Owning Rabbits for Pets: Things Everyone Should Know

I have had pet rabbits since I was about 12 years old, and they are the best pets I've ever had. In fact, I just recently added a new baby bunny to the pets we already have. It's been two years since my last rabbit, and I thought it was time to get another. I'm now old enough to fully understand how much work they really are, but with the different personalities that they have, I believe its well worth the time and effort it takes to make them excellent house pets.

Before you even consider getting a rabbit for a pet, make sure you do the research needed to educate yourself on the care and maintenance of rabbits. They are considered exotic pets, and require large amounts of special care. A good website to start with would be House Rabbit Society located at www.rabbit.org. There are tips, tricks and all kinds of information if you're just starting out with your first rabbit.

Rabbits are as easily house trained as cats, if you know what to do. Litter boxes are a must for house rabbits that run around the house. Rabbits generally like to pee in corners, and along walls, but putting a litter box with rabbit safe litter in those corners will teach the rabbit where to pee. You will need to follow them around at first, keeping a close eye on them, so that you will see what corners and other areas they use for you to know the right locations for the litter boxes. And be careful what type of litter you use, for some can be toxic and deadly to rabbits. For example, cedar and pine emits a chemical that might be attributed to liver disease in rabbits, and clumping letters are made of a type of clay that can blockages when the rabbit eats it (which they will) and can coat the lungs when the dust is inhaled. Feline Pine is a highly recommended litter to use, since it has no toxic chemicals.

As far as food goes, an alfalfa or timothy based rabbit pellet is sufficient. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables, as well as hay, with their diet. Keep extra sweet fruits like bananas to a minimum since they have an abundance of sugars. Treats are acceptable, but on a once in a while basis. Yogurt drops, seed and grain balls, and raisins are a few examples of rabbit treats that need kept to a minimum, since they have high levels of sugars that can cause more drastic reactions in rabbits than other animals. To keep it simple, just stick to the basic pellets, hay, and vegetables and your rabbit will love you for it.

Regular doctor visits are as important to people as they are to pets, and rabbits are no exception. As mentioned before, rabbits are considered exotic animals. The veterinarian that you choose needs to be well versed in caring for and medicating rabbits since rabbits have very sensitive system, and some medications can be fatal. Most medication from the "cillin" family can be deadly. Make sure the vet in very experience in spaying and neutering rabbits, and knows what medications rabbits cannot have. Also make sure the vet you choose has a very high success rate for rabbit care and surgical procedures. Anything over 95% should be acceptable.

In addition to the regular checkup a rabbit needs, you should also consider spaying or neutering your rabbit. Spaying the female prevents the reproductive cancers that they get, and neutering can help with the fact that males spray their urine to mark their territory. Spaying or neutering also cuts down on any aggressiveness they may have, and can help cut down on some of the destructive habits they may acquire as well as preventing unwanted babies. Millions of animals are euthanized every year, rabbits included, because they have no home, so please consider getting your pet rabbits spayed or neutered.

Rabbit proofing your house would be just like child proofing a house. You don't want toddlers to get into poisonous cleaning chemicals, sticking their fingers in electrical outlets, or playing with cords do you? Of course not. You want your child to be safe in your home, so why would it be any different for your new pet rabbit? Keep all cords and cables up off the floors, hidden and out of bunny's reach. Electrical cords, for obvious reasons, are dangerous for rabbits to chew on, and believe me they will. Keep cupboards securely closed do that you rabbit can't get into them and lick cleaner bottles. Rabbit's like to crawl around in cupboards and hide, so make sure the dangerous one are locked up tight. To help with chewing, provide safe toys for your bunny. Things like untreated would, paper towel or toilet paper tubes, and cardboard boxes will work. It will also give them something to wear their teeth down on besides your furniture and electrical cords (rabbits' teeth grow constantly, and they need things to chew on to keep their teeth at a safe length).

Most plants are also poisonous to rabbits, and many other animals. Keep them up on tables the rabbit can't reach, hang them on the ceiling, or keep them outside. If you hang them from the ceiling, keep a watchful eye for fallen leaves and stems so little bunny doesn't eat what could end up being her last meal.

Try to keep stress to a minimum. Rabbits are very sensitive, and can get sick easily. Baths, small children that scream a lot and constant handling (whether rough or gentle) can stress a rabbit out and cause serious health problem. Be very gentle and quite around them, and never give them baths. Being surrounded by water can scare them very badly and will stress them out, and their fur takes so long to dry that they can catch cold from it. Stress and rabbits is never a good mix; it can shorten the lifespan of your furry little friend.

Proper care can result with you having a loving companion for many years. And like all other animals rabbits each have a very different personality. They love to play, run, jump and sprint around. And they will make you laugh with their adorable antics. They make wonderful pets and can live for many years. But please do your research before deciding on rabbits for pets. A well educated decision is rarely something to regret.