9 Rabbit Care Basic Tips

Rabbit care basics are all about how you should treat your pet rabbit. It is about how they will be able to live a healthy life in your hands. But for you to be able to give them the love and attention they need you must be familiar with some of the guidelines of rabbit care basic which is very important in handling pet rabbits. Their health is in your hands.

Another factor of rabbit care basic is how you should see to it that they are in god health. As an owner, you must always check if your pet rabbit is feeling fine. Rabbits can't talk that's why you must know whether they are sick or not. You also must see to it that they are getting the right kind of food for their age and situations.

Rabbits' need differ from their condition and breeds. Small rabbits does not require large amount of food and shelter. Pregnant rabbits do need extra amount of pellets and veggies to help her body function well especially the she have litters inside her that are also getting nourishment from all the food she takes.

Here are some important guidelines you must understand and follow about rabbit care basics:

1. When trimming their nails, you must dampen their paws first before trimming it but never overtrim their nails because it might bleed.

2. Do not use any flea soap or flea shampoo when bathing your rabbit. These could get into their eyes and could really harm them. When you are going to bathe them, use no tears shampoo and if you suspects that they have fleas in their coats, never use any flea products instead consult your vet about flea comb.

3. See to it that your pet rabbit gets the right kind of food in right amount. Pellets should be given º cups every day and should also have their veggies and fruits too.

4. Always give your pet rabbits fresh and clean water. Rabbits are fluid drinkers and they could get dehydrated easily when they are not able to drink. If this happens, feed them with Pedialyte to replenish the loss fluid from their bodies.

5. A rabbit's cage should also be larger than his size so he can have enough room to move around.

6. Clean the cage at least twice a week.

7. Feed your pet rabbit with ample supply of oats and timothy hay.

8. Let your pet rabbit do his daily exercise and the ideal time for it is two hours every day.

9. Never give your pet rabbit any cedar because this might cause respiratory blockage or worse it could kill them when digested.

Rabbits Diet

Rabbits Diet: Is your rabbit eating right?

The typical diet for a pet rabbit consists of water, hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and its own caecal pellets. Fruit and other treats are given only in very limited quantities, as they can cause obesity in a rabbit. Rabbits require a constant water supply as they dehydrate quickly.

Most sources recommend 80% of the diet should be Timothy hay or another grass hay. Too many vegetables in a rabbit's diet typically leads to diarrhea and other digestive problems.

Pellets

Rabbits are generally fed a pelleted feed available from pet stores, supermarkets, and farm suppliers. Pellets were originally designed for rabbit breeders for the purpose of providing as much food energy and vitamins as inexpensively as possible. This is optimal when the rabbits are being bred for food or for experimentation.

Most sources recommend a minimum of 18% fiber, low protein (14?15%), and less than 1% calcium. Depending on the amount of vegetables available, an adult rabbit should be given between 20 ml to 40 ml per kilogram (? and ? cup of pellets per 6 pounds) body weight daily. Pre-adolescent and adolescent rabbits (7 months and younger) can be given as much pelleted diet as they can consume, although additional vegetables are preferable to additional pellets. An older rabbit (over six years) can be given more pellets if they are having difficulty maintaining a steady body weight. Timothy hay-based pellets are great for rabbits that have stopped growing and do not need to gain weight. Alfalfa-based pellets are best only for young, growing rabbits or older rabbits who are under-weight.

Hay

Hay is essential for the health of all rabbits. A steady supply of hay will help prevent gastrointestinal stasis and other digestive tract problems in rabbits. Additionally, it provides a number of necessary vitamins and minerals at a low food energy cost. Rabbits enjoy chewing on hay, and always having hay available for the rabbit may reduce its tendency to chew on other items. Timothy hay and other grass hays are considered the healthiest to provide the rabbit. As a persistently high blood calcium level can prove harmful to the rabbit, hays such as alfalfa and clover hay should be avoided. Alfalfa is also relatively high in food energy, and a constant diet of it can cause obesity in rabbits.

