Any other pet needs to be raised the same.Rabbits need a good environment in order to be healthy and happy.If you want to get more than one rabbit, you should know that they like the company of other rabbits.rabbits will happily hop around your house if you give them everything they needIt takes time and patience to bond rabbits, and they must be neutered prior to that.There are many different approaches to bonding, but they should not be put together and left alone, they can seriously hurt one another.
Step 1: Purchase a rabbit carefully.
If this is the right pet for you, it can be tempting to impulsively buy lop-eared rabbits.A lop is a rabbit whose ears don't point up.There are 19 different types of lops.English and Miniature lops are popular as pets.A local animal rescue centre is a good place to start.Rabbits live for around nine to eleven years, and need attention and care for all of them.They need space to run around.
Step 2: You should know the costs.
You need to make sure you have the money to keep a rabbit.You should pay between $15 and $60 for a lop.You will need a cage, a carrier, and a litter box to buy the rabbit.This is just a start.You should expect to have an average food bill of around $800 a year, and add in toys and treats for an additional $300.rabbit veterinary medicine is a specialized field and most vets do not know how to properly treat rabbits.It's important to have your rabbit neutered if he isn't already when you adopt him/her, and this can cost as much as $300.Injury or illness can run into the thousands.rabbits hide signs of illness until they are critically ill, so be prepared if your rabbit becomes ill.
Step 3: If you want to bunny-proof your entire home, you should get a good size exercise pen or rabbit condo.
Rabbits have strong and powerful hind legs that are designed for running and jumping around.They need a lot of room to move around.The minimum size of an exercise pen is four feet wide and six feet long for a small to medium-sized rabbit.Don't use a wire cage.If you must use a wire cage, be sure to cover the bottom with a piece of wood or cardboard to protect their feet.Rabbits' feet are very delicate and can be quickly and easily affected by standing on wire.
Step 4: The bunny should be kept inside.
It is now advised that rabbits be kept indoors, even though it is quite common to keep rabbits outdoors.Animals are isolated and exposed to dangers of predators.A rabbit can die from a heart attack if it's secured in a hutch.They can interact with you and your family if they are kept indoors.A warm environment where they can run around is very beneficial.
Step 5: An extra large litterbox is required.
If you can't allow your rabbit to roam, you'll need a pen or condo.Rabbits can't usually be litter trained before they are neutered.Your rabbit needs a large litterbox.
Step 6: There is a constant supply of hay.
The most important elements in a rabbit's diet are hay and grass.Rabbits need plenty of hay to eat throughout the day and night.A good intake of grass or hay is important for the health of a rabbit.You should make sure that your rabbit gets fresh hay at all times.Every day your rabbit will eat the same amount of hay.The hay should be spread around the area.Rabbits like to eat hay.They will eat hay if it is put in these places.Rabbits eat the most at dawn and dusk.
Step 7: Make sure your rabbit has fresh clean water.
Twice a day, you should check your rabbit's water supply.If your rabbit is outside, make sure the water doesn't freeze.The health of your rabbit can be harmed by inadequate water supplies.The most important thing is the constant supply of fresh water, you can either use a water bottle or a dish.It may be more natural for your rabbits to drink from a dish.Water in a dish can become dirty with bedding.Monitoring how much they drink is a good idea.A sudden decrease in the amount of water they drink can be a sign of health problems.
Step 8: You should have a good supply of dried food.
A rabbit should have a diet that combines good quality dried food with fresh hay, oats, vegetables and water.If you follow the manufacturer's instructions, you should not re-fill your bowls.The rabbits may not get enough hay if you do this.It's a good idea to look for pellets with 15% and 18% fibre.Depending on the age of the rabbits, the amount of food required will be different.After your rabbit is fully grown, he should not be given more than 1/3 cup per day for every five pounds he weighs.
Step 9: Provide him with fresh food.
A third of your rabbit's diet should be fresh leafy greens.He will enjoy a lot of different greens.As a basic guide, it is recommended to provide two cups of greens per six pounds of rabbit weight each day.It is a good choice to have fresh herbs.Before giving them to your rabbits, be sure they are washed and cleaned.
Step 10: He should be given occasional treats.
