Pet Rabbit Care & Information Guide – Pet Bunny
Rabbits can be some of the best pets that you have ever had if the circumstances are right. They not only come in a wide variety of different sizes, but they are also quiet and don’t take up much space at all when compared to other pets. And if that weren’t enough, they also have extremely friendly personalities.
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As far as animals are concerned, rabbits are some of the absolute cleanest that you will ever come across, and even groom themselves, meaning that you don’t have to. On top of that, they can even be litter-box trained so that all of their poop goes exactly where it should go.
Rabbits are their most active during the dawn and dusk hours however, but they do sleep through the night making them the perfect match to most of their owners. Now factor in the fact that rabbits can be some of the most entertaining and affectionate pets that you have ever had and you have the pet that you’ve always wanted.
However, if you really are considering having a pet rabbit, there are some things that you are going to have to consider before you actually pull the trigger. You are going to want to learn much more about them as pets, as well as how to take care of one when you do finally get it home.
That is why this guide is going to teach you everything you need to know about these peaceful animals and what it takes to keep them as a pet. After reading this guide, you will have all the knowledge and know-how to make your own educated decision about having a rabbit as a pet.
A Quick History of Rabbits
You may not realize this, but rabbits have actually been around for about the last 4,000 years or so. They originated in Europe and have since spread to almost every country on the planet. While they have been around for many years, they have only been domesticated for roughly the past 1,600 years or so. This happened when French monks started to raise rabbits as a source of food to feed the hungry. While rabbits have been domesticated for many years, they did not cross into the ‘pet’ genre until later in the 19th century.
Over the length of time, rabbits have been able to wiggle their way into the hearts of just about everyone, becoming one of the most celebrated and beloved pets of all time. And that isn’t even including all of the children’s books and other fairytales that includes how amazing rabbits really are.
As of today, there are over six million people who have pet rabbits just in the United States. To top that off, many of these rabbits have been moved from their outdoor hutch, to a much fancier and warmer indoor one. And in some cases, these pet rabbits even have a full run of the entire house. This guide to pet rabbits is going to take a look at these indoor rabbits that make the absolute best pets.
Different Types of Pet Rabbits
Before you can even think about taking care of a pet rabbit, you must first take a look at all the different breeds of pet rabbits that are available to you. These rabbit breeds vary from large to small, short hair to longer hair; there are so many different choices that you can make when it comes to choosing a pet bunny that it can literally blow your mind.
That is exactly why this guide is going to help you select the perfect rabbit for your individual living situation, the space you have available, and even if they should be indoors or outdoors. This is essentially going to be your complete guide to choosing the perfect pet rabbit for your circumstances.
According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are currently 48 different unique species of pet rabbit breeds. Here are some of the top ones that are the best choices in terms of being a pet:
Angora Rabbit
Yes, there are several different breeds of this particular rabbit; all of the Angora rabbits have very similar characteristics. Some of their most defining features include fuzzy, long hair that is extremely soft to touch. They can vary in size from 5 to 10 pounds after they have reached maturity. They will require somewhat of a special diet to maintain their health, and their long hair means that they will constantly need to be groomed.
Dutch Rabbit
Considered one of the smaller breeds of pet rabbits, the Dutch rabbit will normally weight between 3.5 to 5.5 pounds when fully grown. It is usually characterized by the blaze of white that is on their faces, upper torso, and feet. Some of their secondary colors can include brown, gray, blue, tortoise, and black. If you are looking for a pet rabbit that is child friendly, this is the one you are looking for.
Dwarf Hotot Rabbit
Well known for having an all-white coat of fur and color that is only located around their eyes, these little rabbits only get up to about 3 pounds when fully grown. They are notorious for loving attention and being some of the biggest coddler rabbits out of all the pet breeds.
Lionhead Rabbit
Another one of the smaller rabbit breeds, the Lionhead rabbit will eventually grow to about 4 pounds. Their key feature is a mane of fur that surrounds their face, looking like that of a lion. These rabbits are going to require grooming on a regular basis and a bit more attention if you are planning on making them a rabbit that will sit on you lap.
Mini Lop Rabbit
One of the rabbits with the typical ‘rabbit ears’, the Mini Lop rabbit has dense, floppy ears that make it that much more adorable. Growing to a size of 4.5 to 6.5 pounds, this breed of rabbits actually does not have any dietary restrictions or special grooming needs like many of the other breeds. And to top it off, they are actually one of the easiest breeds of rabbits to potty-train, making it one of the more popular options.
However, due to their extra floppy ears, they are going to be more prone to catching ear infections and even dental issues. They also come in different colors and do exceptionally well with children of all ages.
Mini Rex Rabbit
The best thing about the Mini Rex rabbit is the velvety fur that they have. Coming in colors that range from gray, white, brown, and black, they are also smaller in size and only weight between 3.5 to 4.5 pounds when fully grown. They are on the more popular side when it comes to pets due to their very friendly personalities.
New Zealand Rabbit
Being one of the larger breeds of rabbits on this list, the New Zealand rabbit can get to be anywhere between 9 and 12 pounds. This is the rabbit that is usually used in different laboratory tests because they have an extremely good temperament and make amazing pets. They normally have fur that is medium –short in length, and colors that can include red, black, or white.
