The house rabbit can be a fun new member of the family. However, it requires a lot of grooming, just like a dog or cat. Generally, rabbits live for eight to twelve years so their maintenance requires a long-term commitment from the owner. There are some rules that need to be followed and preparations made before you maintain them. Once you are ready, you can learn to care for a rabbit at home.
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Part 1 of 5: Studying Rabbits' Needs
Step 1. Prepare to raise rabbits
Rabbits are not pets with simple care. Its maintenance takes time, money, and care, just like dogs and cats. You will need to provide drinking bowls, high-quality food, toys, activities or sports (as with dogs), and a litter tray. In addition, rabbits also need your attention every day.
Rabbits have their own personality and require special care. If you can't afford the time and money to care for your rabbit, consider another pet that is easier to care for
Step 2. Make enough time for your rabbit
Rabbits need friends and companionship from you, especially if they are the only pets you have. Spend at least three hours playing with your rabbit outside of his cage, although he may also enjoy spending more time in his cage. Use that time to play with him. Give him toys that he likes, such as cardboard tubes, phone books, and other toys that roll.
- Rabbits will feel lonely and depressed if they do not interact with humans every day. Make sure you can afford to spend enough time with your rabbit.
- If you can't make enough time for your rabbit each day, try raising another rabbit. Make sure you keep them in separate cages so you can introduce them to each other to get along. Rabbits don't like to share their cages or shelter with rabbits unless they get along or bond.
Step 3. Don't cuddle or pet your rabbit too much
Even though rabbits look like cute little balls of fur, they don't really like being cuddled or petted too much. In addition, he may also feel afraid to be hugged, especially when you lean towards him and try to lift him up. Since the rabbit is a prey animal, the gesture reminds him of an eagle or other bird of prey trying to pounce on him and scares him off.
- Only a few rabbits are comfortable with being petted for long periods of time, while most rabbits only enjoy being petted for short periods of time. Sometimes a rabbit can bite you when you stop petting it.
- This behavior differs from one rabbit to another. Get to know your rabbit's personality and figure out the best way to approach and hold him.
Step 4. Be careful with children
Children, especially those who are difficult to control, can frighten your rabbit very much. He will feel like he is being attacked by a predator if there is a small screaming or screaming child nearby. Do not allow children to chase your rabbit around the house or try to pick it up after a successful chase. Your rabbit will feel threatened and may strike back.
Many children are unable to gently hold a rabbit and may injure it when they try to hold it. Therefore, do not allow children under the age of five to own or handle rabbits
Part 2 of 5: Preparing to Raise a Rabbit
Step 1. Determine the type of rabbit you want
There are many factors to consider when you are choosing a rabbit. Decide whether you want a specific breed of rabbit or whether you want to have a breed of rabbit. There are various types of rabbits available, of course with different sizes, coat colors, and temperaments. You will also need to determine whether you want to keep a male or female rabbit, as well as the age of the rabbit you want to keep.
If you are unsure of your choice, do some research first about the different rabbit breeds
Step 2. Choose a place to buy rabbits
There are many different places to get and buy pet rabbits. The type of rabbit you want may be a factor in determining where to buy a rabbit. If you don't really care about specific factors in rabbit selection, you can visit an animal rescue center and have the rabbits cared for there. Keeping rabbits from a rescue center can provide you with several advantages because, as a rule, the rabbits cared for there are quite old and go through the 'clumsy' young rabbit phase, and are usually neutered.
- You can also buy rabbits from pet stores. The quality of the animals sold from one store to another varies so look for a store that sells animals that are well cared for and staff who are knowledgeable about animals.
- If you want to buy a specific breed of rabbit, you can visit a rabbit farm for a specific breed of rabbit. You can also learn about his lineage. Rabbits sold on farms tend to be more sociable when you raise them later because since birth, the rabbits have been taken care of and cared for by the breeder.
Step 3. Find the right vet
When you get the rabbit you want, you need to make sure you have a vet who can take care of it. Look for a veterinarian who has a lot of experience dealing with rabbits and other small animals, as the treatment is of course different from treating a cat or dog. After you have chosen the rabbit you want, take the rabbit to the doctor for a health check to ensure its health.
- You'll also need to take them for regular health checks, just like with any other household pet.
- This examination can provide convenience if at any time there is an emergency situation for your rabbit because the veterinarian already knows and knows his medical history.
Step 4. Hold your rabbit properly
When you want to pick up and hold your rabbit, teach each member of the household how to handle it properly. This is especially important if you have children. Make sure all members of your family know that rabbits don't like being picked up and show them how to pick up and hold a rabbit properly.
- Rabbits can struggle when they are scared. He can also try to escape from situations that are (according to him) scary. While jumping or escaping, your rabbit may accidentally break its spine and, oftentimes, experience fatal paralysis if it is picked up incorrectly.
- To lift him properly, lift your rabbit by the side of his body using one arm, while your other hand gripping the back of his body. Lifting him, bring the rabbit close to your body for more restraint.
Step 5. Make sure your home is rabbit safe
Before you bring your rabbit home, you need to make sure that there are no items that risk injuring your rabbit when it jumps around the house. Rabbits can nibble on wires when they see them. Therefore, make sure power cords, computer cables, and other cables are protected or out of reach of rabbits. Purchase plastic cable or wire shields, or cable protection tubes to protect the wires in your home.
- You can also 'hide' the wires behind furniture or tuck them along the side of the wall, of course in a place or height that the rabbit can't reach.
- Never place electrical wires or cables under carpet to prevent fires.
Part 3 of 5: Buying the Right Equipment
Step 1. Buy a large cage
Before bringing your rabbit home, make sure you have all the appropriate equipment ready for it. This way, when you bring him home, everything is ready and he can immediately stay home without any more preparation. The first thing that is needed is a secure rabbit cage. Even though later he will be doing a lot of activities outside his cage, he still has to have a separate safe cage. Only your rabbit will live in the cage. The cage will be used as a bed for the rabbit and a place for him to rest or cool off when he feels upset or insecure.
You can use a large, spacious kennel or even a dog kennel. Make sure your rabbit feels safe inside
Step 2. Choose the appropriate cage base
The type of bedding needed for your rabbit will vary. Try using a few different types of bedding to find out what type of bedding your rabbit likes. Some common options you can use are shredded paper, straw, and hay (green hay). As much as possible avoid using wood shavings as they can be inhaled by your rabbit.
If you want to use wood shavings, make sure you don't use shavings from cedar, pine, and other types of wood that smell bad
Step 3. Provide a suitable litter box
Since your rabbit lives indoors, he needs a litter box. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all litter box. Maybe your rabbit likes a closed litter box, and the height of the walls varies because some boxes have walls that are too high or too short for the rabbit. For starters, try using a cat litter box that is large enough and comfortable enough to enter and occupy.
- You can try providing some litter boxes. This way, your rabbit can defecate in several places in your house without having to run from room to room at the end, just to pee.
- The type of litter used may also depend on your rabbit. Try a few different types of litter. Common types of litter used for house rabbits include silica cat litter, shredded paper, wood shavings (as long as they are not pine or cedar shavings), straw, and dry grass.
- Make sure the litter used is not lumpy and is not made of clay. These materials can harm your rabbit if swallowed or inhaled.
Step 4. Purchase a suitable food bowl
Your rabbit needs a food bowl for its food. Make sure the bowl you use is made of a heavy material, such as ceramic. This can keep the bowl facing up as rabbits often step on the sides of the bowl and turn it upside down.
Also, make sure the walls of the bowl are high enough to hold the food, but low enough for the rabbit to reach so he can eat comfortably
Step 5. Provide a bottle or bowl of drinking water
A water bottle is usually included in the purchase of the cage. However, it's a good idea to have a few spare bottles as well. By nature, rabbits are more comfortable drinking from a bowl, but unlike a water bottle, a water bowl can tip over or be knocked over easily.
