Rabbit CareHaving a rabbit, even after researching can seem very confusing, especially with so much information on the great wide web. But once you understand the basic requirements a rabbit needs. It's incredibly simple, and is only a matter of routine. A rabbit needs a large enough housing, constant supply of water and hay, with pellet food and fresh greens also being included in their diet. They need toys to stimulate their minds, things such as the yellow pages or cardboard tubes (kitchen rolls, toilet rolls etc.) and company. In the wild rabbits live in warrens, in these warrens there are about 50 rabbits, and they have different 'family groups' of one male to four females. Once neutered rabbits can get along, no matter their size or gender. Rabbits also need visit's to the vets at least three times a year, they need two vaccinations, VHD once a year and Myxi every six months. They need dental checks, and to be wormed with panacur. So if you can get on top of all this, then caring for a rabbit can be pretty simple, just a matter of keeping to routine. Handling Your Rabbit Handling the rabbit can seem scary for new owners, but is very easy once you get to know how to do it and your rabbit begins to trust you. First stroke them from head to bottom, calm them. Then move one hand under their chest as you lift their front slightly scoop their bottom with your other hand then hold close to your chest. Please avoid holding your rabbit if they are skittish or likely to kick out, as I do have a friend who lost a rabbit who kicked out and paralysed her bottom half of her body. (Picture Diagrams soon to Follow) Grooming Grooming is a necessity with rabbits, especially the longer haired breeds (i.e. angora or lionheads). Long haired breeds should be groomed daily, whilst others weekly. It's a very good way to bond with your rabbit, and very safe too especially for young children. Clipping Their Nails Clipping a rabbits nails for the first time is scary. So most times it's best to take them to the vets for the vet to show you first, some vets may charge only a couple of quid, others may not charge at all. First things first, pick up your rabbits and tilt them onto their back, for more difficult bunnies wrap them up in a towel make sure their eyes are covered but not their nose! Then stick their paws out, white nailed rabbits are the easiest. You should be able to see their quick, which is a vein and can be painful if snipped and will bleed. Always hand to have some plain flour in case this occurs, just gently dab the flour on the end of the nail and it should stop the bleeding. In black nailed rabbits this can be a lot harder, if you're not confident shine a torch through the nail until you see. Only use the nail clippers with a nail guard. Yet again, if you struggle, just ask your vet to show you in the next check-up. Also a good way to keep their nails down naturally is digging boxes and slate slabs. The Bunny Lingo Rabbits are not what people expect. They do actually make vocal noises, but not many. Most of their communication is through body language. You'll notice the majority of rabbits will go through the baby stage, then the adolescent/teenage stage (for nearly a whole year or two) then they'll mature. Some don't follow this pattern, but most do. A rabbit reached sexual maturity at 12 weeks, though their hormones don't tend to catch up until they're around 5/6 months of age. Males will start to hump everything, spray urine and circle things, like yourself. Females will become more aggressive, they will dig a lot and pounce at you when you stick your hands into their homes. The best way to rectify this is get them neutered through a rabbit savy vet straight away. Bunny Language Binkying: Often described as the bunny happy dance. It is where your rabbit runs jumps and kicks their back legs, lands and stops. In the wild rabbits do this to warn off predators or whilst playing with other bunny friends. Bunny A.M.: After a few days you'll notice there is a certain time of day your rabbit will go 'crazy' They'll zoom around the room doing binkies then will go take a lie down and a much needed nap. Chinning: It's a way a rabbit will mark their territory just as a cat will rub their forehead against something, a rabbit will rub it's chin. So if your bunny is rubbing your leg, it now belongs to your bunny. Crying: When a bunny cries it's very similar to when a dog whimpers, and can be followed with a quick stomp. Flopping: A bunny will just all of a sudden flop to it's side. But don't worry, it's a bunnies way to say they're very very happy and just want to chill out and relax. Growling: They're not happy, maybe you're put something in the wrong place, touched a whisker or invaded their 'space', careful when a bunny growls as it can also be followed by a nibble of displeasure. Licking: When a bunny licks you it can mean one of two things, I love you, or give me a salt lick/mineral stone. Screaming: You never want to hear a rabbit scream. This is the noise they make when they're in extreme pain and think they're about to die. If you hear your bunny scream rush them to the vets immediately! Thumping: Unlike in the popular Disney movie 'Bambi', where thumper thumps the ground in excitement a rabbit does this in fact to warn their fellow bunnies or humans that there is danger around. But don't stress this can be from turning an appliance on or lighting a cigarette. When your rabbit stomps try and console them as the stress can affect their health and in worst cases can possibly kill. |
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