Basic Rabbit Care
Learning to properly care for your rabbit can make the difference between a short, unhappy life for your bun and a long, fulfilled one. Rabbits require a lot of attention and loving care, complete with a healthy diet and a clean, safe environment to live in. Listed below are some of the basics to raising a happy, healthy bun.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is a must if you want a healthy rabbit. The basic rabbit diet should consist of fresh water, a good quality pellet feed (high protein @ 16-18 %), fresh raw greens (for rabbits over 6 months of age), and unlimited timothy hay. *Timothy Hay is needed to maintain a healthy GI tract and prevent fur-block, which is fatal. Fur Block happens because a rabbit is a habitual self-groomer but is unable to digest the fur from their coat, or regurgitate it (rabbits cant vomit) and the fur gets caught. Timothy Hay helps the fur to pass through the rabbits GI tract without causing any harm.
You can also supplement your rabbits diet by adding Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (for Coat Condition) and Rolled Oats (for Flesh Condition) to their pellet feed.
* Always keep Pellets, Hay & Water available at all times. Rabbits are day-long nibblers & drinkers.
* After 6 months of age, you can introduce veggies/greens & fruit to a rabbits diet very slowly. A rabbits GI tract is very sensitive and introducing greens, or other new foods to their diet too suddenly can cause serious digestive problems and even death in some cases.
* Fresh Fruit can be given as a treat but due to its sugar content, must be given in moderation Only.
Basic List of Safe & Unsafe foods for your rabbit
You can also supplement your rabbits diet by adding Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (for Coat Condition) and Rolled Oats (for Flesh Condition) to their pellet feed.
* Always keep Pellets, Hay & Water available at all times. Rabbits are day-long nibblers & drinkers.
* After 6 months of age, you can introduce veggies/greens & fruit to a rabbits diet very slowly. A rabbits GI tract is very sensitive and introducing greens, or other new foods to their diet too suddenly can cause serious digestive problems and even death in some cases.
* Fresh Fruit can be given as a treat but due to its sugar content, must be given in moderation Only.
Basic List of Safe & Unsafe foods for your rabbit
Safe Foods Raw Veggies/Greens: Arugula Broccoli Carrot (in moderation) Clover Cilantro Dandelions (flower, stem & leaves) Endive Kale Mustard Greens Parsley Radish Tops Raspberry Leaves Red-leaf lettuce Wheat Grass Raw Fruits: (In Moderation as a Treat Only) Apple (No stems or seeds) Banana Blueberry Cantaloupe Honeydew Melon Pear Pineapple Strawberry Watermelon Other: Black Oil Sunflower Seeds Rolled Oats |
Unsafe Foods Any Cooked or Canned Fruits or Vegetable Almonds Avocados Beans Candy Chocolate Coffee Dough Eggs Fish Iceberg Lettuce Meat Mushrooms Nuts Onions Peas Potatoes Rhubarb Leaves Sauces & Dressings Seeds, Stems & Pits from Fruit Soda Pop Squash Tea Leaves Tomatoes, leaves & stems |
Housing
Having adequate housing will keep your rabbit safe and secure from predators and the changing climate. Whether you decide to keep your rabbit indoors or outdoors they will need a cage/hutch that is properly ventilated and large enough for them to move around, hop and stretch out comfortably. Strive to make your rabbits surroundings as fun (add toys) and comfortable as possible. The average cage/hutch should be atleast 3 or 4x's the size of your rabbit- though the larger the housing, the better for your bun. English lops, due to their large size (averaging 9-12 pounds) and to help them from trampin' on their long ears too much, should be kept in minimum size housing of 30 x 36.
Also, the English Lop will never be happy if constantly confined and will need some supervised "out of cage" time every day to exercise and play.
* If your rabbit must be kept outdoors they will need protection from the elements (heat, direct sunlight, wind, rain, extreme cold) and predators (dogs, cats, racoons, rats, etc...). A rabbit kept outdoors tends to fair better in the cold than in the heat. In high temperatures (over 80) you must provide your rabbit with ways to keep cool, either using fans, cool tiles, or even placing a large frozen water bottle in their cage for them to rest against. Never allow your rabbit to be unprotected in direct sunlight- a shady spot is always best for them.
* If using a wire-bottomed cage make sure to place a wooden bunny board or resting mat in the opposite half of the cage away from the buns "potty corner". This will give your rabbit a place to sit & lay down off the cage wire. Rabbits forced to stand on cage wire all day without relief often develop painful sore hocks.
Also, the English Lop will never be happy if constantly confined and will need some supervised "out of cage" time every day to exercise and play.
* If your rabbit must be kept outdoors they will need protection from the elements (heat, direct sunlight, wind, rain, extreme cold) and predators (dogs, cats, racoons, rats, etc...). A rabbit kept outdoors tends to fair better in the cold than in the heat. In high temperatures (over 80) you must provide your rabbit with ways to keep cool, either using fans, cool tiles, or even placing a large frozen water bottle in their cage for them to rest against. Never allow your rabbit to be unprotected in direct sunlight- a shady spot is always best for them.
* If using a wire-bottomed cage make sure to place a wooden bunny board or resting mat in the opposite half of the cage away from the buns "potty corner". This will give your rabbit a place to sit & lay down off the cage wire. Rabbits forced to stand on cage wire all day without relief often develop painful sore hocks.
Exercise & Fun
To keep your rabbit happy it needs plenty of exercise & playtime to socialize with you and stay healthy. No rabbit should have to live confined to its housing. The English Lop, due to its large size and love of socializing and play, will never be happy constantly confined to its cage/hutch and will definetly need "out of cage" time per day to run, stretch, hop, and frolic about. A safe bunny-proofed indoor area or supervised play in a secure outdoor run is perfect for your rabbits exercise/fun time.
Rabbits love to play with toys. Simple toys such as toilet paper rolls, pinecones, untreated wood blocks, and plastic cat toy balls with bells in them are perfect to keep your rabbit entertained.
Rabbits love to play with toys. Simple toys such as toilet paper rolls, pinecones, untreated wood blocks, and plastic cat toy balls with bells in them are perfect to keep your rabbit entertained.
Grooming
It is important to groom your rabbit on a regular basis. Sometimes your rabbit will put up a fuss, but the more they get used to the grooming process the better for the both of you. I always maintain my rabbits nails, ears, and hygiene vigilantly so they are very used to me poking and pullin' at them and they even look forward to their daily brushing. While it may not be necessary to groom your rabbit as often as I do, there are a few things that must be done to maintain your rabbits good health...
* Nails: Keeping your rabbits nails trimmed is always good, but its especially important when you own an English Lop. Having long nails can cause scratches and tears to their droopy ears as they tend to step on them when they move about. Its best to trim their front and back nails every few weeks to avoid such accidents. When trimming your rabbits nails be very careful not to cut into the quick (the live nerve-rich center of the rabbits nail). Many rabbit owners get nervous when it comes to clipping their rabbits nails, and even the most careful owners accidentally cut the nail too short, causing pain, bleeding, and even a nail infection that can spread into the toe and paw. If you should accidently cut into the nail quick you can stop the bleeding by dipping your rabbits injured paw in styptic powder, corn starch, or flour. The bleeding will subside within a couple minutes. Once the bleeding has stopped you should wash your rabbits paw with antibacterial soap to help prevent possible infection.
*If you do not feel you can safely trim your rabbits nails then it is best to take your bun to a vet or other specialist to have their nails properly trimmed.
* Ears: It is important to maintain good ear health. Excessive wax build-up can cause health issues for your rabbit including painful ear infections and head tilt. In an English Lop the ear canal is deep and it can be a bit of a chore to get the wax out. However, I can safely use a standard Q-Tip with my rabbits and it works very well.
* Coat: Maintaining your rabbits coat is rather simple. Gently brushing out their coat with a soft-bristled cat or dog brush is usually all thats needed. How often you brush your rabbit is a personal choice, however, it may be necessary to brush more often if your bun is molting, frequently sheds, or if their coat mats easily.
* Nails: Keeping your rabbits nails trimmed is always good, but its especially important when you own an English Lop. Having long nails can cause scratches and tears to their droopy ears as they tend to step on them when they move about. Its best to trim their front and back nails every few weeks to avoid such accidents. When trimming your rabbits nails be very careful not to cut into the quick (the live nerve-rich center of the rabbits nail). Many rabbit owners get nervous when it comes to clipping their rabbits nails, and even the most careful owners accidentally cut the nail too short, causing pain, bleeding, and even a nail infection that can spread into the toe and paw. If you should accidently cut into the nail quick you can stop the bleeding by dipping your rabbits injured paw in styptic powder, corn starch, or flour. The bleeding will subside within a couple minutes. Once the bleeding has stopped you should wash your rabbits paw with antibacterial soap to help prevent possible infection.
*If you do not feel you can safely trim your rabbits nails then it is best to take your bun to a vet or other specialist to have their nails properly trimmed.
* Ears: It is important to maintain good ear health. Excessive wax build-up can cause health issues for your rabbit including painful ear infections and head tilt. In an English Lop the ear canal is deep and it can be a bit of a chore to get the wax out. However, I can safely use a standard Q-Tip with my rabbits and it works very well.
* Coat: Maintaining your rabbits coat is rather simple. Gently brushing out their coat with a soft-bristled cat or dog brush is usually all thats needed. How often you brush your rabbit is a personal choice, however, it may be necessary to brush more often if your bun is molting, frequently sheds, or if their coat mats easily.
Love & Attention
Rabbits are social animals, and just like people, can become depressed if not given enough attention. The English Lop, especially, craves attention and can become very attached to its owner. Spending quality time interacting and playing with your rabbit will help to build a loving bond between you. The more time and attention you give your rabbit the greater your bond will be.
Some rabbits need time to adjust to being held but I am firm believer that handling your rabbit is the only way to get them used to being handled (which is especially important during grooming time). My rabbits are complete snuggle-bugs with wonderful active & loving temperaments. From day one I have taken the time to hold them, give plenty of snuggles & kisses, and I get plenty of kisses from them in return. I enjoy sitting on the floor to play with them and they enjoy jumping in and out of my lap, running circles around me, and giving me nudges when they want to be petted or held.
Take the time to build a loving and trusting relationship with your rabbit, you wont regret it.
Some rabbits need time to adjust to being held but I am firm believer that handling your rabbit is the only way to get them used to being handled (which is especially important during grooming time). My rabbits are complete snuggle-bugs with wonderful active & loving temperaments. From day one I have taken the time to hold them, give plenty of snuggles & kisses, and I get plenty of kisses from them in return. I enjoy sitting on the floor to play with them and they enjoy jumping in and out of my lap, running circles around me, and giving me nudges when they want to be petted or held.
Take the time to build a loving and trusting relationship with your rabbit, you wont regret it.
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