How many times has it come to your conscious to pet a rabbit? I hope the inspiration came from the cartoon, Bugs Bunny, but even if it didn’t come from there, domesticating a pet is always good, especially when it is a rabbit. These cute little furry animals come in a variety of colours, with a majority of white and brown rabbits. Rabbits seldom walk, and prefer hoping around to reach different places, but not all rabbits are the same. The mood of the bunny also play an important role. An unusual fact about rabbits is when they are with other prey animal, they sleep with their eyes open, so that they can alert themselves at the time of sudden movements. A few other facts, that you need to keep in your mind before and after buying a rabbit are mentioned here. Don’t worry, although rabbits seem to be delicate animals, but they make great pets. So, don’t be afraid of buying one, just do it.
- Livelihood
Are you planning to get a cage for your rabbit? Even if you are thinking so, just spare some room for this mammal to hop around, as you can’t trap this animal for long time. Rabbits can be kept in a cage for long duration, although it is not healthy on our part. Try having a small place or garden area, or anything of that sort for the rabbit to spend some time each day out of its cage. Always keep in mind that rabbits love to chew. They can chew up on almost anything that comes to their way. So if you are keeping them in a room, make it bunny proof by removing all the furniture or metallic objects from that room, and especially the wires. They can get electrified, which sounds horrifying. For a rabbit’s cage, if you are getting a metallic wired cage, put a piece of wood at the floor mesh, and a few hay on the top of it. Wood is so that rabbits feet don;t get harmed by the cage, and hay as rabbits like living in a cozy surrounding. Provide a litter box in the room or in the corner of the cage. Like cats, rabbits also teach themselves to use that litter box whenever they need to. Litter boxes are easily available in the market, cover them with newspapers or hay, just like their cage.
- Diet
Rabbits are vegetarians. DO NOT FEED THEM MEAT. Meat doesn’t suit their digestive system. Usually rabbits feed up on hay. Get some fresh hay for your rabbit everyday, keep a small portion in its cage or in its room, always filled with its diet as most of its diet is completed with hay. Supplementary food like vegetables and fruits must also be provided to them at times. Rabbit Diet is also available in the markets, which can fulfill three quarters of a rabbit’s diet needs. Also remember getting some rabbit chews for your rabbit, as rabbits love to chew, and if they won’t get any of those, they would start chewing up anything coming up in their way, whether it be your furniture or your shoes. Keep a small water container in their home, which is always filled with cold water in summers, and lukewarm water in winters. Always remember that do not keep an ice pack or something in their cage or room, as it may be dangerous for their life.
- Hygiene
Bought a pet and kept it won’t be of any help. You have to take care of it. Rabbits ask for a little care too. Firstly, they need to spend some time out of their regular living conditions almost everyday, whether it be for 30 minutes. Just let them out, and keep other pets like dog, cat etc. away from that area. Also take care that there is no way rabbit can get out, as they hide really nice. Make your rabbit have a bath every other day, so that they don’t keep on getting dirty. Clip or Trim their nails every two months. Rabbits scratch and bite, so also keep your hygiene in mind. If such a thing happens, contact your doctor right away.
- Companion
No one or nothing in this world wants to be alone. Similar is the case with these little creatures. Try keeping a couple of rabbits in your house as pets, and make your house their house. You might have heard about Love Birds and Love Bugs, but the best ones are Love Bunnies. These pets enjoy the company of same or other specie, that is why, they befriend humans easily. They like being patted on their back. Though they might be afraid of you when they first see you, but gradually they develop a good conscious for their companions. They can even adjust in a total normal manner with pets of other species, granted the other specie doesn’t want to attack them.
Rabbits have been in existence ever since. They have acted as great diggers and quick runners. The quote, “Slow and Steady wins the race” came from the story in which, a rabbit enjoyed the limelight. Rabbits make great pets, as they are very social, and like the company of everyone around them. Keep in mind that they need to be handled with care. Pick them properly, and remember, NEVER pick them from their ears. So, wanna get one?