Download rabbit - Squire`s Garden Centres

Looking after your
RABBIT
Housing
Feeding
Whether you keep your rabbit indoors or outdoors the
hutch should be large enough to allow the rabbit to sit
up on its hind legs, to stretch out and perform at least
three hops, or much larger if you have more than one.
Rabbits require a high fibre diet and there are many
feeds to choose from. Muesli is varied and nutritional
but rabbits can be fussy eaters and will pick out their
favourite bits. Alternatively a pellet food contains all the
same nutrients as muesli in pellet form. If you wish to
change their food, make sure you do it gradually over a
period of about two weeks as sudden changes in diet
can cause stomach upsets.
Rabbits can be kept quite happily indoors and can even
be litter trained. If you are planning to keep your rabbit
outdoors choose a hutch that is raised off the ground,
this keeps the floor dry and protects from predators
such as cats and foxes. It should also have separate
living area with a mesh door to let in air and light,
and a bedroom with a solid door providing your rabbit
somewhere to hide or nest.
Make sure the hutch is draught free and fully
weatherproof, it should be in a sheltered position away
from direct sunlight. Never keep a hutch in a used garage
as car exhaust fumes can be very dangerous. Hutches
should be lined with wood shavings and straw. Clean out
the hutch on a regular basis, at least twice a week, with
the toilet area cleaned daily, especially in summer.
Rabbits will need space to exercise and a variety of
outdoor runs and indoor pens are available. If you have
an outdoor run make sure you move it regularly to
prevent burrowing or over-grazing.
Rabbits are social animals so if possible keep more
than one. If you have mixed sex companions make
sure they have both been neutered to avoid breeding.
Keeping two males can be problematic.
Hay is essential to their diet to provide extra fibre, it also
helps to grind their teeth preventing them from getting
too long. Make sure there is always plenty of fresh hay
available.
Your rabbit may also like washed fresh fruit or
vegetables such as apples, broccoli, kale, carrots or
freshly picked dandelion leaves. Never feed your rabbit
with grass cuttings and remember to remove any
uneaten fruit and vegetables.
Food bowls should be heavy enough not to be tipped
over, some metal ones can be too light and plastic
bowls can be dangerous if chewed or ingested. Ceramic
bowls have the advantage of being easy to clean.
Fresh water must be available at all times and changed
daily. A water bottle clipped to the front of the hutch is
better than a water bowl as it avoids the risk of spillage
or contamination, you can also see at a glance whether
your rabbit is drinking or not.
Handling
Toys & Treats
A rabbit is likely to be nervous when in a new
environment so let it settle in for a couple of days before
you handle it. Start by talking to it and gently stroking it,
once it is used to this you can pick it up gently.
Rabbits are playful animals, you can make playtime
interesting by providing tunnels and boxes for your
rabbit to explore. Some rabbits will enjoy nosing a ball
around or throwing toys with bells to get your attention.
With enough room a rabbit will race around, jump and
leap to burn off excess energy and two rabbits will often
play chase. Single rabbits will need more stimulation
and play.
Never pick a rabbit up by its ears, use both hands with
one under its chest behind the forelegs and the other
supporting its bottom. Hold your rabbit close to you so
that it feels secure and to prevent it from falling.
The more a rabbit is handled the more confident it will
become. Children should always be supervised when
handling a rabbit.
Many commercial rabbit treats can contain sugar so be
careful not to give your rabbit too many. Do not feed your
rabbit anything that is not specifically designed for rabbits.
www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
Looking after your
RABBIT
Health
Providing a clean, hygienic environment with a healthy,
well balanced diet will keep your rabbit in good health
and by handling your rabbit regularly you will be able to
spot any symptoms before they develop.
Fleas & mites: Watch out for gritty black particles on
your rabbit’s skin, scabs, bald patches or scratching.
Fleas & mites can be prevented with appropriate
treatment or insecticidal shampoos.
The following are the most common problems but if you
have any doubts about the health of your rabbit seek
advice from your vet.
You will need...
Dental problems: Rabbit’s teeth grow constantly so
a high fibre diet is essential. Early signs of dental
problems can be dribbling, inability to eat or teeth
grinding. Teeth can be trimmed easily by your vet.
Myxomatosis & Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD):
These diseases are usually fatal and can be spread by
biting insects or contact with other infected rabbits or
objects. Vaccination against these diseases is essential.
Your vet can provide advice on these diseases and the
injections needed to protect your rabbit.
Snuffles/Pasteurella: Rabbits can develop coldlike symptoms such as runny nose, sticky eyes and
difficulty breathing, this can be attributed to stress or
environmental temperature but can also lead to more
serious problems such as pneumonia.
Stomach upsets: These can be caused by stress, incorrect
or change of diet or parasites. If your rabbit stops eating,
has constipation or diarrhoea contact your vet immediately.
Rabbits can deteriorate very quickly so it is very important
that they receive treatment to prevent dehydration.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Outdoor hutch/indoor cage
Run or pen for garden
Straw for bedding
Wood shavings
Hay or dried grass for food
Water bottle and bottle brush
Ceramic food bowl
Rabbit food
Litter tray and litter
Hay rack
Gnaw block
Brush/comb
Toys and treats
Vitamin supplements
Pet safe disinfectant
Pet safe fly repellent
Rabbit care book
Flystrike: Flies are attracted to soiled fur and bedding
and can lay eggs on your rabbit. Regular cleaning of the
hutch and daily grooming can prevent a build up of dirt.
PETS ARE FOR LIFE!
Owning and caring for a pet is a very rewarding experience. Your pet will offer you friendship, interest and
enjoyment, but keeping pets brings with it responsibilities. These responsibilities differ from one species to the
next. Please ask a member of the pet department for help in choosing the right pet for you.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this leaflet are correct, Squire’s cannot be held
responsible for results of action taken without the advice of a professional veterinarian.
www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk