Caring for Rabbits
Rabbits are quite easy to care for. They do not
necessitate complex or difficult treatment. Simple awareness of their
needs and catering to them is often sufficient for a rabbit to thrive
and be healthy.
The first thing that one should be aware of is that
the rabbit needs a place to hide and be safe in. Rabbits prefer an
indoor environment. However, if you need to keep them outside, you need
to provide a safe and stable atmosphere so that they can adapt easily.
It is very important to keep all types of predators away from the
rabbit. Even the sight of a predator (e.g. a dog or a cat) can cause a
heart attack in the rabbit.
If your rabbit is kept indoors, it may be caged or
allowed to roam freely. However, if free roaming is allowed, ensure that
the house is completely rabbit proof. All electrical wiring and outlets
should be covered. This is because rabbits have a habit of chewing and
may damage these wires, resulting in electrical shocks. If kept in a
cage, there should be plenty of room to move about (the cage should be
at least four times the size of the rabbit). Provision should be made
for litter boxes. Litters used can be wood pulp or shredded newspaper
but wood shavings of cedar and pine should be avoided as this can induce
allergic reactions in the rabbit due inhalation of essential oils.
Rabbits enjoy playing. By keeping wooden balls and
rings in their cages, the animal will kept amused and busy. This will
also avoid chewing of door mats or carpets. Sharp objects or very small
stuff that the animal could swallow should not be placed in the cages.
Rabbits are fragile creatures. Their bone structure
is weak compared to the power of their muscles. Never pick up a rabbit
by its ears. The unrestrained rabbit is likely to struggle and
consequently break its own bones. Always hold the rabbit against your
own body in order to prevent rash movements.
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