RABBIT CARE—The “Bunny Basics”
by Dr. Lynn Roberts, Animal Care Clinic, Rural Hall, NC
Rabbits have become popular companion animals and backyard pets. As pets, rabbits are small, relatively easy to care for and quiet. What’s more, they can be litter box-trained! Like all companion animals, rabbits have their own biological characteristics, nutrition and housing needs.
Feed a varied diet. The preferred diet for a pet rabbit is a high quality, high-fiber pelleted food. Loose hay—mixed grass hay, timothy hay or high-quality grass clippings—should be fed ad lib. Alfalfa hay can be offered during the growth stage, but then discontinued because of its high protein content. A rabbit’s diet should be supplemented with dark, fibrous, leafy greens (Kale, mustard greens), fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli) and a small amount of fruit (strawberries, apples). A proper diet is essential because nutritional problems are common in pet rabbits.
Rabbits produce two types of fecal pellets: Mucus pellets and dry (hard) pellets. The mucus pellet is a night feces, produced in the early morning hours, and immediately ingested by the rabbit. It is a source of B vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids. The dry pellets are not normally ingested.
Due to the rabbit’s digestive tract physiology, one common nutritional problem is hairballs. Feeding high-fiber diets, minimizing stress and boredom, and brushing frequently can generally prevent hairballs. Hairballs can cause rabbits top stop eating. Feeding fresh pineapple juice had reportedly aided in the breakdown and passage of hairballs.
Housing & Bedding. Rabbits are best housed in wire-bottomed cages with access to a smooth surface. The cage should be well ventilated and easy to clean. Grass hay is a good bedding material because it is edible. Wood chips or pelleted cellulose are good, too. Cedar chips should be avoided because of dust and irritating oils that may be associated with them. Generally, carpeting should not be used because of the potential for “carpet hairballs” if eaten by the rabbit.
If housed outdoors, rabbits should be provided with shelter and shade. Indoor rabbits should be cages when unattended—The most common behavioral problem seen in pet rabbits is chewing rugs, furniture and electrical wires.
Safe Handling Instructions. A rabbit’s ears are highly vascular and help regulate hear as well as sensing sound. The ears are fragile and sensitive and should not be used for restraint. The rabbit skeleton is also fragile, making the lumbar spine susceptible to fracture. It is important to hold rabbits properly and securely to avoid struggling that can lead to broken backs. Rabbits can be carried by grasping the loose skin over the shoulders with one hand, tucking the rabbit’s head under one arm and placing the other arm under the rump to support the weight. An alternative is to pick up a scruffed rabbit by cupping the hindquarters with the other hand to prevent the rear legs from kicking back. For restraint, a towel works well.
Regular Checkups. Rabbit owners should have their rabbits examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. Obesity, malocclusion of the teeth, not eating, diarrhea, parasite infections and fractures are common health problems that veterinarians see in rabbits. In the United States, no vaccines are approved for use in rabbits, so proper nutrition and management are essential in keeping a rabbit healthy and disease free.
