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Rabbit care by Leigh Munro |
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Diet for a healthy rabbit: |
Adult: All adult rabbits need to be healthy is 80-90% oaten/grass hay, 1 and a half to two cups per kg body weight vegetables (a good list of safe vegetables can be found here: http://www.adoptarabbit.org/articles/packet/abcvegi.html . Feed about 3 or 4 different vegetables or more a day) and unlimited water.
Do not feed supermarket mixes (neither RSPCA or Dr Harry’s brands), pellets (unless it’s U.S made Oxbow pellets from a rabbit-savvy vet clinic), pet shop mixes etc as they are not a necessary part of a rabbit’s diet and a lot of their ingredients (like dried corn, molasses and seeds) can be harmful to bunnies.
Babies: All baby rabbits need to be healthy is unlimited Lucerne hay (gives them the calcium and calories they need to grow) vegetables and water. Always introduce new vegetables one at a time, and over a period of a few days to see how he/she handles the vegetable. If there’s any runny poo, stop immediately.
Baby rabbits should also not be fed any Australian-made pellets or mixes. If you have any
questions about this, email Leigh veganbunnygirl@yahoo.com.au
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Why a rabbit is not a good pet for young
children |
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Rabbits are gorgeous animals and children tend to love
them.
However, they are not cuddly animals, and hate to be
picked up. If a child hugs a rabbit too tightly, the rabbit will
struggle. Injury to the rabbit is inevitable. A broken spine,
pelvis, or leg could result. Please, if your child wants a rabbit,
get him or her a toy one.
If you have any
questions about this, or would like more reasons why rabbits and
young children don't mix, email Leigh veganbunnygirl@yahoo.com.au
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This is a rabbit with a broken
leg
This bunny’s very delicate hind leg was broken, hanging uselessly as in the photo above.
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Please check your rabbits' teeth
regularly! |
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Rabbits can get overgrown incisors and molars
(malocclusion) and if untreated, this will lead to starvation as
well as numerous other complications. Dwarf breeds and dwarf lops
seem to be the most affected, but other breeds have been known to
suffer from malocclusion as well.
If you see that
your rabbit has overgrown teeth, make an appointment with the
excellent dental specialist, David Clarke at Hallam Veterinary
Clinic on 9703 1776. My rabbit, Crystal highly recommends him
:-)
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This is a bunny with
malocclusion (overgrown incisors).
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Rabbits need bunny love in their
life! |
Along with a proper diet (rich in good quality
oaten/grass hay and vegies with minimal/no pellets), desexing,
exercise and lots of space, and a good rabbit vet (try Dr. Narelle
Walter at the Hallam Vet Clinic mentioned above. She LOVES bunnies!)
rabbits need a rabbit companion. There's no cuter sight than two
bunnies in love! Bonding can be difficult at times, especially if
the rabbits are of the same sex (don't even try to bond two strange
undesexed boys or girls), but don't give up. Rabbits are happier
when they have company (see left picture).
It’s very important that they choose their own mate so the bonding process is easier. Two conflicting personalities can result in fighting, but the right mix is heaven.
Contact Leigh veganbunnygirl@yahoo.com.au
for bonding tips, or follow the links on our links site to get some
great advice. Click here to
go to the links page |
Bunny love
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Please desex your
rabbits |
There is simply not enough GOOD homes for the
rabbits that are born. Please do the rabbits (and us) a favour, and
desex them ASAP. If you need more information, contact Leigh at veganbunnygirl@yahoo.com.au .
If you have financial difficulty, we can help you desex your rabbits
for a good price.
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Housing: |
Outside: Rabbits need a lot more room than previously thought. If you can’t provide each bunny with 5-6 full-body stretches W and L per bunny, you may need to rethink keeping bunnies.
They also need a lot of exercise. If your bunnies can’t have safe supervised backyard time (with no holes, or predators lurking), they will need a very large exercise area)
Any living area needs to be mosquito and predator proof. If there’s foxes in the area, bunnies MUST be kept indoors, and with a predator proof outside area (around 3m by 3m) for supervised outings to get some sun.
More indoor bunny information can be found here:
http://www.boingonline.com/
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Don't let your unwanted rabbit
go in the wild! |
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Domestic rabbits don't have the same instincts as
their wild counterparts, so to "set them free" in the wild is to
kill them (starvation, predators, cars). If you have a rabbit
you can no longer care for, either ring Leigh at the
shelter to get advice, or take them to us so we can attempt
to rehome them. |
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