Care and Feeding of Rabbits

No home is complete without a pet. Children love the idea of pets because they are so cuddly and fun. But parents know the reality of owning a pet. Although small, rabbits need proper care just like any other pet. That means regular visits to the vet, daily feedings, and keeping their cage clean. When you make the decision to get a rabbit you need to know how to care for it properly.

There are several varieties of rabbits you can purchase, each with specific traits and needs. The most popular rabbits that make good pets are the cottontails, the dwarf rabbits and the lop eared variety. For an indoor pet, the small dwarf rabbit adapts best. Cottontail rabbits do well both indoors and outdoors in moderate climates. Lop ear rabbits and cottontail rabbits will grow to a good size. Lop ears have floppy ears, where cottontails have pointy ears. Your care of your rabbit will depend on which type of rabbit you decide to get.

Just like your dog or cat, your rabbit requires checkups and vaccinations to stay healthy. It's important to wash before handling your rabbit, as diseases can be transmitted from people to your pet. Rabbits can get worms, a parasite. Your vet can easily treat this minor problem. If you already have a vet for another pet, make sure you talk to them about buying a rabbit. They'll be able to advise you.

A balanced diet for rabbits consists of rabbit food - or pellets, vegetables and hay. Most rabbits like to munch on carrots or lettuce. Daily fresh food and water is essential to the care of your rabbit. This way you can monitor if they are eating properly. It's important to monitor what your rabbit eats, as they will overeat and could risk becoming over weight. Read the labels on the food you buy. You want to avoid rabbit food that contains nuts, as this contains too much fiber for their digestion. It's OK to feed your rabbit fruit occasionally. They love it.

Depending on your situation and your rabbit, you can keep them in your home or outside in an appropriate cage or hutch. Rabbit cages are constructed to let the rabbit wast filter through the floor into a pan. This prevents your rabbit from living it it's waste. Your rabbit should have enough room in it's cage to spread out with it's bedding. As mentioned above, rabbits require clean water every day. Rabbits love the outdoors. Take your rabbit outside. Your pet can explore and get much needed exercise.

Cleaning rabbit cages is not a difficult chore. It should be done at least once a week, or whenever the cage starts to smell. Just like you, your rabbit needs a clean habitat to keep him healthy. Being diligent in keeping your rabbit cage will help your rabbit thrive. Believe it or not, your rabbit can live up to 10 years.

There's no doubt rabbits are adorable pets. While not maintenance free, they don't require too much care to stay healthy. They will be a source of joy for your kids. Pets really complete the family circle and give lots of happiness and joy to all.

For another great article on rabbit care click here. Another one you will like can be found here .