ALL ABOUT RABBITS

This leaflet is meant to explain a few basic facts about your rabbit. The aim is to help you take care of your beloved pet. If you would like to print a copy CLICK HERE

Rabbits have always been popular pets. In the last few years even more people have discovered the joy of having a rabbit as a pet. Rabbits can live up to 8 – 12 years. They become sexually mature at about 16 – 24 weeks, and about a month later they can give birth to an average litter of 7 babies, which can be weaned at 7 – 8 weeks.

Rabbits will make very good pets if you are aware of their needs and behaviour. This means you will have to spend time with them and they need to be tended to carefully. Rabbits can even be taught to use a litter tray if they are kept indoors.

HOUSING

If rabbits are to be kept out of doors they are best kept alone in a hutch measuring at least 36 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 18 inches high. This should be sub divivded into sleeping and outdoor compartments. Litter in the hutch should be absorbant, newspapers and sawdust are not suitable, peat moss or clean wood shavings are best.

FEEDING

Grass is a welcome ingredient in a rabbits diet, so do let your rabbit graze from time to time in your garden, but do NOT feed grass cuttings. Good quality hay should be available all year round. Concentrated mixers or pellets should never be offered as a sole source of food as there is simply not enough work for the teeth in these foods. We recommend prepared food that contains alfalfa grass and other fibres, such as Burgess Supa Rabbit Excel. It is fine to feed your rabbit with the occasional carrot or cabbage leaf, but more watery vegetables like lettuce and cucumber ought not to be fed as this can lead to diarrhoea. A rabbit also will eat its own faeces (this is normal)! This type of faeces is soft and contains essential nutrients. Obviously a rabbit needs fresh water available all the time.

DISEASES

The most common problems in rabbits are;

Myxomatosis – a viral disease which kills many rabbits every year in the region. Because of the high incidence of Myxomatosis we would advise you vaccinate your rabbit every 6 months starting from 6 weeks of age.

Haemorrhagic viral disease – a viral disease that has occasional outbreaks in this region. Vaccinating your rabbit annually from 3 months old can prevent this disease.

Blow Fly – the fly lays eggs on the coat of the rabbit. The maggots eat away the skin and can cause a severe infection which can be fatal. Check your rabbit every day, particularly around the bottom area, to prevent this and keep the hutch clean. With childrens rabbits it is important that parents or a responsible person check rabbits over daily in hot weather, with maggot infestation in mind.

Dental problems – lots of rabbits have poor and overgrown teeth. They grow continuously during a rabbits life and correct feeding from an early age is very important and can prevent these problems occurring.

If you have any questions or want some more advice we will be happy to help you, so do not hesitate to ask.

If you would like to print "All About Rabbits" then CLICK HERE