A rabbit is a lovable pet; but it is equally difficult to take care of the adorable bunny. Rabbit is a delicate pet and has some characteristics that need special care. Here are some tips for rabbit care.
An Indoor Pet
Though some people choose to keep rabbits outdoors, this small pet should preferably be kept indoors. Domestic rabbits differ a lot from their wild cousins. They cannot bear extreme temperatures, particularly in summers. Moreover, they have always at a risk from predators. Rabbits are stressed creatures – even a sound or slight sight of a wild animal nearby can stress up rabbits so much that they can even undergo a heart attack and even die of fear. So, it’s better to keep them in the safe environment of your home.
Should They Be Put Into a Cage?
If you prefer to put them in cage or let them roam freely around the house, it’s no problem, unless you make everything rabbit-proof. These cute little pets are quite dirty and even only one of them can turn a house topsy-turvy. They also are in a habit of chewing everything; so, if they chew an electrical cord, that may cause a serious injury or death too. The chewing habit of rabbits can expose them to the risk of poisoning if wrong objects, like pesticides, rodenticides and cleaning chemicals, are kept within their reach. Also, common plants like calla lily, aloe, philodendron, lily of the valley, azalea and assorted plant bulbs can cause toxic effects to rabbits.
If in that case, you keep them in a cage, make it a point to bring a large cage, because rabbits need a lot of space. Remember to bring a cage that is five times (at least) the size of the rabbit. See to it that the rabbit is able to stretch out completely in his cage, stand up without bumping his head on the cage’s ceiling, etc. Try to avoid wire flooring because it is hard on the rabbit’s feet because rabbits’ feet don’t have protective pads like cats and dogs have.
Don’t forget to place a ‘rabbit condo’ or a cardboard box in the cage where the bunny can hide. Respect his need to spend some quiet moments, as rabbits normally sleep during day and night and play during dusk and dawn.
But remember also that if you keep your bunny in a cage, he has to be taken out of cage many times in a day to give him enough exercise, not only jumping and running but also exploring new things in the surroundings which he enjoys.
Visit RabbitGA.org to get complete information on how to care for your pet rabbit, what type of cage you should prefer and much more.