Sometimes rabbits can get irritated with water bottles. If your rabbit seems upset about having to drink from a bottle, replace the water bottle with a ceramic bowl
Step 6. Choose the right type of food
The ideal type of food for rabbits is grass and green hay that are suitable for their intestines. Ideally, provide fresh green hay as the main type of food for your rabbit. Complete nutritional needs with pellets (each seed has the same shape) in small quantities, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Vegetables that are commonly given to rabbits include broccoli, bok choy, carrot leaves, beets, coriander, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables.
- Do not give your rabbit pellets all the time (or provide pellets that your rabbit can eat at any time) as this can lead to obesity and poor health. Also, avoid feeding rabbits foods that are brightly colored, or that contain nuts, seeds, and fruit. Usually these types of food contain a lot of sugar and carbohydrates.
- If you're not sure what type of food to feed, ask your vet or local rabbit breeder for advice on what type of food to feed your rabbit.
- Avoid giving vitamins as a rabbit food supplement. Healthy rabbits don't need supplements like vitamins.
- Despite the general perception, actually giving too many carrots to rabbits can actually harm their health. Rabbits love to eat carrots as a snack, but you shouldn't give them carrots every day. Giving carrots every week (eg once a week) is still acceptable.
Step 7. Provide entertainment for your rabbit
Like any other pet, your rabbit needs toys too. Buy a variety of toys for your rabbit, such as toys to bite into or a wide tunnel to walk through. You can also make your own toys for your rabbit, such as a cardboard box with a hole wide enough for the rabbit to fit in.
- You can make your own toy to bite with using real apple tree branches (not coated or sprayed with chemicals). Before you give it to your rabbit, make sure the twig is clean and has not been exposed to or coated with chemicals.
- If you use twigs from other trees, make sure they are non-toxic and dry the twigs for (at least) six months before feeding. Unlike other tree wood, apple tree wood does not require such handling. You just need to make sure the twig is clean and not exposed to chemicals.
- Make sure you provide toys with different functions. Different rabbits, different toys they like.
Step 8. Provide plenty of dry grass (green hay) for your rabbit
Dried grass is the most versatile item for rabbit owners. Dry grass can be used as bedding, food, and entertainment for rabbits, and it can also be used as litter. It is important that you use and provide dry grass. For most rabbits, timothy hay is usually best suited.
- When your rabbit eats hay, it gets the fiber it needs for its digestive function.
- Dry grass also allows your rabbit to dig. This can be great entertainment for your rabbit, especially if you've hidden treats, such as apple slices or breakfast cereal (eg Cheerios) under the cage. You can also use scraps of paper as a 'dig area' for the rabbit.
Part 4 of 5: Choosing the Right Rabbit
Step 1. Choose the rabbit you want to keep
If you are planning to raise a rabbit, you will need to follow certain rules. When you want to choose one, pay attention to the size, coat color, temperament, and health of the mother to see what the rabbit will look like when it grows up. Try playing with the mother to see how she behaves so you can get an idea of how the rabbit behaves.
If you notice something strange, ask the parent about the parent's personality and temperament. The mother rabbit may behave differently because you are perceived as a stranger or near her litter box
Step 2. Choose the rabbits you want to keep
If you like the physical appearance of the mother, you can choose one of the cubs. Find out how he reacts to you. Don't pick a rabbit that hides a lot from its mother, even if you feel sorry for it, because it's unlikely that it will make a friendly pet. Instead, choose a rabbit that jumps at you and sniffs you. To help further in the selection of rabbits, you need to check their health. Pay attention to things like the following:
- Eyes that are clean and clear, not slimy, crusty, or have no impurities in and around them.
- Ears are clean, not covered with dirt and odorless.
- Clean, tangle-free and odor-free fur.
- There are no fleas or other parasites on the rabbit's skin.
- There are no lumps or other hair problems around the anus (these may indicate a serious health problem).
- Rabbits are responsive and cheerful, without jumping up and down or shaking excessively.
- There are no obvious signs of illness, such as sneezing, gasping for breath, hair loss, or dental problems.
Step 3. Choose an adult rabbit
The selection of adult rabbits is slightly different from the selection of rabbits. Visit any pet store or farm to buy rabbits. Wherever they are, look for adult rabbits. Make sure the rabbits appear happy and responsive. Don't choose a rabbit that looks rude or aggressive. In addition, the rabbits must also be healthy.