Polish Rabbit
Being one of the dwarf breeds of rabbits, the Polish rabbit will weight between 2 to 3.5 pounds when fully grown. This means that it will require much less space, as well as less food and exercise as well. However, they are extremely calm and friendly, as well as learn how to be potty-trained very easily.
Now that you know all of the different rabbit breeds that you can have as a pet, what are you going to have to do to house your new pet rabbit? Here is everything that you will need to know about housing your new pet.
Housing Your Pet Rabbit
While there are many pets that are going to require a good amount of space, a pet rabbit is not one of them. In fact, they actually do better in smaller spaces and don’t necessarily require all of the space that some other pets will.
When you are learning how to take care of your pet rabbit, it is most important that you understand what your rabbit is going to need and then choose the right rabbit for you based off of those needs.
When you do get a pet rabbit, you will want to make sure and have some extra space available that you can dedicate to them. This can mean anything from a larger cage, all the way to an entire room in your home that they are able to roam around in. No matter what the situation may be, you need to be sure that you have enough room for your pet rabbit to hop around in and not be restricted.
Whether you know it or not, rabbits are actually very social animals. This means that it is preferable to have their housing placed in an indoor setting that is also very active. This means that placing your rabbit out behind the shed in the backyard is not going to be a good idea. I is actually going to be best for your rabbit to have them in a room where your family most frequents. On top of that, you are going to want them to have a regulated temperature as well, just like you would a small child.
Dog Crate or Rabbit Cage
When it comes to your pet rabbit, using a larger dog crate, as their home is one of the best options available. This is because the traditional rabbit cage is usually much smaller and will restrict their ability to move around. But with a larger dog crate, there is going to be more room for them to move, have their water, and even have a feeding dish. Plus, the floor is also able to double as a litter box as well.
Puppy Pen
One of the easier and quicker options when it comes to creating a space for your pet rabbit, many find that a puppy pen gives them much more space than they need to move around and be happy. On top of that, you can literally set up a puppy pen on just about any surface, making it the ideal choice if you do not have a lot of space available. All you need to do is setup the puppy pen on the kitchen linoleum and the rest of your house is suddenly protected.
Condos for Rabbits
When you finally decide how you are going to care for you rabbit, you may realize that a rabbit condo is actually the best choice. A rabbit condo, if you are not familiar, is a two-story rabbit house that has a similar footprint to that of a dog crate. However, due to the extra height of this rabbit condo, it allows for much more activity and movement, as well as space for an actual litter box.
Now that you have chosen the perfect breed of rabbit and the best house that they can have, it is time to feed your new pet.
Feeding Your Pet Rabbit
Whenever you have any pet, the most important thing is always going to be their diet. This is especially true when it comes to your pet rabbit. Unlike other pets, you simply can’t just throw some table scraps at them and expect them to be happy. In fact, rabbits actually have extremely specific dietary requirements.
No matter what your breed of rabbit may be, the most important ingredient in everything they eat is going to be hay. This is actually one of those ingredients that is non-negotiable. Hay should actually be made available to your pet rabbit on a regular daily basis.
Hay is one of the high fiber foods that is essential in maintaining your pet rabbits digestive system moving smoothly and not becoming compacted. On top of that, it also helps to dull down your rabbits teeth, as well as prevents them from sprouting molar spurs, which are able to make eating much more difficult than normal.
When your rabbit is younger, it will have to start eating alfalfa hay. This is the norm for the first six to eight months. Once they reach this age range, they can then switch over to timothy or oat hay. The good news is that all of these different types of hay or normally available at any pet food supply store.
Now that we have gone over hay, you are also going to need to supply your pet rabbit with a steady supply of fresh vegetables and herbs. They are actually going to require roughly 2-4 cups of vegetables for each 5 pounds of body weight. But don’t worry, it is advised to split this up between both morning and evening feedings.
Also on the top of your rabbits feed list, are just about any type of dark leafy greens. This includes red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, chard, mustard greens, collard greens, bok choy and even watercress. On top of that, cilantro, mint, basil, parsley, and dill work great as well. You can even substitute carrot tops, broccoli, chopped celery, radishes, and dandelion leaves into their diet as well.
When you are choosing different vegetables and herbs to feed to your rabbit, it is recommended that you select only the organic variety, and always be sure that you wash everything in advance as well. Vegetables and herbs that have been coated with pesticides are not going to sit well with your rabbit.
When it comes to choosing a pet rabbit, you have got to take into account the particular breed and their corresponding needs. When you select the best rabbit for your living situation, you will have an entertaining, friendly pet that will make you happier than you have ever thought possible.
Before you do anything, it is in your best interest to spend some time researching the pros and cons of each different rabbit breed. This will help you make sure that you get the best rabbit for your personality and living conditions. On top of that, it will also help you figure out exactly what is going to be required in order for your bunny to live a happy, healthy life.
No matter which breed of rabbit that you decide to adopt, just remember that it is up to you to make sure that they are supplied with everything that they are going to need. While it sounds like a great idea to have a pet rabbit, you have to be sure and look at it from their eyes. Would you want somebody to adopt you and then not feed you or pay you any attention?
Just be sure that you follow the guidelines mentioned in this article and you will be able to select the perfect pet rabbit, as well as be sure to give that rabbit the best life that it can have. Just be sure that you take it one step at a time and you will be absolutely fine.
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