Rabbits love to be cosy so giving them a nice dry bed is key. You'll need to buy plenty of absorbent materials like newspaper, dust-free straw and bedding hay that will keep them dry and warm. You'll want to buy extra supplies in winter to help with insulating their home too.
What Does a Rabbit Need in Their Cage? Provide 1-2 inches of high-quality paper-based bedding in their main enclosure. Other items needed are a litter box in the corner with paper-based products, a cardboard hide box, a hay rack, a water bottle, a small pellet dish, and toys.
Fresh, clean drinking water and good quality hay and grass should make up the majority of your rabbits' diet. A rabbit's digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. You can supplement with leafy greens and a small amount of pellets.
Rabbits are social creatures with gentle natures and individual personalities, and they need just as much attention as a dog or cat. They are not suitable companions for young children. Rabbits require specific foods, stimulating environments, and veterinarians who have specialized knowledge of their species.
During the first 24 hours, you want to more or less ignore your rabbit. They will need time to get used to their new environment, and a strange person hovering around them will scare them even more. Put your rabbit into their new home base enclosure and then leave them be for the day to explore their new home.
Rabbits are not good pets for young children. They have a skittish nature and can be aggressive toward children who want to cuddle with their pet. Rabbits are also more difficult to care for than people expect. Instead it's better to have a rabbit as a family pet.
Despite their reputation as low-maintenance starter pets, rabbits are actually better suited for older children that understand how to be responsible with the care of their pet. They are very social creatures that crave attention from their owners and will require a significant time and care commitment.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
Bunnies will much prefer their freedom to any sort of organized "walk." However, rabbits can be leash trained for specific purposes -- although as I said, they will get more exercise from free-roaming playtime. If you want to train your rabbit to walk on a leash you'll need to start with a proper harness.
Bunnies are super-soft, and many will love cuddling with you as much as you love cuddling with them. Once a bunny is comfortable in their new home, they may claim you as their own by rubbing their chin on you to mark their territory. They might even groom you with little bunny licks to show you love!
Keeping your rabbit happy. Rabbits are active and intelligent animals and will suffer if they get bored. As domesticated rabbits are usually confined for most of the day, freedom and choice are important. Interesting environments that encourage physical and mental stimulation will create a happy home.
“If you slice them or cut them into pieces, they will be able to really enjoy them.” So there you have it — rabbits can eat strawberries. Just make sure you only give him a small amount of berries a few times a week, and cut them up when you do. Then you'll be able to enjoy this sweet snack together.
For indoor pet rabbits, bedding is not necessary to include in your rabbit's habitat as long as your rabbit has access to soft flooring. Outdoor rabbits will require bedding for insulation to help them stay warm in the night and during the cold months of the year.
Objects to play with or throw - such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots. Solid plastic baby toys such as 'key rings', rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.
Rabbits do not require routine bathing and in fact frequent washing, either with or without shampoo, strips the rabbit's fur of its natural oils, which helps to keep the rabbit's coat in good condition. Bathing is also extremely stressful for rabbits and has many potential and serious dangers.
Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them.
Punishing your bunny can result in a scared furball that fears or dislikes you. Negative reinforcement doesn't work on animals, and often backfires. Use positive reinforcement to teach your furry friend proper manners.
It is usually safe to kiss a rabbit, and many pets enjoy this display of love. Rabbits do not kiss each other, but can learn what kissing means. If grooming precedes the kiss, your intention will be clear. Many rabbits enjoy being kissed on the top of the head.
They should be brought inside overnight. They can only stay outside at night too from mid-May when there is no longer any ground frost. If your rabbits have first been gradually accustomed to being kept outdoors, they can stay outdoors all year round from then. Even the ground frost won't bother them after that.
Allowing your rabbit to roam freely through your home comes with its own unique challenges, but it is definitely achievable with a bit of effort and education on how to take care of your pet rabbit. Best of all, it can be incredibly rewarding, creating a more intimate and open bond with your pet.
Himalayan rabbits are one of the best choices, of the breeds available, for children. They are renowned for being laid-back, gentle, friendly and curious. They are beautiful in appearance and love to cuddle, rarely ever known to bite or scratch.