Lionhead rabbits have hair on their heads.The tuft of long fur between and around the ears distinguishes them from other rabbit breeds.The name "lion" is why they have it.This breed has been popular in Europe since the 1980s, but has only been recognized as a distinct breed in the United States.It is similar to caring for other rabbits that the lionhead rabbit needs love and attention to keep it healthy and happy.
Step 1: Be patient.
If you see a pretty lionhead rabbit in a pet store, don't rush into a purchase and never buy on impulse.Do you know if you can provide adequate lifelong care for a lionhead?This is a long term commitment because they can live up to ten years.
Step 2: Take into account the costs of looking after your lionhead rabbit.
The initial purchase price of a lionhead can be small compared to the cost of ongoing maintenance.The purchase cost of runs, bedding, and feedstuffs is included.There is also the cost of veterinary treatment, nail clips and teeth filing, and preventative healthcare, such as products to prevent fly strike (when flies breed on the skin) and vaccinations.If your rabbit falls ill, you may have to pay veterinary bills.
Step 3: The animal shelter has a lionhead rabbit.
It is possible that you will find a lionhead in a shelter.Your new rabbit is likely to have been checked over by a vet and passed as healthy.Many charities get litters of unwanted rabbits when the owners think they have two rabbits of the same gender, so there is every chance of finding the bunny you want at a shelter.
Step 4: You should go to a rabbit seller.
You can find a list of breeders in your area by contacting The British Rabbit Council.You can visit a breeder and see their rabbits.There is plenty of resources for the rabbits to use, such as clean bedding, food, shelters, and toys.The rabbits should look alert and inquisitive and have bright eyes.Take a look at the pellets in the run to make sure they are dry.
Step 5: There is a lionhead rabbit at the pet store.
Pet store rabbits may be suffering from stress, which can lead to disease and illness.It is difficult to know if the conditions in which the rabbit was bred were ethical and kind.Encouraging unscrupulous breeders perpetuates unnecessary distress for the animals.
Step 6: Decide if you will keep the rabbit indoors or outdoors.
rabbits can be forgotten about and neglected more easily if they are kept as indoor pets.One disadvantage of keeping a rabbit indoors is its lack of exposure to grass, sunshine, and fresh air, which are all part of its basic needs.To keep the rabbit safe outside, get a run that is predator-proof.You can build the run yourself.You can either compromise and put your rabbit outside in good weather or train it to wear a harness so you can take it out, but keep control.
Step 7: The rabbit's cage should be set up before you bring it home.
If the cage is in the house, it should be set up in an area where the rabbit will be able to see you, but also have peace and quiet.A dish of food and a bowl of water should be included in the price of your rabbit's cage.Your lionhead should not be in a cage with soft wood bedding because it can cause respiratory problems.You can use a towel that is soft or choose a safe, recycled brand of bedding.The bunny needs a large cage to move around.It should be at least 8x the length of the rabbit.A large pen or bedroom is even better than a cage.You can put a gate in the doorway to keep the bunny out of the rabbit safe room.Rabbits are easy to litterbox.Don't forget about the water if you put a dish for his food in the cage.The left cage is too small for a rabbit.A shed with an attached 10 foot run is the best for the small run.Make sure the floor is paved so bunnies don't dig out and around it.Large paving stones work well.If you have more than one lionhead be sure to bond them.It's a good idea to get them neutered before sexual activity begins.
Step 8: If you have a rabbit, make sure your home is rabbit proof.
Rabbits are excellent house pets.rabbits will happily chew on electrical cables, with disastrous consequences.The rabbit can pick up and chew anything.Place cable protectors over electrical wires if you want to make them safe.
Step 9: Bring your pet home.
Give your bunny a few days to get used to him.Don't take it out of the cage, but talk with it frequently.Don't let children touch it until the bunny is used to it.The amount of time it takes depends on the individual bunny.
Step 10: Feed your rabbit.
Talk to your vet about your rabbit's diet.If the rabbit is less than seven months old, you should give him unlimited amounts of Timothy hay and fresh greens.The treats can be fed in small quantities.Make sure your rabbit has water.A rule of thumb is that any one food will be high in a particular ingredient.Don't feed the same food two days in a row because it could cause a health problem like excessive oxalate in carrots that can cause bladder stones.This pitfall can be avoided by providing variety in their diet.Don't feed your rabbit human foods, such as sweet biscuits.The rabbit's metabolism is not designed to handle sugar and it will cause diabetes in your rabbit.Make sure your rabbit has plenty of fiber to help prevent against wool block, keep teeth healthy, and groom your lionhead daily for the same reason.
Step 11: Every day, brush your lionhead rabbit.
If the lionhead grooms and swallows too much soft fur it can cause obstructions to the colon.To get some bonding time with your bunny, brush your lionhead daily.During the time of year when your lionhead is most shed, it grooms more often.The longer fur is between the rabbit's ears.This hair needs to be in order.You should be gentle with the delicate parts of the rabbit's face, especially its eyes.Every day, check your Lionhead's rear end.Fly strike occurs when urine or fecal soiling occurs on the rabbit's rear.Eggs are laid in the fur when flies are attracted to it.Eggs hatch and burrow into the rabbit's flesh.To avoid this, check the fur for soiling every day, and clean the rabbit's rear with cotton wool if it is dirty.Small white dots stuck to the fur should be removed immediately.Call your vet for an emergency appointment if you see any flies.
Step 12: The lionhead rabbit needs proper preventative health care.
At least once a year, your rabbit should be checked by a vet.Vaccinations are an important part of protecting your rabbit's health, and do vary from state to state and country to country, so speak to the vet about what is appropriate for your area.Vaccines can be used to protect your rabbit against HVD and myxomatosis.Even if you have a house rabbit, you should consider getting a vaccine because HVD is caused by a hardy virus, which you can walk in on your shoes.In the UK, vets give a course of worming treatment against a parasites called Encephalitozoon Cuniculi which can cause neurological damage in older rabbits.Around 75% of rabbits carry this parasites, but not all become ill from it.If you live in the UK, you should speak to your vet about treatment with a product containing fenbendazole.Female rabbits have a high risk of developing cancer.Female rabbits can be desexed at a young age from around 5 months.
Step 13: There are signs of ill health.
There are warning signs of a problem that include a wet chin, watery eyes, or discharge from the eyes.Your rabbit should be eating regularly.A vicious circle of decline starts if a rabbit doesn't eat for 24 hours.Call your vet if you are worried.Lionheads should weigh between 2.5 and 3.8 pounds.It is either overweight or pregnant if it weighs more than 4 pounds.If you want to know if your rabbit is over or under, you can gently press down on its spine.Your rabbit is overweight if you can't feel the spine.The rounded bumps on the spine should make it feel smooth.The rabbit is too small if the bumps are jagged.