You can give your rabbit a piece of fruit or a root vegetable.Rabbits don't eat these naturally so you should limit how much you give them.Treat your rabbit with fruit and root vegetables.Fruits like strawberries, pineapples and apples are appropriate treats.You shouldn't give your rabbit more than two heaped mounds of treats per pound of body weight.Banana slices should only be given occasionally.You need to remove the pips from fruit.These can be harmful to rabbits.Egg plants, tomato plants and potato plants can be harmful to your rabbit.Don't feed your rabbit anything that has chocolate or coffee.
Step 11: Give him company.
At least one other friendly rabbit should be kept with rabbits.They like to be with other rabbits.A neutered male and neutered female are a good combination.rabbits can develop abnormal behaviours if they are left alone for long periods.If possible, allow your Lop to choose its own companion.Before you adopt, some rescue organizations may allow you to introduce your rabbit to other rabbits.To make a bonding session enjoyable, you need to put two rabbits together in a neutral space with toys and treats.You can see how they get along.
Step 12: There is a good supply of things to chew.
There should be a lot of toys for your rabbit.An old telephone directory is one of the simple things that are included in some safe chew toys.If you don't mind it getting chewed to bits, you could give them an old cotton towel.
Step 13: Give your rabbits places to dig.
As well as being chewers, rabbits are diggers.It's important for them to have opportunities to dig.They won't be digging holes in your floor like they are in the wild, but you can recreate it with a digging box.A good size cardboard box and shredded paper are all you need to make a digging box.You could put soil in the box if you don't mind the mess.
Step 14: Provide a hiding spot.
Provide places where your rabbits can hide.It's nothing to worry about if they do this because they are afraid.They need to be able to hide if something scares them.The hiding places should be high enough to allow them to run underneath.There should be at least one hiding place for each rabbit.If you have more than one rabbit, you should provide a big hiding spot for them.They need to hide away from the smell and sight of their prey.You need to provide hiding places even if they are completely safe in your house.
Step 15: Allow him time to run around.
You should remove your rabbit's cage every day so he can get some exercise.Rabbits need a lot of exercise in a large space.They are most active early morning, late afternoon and overnight.It's important to make sure your home is safe before you do this.Rabbits should be able to exercise for long periods of time.
Step 16: Every day, sit with your rabbit.
It's important that you spend some time with rabbits.Help them bond by interacting with them frequently.Try to put some time aside every day to be with them, even if this is just sitting in the same room while he is roaming about.He might climb onto the sofa to say hello if you are watching TV.
Step 17: Know how to care for your rabbit.
Rabbits need to be handled with care and sensitivity.Lower yourself down to floor level and talk quietly around him.If he is comfortable with being handled, you can gently lift him with one hand and scoop up his rear with the other.Lift him up to your chest and hold him with one hand.He can feel safe if you hold his feet against your body.If you start handling your rabbit at a young age, they will get used to it.Rescue rabbits that are not used to being handled might find it distressing.Children should be supervised around your rabbit and never pick it up by its ears.
Step 18: The cage and litter box need to be cleaned.
Your rabbit's housing and litter tray should be cleaned regularly.It's important that they have a clean and well-kept environment to live in.It won't take long if you empty out and replace bedding every day.The cage should be cleaned once a week.If you have to, you should clean the cage once a month or every two weeks.Once the cage is completely dry, put the rabbits back in.
Step 19: Take care of your rabbit.
It is a good idea to brush your rabbit with a soft brush.If you don't groom him enough, his hair can build up in mats and cause sores.He needs to brush his coat to keep it in top shape.The back of the head is where you should be brushing.Be patient with your rabbit.Different rabbits will respond in different ways to being brushed.If you speak to your vet, you can clip your rabbit's nails.
Step 20: Don't bathe your rabbit when it's necessary.
If your rabbit isn't able to clean himself, bathing should only be done.It's a good idea to use a cleanser designed for rabbits.The water is warm if he has secure footing at the bottom of the bowl.He would be the biggest risk if he jumped out of the bowl or bath.If you want to clean him, you can use a fine flea comb on his fur.Try not to let the skin get wet when you wet him with a cloth and warm water.He should be dried off with a hair dryer that is gentle and sensitive.
Step 21: When to take him to the vet is up to you.
Bring your rabbit to the vets for a check-up at least once a year.You can help by watching out for any signs of ill health, in between these times.Make an appointment with the vet if you think he might be ill.There are symptoms to look out for.Your rabbit doesn't have a bowl movement for a long time.It was watery diarrhoea.Runny nose and eyes.There was a dark red urine.Red and swollen skin is a result of fur loss.Lethargy.