Treats

Treats are unhealthy in large quantities for rabbits, just as they are for humans. Most treats sold in pet stores are filled with sugar and high food energy carbohydrates. If an owner is determined to feed the rabbit treats, the best treat to provide it with is fruit.

Acceptable fruits (seeds and pits MUST be removed): Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Peach, Apple, Kiwi, Berries, Orange and other citrus fruits.

Pineapple, mango, and papaya all contain a natural enzyme which is thought to reduce hairballs.

Fruits or other treats must be given in moderation, as rabbits easily become overweight and suffer health problems. Their diet should consist of no more than half a tablespoon of fruits or treats per day.

However, fresh fruits should not be given to rabbits under the age of 4 months because their digestive system are not always developed enough to handle the fruit. It can cause enteritis that causes death within 48 hours.

While a common myth that rabbits should be given lettuce, this is not a good idea because it contains little to no nutritional value for the rabbit and again can cause enteritis which leads to a quick death.

Caecal pellets

Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit eat some of his feces. These are called cecal pellets, and are a vital part of his diet. Caecal pellets are soft, smelly, clumpy feces, and are a rabbit's only supply of Vitamin B12. Due to the design of the rabbit's digestive system, they cannot extract some vitamins and minerals directly from their food. At the end of their digestive system is an area called the caecum where cellulose and other plant fibers are broken down and ferment. After they have been broken down and passed, a rabbit's digestive system can finally extract the vitamins from them.

Some Different Styles of Rabbit Cages

Rabbits are clean animals and they enjoy being litter-trained; therefore, they are quite happy to live in rabbit cages which keep them safe and comfortable. There are many styles of prefabricated or do-it-yourself cages to choose from according to your preferences and needs. Well made, indoor and large outdoor cages or pens will help your pet live a happy, healthy life.

The first and most important factor to consider with any type of cage is, however, that the size ought to correspond proportionally to the size of the bunny. It is recommended that the cage be at least four times as big as your rabbit. A 36" x 36" cage, with a height of 24" to 36", ought to be sufficient to accommodate a single rabbit weighing over 8 pounds.

Any style of cage with a height of at least 24" could accommodate within it a second-story loft with a ramp. This type of cage, as well as those without a loft and only one story high, would benefit from having a ramp which leads from the exit-way allowing your pet to come and go leisurely from their little haven. It is for this specific reason that a cage with a side-door is recommended over one with a top door.

Your cage should have a secure locking device to ensure that it remains tightly closed, especially in the case of side doors. Otherwise, it would be unfortunate if the little furry guy or gal squeezed through, burrowed out, or got stuck in the doorway when no one was around to catch it or help it out of its dilemma!

A cage with a larger doorway on the side is preferable over a smaller one one so as to facilitate easy removal of a litter pan. And as previously mentioned, the rabbit can then get itself in and out easily without your help. Since the best cages are made of wire, it would be in your best interest, and that of your rabbit's, to ensure that the all side-door frames are smoothly covered to prevent injuries and deter rabbit-chewing.

A style of cage with wood flooring instead of wire would be cozier for your pet so its paws and skin do not become irritated. If treated with a non-toxic substance and fitted tightly against the sides of the cage, wood flooring would be safe for bunny, impossible to chew and easy to remove for cleaning. A soft layer of hay covering an easy-clean floor would be appreciated by your rabbit and the cleanliness of the cage would be simple to maintain.

Hay will stay fresh, soft and dry if there is a litter box available for your pet and if the hay-bed is replaced at least weekly. You can simply brush the old hay from the wood, wipe the floor clean using non-toxic cleaners and reduce your cleaning time while simultaneously making this style almost self-cleaning - you will be as happy as your pet!

Outdoor types of cages can be constructed or prefabricated just as easily as indoor ones. A well-covered, secure, outdoor playpen area would be appreciated by your pet, but don't forget to be sure that you have laid down an indestructible floor underneath it - as rabbits love to burrow and chew.

