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General Information
The history of domesticated rabbits began about 3000 years ago in Spain – in fact the word Spain is derived from
the Latin word “Hispania” which is the Latin translation for the word “i-shephan-im” or literally
“the land of the rabbits.” Rabbits were brought to this area in Europe by the Phoenicians and were later further
domesticated by French Catholic Monks.
Throughout the known history of rabbits they have been associated with bringing good luck, fertility, and folklore (the
Easter Bunny). The term “bunny”, referring to young or small rabbits, is believed to have its origins from the
Gaelic word for “root” or “stump”. The “ny” is a diminutive suffix that means small and
cute. The use of the word “bunny” first appeared in the English language around the year 1700.
Modern day pet rabbits or “European Rabbits” are descendents of these first domesticated rabbits from Spain.
Rabbits and humans have a diverse history as rabbits have been used to control pests, for furs and other clothing accessories,
for food, or as household pets. Rabbit waste, both feces and urine have proven useful as nitrogen-fixing fertilizers for gardening.
If you acquire a rabbit, be prepared to give it as much time and care as you would a dog or cat.
Rabbits have a lifespan of seven to ten years. Spaying and neutering are simple operations that tend to reduce or prevent
territorial behavior, spraying by males, moodiness, aggressiveness, digging and chewing. They can also improve litter box
habits.
Brush your rabbit regularly to avoid fur balls, which they may swallow but cannot regurgitate.
To keep their teeth healthy. Rabbits need hard items to chew on. Bunny-proof your home to protect wires and furniture,
and provide the rabbit with plenty of chewable items.
Rabbits are afraid of predators, and they can literally be scared to death. So when you pick up a rabbit, hold it securely
so it feels safe. The reason many people, especially children, get scratched by rabbits is that they don't hold them properly.
Cages
Dwarfs can live comfortably in a cage 18"x24"x14" high. Breeding does will do
better with a cage 24"x24". Fresh water should be avaliable at all times. Does nursing and Hollands in the summertime consume
more water. Does with kits and kits should be able to free-feed, meaning eat as much as they want, as long as they arn't getting
fat. Otherwise 1/4-1/3 cup daily is good. Hay should also be avalable. Treats such as carrots and from a pet store should
be feed spareingly. The cage should never have a bad odor. If it does, it needs to be cleaned. The cage should never get to
that point though. Both bucks and does make equally good pets, it just depends on the rabbit's particular personality.
Caged or Free to Roam?
Whether you decide to let your rabbit roam free in your entire
home or just a limited area, it is important that you make everything rabbit-safe. One little bunny can easily find a whole
lot of trouble in an average home. Because rabbits like to chew, make sure that all electrical cords are out of reach and
outlets are covered. Chewing through a plugged-in cord can result in severe injury or even death. Their chewing can also result
in poisoning if the wrong objects are left in the open or in unlocked low cabinets. Aside from obvious toxins like insecticides,
rodenticides, and cleaning supplies, be aware that common plants such as aloe, azalea, Calla lily, Lily of the Valley, philodendron,
and assorted plant bulbs can be poisonous to rabbits.
Bunny Bathrooms
Just like cats, rabbits can easily learn to use a litter box. Place a litter box in the cage to encourage this behavior.
If your rabbit roams freely through multiple rooms of your home, it's a good idea to have litter boxes in several places.
Many rabbits enjoy spending time relaxing in their litter box, so make sure that it is of ample size. For bedding (litter),
stay away from wood shavings, especially cedar and pine, which may cause liver damage or trigger allergic reactions in rabbits.
Also avoid clumping or dusty kitty litters, which can cause serious health problems if eaten. Instead, stick with organic
litters made of paper, wood pulp, or citrus. Newspaper can work too, but may not be as absorbent. Be sure to put fresh hay
in the litter box daily, as many rabbits like to have a snack while sitting in their litter box.
FOOD:
Because of the wide commercial availability of nutritionally rich pellets, properly nourishing rabbits is not difficult. Rabbits
can remain perfectly healthy if provided a basic diet of pellets and fresh water. Plenty of food and water should always be
made available.
Water
Rabbits should have water made available to them at all times, especially during the hotter seasons of the year. A hanging
drops-style water dispenser is a great solution for keeping water from spilling and keeping it free of contaminants. The water
dispenser should be refilled with fresh water every two days and should be cleaned with a disinfectant soap and rinsed thoroughly
each time it is filled.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
You may want to occasionally treat your rabbit to fresh fruits and vegetables as supplements to their diet. Rabbits especially
love apples, carrots, lettuce, spinach, grass, clover and alfalfa. These foods helps regulate the rabbit’s digestive
system and helps prevent intestinal problems. Fresh fruits and vegetables should NOT replace the nutritionally dense pellets,
as these fresh dietary supplements are mostly water and do not contain the essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
that the pellets provide.
RABBIT Grooming
Rabbits, like cats, are fastidious self groomers. With a little extra help, your rabbit can stay a clean and healthy part
of your home. By keeping your rabbit in a clean habitation, the grooming process will be much easier
Brushing Fur
Rabbits need a good brushing about once a week – especially if your rabbit is a long haired species. During shedding
seasons, your rabbit should be brushed daily. Keeping your rabbit’s fur clean and brushed will prevent the rabbit from
ingesting hairballs – rabbits, unlike cats, cannot regurgitate hairballs causing dangerous and painful intestinal blockages.
Long haired rabbits can be protected from hairballs by a regular trimming (about one inch off).
Brush your rabbit along the direction of the hair, removing any old or loose hair that pulls away with a moderately firm
brushing. As you brush pay attention for any lumps, sores, rashes, cuts or pests that may be harming your rabbit. Any evidence
of fleas should result in a visit to your veterinarian.
Trimming Nails
Rabbit nails should be trimmed every two weeks. To trim your rabbit’s nails, use standard cat clippers and cut the
sharp ends off of the nails. Be careful not to cut too deeply causing the nails to bleed. Rabbits should never be declawed
– rabbits need their nails for climbing, walking and escaping predators.
Cleaning Ears
Rabbit ears should be checked daily for wax clogs or mites and cleaned every two weeks. Any black discharge or soreness
in the ear could indicate mites of other infections that require the attention of a veterinarian. To clean your rabbit’s
ears, use a soft cotton-tipped swab to clean all the visible areas of the ear – NEVER insert the swab into the ear canal
or in anywhere that is not visible. Gently rub the swab to remove any wax or dirt that may have collected in the ear.
Caring for teeth
Rabbit teeth are generally maintained through daily gnawing and chewing activities. The teeth should be slightly worn down
on the end and aligned with each other. If your rabbit’s teeth are sharp or otherwise out of alignment, you should seek
the help of a veterinarian in trimming the rabbit’s teeth. Because rabbit’s teeth never actually stop growing,
an occasional tooth checkup will keep their teeth healthy and allow them to eat regularly.
Bathing
Rabbits are generally not bathed, but spot cleaned. Because bathing can cause extreme stress and because rabbits do not
dry out quickly, bathing can cause rabbits to experience stress, chills and may induce shock. If your rabbit is diagnosed
with fleas, check with your veterinarian on the best way to treat the fleas. If your rabbit is ever completely soaked with
water, dry the rabbit as best you can with a towel and immediately move them to a warm, dry location – preferably in
the sun.
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