Caring for your rabbit

Have you ever wanted a pet rabbit but unsure on how to care for it? Perhaps you already have one but feel like you’re doing something wrong? You’ve come to the right place.

Rabbits are fairly shy animals who need a lot of love and attention. They bode well when kept in pairs or groups. They are quite social animals.

Did you know that 90% of their diet should be made up of hay and grass? It is essential that they always have access to them to endulge in good nutrition. The rest of their diet should consist of leafy greens and pelleted food which should be given twice a day- one lot in the morning and the other in the evening. Rabbits prefer a routine so if you’re planning on getting one, be prepared for waking up early to give them their breakfast.

It also helps to visit your local pet shop where you will be exposed with the ideal rabbit enclosure. Take note.

I, myself, have a rabbit and I’ve had her for just over a year now. She gets on well with my cat, although my cat doesn’t like her very much. Although they would prefer to be housed with their own kind, they can be kept alone if they are given the love and attention from their lovely owners.

These cuddly animals need lots of space to run around and don’t forget to provide them with boredom breakers. These could include blocks of wood, cardboard, just anything for them to chew. They’ll love you for it. You could easily make them some toys out of card board such as stuffing hay into cardboard boxes and toilet roll filled with tasty treats they’ll enjoy. This also encourages foraging behaviour which is a natural behaviour rabbits perform.

It is important they have lots of stuff to do to keep them occupied otherwise they could get bored and this could easily lead to depression and abnormal behaviours.

Whether you get a long haired or short haired rabbit, you must brush them once a week to untangle their fur. This helps them out when they’re grooming themselves and prevents them from overgrooming and staying healthy. Brushing your rabbit also helps you become away of any parasites that may be living on your rabbit so play close attention, especially if you’re planning on keeping your rabbit outside.

How’s to tell if your rabbit loves you?

They will circle your feet continuously to show they love you. They may also lick or gently nibble you. This is their way of showing affection. By laying down next to them, a few hours a day, face to face, you will creative a lifetime friendship with your rabbit.

When kept indoors, it is important to keep their claws clipped regularly. This is because they are unable to wear them down when housed in an indoor environment. They can’t dig indoors, which they would do in the wild to blunt them. By keeping them trimmed, the claws won’t become overgrown which can cause your rabbit pain. It stops them curving into the foot. Their claws never stop growing.

To clip the claws, you need to be firm and gentle. Make sure they are relaxed and calm before you begin. Give them a stroke and a treat before you make any sudden movements.

Hope this helps if you’re planning to get a rabbit or have one and are unsure if you are looking after them correctly.