We have usually characterised people as ‘dog person’ or ‘cat person’ depending on their taste and preference in pets and animals and even on how they behave around these animals. But then what exactly is a ‘rabbit person’? How can we characterize someone as a ‘rabbit person’? Do you want to be a ‘rabbit person’?
To begin with, you must know that rabbits are astounding animals with illuminating personality. They are full of life and can definitely be counted in as pet animals. But mostly they are assumed as Easter animals. However these days’ people are becoming more open minded and welcoming towards them. The statistics shows that the rabbit ownership have escalated tremendously in the past decade. Approximately from 1992-2000, the rabbits owning houses have went from 29% to 40%. The major reason for this is the excess access to Internet. It becomes easier for people to just browse through the internet and see sites that provide information on such topics.
Rabbits are cute and adorable as puppies and kittens, in the same way they are loyal and playful as dogs. You cannot miss on how sharp and confident animals they are just like the cats. They come in different size and shapes with various species. Some of which are wild and mixed breeds. People usually go with the familiar and known species, but there are even some who are insistent on the mixed breed as they found them to be cool and ‘not so typical’. This may include the unicorn loop- one ear up and one down, and even the helicop loop- both ears straight to the outside.
Once you finally decide to adopt a rabbit, make sure it’s not from any ordinary place. A place does define the personality of the kind of animal you’ll be dealing with later. It’s always advisable to have a rabbit that has been taken care of and grown in a foster home or some pet care association. Avoid buying a rabbit from a pet’s store. A rabbit that is grown in a foster home is well behaved and disciplined than a pet stores rabbit. Pet stores rabbit are untrained, hyper and full of energy. They do not know how to distribute this energy in fruitful toils and ends up getting into trouble. So always go for foster cared rabbits.
Rabbits need certain special attention, once brought home. Some of these care-tips include:
- A PERFECT CAGE: Opt for a cage that is large as a rabbit requires a lot space to hop around. The cage must be in wooden or plastic material with wired or bars around. Avoid using a wired substrate in the cage. If it is already there, at least cover it with a solid surface. A wired surface can cause trouble to the rabbits resulting into some diseases. Make sure that the cages are not cheap. The cage material can have some side effects too. You can build your own pet house. It isn’t easy as buying one but comparatively handy. There should be no holes in it. Sometimes cages are roofless if they are kept home. But rabbits are placed on terrace or any other such open places also. At such times make it a point that their cages have a roof.
- FOOD TO FEED: normally, before feeding a rabbit it’s important to know how much it weighs. Then accordingly you can decide how much it can take in. When the rabbits are less than six months old, do not feed it with vegetables like carrots, apples, berries, etc. Mostly prefer hay (timothy hay) during this period. If the rabbit is a bit older like above one, it is then safe to feed them with veggies or fruits or even green food for that matter. Pellets (Oxbow or Sunseed) can be a favourite too. Do not go for pet stores food, it is not fresh and can make your rabbit ill.
- EXERCISE IS MUST: Leave them in open space where they can run and jump around. But see to it that the open space is covered or else you precious little friend might get eaten up by some hovering bird. You can put a leash to your pet. Do not direct it where to walk though, it will do it for itself.
- MAINTAIN ITS HEALTH: It is very important for you to see that your pet rabbit lives in a clean and friendly environment. Hence, regularly clean his cage. Make sure its dry and dirt free. Groom your rabbit by brushing his hairs. Do not bathe him. It is not at all helpful. Instead it puts your rabbit in some kind of mental shock. There are certain oils on his body which are useful for its health, bathing just doesn’t help. In addition, if water enters his ears, they can get infected. Go regularly to a vet.
Thus, these were some care-tips one might use once a rabbit owner. It is said that children are the prime reason to get a pet in the house as they enjoy the company, but in this case it would be suggestible to keep them at a distance. As they can drop or suffocate the rabbit, and the rabbit in return may even bite or turn wild for self defence. So that will be the last precautionary tip for the day. So now go rush have your own bugs bunny!