By Hillary Frank, DVM, ABVP (Avian)
Know someone purchasing a rabbit at Easter? Let them know it’s a bad idea. Those cute fluffy bunnies soon grow large and reach adolescence. Humane organizations see a huge increase in the number of unwanted or abandoned rabbits after Easter.
Live “Easter Bunnies” should not be purchased for children unless the parents are willing to make a 10-year commitment to properly care for the animals. Caring for a bunny is just as demanding as having a dog.
A rabbit makes a good pet if well cared for, as they are gentle, quiet animals. However, a rabbit may scratch, bite or kick if frightened. Each one has a unique personality and will become tame and friendly with gentle handling. When picking up a rabbit, always support the hindquarters. They have powerful hind leg muscles and can easily injure their back and spine.
Wild rabbits such as cottontails and jackrabbits do not adapt well to captivity, can carry diseases and are illegal to own because they are native wildlife. There are about 45 different breeds of rabbits, including various types of dwarf, rex, lop and angora breeds. When selecting a pet rabbit, a breed that looks most similar to a wild rabbit usually has less health problems. Short fur, a long face, and upright ears avoid many diseases pet rabbits can develop.
Rabbits must be confined to a large hutch or cage when not supervised. Rabbits like to explore their surroundings, so you must “rabbit-proof” your house to prevent inquisitive nibbling on wood furniture, electrical cords and toxic houseplants. Rabbits are playful and need safe toys such as cardboard tubes, safe wooden toys or PVC tubing. Environmental temperatures should be kept under 80 degrees because they are susceptible to heatstroke. Litter box training can improve cleanliness.
After purchasing a rabbit, it should be examined immediately and annually to screen for any early signs of health problems. Dental disease can occur at any age, and some breeds are more prone to this. Spaying and neutering should be done before puberty (4-6 months of age) to prevent reproductive problems like uterine cancer, and to reduce aggressive behavior.
Feeding the proper diet will prevent most common medical problems. Your rabbit should be offered large amounts of clean grass hay (timothy or bermuda) daily. Alfalfa hay and pellets should be fed only for the first six months and then converted completely over to the grass hay and pellet diet, which has less energy.
Many rabbits do best on a full hay diet with no pellets. Small amounts of vegetables can be introduced as treats. Fancy pellet mixtures with added nuts, seeds and dried fruit are readily eaten by rabbits but are too high in energy and can encourage the growth of abnormal bacteria, leading to sudden death. Fiber is such an important part of a rabbit’s diet. It stimulates normal intestinal movement, supports the growth of normal, healthy bacteria in the cecum for proper digestion, and prevents overgrowth of dangerous bacteria. A high fiber diet also is necessary for the cheek teeth to wear properly. Grass hay with less leaf and more stems is actually best to feed to rabbits, because it has a higher fiber content and is lower in energy.
Owning a rabbit can be fun and they have become a popular pet. With proper feeding and care, rabbits can provide many years of enjoyment.
Hillary Frank, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian) is the owner of North Central Animal Hospital, P.C., 20 W. Dunlap Ave. She can be reached at 602-395-9773. The information in “Pet Primer” is provided as general information only. For specific advice on your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian.
