Owning a rabbit needs lots of careful thought and preperation. You need to be sure that you can provide lifetime care which can be in excess of 7 years.
Decide if your rabbit will be an indoor or an outdoor bun and plan for his arrival before you choose one.
The Mini Lop I breed are small sized rabbits and need a minimum hutch length of 6ft x 2ft x 2ft this is ideal for one of two rabbits. The deeper and longer the better for your pet. All rabbits need access to a run or the garden on a regular preferably daily basis. Be sure your garden is secure for your rabbit or that the run is of adequate size - 6ft length is minium required. Check your garden for plants which are toxic for rabbits.
Rabbits need a daily supply of fresh dry-food, hay and water. If your rabbit has been used to eating greens then these can be offered however too many greens can cause soft droppings.
When you have chosen your new rabbit give it a chance to settle into its new home. Ideally put into the new hutch and leave inside for at least one day. Teach your new rabbit that you are nothing to be scared of. Use its name and let it come and sniff your hand before you take it from its hutch. You should have been given at least a weeks supply of food that your rabbit is used to. I always prefer my rabbits to continue on the food they are used to but if you want to switch to your choice do this gradually, mixing a little into the current food, gradually increasing the new food over a week period, then you can switch to just the new food.
Rabbits will not eat dirty hay but need to graze on fresh hay almost continuously to keep their teeth in order. You can get hay racks which attach to the wire of the hutch.
During warm weather Flystrike is a serious problem which must be prevented. Flystrike is where a fly lays its eggs around the rabbits bottom and these hatch as maggots and can burrow into the rabbits anus and skin. This is usually fatal in rabbits. The maggots give off a poison which can get into the rabbits system. Initially it works like an anesthetic and the rabbit will feel no pain but become listless etc. Be sure to regularly check your rabbits bottom to be sure it is clean. A rabbit will usually keep its bottom clean unless it is unwell, or is overweight and unable to reach its bottom. Rabbits such as these need to be kept clean and if necessary you must help your rabbit by carefully removing any poops. Warm water will loosen any stuck pieces. If your rabbit appears well and can reach its bottom area then look at the diet. Too many greens can make a rabbit have wet poops which can easily get stuck to their fur.
VACCINATIONS
There are two very serious illnesses which can affect rabbits and both of these have a vaccination which is very important for the protection of your rabbit.
MYXOMATOSIS
Myxomatosis is caused by a virus. It is a type of Pox virus and grows best in a rabbits skin.
Symptoms include puffy, fluid swelling around the head and face. 'Sleepy eyes' are a classic sign along with swollen lips, tinny swellings on the inside of the ear and puffy swelling around the anus and genitalia. Within a day these swellings can become severe and cause blindness.
A single vaccination should be given to rabbits over 6 weeks of age. Boosters are required. Ask your Vet for further advice
VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (VHD)
VHD affects rabbits over 6 weeks of age. Symptoms, which can vary, include loss of appetite and nose bleeding. Nearly 50% of rabbits who catch this disease will not survive.
Vaccinations can be given from 9 - 12 weeks of age and an annual booster is required. Ask your Vet for further advice.
Hot Weather
In hot weather remember to check that water bottles are flowing freely. Make sure they are topped up regularly with cool, fresh water. Some rabbits will also appreciate something cool to lie against, such as:
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An ordinary house brick that has been in the fridge for a couple of hours |
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A frozen bottle of water or |
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A freezer block |
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A bathroom tile that's been in the fridge for a while |
Move hutches and runs into a shady spot.
Maybe reduce the amount of bedding as certainly many of my rabbits in hot weather kick the sawdust out so they can lie on the bare wood.
Check and clean toilet corners regularly. Flies will be attracted to them.
Make sure the rabbit is clean and dry, check round the eyes and round the bottom as any dampness could again attract flies.
Cold Weather Care
Rabbits do seem to cope with colder weather better than hot weather. To help them cope with this cold winter even better a few hints.
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Position the hutch away from draughts |
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If necessary put a bigger roof over the hutch to keep rain out, damp and rabbits do not mix! |
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Give the rabbit more bedding. Hay is a better insulator than straw, but straw is also a good bedding and rabbits are very partial to barley straw, so the extra food will also help keep them warm |
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Remember to check the water bottle. If necessary have spare bottles so you can replace the frozen one immediately |
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Keep the temperature constant. It's not a good idea to bring the rabbit into the house, get him all nice and warm and then return him to the cold garden. Decide if the rabbit will be an indoor or outdoor rabbit for the colder months |
