Dwarf Bunnies as Pets

After dogs and cats, next on the list of popular pets come rabbits. Speaking from personal experience, these cuddly little bundles of fur aren't difficult to care for, but like any other pets, they also require adequate attention. Before you bring home any pet, it is very important for you to correct your expectations. The average dwarf bunnies life span is 7 to 10 years, but can occasionally extend to as long as 13 years. Read as much info about them as you can lay your hands on, and if possible, speak to other owners. This is especially important if you've had a dog or cat before, because rabbits don't respond the same way. Here is some information that will help you understand what having dwarf bunnies as pets entails.

Dwarf Bunny as a Pet

One of the primary aspects of dwarf bunnies care is setting up a home for them, where they will be comfortable and secure. It is not advisable to let your pets run free in your home, for their own safety. The cage should be at least four feet wide, two feet deep and two feet tall, that has a solid bottom. One is advised to cover the base with plenty of straw, hay or aspen shavings to create a cozy environment for the bunny. Know that wire-bottom cages can ulcerate a rabbit's feet. If you have such a cage, cover the base with a piece of wood or corrugated cardboard. One is advised to keep the cage indoors, as rabbits can die of heart attacks at the mere sight of what they perceive as a predator.

Provide your dwarf bunny with a newspaper-lined litter box when you litter train him. Ideally, fill it with timothy hay or pelleted-newspaper litter, and change it everyday to reduce the strong unpleasant odor. You may use any grass hay, but steer clear of alfalfa, pine/cedar shavings and clay cat litters (both clumping and non-clumping). Also provide your dwarf bunny with a box that he can entertain himself with, or even hide in! Remember that dwarf bunnies are burrowing animals, so they like dark enclosed spaces. Another instinctual habit of dwarf rabbits is to dig and chew on things, so provide them with chew toys, a digging box, pieces of cardboard, old phone books, etc.

Dwarf Bunnies Information

While there are many types of dwarf rabbits, their dietary requirements are the same. Provide your dwarf bunny with plenty of timothy or brome grass hay at all times. In addition to this, supplement his diet with good-quality rabbit pellets, those with a minimum of 15 - 19% protein and 18% fiber. Fully grown dwarf bunnies should be given ¼ cup of fresh, plain pellets, whereas there is no limit on the quantity for a growing dwarf rabbit. Two cups of fresh leafy greens are also an important part of their diet, such as dark leaf lettuces, collard greens, turnip greens and carrot tops. Your pet must have a steady supply of clean, fresh water.

Your dwarf rabbit should be let out to exercise and play for several hours everyday. However, one must never leave them unsupervised in the outdoors or indoors. Within the home, ensure that all kinds of wires (phone, computer, etc.) are out of their reach, and outdoor areas must be fully enclosed by a fence. While a dwarf bunny as pet for a child might seem like a good idea, nothing could be further from the truth. A child would want to hold, cuddle and carry around the animal, which are all very frightening experiences for a dwarf rabbit. This may cause him to scratch or bite, and consequently get dropped. Dwarf bunny that is dropped can break a limb or even his back. One last pointer, if you plan to keep dwarf bunnies in your house, it is very important to get them spayed or neutered.