RABBIT

A rabbit will make a good pet for a family with a garden and enough time to give it daily care and attention. Rabbits are more demanding than hamsters, gerbils or guinea pigs and are not really suitable for very small children as they may bite and scratch. However they are clean, intelligent and friendly and, if properly looked after, can make rewarding company.

Each variety of rabbit has its own characteristics of size and temperament. Males are often more predictable and even-tempered than females making them ideal as pets. The food bill could be 10 times greater with a giant breed compared to a dwarf and you will need much larger living quarters! Rabbits will live for 6 - 8 years.

The gentle nature of the Rabbit has made it a popular pet for many years. In addition to being easy to care for, petting the thick soft fur can ease stress or provide comfort. Rabbits do not need walks, however, they can be house-trained providing a nice alternative to the usual dog or cat.

Rabbits were originally bred for food and fur in the Middle Ages and used for scientific research in the 20th century. Now a popular pet, they can be categorised into three main groups based on their size: Dwarf's (2 to 4 pounds), Standards (5 to 7 pounds) and Giants (7 to 15 pounds). Speciality groups, such as lop-eared rabbits also exist.

Rabbits make fun pets as they are generally sociable, quiet and docile creatures.

Rabbits have been on this planet for at least three and a half million years. Their footprints have been found in Africa in fossilised lava dust. Rabbits are found in the wild all over the world, even in Australia where they were introduced last century and rapidly became pets.

Many varieties and colours of rabbits are available. Some of the more common ones are Dutch, English and Netherland Dwarf. Dwarf lop-eared rabbits are very popular because they are docile, intelligent and appealing to look at. Despite their name they can grow quite large(5 to 7 lbs)but make ideal house rabbits.

Giant breeds should be avoided unless you have a lot of space and some of the true dwarf varieties have a reputation for being bad tempered. The Angora has long soft fur that requires a lot of grooming and is therefore not suitable for children.

If your rabbit is kept outside, he should have a well insulated and waterproof wooden hutch with a solid floor and wire front. Rabbits can also be kept indoors in wire cages with perforated floors but solid bottom cages are preferred. The hutch should be positioned out of direct sunlight and cold draughts and in a place where you will regularly see him as rabbits love attention and become lonely if isolated. The hutch should be as large as you can afford or have space for.

There must be room for the rabbit to move around and it must be high enough for him to stand up on his back feet. The hutch must also be well protected from cats and dogs. Ideally, there should be a run either attached to the hutch or in a separate part of the garden. If this is directly onto grass, it should be moved regularly. A separate nest box can be put in the hutch and should contain plenty of hay, straw or wood shavings.

Once they are tamed, rabbits enjoy human company, but prefer to sit beside you rather than being picked up. They love being rubbed or scratched gently on the nose, muzzle and ears. To pick your rabbit up, place one hand under his chest and forelegs and the other hand under his bottom and gently scoop him up, holding him firmly, but gently, close to your body. Never grab at their rear ends or pick them up by their ears.

Fresh Timothy hay from American Pet Diner or Oxbow should form the basis of your rabbits diet and must be supplemented with a good quality rabbit pellet or mix. Totoro Supplies sell a range of high quality pellets that contain a balanced amounts of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Fresh foods should only be introduced to them slowly when they are 6 to 7 months old as supplement to their diet. Small amounts of apples, cabbage or kale as well as edible wild plants like dandelions, chickweed or clover may be fed but always remember to wash them first. Young rabbits in particular can get upset stomachs quite easily from too much green food or being allowed to eat too much grass. Papaya tablets should also be introduce to them to prevent hair ball.
　
All rabbits must have fresh hay or forage available at all times but the amount of rabbit mix will need to be varied according to your rabbits age. Rabbits over about 6 months of age have a tendency to become overweight and therefore the amount of rabbit mix they are given will need to be controlled. Your rabbit should be checked regularly and fed at the same times each day. The food bowl should be sturdy, difficult to knock over and preferably made from earthenware, as rabbits will chew plastic. Water should always be available from a bottle.

Below are HARMFUL and POISONOUS plants to rabbits: 　
■ Creeping bitter-cup
■ Crocus (mixed)
■ Toadflax
■ Dogbane
■ Darnelgrass
■ Veratrum

Adult rabbits are best housed separately, as 2 males or 2 females will often fight and a pair will breed. It is possible to have rabbits neutered if you want to keep two rabbits of different sexes together without breeding. Neutering will also reduce the aggression between two rabbits of the same sex. Rabbits can get on well with your cat and dog if introduced slowly but always supervise them together. If you keep one rabbit on its own it will need much more of your time.

Good nutrition and housing are the key to a healthy rabbit. Avoid sudden changes in diet and temperature and keep beddings clean and dry. The hutch should be clean daily and scrubbed out with warm water and a mild disinfectant at least once a week. The feeding bowl and water bottle should be cleaned daily.
Rabbits' front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives and if they become too long feeding can become difficult.

Mineral stones, good quality pellets, Timothy hay and chew toys all helps to keep the teeth worn down. If the bottom teeth grow over the top teeth, take your rabbit to the vet to have them trimmed. Rabbits are clean animals and will wash themselves like cats. However rabbits love a daily grooming session and, for the long fur varieties, such as Angoras, frequent grooming is essential to prevent hairballs and to keep the coat shiny and clean.

There are several common rabbit diseases, most of which are contagious. If your rabbit loses his appetite, appears listless, develops sniffles, runny eyes or diarrhea, you should take him to your vet.