Many pet owners enjoy the company and companionship of having a pet rabbit in the house. People are attracted to the idea of house rabbits because rabbits are not only playful and fun to watch they are also very social. Rabbits tend to appeal to people who like the size and feel of cats but are put off by the aloof manners cats sometimes display, most rabbits, if handled properly, are friendly all the time. Rabbit owners need to be aware that because rabbits are so social they need to spend allot of time each and every day playing with their pet rabbit. Rabbits that do not get enough attention can become depressed. Like cats pet rabbits are low maintenance and are easily litter box trained. Rabbits chew on everything, the best way to spare your furniture is to give your pet rabbit lots and lots of chewy toys. Rabbits and young children are not a very good combination, kid's habit of grabbing and running around makes rabbits nervous and they can start biting, and rabbit bites hurt. If you decide to keep your pet rabbit in the house you need to be prepared to clean the litter box on a regular basis.
Rabbits need to be taken to the veterinarian on a regular schedule for routine vaccinations and check ups. Rabbit owners who keep their rabbits in the house recommend spaying and neutering your rabbit. Pet rabbits are not known for their willingness to take medications. If you have to give your pet rabbit liquid mediation you will need to use a syringe (just the syringe not the needle) or an eye dropper. I prefer syringes because it is easier to measure the proper dosage of medication. Holding the rabbits head and neck with one hand slide the syringe into the rabbit's mouth behind the teeth, Check to make sure that the tip of the syringe isn't stuck out the other side of the mouth, point the tip of the syringe towards the rabbit's throat. Depress the syringes plunger.
If your vet prescribes a medication for your rabbit that is in a pill or tablet form you are going to have to crush up the pill. Once you have crushed the pill into a powder mix it with a little bit of flavored Sustacal or Ensure until you have a watery paste. Use a syringe to administer the paste like a liquid medication.
It only takes being bitten by one mosquito for a rabbit to become infected with a severe viral disease call Myxomatosis. Most rabbits die just a few short hours after contracting the disease. The only way to treat Myxomatosis is to vaccinate your pet rabbit before it ever comes into contact with Myxomatosis. Rabbits should be vaccinated when they are six weeks old. Do not give a pregnant rabbit the vaccination; wait until her babies are born. Rabbits are still at risk for Myxomatosis for fourteen days after being vaccinated. Your pet rabbit will need booster shots.
Health problems commonly associated with rabbits are uncontrolled bleeding when injured, blood in the urine, broken bones, breathing problems, falling body temperature, and severe diarrhea. If you would like to purchase an insurance plan to help cover the cost of veterinary expenses for your pet rabbit you will probably have to look for an exotic animal policy offer by a pet health insurance company.
Caring For Pet Rabbit
Rabbits have commonly been kept as pets in the western parts of the world since the year 1800s. These mammals have track records of lasting until 12 years if taken cared of properly. Rabbits are usually associated with the Easter season but problems arise in countries where shelters accept rabbits because many are being donated to the shelters by those who receive the animals as Easter gifts.
Notions of rabbits being pets for children are somewhat contradictory to the reality of the matter. Rabbits have fragile bones and backs which would require proper handling to avoid injury which children are not capable of handling themselves. Children also tend to be hyper active with pets which may also harm the rabbit.
Rabbits usually fight with their cage mate of the same gender if one is not neutered. This is due to sexual reasons. Compatibility with other animals should be regarded. Rabbits should not be left alone with dogs or cats since the predatory instincts of the feline and the canine pets tend to apply to the rabbit.
Rabbits have the nature of urinating and defecating in the same place. A litter box is needed to keep the cage clean. Rabbits can recognize voice commands like dogs do. They can identify different speech tones for training purposes. A healthy pet rabbit likes to play. As a solution to this it can be given a toy to play with in order not to bore or frustrate the animal. Chew toys are ideal for rabbits since they have the habit of gnawing things.
There are a number of ways a pet owner can house a rabbit, the norm in raising rabbits usually are done indoors.
Rabbit cages vary from exercise pens, cube condos or normal type cages. These creatures can also be free roaming like dogs and cats are.
Rabbits should be given fresh water and grass hay daily. Green vegetables are also advisable, fruits with lots of sugar contents should be given once in a while. Starchy foods are discouraged. In choosing commercial foods, the owner should avoid those with nuts because this food contains fat which is difficult for the rabbit's metabolism. Too much fat may lead to health problems. Commercial pellets are recommended to be offered as supplements for grass hay and not as the main dietary content.
Rabbits should be checked by the owners regularly because infections are easy to acquire. Teeth clipping is an option because once the teeth is clipped it has to be maintained.
Like any other pet, rabbits should have the required care and attention that it deserves.
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