Owning any pet is very rewarding and a pet rabbit is no different. Many people choose rabbits as pets for their ease of care and because they are friendly, cute and good with children. Like any pet, rabbits have needs that are the owner’s responsibility to meet.
Housing and Husbandry of Pet Rabbits
Rabbits are usually kept outdoors in rabbit hutches, but can also be kept indoors. For rabbits kept outdoors, rabbit hutches need to be escape-proof and attack-proof, have access to the sun, and yet be sufficiently sheltered. They must be free from draughts but still allow proper ventilation.
Rabbit hutches should have a covered sleeping area and a wire fronted larger area for play and meals. Mosquito netting (purchased from hardware stores) should be placed over the wire to protect the rabbit from mosquitos (myxomatosis). The hutch needs to be large enough that the rabbit can stand and take at least three consecutive hops. Flooring should be covered with hay or grass bedding and not be wire-floored so as to prevent ‘sore hocks’.
Care must be taken in extreme temperatures to prevent heat stroke and freezing. The hutch should be moved out of direct sunlight on extremely hot days and somewhere cozy in the middle of winter. Owners must remember to keep the hutch well ventilated to prevent respiratory disease, so the hutch shouldn’t be completely covered.
Pet rabbits should also be allowed to have ‘free-range’ time where they can run and play on the grass in the backyard. This should be under supervision so that the rabbit cannot escape and so that other family pets (cats, dogs) cannot attack them.
Feeding Your Rabbit
Rabbits are grazing animals and enjoy some roughage as part of their diet. Along with fresh water, rabbits should be fed:
- A complete and nutritionally balanced commercial rabbit food (pellets) can make up the bulk of the diet.
- Allow them to eat fresh grass from the backyard (avoid clippings), and also a supply of hay (grass hay). Avoid lucerne hay and straw.
- Fresh garden vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, broccoli, celery, beetroot tops, spinach leaves, brussel sprouts and fresh coriander, basil, mint and dandelion.
- Fruits such as apples, strawberries and oranges, as well as sweet potato and capsicum can be given as an occasional treat (no more than 1-tbls per day).
- Food rabbits shouldn't eat include those high in carbohydrates, proteins and fats such as bread, cereal and cereal grains, biscuits, seeds, nuts, beans, peas, corn, sugar and chocolate.
For more information on basic rabbit health care, read Rabbit Toys and Enrichment, which discusses enrichment for rabbits and whether you should house several rabbits together, Fatal Rabbit Diseases and Common Rabbit Illnesses.
Roberta Goli - Roberta has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Zoology), has worked with animals for over 10 years and enjoys writing short stories and flash ...
