Common Questions about Rabbit Care
Most parents view rabbits as starter pets for their kids. Though rabbits are an affordable option, the truth of the matter is that rabbits are extremely delicate and are not suitable pets for young children. Read on to find out more about whether a rabbit is right for you and tips on how to care for a rabbit.
Can I Bathe my Rabbit?
The answer is a big no. Rabbits are meticulously clean because they are self-grooming animals. This means most of the time, they do not require human intervention when it comes to hygiene. I’m sure many of you are tempted to give your rabbit a bath after watching videos on rabbits peacefully chilling in the tub. Unfortunately, these peaceful-looking fellas are not at all relaxed, rather, they are playing dead due to extreme stress.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, rabbits are delicate animals. A highly stressful event, such as a bath, can trigger a heart attack and in some cases, may also lead to hypothermia. The result of these two conditions can be fatal. Therefore, do not give rabbits a bath, instead, spot cleaning with a damp towel will do the trick.
What Kind of Litter Should I Use?
It’s kind of gross, but rabbits have a habit of nibbling on their litter. Because of this habit, it’s important to choose a litter that is safe for rabbit ingestion. This means it’s a good idea to avoid using pine, cedar, and kitty litter.
Pine and cedar shavings contain phenols, and prolonged exposure to phenol could lead to liver failure. In addition to wood shavings, kitty litter should be avoided as well. You see, kitty litters are made to clump together for an easy clean when exposed to urine. As mentioned, rabbits love to nibble on their litter, and this could render a trip to the vet. To pick the safest litter material, choose recycled paper pellets. They are extremely absorbent and rabbit-chewing-friendly.
Are Rabbits Trainable?
Yes, rabbits can be trained. As a matter of fact, rabbits are highly intelligent and social animals. With consistency, you can actually train your rabbit to do many tricks that dogs can do. You can also utilize training techniques to keep the destructive chewing behavior at bay.
Do Rabbits Require Companionships?
Yes, rabbits are highly social animals, and they strive in an environment where they have a companion. If you are looking to get a rabbit, I would advise you to get them in pairs. When rabbits are in pairs, they tend to be calmer and less prone to destructive behaviors. However, if you are unable to purchase them in pairs, you need to spend a lot of effort on creating a stimulating environment.
How Can I Stop My Rabbit From Chewing?
There are two reasons why rabbits chew. They chew because of their biological urge to trim their teeth, and they chew out of boredom. For the biological chewers, the key is training. First, you need to rabbit-proof your house and keep most chewable items out of reach. Next, supervise your rabbit and redirect your mouthy rabbit to an appropriate rabbit-safe chew. As for the boredom chewers, get them a companion. It’ll calm their chewing behaviors when they have a friend to kill time with.
What Should I Feed My Rabbit?
Can I get a Hay? Pet store rabbit foods often contain high sugar and indigestible ingredients. Feeding this to your rabbit can shorten their life span and disrupt their digestive systems.
A healthy rabbit diet should contain a large amount of hay, a small amount of pet store pellets, and a combination of leafy greens. Hay contains a high amount of fiber that keeps their digestive systems healthy. Avoid feeding an excessive amount of starchy carrots. Surprised? Carrots should not be the primary ingredient in a rabbit diet. This goes to show that we shouldn’t believe in everything we see on TV.
Can I Keep My Rabbits Confined in a Cage?
Contrary to popular beliefs, rabbits are not meant to be caged animals. In the wild, they roam freely. Therefore, spending a long duration confined in a small cage is very detrimental not only to their physical wellbeing but to their mental wellbeing as well. If you are a rabbit owner, let them out to exercise every day. Before you do so, make sure you keep non-rabbit-friendly items out of reach.
How Long Do Rabbits Live?
Rabbits can live an average of 8-12 years. As in the case of dogs, the smaller they are, the longer they live. However, unlike dogs, rabbits are high maintenance animals that require a lot of attention to detail. As a result of the care rabbits required, many owners discard their unwanted rabbit friends by releasing them into the wild. Before you decide on a rabbit companion, please know that it’s a life-long commitment, and disposing of these defenseless animals in the wild is highly not recommended.