Many people find large, commercial rabbit cages beyond their budget. A rabbit benefits from a cage that is at least six times his body area, apart from the space required for a litter box. For most, that means something at least 2 feet by 3 feet, plus space for the box. But that’s the minimum. To provide your rabbit with room to move around, larger is better.
While commercial rabbit cages are often outstanding - large, innovative in design and solidly made - they can burden the pocketbook. For those who have a little do-it-yourself skill and a willingness to try, making a rabbit cage isn’t too difficult.
Parents will often get a rabbit specifically as a pet for their child. Your child looks at you with those big eyes and says ‘please’ and the rabbit comes home. But rabbits are unlike cats or dogs and don’t react the same way to child behavior.
Rabbits have abilities that evolved in the species over thousands of years. They’re fast, have sharp claws and teeth, and a flight response that motivates them to flee at the first sign of danger. But those very aids to the rabbit can be harmful to the child.
Here is a video of a friend from Blog Catalog … the YouTube description goes like this:
These two are pretty good friends but of course when I wanted to show that they started to play a little rough. I should say NO ANIMALS where hurt in making this video! These two really are pals and do hang out together a lot! You can see more on goats, bunnies, and other things on my blog at bricoreandfamily.blogspot.com/
Rabbits are fascinating creatures, not least because they seem at first blush to be so common. But, in fact, rabbits come in several dozen breeds and exhibit behavior that is surprising to anyone who hasn’t owned one.
The America Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes about 50 different breeds, though there are more types of rabbit. But, of course, as a professional association concerned with keeping things orderly they have fairly strict standards. Snowshoe hares aren’t among them, for example. Hey wait, they argue, we’re interested in domestic breeds. Fair enough. But do the rabbits know the difference?
Novices seeking a rabbit for a pet are often surprised to learn how many different types there are. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes about 50 different breeds, though they have strict criteria. There are many more.
They range from the American to the Vienna. There are breeds that weigh a couple of pounds, like the Britannia Petite, up to the German Gray Giant who hits the scales at 23 lbs. There are long eared rabbits and short eared (more or less). There are white ones, brown and gray, bluish gray and jet black. There are those with relatively short hair, like the Mini Rex. Then there is the Angora with long, luxurious wool.
It’s easy to find many challenges involved in having a pet rabbit. But there are lots of positives, too. Here are some of the pros and cons…
Rabbits can live a long time, up to ten years or so. That in itself can be either a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. People often view rabbits as something to amuse the kids when they’re young. But having the life expectancy of a dog makes them a long term commitment. Think ahead.
Rabbits are prone to a few diseases that may be hard to treat. Since they can’t vomit, a hairball can cause them serious intestinal difficulty. Keeping their diet correct in order to minimize the odds takes some effort. They can contract something called RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), a virus that can cause death. Even if they survive, they can also spread it to other pet rabbits. They can be subject to flea and mite infestations, with all the potential complications that brings.
Rabbits are very playful, fun, and intelligent creatures, and they’re adorable as well. If you’re a parent that was tempted (perhaps at Easter) to purchase a rabbit as a pet for your children, be aware that they require a great deal of care, and they are very sensitive creatures.
With summer heating up, be aware that rabbits are extremely sensitive to the heat, and if they don’t have a way to cool off, they can die. There are many ways, however, to help them cool down, if you have an outdoor bunny. One great way is to fill a 2 liter soda bottle with water, freeze it, and place it next to your bunny’s favorite resting spot. (Depending on how hot it is outside, you may need to change it every couple of hours.) Also, make sure to always have plenty of water available to your bunny, preferably in a dish. (Ceramic crocks work well since they’re tough for bunnies to knock over.) This way, they can put their feet or ears in the water, which is another way to help them cool off.
Are you thinking of adopting a rabbit for a pet? We don’t blame you—rabbits are very cute animals, who can give you many years of affection and amusement.
However, be sure you are ready for the responsibilities of taking care of this animal. While they are certainly easier to manage than dogs, they still require some attention.
For example, rabbits molt four times a year, so be prepared for a little fur on your sofa every few months. They’ll need hay, a litter box, and a cage (clean frequently with white vinegar to remove odors). If you use hay or woodstove pellets for their litter boxes, you can use these to fertilize your garden when it’s time for a litter change.
Of all the affectionate animals rabbits are perhaps loved the most. By innate nature they are affectionate, quiet and entertaining. It is said, that though they are timid by nature, if they are given an invigorating environment they can show other more impressive attributes.
There are immense stories of spectacular cleverness of rabbits that are enshrined in pages of fiction. As animals, rabbits are generally very easy to care for. The easiest way to keep them in a good condition is by keeping them clean, well fed with plenty of clean water, and comfortable living conditions.
Many people keep rabbits rather than dogs and cats because rabbits can be happily left at home alone all day while their owners are out at work. Though often happy on their own, they are by nature social creatures that enjoy the company of their owners and other animals in the household. They are best kept in pairs because they form strong bonds with each other. They will play with toys, seek out and follow humans, and enjoy being stroked. Most rabbits will use a litter tray and so can live indoors in the house, but they can sometimes be destructive.
A rabbits natural response to pain or distress is to sit quietly, preferably hidden from view. As a result, many diseases and causes of suffering can be easily overlooked. Though the life expectancy of a domestic rabbit is potentially 10-12 years, few make it to this age. The sad thing is, many of these diseases are preventable.
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