Posts Tagged ‘Rabbits’

For most pet owners, having a pet is simply a matter of having a companion for their morning walk; a buddy to keep the kids company; a showpiece; or simply a furry family member. For others, though, having animals around is more than a hobby- it's an obsession. We've all known someone who keeps a miniature Noah's Ark in their house, with two (or more) of just about every critter under the sun. If this sounds like you, you know that keeping different kinds of animals in one home requires special attention to the potential for a dangerous combination. If you are keeping rabbits along with dogs, here are some guidelines and suggestions for making this process as safe and easy as possible.

As you should know by now, rabbits are extremely sensitive animals. The mere stress of a frightening experience can kill a rabbit, and any attempt to introduce rabbits to other animals should only be undertaken in tightly controlled conditions. Remember that rabbits are prey animals, while dogs are predators. When you attempt to acclimate these creatures to one another, you are fighting against millions of years of evolution. Before you introduce rabbits to other family pets, make sure they are secure and acclimated to their environment. Keep dogs away from the rabbit's area until you feel that the rabbit is comfortable in an established home.

When attempting to acclimate dogs to rabbits, keep in mind that the temperament and behavior patterns of the dog will make or break the experience. Obedient, calm dogs are good candidates, while excitable or difficult dogs may be impossible to rabbit-train. Be honest with yourself when making this assessment. Before you even bring the dog and rabbit in proximity to each other, try to introduce their smells to each other. Collect some used litter, tufts of fur, and any other heavily scented items from each animal, and show them to the other. This will ease the shock and anxiety all animals experience with new stimuli, as well as giving you an opportunity to gauge their likely reactions. If the dog seems extremely agitated or excited by the smell of rabbit, you can bet that the acclimatization process is going to require more patience and caution on your part.

To begin an introduction session, make sure both animals are relaxed, and are not hungry, thirsty, starved for attention, or otherwise likely to be distracted. Taking the dog for a good, long walk is a good idea, as if it's tired, it will be less likely to be aggressive or overeager with the rabbit. The rabbit should be in his cage or other area that he has claimed as his own territory- this will make him less fearful, and more likely to tolerate attention from a larger animal. Have the dog lie down patiently a short distance away. If it shows interest in the rabbit, allow it to gently approach, but be prepared to restrain it at a moment's notice. If the dog should lick or nuzzle the rabbit, give it praise and positive reinforcement. Your goal here is for the dog to associate the rabbit with calm, gentle behavior and affectionate praise from its owner. If the dog behaves aggressively toward the rabbit and is then punished for it, the rabbit will simply be seen as a source of irritation and reprimands. If the dog is unable to behave gently toward the rabbit, discontinue the session and try again the next day. Bonding sessions like this should last for about 15 minutes, or until either animal becomes fidgety or distressed.

After a few successful sessions of this kind, and you feel that both animals have become somewhat accustomed to the other, you can begin working up to more intimate encounters. Try placing both animals in an enclosed space, with the dog laying down and in "stay" mode. Let the rabbit investigate at its own pace, and continue providing the dog with soothing, pleasurable attention. If the rabbit is willing to come close to you and the dog, try petting both animals at the same time. When the dog sees your gentle treatment of the rabbit, it will begin to develop the idea that the rabbit is, like itself, a member of the "pack", and not a prey animal.

As long as the dog continues to demonstrate a relaxed, tolerant attitude toward the rabbit, and the rabbit does not show overwhelming fear of the dog, gradually relax the restrictions on their interactions. First, allow the dog to sit, rather than lie. Always give positive reinforcement for gentle behavior, and discontinue the session following any aggressive incident. You'll know you've made progress when the animals cease to show any great interest in each other- a state of "benign neglect" is ideal. Gradually extend the length of visitations, until the two creatures are able to roam free in the same room with no signs of aggression or panic from either.

Keep in mind that, even when this stage is reached, there is no guarantee that your rabbit will be safe if left alone with a dog. Rabbit experts are constantly hearing stories about dogs that were "perfectly rabbit-trained", until one day... That one day is all it takes for a rabbit to be maimed or killed. If you leave dogs and rabbits together unsupervised, you must use your own honest, realistic judgment as to when this is possible, and be prepared to accept the consequences if you're wrong.

This might all sound like a risky, taxing process that is just as likely to fail as succeed. This is absolutely correct. However, the rewards for successfully establishing a multi-species household are boundless. The joy and pride pet owners feel as they watch their lop-eared "kids" snuggle up to their canine cousins is unmatched, and a testament to the power of patience, good judgment, and a loving disposition. We wish you the best of luck on establishing your Ark!

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet rabbit, choosing a quality living environment should be on the top of your list. Whether you choose quality Rabbit Cages or opt for larger Rabbit Hutches, the quality of the materials and the construction of the dwelling will determine how well it works for your particular furry friend.

For most pet owners, having a pet is simply a matter of having a companion for their morning walk; a buddy to keep the kids company; a showpiece; or simply a furry family member. For others, though, having animals around is more than a hobby -- it's an obsession. We've all known someone who keeps a miniature Noah's Ark in their house, with two (or more) of just about every critter under the sun. If this sounds like you, you know that keeping different kinds of animals in one home requires special attention to the potential for dangerous confrontation. If you are keeping rabbits along with cats, here are some guidelines and suggestions for making this process as safe and easy as possible.

As you should know by now, rabbits are extremely sensitive animals. The mere stress of a frightening experience can kill a rabbit, and any attempt to introduce rabbits to other animals should only be undertaken in tightly controlled conditions. Remember that rabbits are prey animals, while cats are predators. When you attempt to acclimate these creatures to one another, you are fighting against millions of years of evolution. Nurture plays a role here as well as nurture. Outdoor cats are less desirable as rabbit companions, as they have likely had many opportunities to stalk and kill small animals, and will have a taste for it already. Before you introduce rabbits to other family pets, make sure they are secure and acclimated to their environment. Keep cats away from the rabbit's area until you feel that the rabbit is comfortable in an established home- about a week.

Begin by introducing each animal to the other's scent. Present the cat with tufts of rabbit fur, or samples from the rabbit's litterbox. Let the cat satisfy its curiosity before encountering the real thing. The rabbit will benefit from the same experience, and will be less likely to be timid and fearful when meeting the cat. This is important, as first impressions will establish the relationship right off the bat. A rabbit that consistently runs away from the cat will be filed in the cat's mind under "P" for Prey.

Luckily, this will generally not be the case. Most people who keep rabbits and cats note that the rabbit is the more aggressive of the two, even to the point of bullying the cat. This is due to the fact that rabbits are social creatures, with an instinctive urge to assert dominance over subordinates. Cats, on the other hand, are solitary creatures whose instincts tell them to evade aggressive animals. Still, until you have been able to observe both animals under controlled conditions, you cannot be sure that the cat will not identify the rabbit as a meal. Even if the cat doesn't decide to take a taste of rabbit, it may find the rabbit's presence intolerable and give it a nasty scratch. The first precautionary measure you can take is to get your cat's front claws trimmed so that they are blunt. Even a relatively small wound can be dangerous for a delicate animal such as a rabbit.

With these preparations made, and your rabbit locked in its cage, bring the cat to the cage. Allow them to investigate one another. If the cat attempts to reach into the cage and scratch the rabbit, or if the rabbit seems to be experiencing intense fear- signified by remaining motionless, quivering, thumping the hind legs, or displaying the third eyelid- remove the cat and try again later. Do this for about 15 minutes at a time.

