easy to care for. Remember, there is a lot more to owning rabbits then i show in this video. To find out more about the animal welfare act 2006 and details of your responsibilities. Rabbits are common pets in many western european countries. Rabbit greens fresh greens are an important part of your pet s daily diet. Rabbit care rabbit health care how to take care of. Infectious diseases in rabbits vca animal hospital. Written by a professional rabbit breeder, how to care for your pet rabbits is an extensive care guide for rabbit lovers who want the specifics about rabbit care, rather than the knowhow about breeding.
Rabbits are also highly social animals that crave contact and interaction with their human caretakers. Fisher, dvm abstract stateoftheart improvements in how we feed and provide medical and surgical care for the rabbit oryctolagus cuniculus have resulted in a greater lifespan for this common pet animal. They adjust well to living indoors as well as outdoors. Fresh greens are an important part of your pets daily diet. The petmd pet care center provides you with useful information about grooming, nutrition, training and wellness for your pet. Acmspe312a provide basic care of rodents and rabbits. Rabbits need a balanced diet of unlimited grass hay timothy, orchard, oat. Acmspe312a provide basic care of rodents and rabbits date this document was generated. Rabbits do need daily maintenance and several hours out of their cage. Code of practice for the welfare of rabbits following the code. Today, pet rabbits are considered to be members of the family. Pet care costs how much is that doggie or kitty, rabbit, rat, goldfish or guinea pig in the shelter window.
Ratmouse mix is also unsuitable as this contains peanuts and sunflower seeds. Rabbits need chew toys as their teeth continually grow. Articles on rabbit care, diet, supplies and appropriate toys for rabbits. To pet rabbit ownership, training, and care paperback book. Rabbits make excellent house pets, as they have wonderful personalities and easily adapt to a domestic lifestyle, even adjusting. Hamster care sheet as with any pet, keeping a hamster requires a commitment to care for it during its life which could be 23 years or longer. This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit. I have been raising them for over 10 years and found the. Rabbits are low maintenance pets and dont live very long. However, given their popularity, surprisingly little is known about the way pet rabbits are kept and cared for, or how their housing and husbandry conditions affect their health, behaviour and general wellbeing.
All the rabbit needs is the opportunity to show his true colors to you. Greens contribute to hydration and provide necessary vitamins and minerals, as well as enrichment. This care guide from oxbow animal health will teach you everything you need to know about keeping your pet guinea pig healthy and happy. Oxbow has provided this basic care guide to help you keep your pet rabbit healthy and happy. Though providing care for these adorable creatures isnt difficult, rabbits have a long. Just a few years ago, most pet rabbits were kept outdoors in hutches. Because they are a long haired rabbit, they have a few special needs. Rabbit behavior rabbits dont usually like to be picked up or carried. A sound rabbit diet consists of fresh hay, goodquality pellets, fresh vegetables, and water. This care guide from oxbow animal health will teach you everything you need to know about keeping your pet rabbit healthy and happy. Basic rabbit care handout and infographic lafebervet. Rabbit care sheet pet depot pet food, pet supplies. All private brand products carry a 100% moneyback guarantee.
Get the scoop on feeding your rabbit a well balanced and high fiber diet. The commitment required includes not only routine feeding, care and time spent with the hamster but also the provision of veterinary treatment if the hamster becomes ill which can be costly. Rspca small animal care handbook 1 about the rspca 2 my adoption details 3 postadoption checklist 4 identifying your rabbit or guinea pig 5 health concerns 6 responsible pet ownership 7 rabbits what do rabbits need. Discover how long rabbits generally live and learn some tips for keeping your rabbit the healthiest he or she can be throughout his or her life. Your ultimate guide to pet rabbit ownership, training, and care. Rabbits have needs similar to those of other household pets.
If you are thinking about getting a pet, you may want to consider getting a rabbit. Code of practice for the welfare of rabbits 14 section 3. Sources of further information on rabbit care pdf 108kb rabbit factfile reference list pdf 250kb rabbit factfile pdf 48kb costs and time involved in keeping rabbits pdf 189kb how to take care. Your rabbit is a herbivore, which means he eats only plant material. Frail, older bunnies may need more to keep weight up. They are relatively easy to care for and can be litterboxtrained.
To make it easier for you to plan for your new arrival, weve prepared. Spca highly recommends buying pet insurance to cover the costs of unexpected illnesses or pet emergencies. Subcutaneous swelling extends around the eyes, ears, and genital region and can progress to skin hemorrhages, breathing difficulties, decreased to no appetite, fever. Basic rabbit care 2016b indian prairie animal hospital. There are many different breeds of rabbits available. Overgrown teeth can cause serious health problems and need to be assessed by your veterinarian. Pet rabbits are related to the wild european rabbit, the biology and behaviour of pet rabbits is very similar to that of their wild cousins. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals and make affectionate and rewarding family pets when they receive plenty of attention.
Rabbits are a very popular pet and are easy to look after. Pick up your rabbit by supporting his forequarters with one hand and his hindquarters with the other. Their fastidious nature, unaggressive behavior and quiet manner make them increasingly popular house pets. This care guide from oxbow animal health will teach you everything you. Rabbits are prey animals and timid by nature, so be patient if your pet seems shy at first. From diet to housing to bunny proofing, the articles below will help you provide the best possible care for your rabbit. Ask a store partner about petco s selection of books on rabbits and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. When you understand rabbit behavior, proper veterinary care, how to create the proper environment for your pet, and how to bunnyproof your home, your pet rabbit will provide years of love and companionship for you and your family. We do not presently own or operate a shelter, but function as a network of foster homes and volunteers. Plenty of fresh grass hay is very important in a rabbits diet, as are fresh greens and vegetables. Spayed or neutered rabbits tend to be healthier, live longer, and are better companions. Hundreds of years ago, rabbits used to be released on to deserted islands this was done so that sailors who got shipwrecked might be able to have a reliable source of food should they get stuck on the islands. These lovable, social animals are wonderful companions for people who take the time to learn about their needs. Anything beyond this is considered a treat and should be offered in limited quantities only.