Rabbits: Basic Information and Care

Lifespan of a rabbit is typically 5-7 years. Females reach sexual maturity at 4-9 months, while males may start to breed at 6-10months. Unless you are planning on breeding your rabbit you should have them neutered at a young age; unspayed females tend to be predisposed to uterine cancer, and both males and females may show excessive aggressiveness if they are not spayed or neutered when young. This surgery is typically done at 3-6 months of age, and they normally recover within several days of surgery.

Rabbits can be kept strictly indoors; they are easily litter-box trained. Pelleted paper (Yesterdays News) or pelleted grass products (Mountain Kitty Litter) are preferable so that if the rabbits ingest the litter it doesn't cause a problem. They tend to be chewers so they should only be allowed out of their cage when they can be supervised so as to minimize the damage they cause; carpet is a favorite, yet its ingestion can cause major problems, and electrical cords frequently can cause serious burns if they are chewed on. Rabbit proofing the house is important to minimize the damage to both home and rabbit.

The cage can be a standard wire cage, yet in most cases it should be somewhat modified. It is important to provide a substantial solid surface area so that the rabbit can spend most of its time off of the wire. Excessive contact with the wire bottom can easily lead to foot sores that are difficult to treat and heal. The cage should be easily cleaned; if the rabbit is not litter trained then the cage will need to be cleaned daily. Excessive fecal and urine build up in a cage can attract flies, ( particularly outside,) and the fumes can be irritating and cause upper respiratory and eye problems.

Rabbits benefit from being allowed outdoors in safe enclosed yard. The exercise is helpful, plus this allows them to graze on grasses, shrubs, and plants which is good for them both nutritionally and psychologically. Ingestion of poisonous plants are rarely a problem, ( they tend to select safe plants to chew on,) yet you must insure that the yard is not treated with insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers which may be toxic to the rabbit. Neighborhood cats, dogs, and wild predators are also a potential problem, so in most cases the rabbit should probably be watched when outdoors.

Rabbits are strict herbivores, and they tend to be nibblers eating throughout the day. The most common medical problems seen in rabbits, obesity and intestinal disease, would only rarely occur if rabbits were fed a proper diet. The components of a proper diet are as follows:

• Loose hay, ( timothy, oat, grass, alfalfa,) should always be available in unlimited quantities. This high fiber diet component most closely resembles the natural diet rabbits ingest in the wild. The hay should be fresh and free from mold. Feed stores are your best source for fresh hay.
• Rabbit pellets should be a high-fibered type,( 18% or more,) and should not include dried fruits, dried vegetables, oats or other grains. The pellets should be given as a measured amount of no more than an 1/8 cup for every 3 lbs of body weight for an adult, non-breeding rabbit. Rabbits up to 8 months of age can have free access to pellets as they are growing rapidly. Excessive pellet consumption commonly leads to obesity.
• Fresh greens and vegetables should be offered every day at a rate of 1 cup per 5 lbs of body weight. Fresh greens must be gradually introduced very slowly to rabbits at 3 months of age or older. If diarrhea is seen then the amount of greens should be cut back slightly while the rabbits system adjusts to it and then gradually increased again. At least three types of greens should be offered every day from the following list: carrot tops, beet tops, dandelion greens and flowers, kale, collard greens, escarole, romaine lettuce, ( dark green lettuce leaves, avoid lightly colored such as iceberg lettuce,) parsley, clover, cabbage, broccoli, pea pods, brussel sprouts, basil, raddichio, bok choy, carrots, green peppers, etc.
• Treat foods such a fruits or dried bread must be strictly limited to 1 level tablespoon for every 5lbs. These foods are high in simple sugar and can cause an upset in the normal bacterial balance that is so important for proper rabbit digestion. Rabbits tend to have a sweet tooth, yet catering to this can lead to serious and potentially fatal problems. Sugary snacks, cereals, and grains must be avoided.
• Fresh water must be available at all times. Do not add medications or vitamins to the drinking water. The water container must be kept clean to avoid bacterial growth.