After several such sessions, your rabbit should begin to seem more comfortable in the cat's presence. When you feel both animals are ready, remove the rabbit from the cage and set it down in a somewhat enclosed space, such as a small room or large playpen. With the cat on a leash or firmly held in your hands, allow the rabbit to approach at will. Make sure to constantly stroke and soothe the cat, and perhaps give it a favorite treat. Your goal is to make the cat associate the rabbit with love, attention, and other things it enjoys. Negative reinforcement is a very poor method of training a cat -- they will remember only that the rabbit brings unpleasant experiences, or that it should wait until the humans are gone to attack. If the cat hisses, attempts to scratch, or make any other aggressive move, end the session and try again another day.

By gradually allowing the animals more and more freedom together, they should eventually become completely accustomed to one another. Ideally, they should arrive at the conclusion that the other is a member of the "family" as they are, and a source of comfort and entertainment -- or at the least, not a threat. Remember that cats and rabbits are complex animals whose behavior can be unpredictable. Leaving a rabbit and cat together unsupervised is never 100% safe for either creature. You must use your best judgment to decide what level of responsibility you can expect from them when unsupervised, and be prepared to accept the consequences if you are wrong.

With these dire warnings aside, most people find that cats and rabbits make excellent companions. The first time you see the two of them curled up together, grooming each other with purrs and tooth-clicks of contentment, the hard work and vigilance you have invested in their relationship will seem well-rewarded. We wish you the best of luck!

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet rabbit, choosing a quality living environment should be on the top of your list. Whether you choose quality Rabbit Cages or opt for larger Rabbit Hutches, the quality of the materials and the construction of the dwelling will determine how well it works for your particular furry friend.

It is important to understand rabbits behavior in order to have a successful relationship with one. Rabbits are often seen as adorable cuddly animals and many people especially children see them as an ideal pet often times with bad results. Rabbits make wonderful pets but unlike cats and dogs they have a unique form of communication primarily through body language and occasionally verbally. They can also understand some human words but primarily respond based on your tone of voice and your body language. Once you learn their language and also the basic care requirements you will be on your way to a pleasant experience as a rabbit owner.

It helps to put into perspective the rabbits instinctive position in the wild. Rabbits are prey animals therefore they are constantly on the lookout for danger and ready at anytime to take action to avoid predators. They live in social communities called Warrens and develop a hierarchy based on domination, as far as your rabbit is concerned you are also a rabbit and will have to establish your place in the Warren. Rabbits are also very territorial and will defend their territory against invaders.

To understand your pet rabbits behavior you will have to learn the many ways of communicating. Sometimes your rabbit's expression can mean very different things so you will have to do some interpretation based on your experience with your rabbit.

Sniffing - May be annoyed or just talking to you

Grunts - Usually angry, watch out or you could get bit!

Shrill scream - Hurt or dying

Circling your feet - Can be part of a courtship dance or a means of getting attention. If other aggressive indicators are displayed, e.g. an erect tail and laid back ears, an attack is about to take place.

Chewing - is a natural behavior. This keeps your rabbits teeth ground down and is instinctive to keep any obstruction (electrical cords, etc.) that are encroaching on the entrance to his burrow

Spraying - Males that are not neutered will mark female rabbits in this manner as well as their territory. Females will also spray.

Chinning - Their chin contains scent glands, so they rub their chin on items to indicate that they belong to them. Same as a cat rubbing its forehead on people and objects.

False pregnancy - Usually just unspayed females may build a nest & pull hair from their chest & stomach to line the nest. They may even stop eating as rabbits do the day before they give birth.

Bunny hop/dance - a jump straight up with a mid-air half turn and a twist usually executed in mid-run. A sign of pure joy & happiness!

Begging - Rabbits are worse than dogs about begging, especially for sweets. Beware of giving the rabbit treats as overweight rabbits are not as healthy as trim rabbits.

Boxing - rabbit stands on hind legs with their dukes up and throws punches. Stay back or your going to get it.

Territory droppings - Droppings that are not in a pile, but are scattered, are signs that this territory belongs to the rabbit. This will often occur upon entering a new environment. If another rabbit lives in the same house this may always be a nuisance.

