Rabbits as Pets
Introduction and General Characteristics
Rabbits are very social animals that many people keep as pets. They are well-suited as pets because they crave affection and respond well to being handled by humans. In fact, they are such social animals that it is often suggested that you have more than one rabbit, so they can keep each other company! Rabbits will live for approximately 7-10 years, on average, so you can have a long and fulfilling relationship with your pet bunny. A female rabbit is known as a doe, a male rabbit is known as a buck, and the young are called kits.
Rabbit Reproduction
Rabbits become sexually mature between 4-8 months of age (smaller rabbits reach maturity earlier). Does should be brought to a buck's cage for mating as the female can be very territorial. The doe is an induced ovulator, so there is not a distinct breeding season; she will ovulate approximately 10 hours after mating. Gestation last about 31 days, and kits nurse for 4-6 weeks. The kits are born hairless, blind and helpless, and they cannot regulate their body temperature for at least a week. Pregnant and nursing does should be provided with a specialized nest box. Does and bucks can be spayed or neutered. It is recommended to spay female rabbits to reduce the incidence of uterine adenocarcinoma, a very common form of malignant cancer in rabbits.
Rabbit Husbandry
Rabbits can be housed either outdoors or indoors, but many people recommend housing your rabbit indoors to maximize the bond between you and your bunny. Rabbits are very sensitive to heat, so they should be kept in a cooler part of the house. The rabbit's cage should be at least 4 times the size of your rabbit, with ample room for moving around. A two level "condo" with the two floors connected with a ramp is a popular floor plan. If you are using a cage with a wire floor, you must provide an area of solid flooring for the rabbit to rest on to protect its feet. A "sipper style" water bottle should be provided with fresh water provided daily. Bunnies can be litter trained, and many people allow them to run free in their homes once they are trained. If you choose to allow your rabbit to run free, please be sure to bunny-proof your home; rabbits love to chew things, so you need to protect your items and your rabbit's health! Electric cords are common chew toys for rabbits, and this can be very dangerous. Be sure these cords are out of reach! Rabbits are curious and intelligent creatures, so it is important to provide them with interesting things to do. Toys, cubes, and chew sticks should be provided in the cage to prevent your bunny from becoming bored.
Rabbit Nutrition
A good rabbit diet consists of rabbit pellets, hay and fresh vegetables. Many rabbits who are fed unlimited amounts of pellets become obese, so you must limit your adult rabbit's intake of pellets. A good rule of thumb is approximately ¼ - ½ cup of pellets per day per 6 pounds of body weight. Younger rabbits may require more pellets. Hay should be fed in unlimited quantities as it is a very important source of fiber for a rabbit. Hay is the most important component of the diet; timothy hay or mixed grass hay is recommended. Fresh vegetables such as alfalfa, carrots, beets, spinach and many others should be offered daily. Provide your rabbit with at least three servings of different vegetables per day. Introduce new vegetables gradually to avoid upsetting your rabbit's stomach.
General Health Information
Rabbits are highly susceptible to bacterial infections by the organism Pasteurella multocida. A common respiratory infection caused by this bacteria is known as Snuffles. If your rabbit has a runny nose or eyes, a high temperature, or a rattling sound in the lungs, please contact your veterinarian. If caught early enough, this infection can be easily controlled with antibiotics.
Rabbit urine can normally vary from yellow to red in color, so this should not automatically be a cause for alarm. If there are additional signs relating to the urinary tract, such as painful urination or straining during urination, contact your veterinarian.
Unspayed female rabbits are predisposed to uterine adenocarcinoma and mammary tumors, so it is recommended to spay your does between 6 and 12 months of age. If your rabbit does get one of these tumors, it may be possible to surgically remove it. Unfortunately, uterine adenocarcinoma is a malignant neoplasm (cancer) that has frequently metastasized (spread to other body parts) before it is diagnosed.
Rabbits have teeth that grow continuously throughout life and are worn down by mechanical grinding of the teeth against each other. If the mechanical grinding does not occur properly (usually due to a misalignment), the teeth can overgrow each other and result in a malocclusion. If you notice that your bunny is not eating, has a wet chin due to drooling, and seems to be losing weight, you should take him to your veterinarian to have his teeth examined. The veterinarian may need to trim the teeth under anesthesia.
Rabbits can suffer from many intestinal diseases which may be quite serious. If you notice diarrhea in your rabbit, you should take him to your veterinarian right away. Diarrhea in rabbits can be fatal, and may need immediate attention. Usually this can be resolved easily with medication, but it must be treated.
This article is intended as a brief overview of important things to be aware of when owning a rabbit. There is much more information available on rabbits, and it is recommended that all rabbit owners be well-educated about their animals. An excellent starting point for information on the internet is The House Rabbit Society's home page at www.rabbit.org.