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Evesham Veterinary Clinic |
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Care of Rabbits The best place always to buy a rabbit is directly from a private or hobbyist breeder, but this may not always be possible and therefore many rabbit owners buy their first rabbit from a pet shop. DIET The following is intended as a feeding guide for a normal adult pet rabbit. Young (<8 months old), sick, pregnant, or nursing rabbits have different requirements. Any changes to a rabbit’s diet should be made slowly and under a veterinarian’s supervision.
Hay – Fresh “timothy” hay should be available in unlimited amounts at all times, and changed daily. Rabbits tend to eat small amounts of food frequently throughout the day and withholding hay for long periods of time can lead to intestinal upsets. Only “grass” hay, such as timothy, brome, or oat hay should be fed in unlimited amounts. “Legume” hay such as alfalfa can be too nutrient-dense and have improper calcium/phosphorus ratios. Pellets - A good quality rabbit pellet may be offered daily but in limited quantities. Pellets are a rich source of nutrients, but most pellets are also very high in carbohydrates and low in fiber. Unlimited feeding of a pelleted diet can lead to obesity and other health problems. Make sure that you buy pellets high in fiber (18% or more), and that you buy small quantities. Keep the pellets in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator. Pelleted diets with extra colored pieces, seeds, or grains are not recommended because of the potential for selective feeding. Rabbits under eight months old can have unlimited pellets. Older than eight months should consult the following table:
Fresh Vegetables – Offer small amounts of fresh vegetables daily at a rate of 1 cup per 5 lbs. of body weight. Variety is good but be careful not to make any sudden changes and always observe for signs of GI upset such as diarrhea or loss of appetite. Introduce new vegetables in small quantities at first, and discontinue that particular vegetable if you notice a problem. The following are all acceptable: Carrot tops, beet tops, dandelion greens and flowers (these are excellent, but no pesticides, please), kale, collard greens, escarole, romaine lettuce, (don't give light colored leaf lettuce or iceberg lettuce), parsley, clover, cabbage, broccoli (don't forget the leaves), carrot, green peppers, pea pods (the flat edible kind), brussel sprouts, basil, peppermint leaves, raspberry leaves, raddichio, bok choy, and spinach. Housing It is preferred that the rabbit not live in a cage with a wire floor. Cages with plastic slatted floors or a solid floor are preferred. If a litter box is placed in the corner of the cage where the rabbit chooses to use as his bathroom, there shouldn’t be much mess to clean up. A rabbit should live in a cage that is at least four times the size of the rabbit, preferably more if the rabbit is confined to the cage for the majority of the day. The cage is the rabbit's "nest", a special place where he can feel safe and secure. Make the nest enjoyable and she will enjoy being there, even when the cage door is open. Keep it stocked with baby toys, a synthetic sheepskin rug, a piece of wood attached to the inside. Handling It is important to be cautious when handling your pet rabbit. If you pick up your rabbit be sure to support his or her back legs. It is preferable to wrap the rabbit’s body in a towel so that he or she can not kick out and get hurt. Rabbits should never be restrained or lifted by the ears. If the rabbit begins to struggle violently, it should immediately be placed on a solid surface and calmed. If a rabbit kicks his or her back legs while being held it is possible for the rabbit to break his or her back due to the power in the back legs. Additionally the nails on their back legs can painfully scratch the handler if the rabbit struggles to escape. The person holding the rabbit must also be careful of the rabbit’s mouth. Even though rabbits are docile animals and rarely bite, if startled or scared they may bite. A rabbit handled frequently from a young age will usually remain receptive to human handling. |
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