Flop - rabbit literally throws his/herself onto their side which looks like they just keeled over. You have a happy at ease rabbit.

Playing - Rabbits like to push or toss objects around. They may also race madly around the house, jump on and off of the couch and act like a kid that's had too much sugar.

Burrowing: Tunneling behavior. Instinctive Rabbits are burrowing animals

Bunching - Pushing, pulling, and biting bed linens, towels, pillows. Organizing to their liking

Don't touch my stuff - Rabbits often are displeased when you rearrange their cage as you clean. They are creatures of habit and when they get things just right, they like them to remain that way.

Stomping - He's frightened, mad or trying to tell you that there's danger (in his opinion).

Teeth Grinding - Indicates contentment, like a cats purr. Loud grinding can indicate pain.

One of the joys of having a rabbit as a pet is to fully experience all of the behaviors your rabbit will exhibit as a happy rabbit. In order for your rabbit to be happy it is important to know how to care for and keep you rabbit comfortable.

Rabbits are social animals and do best with a fellow rabbit companion along with lots of attention form you. Make sure you provide plenty of play time along with human interaction. If your rabbit is happy and comfortable you will find that they will seek you out to cuddle and often times will curl up on your chest to take a bunny nap but don't forget most rabbits don't like to be picked up. Most rabbits will get along just fine with other animals such as dogs, cats, and other small mammals be they need to be properly introduced. Most rabbit organizations can guide you through the steps. Be cautious if you have young children since rabbits can be easily squeezed to hard and injured. Understanding your pet rabbits behavior is important but most or all enjoy your pet rabbit to the fullest.

for more information on understanding your rabbit's behavior visit www.furryfriends4life.com

People who own and love rabbits are not afraid to share about why they love these furry creatures so much. There are many reasons to love rabbits. Not all reasons are obvious to those who have not owned a rabbit, though. Many of the reasons to love rabbits are based upon their fun personalities and quirky behaviors.

Personality

A rabbit has a unique personality that is a mix of dog, cat and wild animal. They are certainly in a class of their own. Some of the rabbit behavior that makes you love rabbits is their fun little habits and actions that show their unique personality.

Rabbits are so adorable when they are trying to get attention. They love to be pampered and they crave interaction because they are very social creatures. In order to get attention many rabbits will nudge you. This can be a signal they want to be petted or simply that they want you to move. Rabbits are also very in tune with their environment. When they become attached to their owner they will start responding when they come into view by standing up and looking around, jumping or making noise.

One of the best shows of a rabbit's personality is the funny little dances and jumps they do. When a rabbit is really happy they may jump in the air and kick their legs. If they are mad they may stomp around. They really let their personality shine and are never afraid to tell you how they feel.

Behavior

Rabbit behavior is also an area that makes people fall in love with rabbits. Their peculiar behavior is often a result of their wild roots. You may be able to tame a rabbit and keep it as a pet, but it will never lose all of that wild spirit and that often comes out in their behavior.

When a rabbit really loves someone they will do an odd mating ritual of running around them in circles. They will just keep running around and around. It is so cute that you cannot help but give them attention, which is exactly what they want.

Rabbits can be quite naughty. They have natural instincts to chew and they will chew pretty much anything they can. If you scold them they will stop and become very still. Many rabbits have mastered the art of acting completely innocent and giving a look that says "I didn't do it". As soon as you walk away they are right back at doing what got them in trouble. While it can be irritating, it is also rather cute.

Just Being a Bunny

Above all else, people love rabbits because they are rabbits. Just being themselves is enough to make some people choose them over more conventional pets. Rabbits can wiggle their nose in that adorable way. They are soft and fluffy. They can be extremely lovable and are almost always friendly. On top of that, rabbits are self groomers so you rarely will ever have to bath them. They are also a quiet animal, so no barking or meowing to drive you crazy.

There are so many reasons to love rabbits. As you can see, a rabbit is a special pet. They are so different from other animals and unique in their own bunny way. Anyone who has ever owned a rabbit will tell you that it takes only a second to fall completely in love with one of these little bundles of fluff.