Bad weather and predators such as cats, dogs, hawks, etc. Will not be able to harm your pet in its safe, outdoor cage. In addition to the indoor styles mentioned earlier, an outdoor cage modeled with a bit of sophistication would sport a water-proof, covered top. If this cover allowed light in as well, your bunny would love to being out of doors while you are away during the workday provided it will be shielded from the blazing sun. It will also enjoy sleeping in its protected environment all night long.

The range of styles of rabbit cages is much larger than one would think. Given that wide selection, however, just a as with humans, the cleaner and safer rabbit cages are, the happier the rabbit.

Rabbit Cages - The Perfect Housing For Your Cuddly Pets

Rabbits are adorable and cuddly pets that both children and adults equally like. Providing a wonderful home for your innocent pet is the first thing that you need to consider before buying a rabbit. Usually, two types of housing options are available for rabbits: hutches and cages.

Rabbit Hutches

These are built as outdoor housing units for rabbits. Traditional designs have three sides made of wood with a wired front and bottom. Usually, there will be doors at the back. The whole structure is supported by long legs so that the rabbits can be kept away from the ground for protection from extreme chills and predators. A hutch can house many rabbits in independent compartments. Hutches are great for outdoor housing of rabbits as it does not require daily cleaning, though you need to remove the droppings occasionally.

However, there are also some negative sides to housing your pet rabbits in a hutch. Since they are placed outside, hutches are exposed to the changing weather conditions. Extreme cold climate can be hazardous for most varieties of pet rabbits. Likewise, they are also prone to attack from predators. Though they are safe inside the hutch, small animals like dogs, cats, etc. can scare them and even cause their death. Care must be taken to house the rabbits in warmer places and away from predator attack.

Rabbit Cages

Perhaps the best option to keep rabbits inside or outside the house is to put them in proper cages. Indoor cages help you to keep your pets inside the house with you. Since rabbits love the company of humans, they are also happy to see the people, hear their voices, and being cuddled and played with more often. Well-trained rabbits can even play in your house and retire to their cages whenever they like or when it is time to shut them up for the night. Weather changes do not affect them and they are also safe from predators, unless you have a pet cat or dog that has access to the indoors. You also need to clean the cage on a daily basis.

Different types of materials are used for rabbit cages. Most people prefer the wired variety as it is easier to clean. Another advantage of all-wire cages is that it does not let any odor remain in the cages as against the solid variety which accumulate the rabbit droppings. The odor will still be there in the solid rabbit cages even after you clean them.

When you buy or build rabbit cages, make sure that they are quite airy and has sufficient space for your big bunny to hop around. Even if your pet is small in size, it will be a good idea to have a big cage so that it does not feel crammed inside. While outdoor hutches are mainly for protection, indoor cages can be treated as decorative features. Since the rabbits are already protected by the walls of the house, the indoor cages can be considered as a supplementary housing. People who prefer indoor cages usually choose aesthetic models that complement the interior of the room where it is placed.

Safely Giving Your Pet Rabbit a Bath

Rabbits are naturally clean animals that groom themselves frequently. Apart from regular brushing to prevent the formation of hairballs, they should not normally require any extra bathing. Some pet owners, particularly those who intend to show their rabbits, may want to go an extra step to keep their rabbits smelling fresh and free of dirt.

For these owners, there are a number of commercial dry rabbit shampoos that can simply be brushed through the fur without the need for rinsing. This is important because rabbits, as a rule, should not be bathed. There are several reasons for this. Although there are reports of rabbits who enjoy paddling around the pool, the vast majority will be immensely stressed at being forced into water- enough so that some die of shock after being given a simple bath. Also, rabbits have extremely fine, dense fur that will take a very long time to dry out on its own. This means that, once the rabbit is wet, it must be dried off as soon as possible. The catch here is that they are also extremely sensitive to heat, and a hot blow-dryer may be enough to cause serious damage.

