These golden tips are musts for every rabbit keeper. They will make your life and your rabbits life a lot easier.
Hair Care
Long-haired rabbits at the moult need to be brushed or even a baby brush will be good as well. For very short-haired rabbits you can also use a damp washcloth.
Depending on the type of rabbit you'll need to do regular brushing. Angora rabbits should be brushed once a day, while a short haired rabbit only needs a brushing a week.
When your rabbit's fur is too tangled you'll have to very carefully cut out the knot. Make sure you don't cut the skin because it's very fragile. Some people cut long-haired rabbits short during warm summers, so the rabbit doesn't get too hot. This is because rabbits tend to overheat quick.
Nails
There are special nail scissors for rabbits so you can cut the nails yourself. Be very careful to only cut the part without nerves. With white nailed rabbits you can see where to cut and where to stop. With black nails, it is very difficult or impossible to see, you must be very careful where you cut! If you doubt you better go to a vetariana to get the nails cut, they have the needed experience and can explain how you can properly cut the nails yourself the next time.
Teeth
A healthy rabbit's teeth don't need much care. You don't have to brush their teeth. Unless the rabbit has dental problems, then you'll need to frequently visit your vetarina.
Rabbit teeth grow 1 to 2 millimeters per week. They wear off by eating green food and hay.
Salt blocks are very bad for rabbits, they cause kidney stones. Your rabbit doesn't need any extra minerals if it has a good diet. Never put salt blocks in you rabbit's cage, they only cause problems.
Tips for hot days
On hot days there are some things you can do to provide for some cooling.
Put a bottle of water in the freezer and give the bottle to your rabbit as source of cooling. Don't let it drink such cold water, it's not good. Just give your pet the opportunity to lie against the bottle in order to cool down.
- Give your rabbit (provided he is accustomed) moist fresh vegetables such as chicory or a slice of cucumber. Don't give vegetables directly from the refrigerator, it's not good for your rabbit. Remove uneaten vegetables after one hour.
- Do NOT bathe your rabbit. Most likely your rabbit won't like it. Even on hot days a rabbit can get a cold because it dries very slow.
- Make sure the rabbit cage is not in full sun (possibly put an umbrella over it)
- Make sure your rabbit has shade to lie in.
Tips for cold days
Rabbits that are used to living outside shouldn't have too many problems with normal winter temperatures. Unless it's exceptionally cold, a rabbit can stay outside.
- Make sure there's no wind or draft in the cage.
- Give your rabbit a lot of extra hay. Hay isolates very well. You can even stuff the entire cage with hay because your rabbit will build a nest in it..
- Hang old blankets or rags around the cage (make sure there is ventilation and fresh air for the rabbit).
- If possible, move your rabbit inside when it is really cold.
Click Raising Rabbits to get the most complete manual on rabbit care.
Hair Care
Long-haired rabbits at the moult need to be brushed or even a baby brush will be good as well. For very short-haired rabbits you can also use a damp washcloth.
Depending on the type of rabbit you'll need to do regular brushing. Angora rabbits should be brushed once a day, while a short haired rabbit only needs a brushing a week.
When your rabbit's fur is too tangled you'll have to very carefully cut out the knot. Make sure you don't cut the skin because it's very fragile. Some people cut long-haired rabbits short during warm summers, so the rabbit doesn't get too hot. This is because rabbits tend to overheat quick.
Nails
There are special nail scissors for rabbits so you can cut the nails yourself. Be very careful to only cut the part without nerves. With white nailed rabbits you can see where to cut and where to stop. With black nails, it is very difficult or impossible to see, you must be very careful where you cut! If you doubt you better go to a vetariana to get the nails cut, they have the needed experience and can explain how you can properly cut the nails yourself the next time.
Teeth
A healthy rabbit's teeth don't need much care. You don't have to brush their teeth. Unless the rabbit has dental problems, then you'll need to frequently visit your vetarina.
Rabbit teeth grow 1 to 2 millimeters per week. They wear off by eating green food and hay.
Salt blocks are very bad for rabbits, they cause kidney stones. Your rabbit doesn't need any extra minerals if it has a good diet. Never put salt blocks in you rabbit's cage, they only cause problems.
Tips for hot days
On hot days there are some things you can do to provide for some cooling.
Put a bottle of water in the freezer and give the bottle to your rabbit as source of cooling. Don't let it drink such cold water, it's not good. Just give your pet the opportunity to lie against the bottle in order to cool down.
- Give your rabbit (provided he is accustomed) moist fresh vegetables such as chicory or a slice of cucumber. Don't give vegetables directly from the refrigerator, it's not good for your rabbit. Remove uneaten vegetables after one hour.
- Do NOT bathe your rabbit. Most likely your rabbit won't like it. Even on hot days a rabbit can get a cold because it dries very slow.
- Make sure the rabbit cage is not in full sun (possibly put an umbrella over it)
- Make sure your rabbit has shade to lie in.
Tips for cold days
Rabbits that are used to living outside shouldn't have too many problems with normal winter temperatures. Unless it's exceptionally cold, a rabbit can stay outside.
- Make sure there's no wind or draft in the cage.
- Give your rabbit a lot of extra hay. Hay isolates very well. You can even stuff the entire cage with hay because your rabbit will build a nest in it..
- Hang old blankets or rags around the cage (make sure there is ventilation and fresh air for the rabbit).
- If possible, move your rabbit inside when it is really cold.
Click Raising Rabbits to get the most complete manual on rabbit care.
About the Author
Jon Armeal has had rabbits for most of his life, he loved them when he was a kid and later he discovered that they could be trained.the years of experience in raising rabbits shows in the health of his animals.
source: Goarticles