- The characteristics of a healthy adult rabbit are the same as those of a healthy young rabbit. Check for all obvious signs of health, including the eyes, ears, and fur.
- An animal shelter can be a great place to bring an adult rabbit home. Usually the rabbits that are treated there have been sterilized. In addition, you can also give the rabbits a second chance to be petted.
Step 4. Choose the bunny you like the most
After you've done a thorough health check on the rabbits, you can choose a rabbit that you like. Make sure you don't rush. The rabbit you choose will live with you for eight years or more so make sure you choose the right rabbit. Play with the rabbits to find out which rabbit is the best for you. Also find out if the rabbit likes you too.
- Keep in mind that your rabbit may be shy and nervous the first time you meet him because you are new to him. Don't forget to check for general signs of temperament and sociability.
- Once you've found a rabbit you'd like to keep, ask a few follow-up questions before you take them home. The questions included questions about feeding habits, litter used, and the rabbit's age.
Part 5 of 5: Familiarizing yourself with the Rabbit
Step 1. Watch your rabbit
When bringing him home for the first time, pay attention to how he interacts with his new environment. Pay attention to where he goes to pee, how he reacts to other family members, how he reacts to his toys, what toys he likes and hates, and how he reacts to the room he's in.
- Don't worry if he just sits in the corner of the cage for a few minutes, then eats, and lies down when you first bring him home. Don't bother your rabbit no matter what he does. He is still adjusting to his new environment.
- In the first few days, let him stay in his cage. Every day, take the time to sit next to him and talk to him in a low, low voice.
Step 2. Let him out of his cage
Once he gets used to your presence, try letting him out of his cage. Close all doors in the room. If there is no door to enter the room, block access to and from the room before you remove the rabbit from the cage. After that, let him out of his cage. Don't lift him out of his cage; All you have to do is open the cage door and let him jump out on his own.
- Sit in the middle of the room and do something quiet, like read a book, listen to quiet music, or write.
- Provide vegetables if at any time he feels suspicious.
Step 3. Let him interact with you
Once he's out of his cage, let him jump around on his own. Don't force him to approach you and don't move too much. Eventually, your rabbit will jump on its own at you, curious about what you are doing and who you really are. When he approaches, let him sniff you, then give him a small amount of vegetables (about the size of a thumb nail).
If he seems alert, sit quietly and speak softly to him. Don't move too fast so he doesn't get scared
Step 4. Wait
If your rabbit doesn't come right up to you, wait for it to come closer. If he approaches but doesn't pick up the vegetables, just put them on the floor and get back to work. Leave it until it finally gets close to its food. After that, let him eat in peace.
After he eats his food, give back another food (in small amounts). If he approaches and eats it, sit quietly and speak softly to him
Step 5. Pet your rabbit
Once he arrives and lets you feed him, start gently stroking his head after he finishes eating. If he stays still and keeps his head down, keep stroking him. If he backs off or runs away, stop and get back to work. You need to wait until he comes back to you to try petting him again.
If it bites, scream loudly. This way he knows that you are in pain. Even the rabbit will understand that he has hurt you
Step 6. Keep trying
If you're having trouble, keep trying. Do it gradually from starting to give the vegetables, petting them, and ignoring them. If he approaches you, try giving him some food. If he's 'heading' you, he wants your attention. To give it attention, you can pet it.
Repeat this every few days until you are completely familiar with your new rabbit
Tips
- If you want to keep a male and female rabbit, you will need to neuter both. Keep in mind that rabbits (even children of the same breed) will mate with each other. In addition, female rabbits will experience sexual maturity when they reach five months of age. If you don't neuter the male, he will spit out his urine and try to mate with any rabbit species.
- Have your rabbit's teeth checked once a month. Your rabbit's teeth may be untidy or need trimming. If his teeth look crooked or you notice a lot of drooling around his mouth and there are problems with his diet, take your rabbit to the vet immediately.
- Don't let your rabbit feel hot. Since rabbits continue to have fur, they will feel more comfortable in cooler temperatures.
- Never scare your rabbit because it can have a fatal heart attack.