Give your pets outdoor rabbit hutches they will love.

Choose the right rabbit hutch for your needs so you can have a healthy and happy pet. Visit our website to learn more about rabbit hutches and rabbit cages

The rabbit world is changing, with more and more owners choosing to keep their rabbits indoors. For many people, however, this is still a bizarre concept, with the traditional idea of a rabbit in a hutch still firmly planted in their minds. This article is intended to give an idea of what it is like to live with a house rabbit and the benefits entailed for both owner and rabbit.

There are 5 basic rules to a healthy, happy rabbit:-

1. Correct diet (80% hay)

2. Healthcare (vaccinations and neutering / spaying)

3. Companionship of its own kind

4. Correct accommodation (warm, spacious, safe from predators)

5. Exercise (as much as possible)

These 5 rules can be satisfied either indoors or outdoors, however there are several major benefits to keeping rabbits free range indoors:

Health

Signs of illness in an indoor rabbit are more likely to be noticed immediately. One of the major problems with rabbits is that their health can deteriorate very quickly and death can occur in a matter of hours, not days.

Exercise

True house rabbits i.e. those not confined to a cage at any time, can take as much exercise as they choose, have enough space to "binky" freely (leaping in the air, twisting and turning) and therefore maintain a healthy bone structure and reduce the risk of obesity.

Companionship

Rabbits are naturally gregarious and will include all occupants of the house in their hierarchy, be they rabbit, human, cat, dog or other. Rabbits are designed to live in large groups and thrive on social contact.

The benefits for us

As much as living free range indoors benefits a rabbit, it benefits us as owners even more. We become a trusted and accepted member of their "warren" and are able to observe a far greater range of rabbit behaviour. House rabbits will often choose to sit with their owners, "groom" them, follow them around the house and even sleep in their bed.

Another practical benefit for us is cost. House rabbits require no cage, hutch or exercise run and only a small amount of bedding for their litter tray.

A growing trend

The Houserabbit Society in the USA was founded in 1988 and the trend for indoor rabbits is growing worldwide. Many rabbit owners are introduced to the concept through a gradual progression of first bringing their rabbit indoors in a cage, then allowing it more free time from the cage and eventually removing the cage altogether. As they get to know their rabbits better, they start to understand what really makes them happy and before long the concept of keeping a rabbit caged becomes almost unbearable.

Why every house needs a rabbit or two

Rabbits have their own ideas of how things should be done and can be surprisingly bossy, demanding their dinner on the dot, moving items out of their way and fussing over their blankets if not arranged to their satisfaction. All of this is entertaining to say the least; most house rabbit owners seem to revel in their rabbit's quirks and "naughtiness" - it is all part of their unique charm.

However, the greatest gift that rabbits give us is love. Their desire to love and be loved is endless; they bond with any animal or human that they can and the love between two bonded rabbits is a heart warming sight.

I never get tired of watching my two house rabbits together; snuggling, grooming, racing around, playing, competing for food and attention or just sitting nose to nose, having a "rabbit chat". They relax me and make me laugh and that's all I could ever ask for from a pet.

Hannah Davis is the author of http://www.bunnyhugga.com, a UK based website of rabbit information from A to Z. Featuring a guide for beginners, in-depth articles on health, diet, behaviour, housing, breeds and more, plus some fun articles on house rabbits.

Pet rabbits are becoming as popular to have as indoor pets as a dog or cat. With so many rabbit breeds to choose from, finding one with desirable physical traits is easy. As with any pet, you should educate yourself as much as possible before making the purchase or adoption. Buying pet rabbits on the spur of the moment is not a good idea; it should be well thought out.

There are several different options where to purchase your pet rabbit from; a reputable breeder, a pet store, or you can adopt them as well (my favorite). You can adopt from local SPCA's or rabbit adoption agencies or rescue groups. Your humane society in your community, or vet can lead you to one in your area.