Having said all that, it may be necessary to bathe your bunny under certain conditions. Soft stools (probably caused by improper diet) can cause cecotropes (or "night pellets") to cling and cake up around the rabbit's anus. Beyond being disgusting, and very uncomfortable for the rabbit, this creates a perfect environment for parasites. If your rabbit suffers from "poopy butt syndrome", your first step should be to attempt to brush out the clumps. Don't try to cut them away unless you are absolutely certain you can do so without cutting the skin, as rabbits' skin is incredibly thin, and even a small cut can tear wider and result in massive bleeding. If this doesn't work, you may need to bathe the rabbit.

In a sink or bathtub, lay down a towel, and fill with lukewarm (not hot) water to a depth of a couple inches. Remember, you do not want to immerse the rabbit! Add rabbit shampoo to the water- about a teaspoon should do it. It is very important that you use only shampoo noted as safe for rabbits- human or dog shampoo may cause serious damage to the rabbit's skin. Once you have lathery water, you can gently lower the rabbit into the water to immerse the problem area. Gently massage the clumps and mats until the area is clean- for severe cases, you may need to change the water before completing. When you are satisfied the area is clean, gently towel off the bunny. The fur is dense and fine enough that it is still too wet for the rabbit's health, so you'll need to blow-dry it the rest of the way. This is probably the most dangerous portion of the whole process, as rabbits are extremely susceptible to heat. Use only the "warm" setting on the blow dryer, and keep a hand on the area being dried so you can feel exactly how hot the air is to the rabbit.

Throughout this whole process, it is important that you monitor your rabbit closely. Stress isn't just unpleasant for rabbits, it can easily kill them. If your rabbit seems to be panicking or struggles violently, stop the process immediately. Give it a day to calm down, and try again later. If this is a process you undertake regularly, the rabbit will eventually grow accustomed to it- but until then, you must respect your rabbit's feelings, or risk having a dead rabbit.

Following these guidelines should get you through this sensitive process with a minimum of risk and hardship. If you are ever uncertain as to how to proceed, contact a local veterinarian before taking any chances. Your rabbit will thank you, as will rabbit lovers everywhere.

choosing the best Rabbit food

Owning a pet rabbit can be great fun. They are a very cute and loveable animal. But you need to understand exactly how to feed and care for your pet in the right manner to prevent sickness and disease form becoming a problem. One of the biggest considerations is what type of rabbit food to give to them.

Rabbits are naturally herbivores, this means that they only consume plants, so do not give them any scraps of meat from the kitchen table, save that for your pet dog. Most bunnies would enjoy eating herbs, grass, seeds, and vegetables. It is also possible to provide them with special rabbit pellets designed to ensure they have the maximum nutrition possible, if this is an option you are going to undertake then make sure the pellets you choose are correct for the age of your rabbit.

Understand that just like us humans, each rabbit with have its own particular likes and dislikes. For example, one individual may have a soft spot for carrots whereas another may prefer munching on lettuce leaves. If you are to give them an assortment of vegetables then it would be better to choose organic varieties rather than those that have been coated with high amounts of pesticides. A rabbit is not going to care over how its food looks; it is the taste and nutrition which is important.

You should avoid giving any food that is overly watery or sugary as this can have a negative impact on their digestive system. If you notice that your pet is not so inclined to eat the foods you are providing then change their diet.

It is also important that the rabbit can consume foods that need chewing. This helps them to maintain a healthy oral cavity and prevent gum infections and related diseases.

What Do Baby Rabbits Eat? A Guide to Raising a Young Bunny

If you're a baby rabbit that has no access to his mother, you may be wondering "What do eat baby rabbits?". It's a good question, because the digestive system of rabbits can be very difficult at first.

Rabbit milk is the milk of all mammals and caloric can be difficult to replicate. The best milk replacer, you are Kitten milk replacer (KMR), which can be purchased at pet shops, and even your local supermarket. However, the milk is not as caloric as rabbit, it is therefore a good idea is to add a tablespoon of cream on each square. This is mixed well and bring the calories to a level that rabbits need.

You have to feed the baby rabbits twice a day. I suggest orally with a pipette or syringe. oral syringe works best, because one can measure how much you give. You can find in any pharmacy.

