How To Raise and Care for a Rabbit

Raising your rabbit is a fun experience. Whether you are getting a young rabbit or an older one, you will still experience all of the joys of raising it. Raising a rabbit is a lot like raising a kitten. Rabbits have the same aloof yet kind personality as a cat does. If you are going to keep your rabbit indoors, it can be litter trained just like a kitten. Rabbits will do this naturally, but the litter has to be available at all times. Just like any other pet, your rabbit will learn its name and may even come when called if you spend enough time with it. This will be more likely of course if you keep your rabbit indoors.

Keeping your rabbit outdoors is not out of the question though. Rabbits handle cold weather very well so if you are in a cold climate, this is not an issue. Heat is another issue though, and your rabbit will need to be watched to make sure it does not overheat.

Here are a few things to make sure that your rabbit is living a happy life!

1. When feeding always make sure to keep their diet consistent. Rabbits do not like it when their food is changed often. Feeding them a solid pellet food is always the best bet. If you have a smaller breed of rabbit, avoid types of pellets that contain a lot of corn and high protein. Try to keep the protein percentage around 16% to 17%. In fact, lower protein is best for all pets, unless it is a nursing mother. Aside from food, water is the most important nutrient for a rabbit. Always make sure they have fresh cold water!

2. Provide a treat for them every now and then, such as carrots or timothy hay. There are also certain types of treats bought at pet stores that are good, and your rabbit may like them. Do not ever feed your rabbit cauliflower. It will cause them to build up gas and rabbits do not have any way to rid themselves of the gas.
3. Provide your rabbit with toys. Cat toys work great, especially balls with bells in the center. Larger rabbits will even play with things such as pop cans and pop bottles. They will also chew on these and this will help to avoid them chewing on things in your house!
4. Always make sure your rabbit has a cage big enough to accommodate them. This is important inside or outside. They need to have enough room to lay out, especially if they are indoors and you will cage them while you are gone. This is the safest option for the rabbit as well.
5. Always pay attention to your rabbit's health. Rabbits are prone to colds and mites (mainly in their ears). Colds can be treated with an antibiotic or Vet RX medicine that can be found at most feed stores or at your veterinarian. Mites or fleas can be treated with any medicine that can be used on cats!
6. If your indoor rabbit is going to be playing outdoors, make sure you have your yard secured! Always stay with them also; do not leave them in the fenced in yard alone. Rabbits love to dig and they will be under the fence and out into the world in NO time!!!! Having a secure fenced-in yard will also protect your rabbit from any predators such as neighbor dogs or cats. It is a good idea to flea treat your rabbit, as mentioned above, before you set them out into the yard. They are just as susceptible as any other house pet to fleas and ticks.
7. If you do decide to litter train your rabbit, remember to be patient with them. They will catch on to it, but it might take a few weeks, especially if the rabbit is older. It is important to remember to "bunny proof" your house also! There are two main things to worry about when bunny proofing. The first is electrical cords. Always make sure that all electrical cords are put up or taped to the wall so that your bunny will not get to them. They will chew them naturally so this is very important for the rabbit's safety! Often the plastic covers for outlets that are meant to protect children will work for your rabbit.
8. Beware of registers. A lot of houses have registers on the floor. There are several precautions to take with these. First of all, your rabbit may mistake the register for a litter; it has an odd sound and open holes. The last thing you want is for your rabbit to urinate in your heating duct! There is also a danger of your rabbit getting their feet stuck in them if they run across them. This might frighten them and that is how bunnies backs get broken. When frightened, they panic and begin to flail around, without realizing that they are hurting themselves. It is something one never wants to deal with, so getting a cover or blocking the register off is a great idea!
9. Lastly, it is very important to handle your rabbit. It is important to get them used to the way you are going to pick them up. Always make sure to hold them securely with their feet tucked in. This will make them safer. Get them used to flipping them over on their backs. This will help for when you have to clip their toenails in the future. (Clipping toenails can be done with cat nail trimmers and be done about once a month.) It is important to start doing this at a young age so they will become acclimated. It will also form a stronger bond between you and your pet.

When you bring your rabbit home, they will be scared. If they are inside or outside, this will be true. Allow them a few weeks to get used to their surroundings and you and your family. This is especially true regarding other family pets. Rabbits are nervous by nature, so they will spook easily when frightened by anything from a vacuum to a dog barking. Give them some time, and take it slow, and you will create a safe environment for your rabbit and yourself. Remember that your rabbit will live anywhere from 4 to 10 years, so be prepared for a long commitment. Owning a rabbit is the same as owning a dog or a cat. It requires a lot of dedication, but it will also bring you many years of joy and happiness!