As with any other animal, pet rabbits have personalities. A certain breed does not mean that they are friendlier, more hyper, more anything. They are who they are. Just as you can't say that a certain breed of dog is more vicious than the other, a lot of pet rabbits' characteristics are learned behaviors and if those behaviors are undesirable, your pet can be rehabilitated and trained.

Observe your rabbit several times before you make the purchase; this will help you to notice certain behaviors. Compare them with other rabbits they are around. Can you see a difference in behavior? If the rabbit you have your eye on seems relaxed and calm, he or she is probably a calm rabbit. They will even lay down comfortably with their hind legs stretched out and their front ones out to the front of them. And it does not matter what the breed is. A Mini Rex may be calm and a Flemish Giant hyper, or vice versa. Do not believe anyone that tells you a certain breed is a certain way. Breed is not going to determine personality in pet rabbits, or any animal, for that matter.

Pet rabbits love to chew, and they need to in order to maintain healthy teeth. It is a natural way to keep their teeth from overgrowing. Do not discourage chewing and be sure to give them proper chew toys.

Bunny proof your home when you allow him/her to roam. Pet rabbits can and will chew through electrical wires and other items, such as house plants, and many plants are poisonous and can be fatal to your pet rabbit. You can purchase or construct a pen for your pet rabbit to get its exercise in. Your rabbit can use this indoors or out, with supervision while outside. You can also place a 2x4, cut to the width of your rabbit cage or hutch, to be placed in the cage, and secured for your pet rabbit to hop over to get from one end to the other. This object should be placed between the feed and water, or the feed and litter box, to assure that he or she has to jump over it throughout the day.

Know a pet rabbits diet. They are not carnivores. Do not give them dog or cat food! Rabbits are herbivores. They will have their favorite foods and treats, but hay is essential to their diet. They need hay (dry) offered daily offered at pet stores, specifically for rabbits. If the hay becomes moist, replace it with fresh hay.

Familiarize yourself with different health issues to be aware of with pet rabbits. Remember, as with other pets, your pet rabbit will need to visit the veterinarian on a regular basis. Do not ever give your pet rabbit medicines that are designed for cats or dogs or other animals without the consent and direction of your veterinarian. This goes for products made for other animals as well. There are not as many items made specifically for rabbits to care for fleas or other issues that may arise. If you question its safety, always call your veterinarian for approval.

If you would like more information about Pet Rabbits [http://www.petrabbits.tipsandhowto.com] and their care and other concerns please visit my informative website, which goes into more detail regarding pet rabbits. I will also be happy to answer questions or research specific questions that I do not have the answers. Simply leave me a comment on my website, updated several times per week: [http://www.petrabbits.tipsandhowto.com]

Sue Durivage

Learning how to raise rabbits or any other pet while growing up in a family can be a very rewarding experience for children. However, which pet do you choose for your children? The most common pets are cats, dogs, birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and rabbits. All of these animals are great choices for various reasons.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to raise rabbits from the age of 6 until about the age of 14 along with my sister. Let me tell you about our experience. We began with a gray and white, adult, male rabbit and 1 black, adult, female rabbit which we kept outside in two separate wooden cages in a large, metal garden shed.

The rabbit cages were lined with straw to keep the rabbits warm in the winter and to provide a comfortable area to sit on. We fed the rabbits hay, alfalfa, oats, dandelions, grass, carrots, and pellets and provided plenty of water in containers that hung on the side of the cage. These items can be purchased at the local grocery store, the pet store or at a local farm.

In the summer, their cages were cleaned every two to three days and they would sit on shavings. Some of their droppings were kept for our garden as fertilizer which really helped our vegetables grow nicely. The remainder of the droppings were put in a garbage bag to be picked up on a weekly basis by the garbage man.

Since the rabbits lived in a garden shed, the environment was very pleasant and therefore, after 3 months or so we started to breed them so that we would have baby rabbits to sell to other children. Also, it we would just reinvest the money we earned for more rabbit supplies.