In addition to the kitten milk replacement, I recommend adding acidophilus on the mixture. Acidophilus comes in capsule form and can be found in a health shop or pharmacy. Acidophilus is the generic term for a group of probiotics, which can greatly help the process of digestion.

How much should you feed the rabbits?

Here are some guidelines for the daily diet, you should use for a 5-6 rabbit book

As a newborn, you start with 5 cc of KMR and a half capsule of acidophilus.
A blow to the week 10-15 DC KMR and half a capsule of acidophilus
2 weeks 25-30 DC KMR and a capsule full of acidophilus Move
3 weeks and stay until weaned on well with a full 30 DC KMR capsulte acidophilus.

If you raise a pet rabbit, it is important to understand what is going on, to take care of these furry creatures

Baby Rabbit Care Tips - What to Look Out For and How to Care For Your Rabbits

Baby rabbit care is basically a simple task because the mothers of these animals originally take over with regards to the actual nursing. The only preparation that a rabbit owner needs to take care of comes with the preparation of the litter, the nest, and keeping the temperature suitable for the baby. There is not much problem with food though most owners think that mother rabbits don't feed their young because they don't see them nursing the infants after birth. The reality, however, is that the mothers only feed the babies once a day and between 12 midnight to 5 am so most owners just don't see the deed done. When it comes to baby rabbit care, other food shouldn't be introduced to the babies if the owner is not sure that they haven't been fed. One indication to know that the baby has already been fed is when its temperature is warm and has a little round belly.

Baby rabbit care also includes creating a nest comfortable for them. A simple box can be lined with hay or any soft material to cushion the babies. Using newspaper is not recommended though because the mother has a tendency of removing the lining and placing them back again so hay or wood shredding are easier to use. In baby rabbit care, the mother should already be settled on the nest 28 days after their breeding period. Once the babies are born, maintain the cleanliness of the nest by regularly replacing the linings.

Even though it is very unlikely for the mother to not feed their babies, baby rabbit care also demand the owner to feed the babies sometimes if the babies are not being nursed. The meals can be administered to the babies by using a sterile oral syringe or eye dropper. One must be careful in feeding though, because the baby may choke if the quantity is too much. Cleaning in baby rabbit care, on the other hand, should only be done only if the mother is not around to do it because babies are more comfortable if they have their own parent touching them. In cases when the mother is absent though, a cotton ball slightly moistened with warm water should be used and the strokes should start from between the front legs of the baby down to the bottom pair. Baby rabbits usually open their eyes after 10 days but if they still have it closed even after 12 days, they should be brought to the vet immediately.

Amazing Facts About Rabbits

Many rabbits can do amazing things. As the popularity of the rabbits also increases the demand function of the facts. There are so many things people need to know about rabbits. It was extremely difficult to compile a list that includes, like all ... I do not. The following list is a compilation of two or amazing facts about any of the rabbits that shocked me and flattened me first "when they learned or were too is not unique to share. This is the list:

Knowing that many rabbits are known for their mating behavior known. The fact is that view cultures as a symbol of fertility in rabbits. But did you know rabbits can give birth to eight times a year (this goes more impressive)!

Bunnies sweats, and do so through your feet have pads.

After mating, the female fin and enters coma like state for about fifteen seconds.

Tilt may have their rabbits back and slide back and forth to the man who induce a state of trance. What this also means that in theory it is possible to Hypnotize rabbit Thurs.

Rabbits are the only animals other than cats that are not induced ovulation cycles.

Rabbit has two cervix (the jaw drop again.)

More rabbits, which is the average, suffering from heat stroke than other animals.

These giant rabbit ears that is not just for show, not to hear the rabbit surprising. There is growing even in an audience of hundreds and hundreds hawk position of feet into the sky.

These are only eight amazing facts about rabbits. There are many, many, many more, are really interesting and unique creatures. This wonderful, if not all the facts of the movement is stuck his interest, and now give to increase your revenue shot in rabbits. This is great! It is also one of the most surprising facts about rabbits, they can easily tamed.