_A rabbit will make a good pet for a family with a garden and enough time to give it daily care and attention. They are intelligent and friendly, and if looked after properly can make very rewarding company. Rabbits live, on average, for 8 years. The larger the breed, the shorter the life expectancy. Your rabbit should have a strong waterproof hutch with a solid floor and wire front. The hutch should not be kept in direct sunlight or in cold drafts. In winter the hutch should be covered with a sheet of plastic or an old piece of carpet overnight to protect it from early morning frost. It should be placed where you will regularly see your rabbit as they love attention and will become lonely if isolated.
Your rabbit may take 3-4
days to settle into it's new home. Rabbits enjoy company. Some
rabbits love being picked up, others may prefer to sit beside you and be
stroked. They love being rubbed gently on the nose and ears. When
feeding your rabbit is best to keep it on the same rabbit food as changing
the food could lead to problems such as diarrhoea and digestive disorders.Hay
should be available at all times. Curly kale, celery, broccoli, parsley,
carrots and apples etc can be given to your rabbit as they have been
having fresh greens since they came out of the nest. 'Readigrass' is
another good source of nourishment. Let them nibble at the grass while in
the run but NEVER pull fresh grass and give it to them as it could
cause upset their stomach.
Never give your rabbit lettuce as it causes diarrhoea. Apple branches are good for rabbits because they eat the leaves and chew on the branch to keep their teeth worn down.
of each Injections from 16 weeks
Looking for signs of illness
Ear: Are there any scabs or inflammation inside the ear?
These may be the telltale signs of ear mites.
Eyes: Is there any abnormal discharge or are they bloodshot?
Wash with mild salty water 2 to 3 times per day. If no better within 3 days consult your vet.
Nose: Is there any nasal discharge?
This may indicate respiratory infection. See your vet urgently.
Tail area; Is there any soiling of the fur under the tail? e.g. wet and very mucky?
This may indicate the start of diarrhoea and if the rabbit is not kept clean it could get fly strike. So get it checked by a vet.
Weight: Has your rabbit lost weight and got thinner?
This may be a sign of chronic infection or parasite infestation. Needs URGENT medical attention by your vet.
Teeth: Does your rabbit have overgrown teeth?
Causes of this are
Lumps and bumps:
Can you feel any lumps under the rabbit's skin mainly around and underneath the jaw line.?
They may be abscesses so get it checked out.
Skin:
Does your rabbit have flaky patches of skin like dandruff?
This could be fur mite and needs to be checked before it spreads all over its body.
ALL MY BUNNIES HAVE...
apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower greens and stalks, broccoli, banana, fruit leathers, tops from radish, carrots, turnips, spinach, dark leafed lettuces, fresh herbs like corriander, parsley, green grass, unsalted soda crackers, graham crackers, unsalted sunflower seeds with shell, rose petals(unsprayed and washed), popcorn(unsalted).
Bunnies love nibbles
Rabbits need wood to chew -we recommend fruit woods, apple, apricot, pear, peach or cherry if you can find it. Rabbits especially like the new shoots and branches from those trees, but commercial woodchew products are a fine substitute. Make sure all wood, shoots and branches are washed and unsprayed.
Never give your rabbit lettuce as it causes diarrhoea. Apple branches are good for rabbits because they eat the leaves and chew on the branch to keep their teeth worn down.
of each Injections from 16 weeks
- Myxomatosis
- VHD
Health - digestive issues
- If rabbit droppings become very loose give them strawberry or blackberry leaves.
- If your rabbit has watery diarrhoea take it to your nearest veterinary surgeons immediately.
- Always make sure that your rabbit's bottom is clean daily to avoid fly-strike.
- If you decide to change from one rabbit food to another mix the same amount of each for about two weeks.
Rabbits can get worms.
Check your rabbit's droppings regularly for little white worms. If you notice your rabbit has got worms consult your vet as it is simple to treat.
Rabbits can get fleas.
If you have a cat or dog that comes into contact with your rabbit, the fleas can pass to them. Little black specks of dirt can be seen on the skin. These are flea droppings and your rabbit should be taken to the vet to be treated.
Grass.
Never pull grass and feed to your rabbit as this will cause a build up of gas in the stomach and cause bloat which can be fatal. Instead the rabbits should be allowed to nibble the grass itself.
Trees
Do not give the rabbit the leaves from peach or plum trees as they can be poisonous.
Grouchy rabbits
I highly recommend that you have
a buck neutered or once it has reached the age of 16 weeks and a doe after the
age of 6 months. This reduces the risk of health problems such as uterine
infections in does, stops bucks from spraying and helps remove the risk of any
behavioural problems associated with sexual maturity.
Looking for signs of illness
Ear: Are there any scabs or inflammation inside the ear?
These may be the telltale signs of ear mites.
Eyes: Is there any abnormal discharge or are they bloodshot?
Wash with mild salty water 2 to 3 times per day. If no better within 3 days consult your vet.
Nose: Is there any nasal discharge?
This may indicate respiratory infection. See your vet urgently.
Tail area; Is there any soiling of the fur under the tail? e.g. wet and very mucky?
This may indicate the start of diarrhoea and if the rabbit is not kept clean it could get fly strike. So get it checked by a vet.
Weight: Has your rabbit lost weight and got thinner?
This may be a sign of chronic infection or parasite infestation. Needs URGENT medical attention by your vet.
Teeth: Does your rabbit have overgrown teeth?
Causes of this are
- poor rabbit mix which is too soft
- the rabbit being dropped, jumping out of your arms, leaping and hitting its face on the back of the cage
- pulling on the wire of its cage.
Lumps and bumps:
Can you feel any lumps under the rabbit's skin mainly around and underneath the jaw line.?
They may be abscesses so get it checked out.
Skin:
Does your rabbit have flaky patches of skin like dandruff?
This could be fur mite and needs to be checked before it spreads all over its body.
ALL MY BUNNIES HAVE...
apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, carrots, red cabbage, cauliflower greens and stalks, broccoli, banana, fruit leathers, tops from radish, carrots, turnips, spinach, dark leafed lettuces, fresh herbs like corriander, parsley, green grass, unsalted soda crackers, graham crackers, unsalted sunflower seeds with shell, rose petals(unsprayed and washed), popcorn(unsalted).
Bunnies love nibbles
Rabbits need wood to chew -we recommend fruit woods, apple, apricot, pear, peach or cherry if you can find it. Rabbits especially like the new shoots and branches from those trees, but commercial woodchew products are a fine substitute. Make sure all wood, shoots and branches are washed and unsprayed.