One item of importance is that the average lifespan of a rabbit is 8-10 years which means that there is quite a commitment towards these animals not only from a cleanliness point of view, but also from an emotional point of view.

In order to have a friendly rabbit remember to pick it up, hold it and pet it daily. Our rabbits were really friendly and very comfortable with us and so we were very attached to them. It was very nice because in a way they really became a part of the family.

Questions and Recommendations

You might have some questions about how we raised our rabbits.

Go to How To Raise Rabbits or http://how-to-raise-rabbits.blogspot.com. This is where you can find out more details about how to raise your rabbits.

I would recommend having a rabbit as a pet because they are easy to take care of, they are a lot of fun and children learn a variety of skills and responsibilities.

The emphasis on this article is to encourage everyone with a pet rabbit to please bring your loving pet indoors. Having a house rabbit will provide you with much more enjoyment, while seeing all the wonderful, cute things house rabbits do in their daily lives, those things you miss when you leave your rabbit outdoors, but you will also prolong their lives, and give them a social life that they will enjoy profusely! The quality of life for you both will increase dramatically! You will be able to notice changes in your pet rabbit that need immediate vet attention, as opposed to visiting your rabbit every few days while they are in a hutch and suddenly seeing him lifeless.

Even if you visit your pet rabbit while he's outside on a daily basis, you will probably only visit him once a day, hopefully to provide them with fresh water and feed, you can still find your pet in an undesirable condition, one that is irreversible at that point. Having your pet as a house rabbit will encourage more visits than if he's outside and will give you the chance to notice changes in his behavior that need the attention of a vet or constant monitoring on your part, to assure a specific condition does not worsen.

The social interaction that will be provided to your house rabbit will help him to become more at ease around humans and other animals. Often pet rabbits that are left outside to fend for themselves have little human interaction. And if you have other pets, whether they are dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, etc., you will find that your pet rabbit can socialize with them as well!

Many of us "older" people were raised that pet rabbits where always kept outside, but squashing those myths, it has been found that having a house rabbit is much better for your pet rabbit in so many ways. Again I have to mention the social aspect, which is so important, as well as being able to keep a close eye on your pet rabbit to notice any health changes. You will be much more likely to include your pet rabbit in daily happenings and to train and allow your rabbit to get the much needed exercise that he needs.

Though rabbits are not rodents, you would not leave your pet rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc., outdoors, much less your dogs or cats, caged to defend themselves against inclement weather or predators, right? Why wouldn't you consider a house rabbit? Yes, they require a larger cage than those smaller pets, but they do deserve the same daily attention as the rest.

I hope that I have convinced you to include your new pet in your home. Having a house rabbit will improve his quality of life and yours!

If you would like more information about Pet Rabbits [http://www.petrabbits.tipsandhowto.com] and their care and other concerns please visit my informative website, which goes into more detail regarding pet rabbits. I will also be happy to answer questions or research specific questions that I do not have the answers. Simply leave me a comment on my website, updated several times per week: Pet Rabbits [http://www.petrabbits.tipsandhowto.com]

Rabbits need to eat a varied diet to remain in good health. Feeding your pet rabbit pellets alone won't be enough to give him the levels of nutrition he needs. Supplement rabbit pellets with fresh hay, fruits, and vegetables to round out his diet and keep him and his coat healthy. Rabbits need to chew on things in order to keep their constantly-growing teeth worn down, so you should provide some sort of chew toy for the rabbit to chew on. Being highly social creatures, rabbits need interaction to remain happy.

If you don't have the time to play with your pet rabbit on a regular basis, you should at least consider buying more than one rabbit so that your pets can keep each other company. Spaying and neutering is an option for rabbits, and you will want to spay or neuter yours if you are getting both male and female rabbits, as they are famous for breeding quite quickly and soon you will be up to your ears in rabbits if they are allowed to reproduce.You should choose a cage that is spacious so that your pet rabbit doesn't feel cramped inside his cage. More importantly, you should choose a cage that is easy to clean.

