What You Should Know Before You Start Raising Rabbits

     What follows is a brief guide for what you should know before you start raising rabbits. Rabbits come in many varieties, but first and foremost the split is between wild and domesticated bunnies. If you come across a wild baby rabbit, perhaps in your garden, do not give in to the little voice inside your head that's telling you to "rescue" it. Leaving it alone will give it the best chance of survival, as it most likely has a nest nearby with plenty of sibling kits and a loving mother.

So, you're heart is set on a bunny, a little fluffy pal to look after. Both indoor and outdoor rabbit varieties are available, but you will read about the ways to create a great home environment for your indoor rabbit in this article.

Undoubtedly the nicest way to house your rabbit is to provide them with a permanently bunny proofed zone. Read on for bunny proofing ways! If you are able to afford your rabbit that much freedom, make sure there are strategically located litter trays, food and water zones and a nice cardboard house to let them have privacy or naps.

If you do prefer the idea of keeping your bunny in a cage, go for the largest one you can fit in your house and make sure that you rabbit has plenty of time outside of the cage every day - most of the day if possible. They need room inside they cage to lie down and move about, along with plenty of accommodation for water, food and litter provision, as well as lots of toys. However you house your bunny, remember that they are social creatures and need attention and interaction so don't shut them away in a location that could make them feel abandoned or lonely.

Think carefully about bunny proofing your house! Rabbits naturally need to dig and chew objects, so care should be taken to ensure they don't carry these acts out in a destructive way. The wires behind your television and hi-fi are prime candidates for damaged if the bunny is left unchecked, as they love to chew through wires with their sharp little teeth.

At worst, your rabbit could chew through a live wire and suffer an electric shock, so cover up all exposed wires with flex tubing, hard wiring covers or under carpets. Block off tight squeeze spaces, as bunnies love to explore, and as hard to believe as it may be, some rabbits can jump quite high, around 36 inches, so keep easily damaged objects up high on shelving. Limit their natural inclination to dig and bite with plenty of toys that are an easier chewy option.

Check which houseplants you have around the home, as many are toxic to rabbits. Especially poisonous are things like tulips, tomato plant leaves, holly and poinsettias, but ensure you check all your varieties and move harmful ones out of bunny zones.

Bunnies do need to eat of course, and a good mixture of the following will provide them with a nice balanced rabbit friendly diet. Basic ingredients for feeding would be fresh clean hay, fresh vegetables such as dandelion leaves, romaine lettuce, carrot tops, broccoli leaves and water cress, combined with fresh, high fiber, low protein pellets. Make lots of fresh water available and occasionally give your furry pal a treat such as apple chunks or strawberries.