Are you considering having a rabbit as a pet? Rabbits have become very popular pets in many homes. Its curious nature and playful behavior mean that many families have chosen to have a rabbit at home.
However, before welcoming a rabbit into your home, it is crucial to understand its care and needs to ensure its long-term well-being and happiness.
Below, we will explain in detail everything related to rabbits, including their specific care, needs, and characteristics.
- Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Origin: European
- Size: Up to 50 cm
- Colors: Black, gray, white, beige or brown
- Difficulty of care: Moderate
- Life expectancy: Up to 8 years
Responsible choice of a rabbit as a pet
The idea of having a small pet may be tempting: they are adorable, take up less space, and can bring company and joy to your home. If you are considering the idea of having a rabbit as a pet, you must make this decision consciously and responsibly.
Before getting a rabbit, spend time researching its behavior, dietary needs, habitat, and medical care. Only then will you be able to see if your lifestyle adapts to that of the future new member of the family.
Furthermore, rabbits are living beings that have a life expectancy of between 7 and 10 years. Before you get one, make sure you’re ready to make the long-term commitment to caring for, feeding, and playing with your rabbit throughout its life.
Breeds and species of domestic rabbits
There are numerous breeds and species of rabbits around the world, each with their unique characteristics, sizes, and behaviors. Below, we leave you a list of some of the most popular breeds and species of rabbits:
- Holland lop: Known for their floppy ears and small size.
- Mini rex: With dense, soft fur that resembles velvet and small, stiff ears.
- Lionhead: Characteristic for its mane of hair around the head.
- Netherland Dwarf: They are known for their small size and short, rounded ears.
- Angora: The long, silky fur of Angora rabbits requires meticulous care to avoid tangles.
- Flemish Giant: It is known for being one of the largest rabbit breeds.
- Wooly Jersey: They are characterized by their woolly and fluffy fur that resembles wool fleece.
- American Fuzzy Lop: Very similar to the Holland Lop, but with a longer, fluffier coat.
- Silver Fox: Of all the rabbit breeds, silver foxes are the only ones that only come in a single color: black.
Rabbit Habitat and housing
Providing suitable habitat and appropriate housing is essential to ensure the well-being and health of your rabbit. Rabbits are active and curious animals that need space to move, explore, and exercise.
Basic requirements for a rabbit cage
The cage must be large enough to allow the rabbit to stretch out completely, that is, it must be at least 69 cm long, 47 cm wide, and 35 cm high. Although there are smaller ones, we recommend that they always be larger than about 4 or 6 times the size of the rabbit.
If you want to have a pair of rabbits, you will have to expand the space to at least 4 square meters.
The cages serve as a burrow for rabbits, it is the place where they can feel safe and calm. This is why they must always be clean, designed, and with the necessary accessories for your well-being.
Enrichment and care
Our rabbit’s cage must have a container for hay, a waterer of at least 450 cc, a feeder, a wooden hut, and a corner to do its business.
Furthermore, since they are so curious and playful, we always recommend including toys and ropes specially designed for them so as not to hurt them.
Rabbit food
Guide to a balanced diet
Prioritize quality hay as a base and supplement with a variety of fresh vegetables.
Additionally, it is important that you check the quantities and always add a controlled amount of high-quality rabbit pellets. Don’t forget to limit treats and provide fresh water at all times!
Allowed and prohibited foods
Foods allowed for rabbits include:
- Quality hay as a dietary base.
- Variety of fresh vegetables such as spinach, romaine lettuce, dandelions, and broccoli.
- Fresh herbs such as cilantro and parsley.
- High-quality rabbit pellets are also appropriate, as long as they do not contain seeds or other ingredients.
- Quality rabbit snacks.
On the other hand, it is essential to avoid foods that are toxic to rabbits such as chocolate, onion, or garlic, as well as foods high in sugar and fat such as sweet and processed foods.
How to Prevent Obesity and Other Diet-Related Diseases in Rabbits
To prevent obesity and diet-related diseases in rabbits, it is crucial to maintain a balance between proper diet and exercise. Provide plenty of hay to aid your pet’s digestion, include a variety of fresh vegetables, and limit treats to healthier options.
Also, try to get your rabbit moving and play daily to ensure physical activity.
Health and care in rabbits
To care for your rabbit’s health, it is essential to watch for common symptoms of illness, such as changes in appetite, abnormal behavior, difficulty breathing or diarrhea, and nasal or eye discharge.
In addition, you must make sure to comply with an adequate vaccination and deworming program to prevent diseases and guarantee the health of your small rodent. In the post “Did you know that rabbits also deworm themselves?” we tell you more about deworming rabbits.
Rabbit Behavior and Socialization
Interpreting body language, such as rabbit licking or stretching, allows us to understand their emotional states and needs.
To encourage positive interaction with your pet, it is key to provide an environment enriched with tunnels and chew toys to promote mental stimulation.
As with any pet, it is essential to start socialization from when they are puppies so that they become accustomed to contact with humans and other animals.
Recommended accessories and toys for rabbits
To enrich their environment, recommended rabbit toys include tunnels, chew balls, food puzzles, and wooden toys. These types of games not only stimulate the mind but also promote your dental health.
Additionally, by involving them in activities such as hiding treats in their environment, creating play areas with obstacles, and allowing them to freely explore space outside the cage, enriches their experience and prevents boredom.
In the following infographic, we leave you a summary of the perfect Welcome Kit for the arrival of a rabbit home:
Coexistence of rabbits with other pets and children
With other pets
It is advisable to gradually introduce rabbits to the presence of other pets, such as dogs or cats, to ensure a safe relationship.
It is always important to supervise initial relationships and provide a safe space so your rabbit can retreat if they feel stressed.
With children
They should be taught to interact gently and respectfully, avoiding loud noises or sudden movements. As a general rule, rabbits are perfect for older children to develop caring attitudes towards other living beings.
Benefits of having a rabbit
- Rabbits are sociable, intelligent, and playful animals, and can easily form a strong bond with other family members.
- Rabbits provide values in the development of children and adolescents, such as a sense of responsibility and respect, when learning to attend to the needs of other living beings.
- Furthermore, rabbits are silent animals.
- They have no problems being left alone at home for short periods such as a weekend. As long as they have a drinker and food.
- They are animals that enjoy contact with people. We recommend that you always let them out of their cage under supervision to investigate and play in safe environments.
- Many scientific studies affirm that interaction with pets, such as rabbits and other small mammals, produces hormones that generate positive sensations and feelings of happiness.
- It is important to have at least an annual veterinary check-up that includes deworming and vaccination, to ensure good health.
