Bunny Care
Having 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.
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.
