How to Care for a House Rabbit

All those who have an aversion to cats and dogs, think keeping rabbits as pets will be an easy bet. This thought is only the half truth as it is easy to keep a rabbit as pet, but one needs to make sure they take good and correct care of their fluffy pets. Rabbits are very playful, social animals and will soon form a bond with their owners. It is always better to get your facts cleared, before you bring home any living creature as pet. We shall have a look at how to care for a house rabbit in this Buzzle article, and learn some basic requirements that will help you in keeping your bunny happy and healthy.

Are Rabbits Good As Pets?

Before going into any details related to care, it is important to understand if rabbits prove to be good pets. Rabbits are very friendly and need to socialize with their owners. They will form a strong bond with their owners and are very playful. They can be taught many tricks and more importantly, rabbits can be litter trained. So, you do not need to pick up their poop from around your house. Litter train them and your house will no longer be a mess. Rabbits need a little time to be spend outside their cage for exercise. They can chew into things, so make sure your house is bunny safe. Wires and toxic material should be out of the way of these chewy pets. They are not soft toys and need to be handled with extreme care. Thus, they do not make good pets for very young children. Their cost of maintenance is high and need regular veterinary care. If you are ready to give your 100% attention, love and care, bring home rabbits as pets.

How to Take Care of a House Rabbit?

Now that you have decided to bring home a bunny, it is important to learn how to care for a rabbit. Cute, soft, cuddly and extremely playful, these pets require correct housing, diet and training. Read on to learn some basic tips for caring for a house rabbit.

Housing for a House Rabbit
The best place to house a rabbit is inside your home. This will keep the delicate pet safe from bad weather conditions as well as predators. You may not live near wilderness, but domestic cats, dogs and even rodents prove to be bunny predators. You should house your rabbit in a large cage or puppy pens. This gives the rabbit enough room to move about and have a great time. You can place a linoleum mat or an old plastic mat at the bottom of the pen. This will keep your floor safe from mess. Placing you rabbit in a enclosed cage or puppy pen will train it to get accustomed to move in a particular area only. Thus, if you give it a free rein, it won't create a mess around the house and will know its food and litter box location well.

Litter Train a House Rabbit
If you do not want a house full of bunny pee and poop, better litter train your pet from day one. Rabbit urine is very strong and you will have a hard time getting the odor off your carpets. Thus, litter trained rabbits are a better option for most families. Rabbits have a natural instinct of eliminating in one or two particular places only. Thus, you should initially keep the bunny confined to a particular area like in a large cage or puppy pen. Place a litter tray on one side of the cage and fill it with a litter sand made for bunnies.

Do not use clumping or clay litter as they are harmful for your rabbit. When the rabbit is confined to one area, you will soon understand the popular spot where your bunny likes to eliminate. If it's not the litter box, then you need to move the box to the exact spot where the rabbit goes potty. Sometimes, you may have to use two to three trays as they tend to choose more than one spot for elimination. When you observe your bunny is using the tray without an accident outside the box, it is time to allow it outside the cage. If your bunny has an accident, it means you need to place the box in this location and not where it is kept at present. Soon, your rabbit will 'go potty' in its litter box only. Have patience, the rabbit will soon learn this simple trick.

Diet for a House Rabbit
Rabbits love to eat a good, filling meal. Do not over feed your rabbit or it will become over weight and lethargic. Rabbits need to be fed hay. Young rabbits need to be fed with alfalfa and adult rabbits should be fed with grass, oat hays, etc. Never feed an adult rabbit with alfalfa hay. Hay helps provide the required fiber for good digestive health and wearing down the rabbits teeth. You should not feed your rabbit houseplants, or you may inadvertently poison your pets. Feed them pellets that are high in fiber and low in protein. Place a fresh water bowl in your pets living area at all times. You can give them occasional treats like a slice of fruit. They love strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapples, raspberries, etc. Give your pets vegetables such as:

• Basil
• Bok choy
• Broccoli leaves only
• Carrot tops only
• Celery
• Cilantro
• Clover
• Collard greens
• Dandelion leaves
• Dill
• Lettuce - romaine or dark leaf only
• Mint
• Mustard greens
• Parsley
• Water cress

*Never ever feed your rabbits chocolate, chips, cookies, pizzas, breads, pasta, noodles, etc.

Handling a House Rabbit
Rabbits need to be handled very gently as they are very delicate. You should never ever attempt to pick them up from their ears, tail, scruff or legs. Not all rabbits like to be picked up and cuddled. If you have to, you need to take some precautions while picking them up. You need to sit down and pet your rabbit first. Then, when your rabbit warms up to you, you need to place a hand on his torso and scoop him up to your body. Place your hand on his hindquarters and make him feel secure in your arms. If your rabbit struggles to be let down, squat down and place him gently on the floor.

This was some information related to how to care for a house rabbit. Make sure you do your homework well before bringing home a pet rabbit. Visit a veterinarian and speak to him regarding all the health concerns that you may have to answer for your bunny. See if your house is secure enough for the rabbit and you have ample of safe place for the rabbit to hop and scotch. Once you are satisfied from all ends and are mentally as well as physically prepared, bring home a rabbit as a pet.