Rabbit urine tends to smell quite strong, so you will want to clean frequently so that the odour doesn't build up in his cage, which will aggravate both you and the rabbit. You should rabbit-proof your house if you are planning to let your rabbit roam free in your home. They will instinctively chew on things they find, so you should make sure to keep electrical cords and telephone cords out of their reach so they don't electrocute themselves. You can also buy plastic casing for cords at the hardware store which will protect your electrical cords, but a determined rabbit can still get through these so check them every once in a while for bite marks.

Check for houseplants that are toxic to rabbits and remove any in your home that can harm your pet. You should make sure that there aren't any small hiding spots in your house where your rabbit can get into and get stuck. These Pets can get bored easily without toys and constant social interaction, and may begin to dig through the carpet, ruining it, or chew on household furniture. In order to prevent bad behaviour from your rabbit, it's best to give him some toys he can amuse himself with and play with the rabbit regularly.

You should also make sure your carpet is securely tacked down at wall edges and at doors, as little places where the carpet rises can entice rabbits to begin chewing and digging up your carpets.Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can be trained. It's possible to teach tricks to a rabbit and to litter train them. However, it requires more patience than training a dog or a cat. These pets do not respond well to punishment as a means of deterring behaviour ; they can't link together the punishment and the action that caused the punishment, so punishment can make a rabbit fearful of humans.

Find out more about the RSPCA - Animal Charity

Rabbits are the increasingly popular species that are being adopted by kids around the world as they are adorable and the wooden and plastic rabbit hutches are used to house these innocent creatures. There are basically two types of rabbit hutches designed for indoor and out door use. The indoor rabbit hutches are used by people who don't have any out door space to keep their rabbit hutches and they prefer to keep them in their indoor hutches protected from the extreme climatic conditions.

There is quite a difference between the indoor and outdoor rabbit hutches as the indoor hutches are designed with more aesthetic sense as compared to the outdoor ones which need to be built more strong as they have to bear the harsh weather conditions that turn unpredictable at times and are also essential for the safety of your pet rabbit. Different materials are sued to make the rabbit hutches and the most common one are those that are made of wood, metals and plastic rabbit hutches. The plastic rabbit hutches are more durable option for indoor ones as they hot temperature in the summers may heat up the plastic rabbit hutches and also the metallic ones and this is the reason that people mostly prefer to buy the wooden rabbit hutches.

The cost and the quality of the rabbit hutches depends on the style and the design of the hutch and the material used in building these hutches also effect the price of the rabbit hutch. Choosing a rabbit hutch that is not made of durable material is a mistake that most people make because it doesn't turn and economical enough option. You certainly need to make sure before buying plastic rabbit hutches that they have the strength to bear the harsh weather conditions.

So its all up to you to choose the wooden rabbit hutch or the plastic one as you need to make certain that whatever your choice it sure must be comfortable for your rabbits. The plastic rabbit hutches are made of thick hard plastic panels as this is the way that the plastic rabbit hutches are comfortable and durable enough.

The online sites are full of many sites that are ready to sell you the rabbit hutches made of the different materials that suit your needs. The best thing of all is that the wooden and plastic rabbit hutches can also be custom build according to your specifications. Plus no rabbit hutch is complete without the proper accessories because instead of relying on sheets of plastic you should consider to buy the hard plastic panels which are durable and comfortable to build your hutches with.

Most of the plastic rabbit hutches have a catch tray so that the rabbits waste falls through the tray and can easily be cleaned and you can clean it white vinegar.

It's all up to you to make the final decision of buying the wire, wood and plastic rabbit hutches. Different rabbits and pet owners benefit from the varied designs and styles of hutches according to their needs. Wire mesh is required to build all types of rabbit hutches from the wooden to the plastic one as you can get proper ventilation through it.

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