Tips on Caring for Your Buns

With MSPCA hosting a rabbit adoptathon at all locations on the 16^th and 17^th, we thought it’s all too fitting to give some helpful tips on how to properly care for your rabbit.  Rabbits are an excellent choice for a pet, but it’s important to be aware of their specific needs to ensure they are happy and healthy.

Before bringing your rabbit home, be sure that you have the proper housing for him!  Whether you choose to keep him indoors or outdoors, it is important to have a wire cage that has 50% of the floor covered with either Plexiglass or washable towels.  It’s vital that the wires of the cage floor and any other surface are kept clean to prevent illness or injuries to your furry friend.  Adequate shade and hiding spots are important for your rabbit as they are very sensitive to environmental changes.  All enclosures need suitable protection from wind, rain, snow and ice.  House training rabbits to use a litterbox is quite feasible and should be considered to give your rabbit extra time outside the cage!  Always supervise your rabbit when he is outside the cage and be cautious of any electrical wires that he could potentially chew.

Maintaining a healthy rabbit requires incorporating both hay and pellets into their diet.  Offering good-quality hay containing grass, alfalfa or clover is believed to reduce intestinal problems and decreases a rabbit’s tendency to pull out and chew on hair.  Pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and obesity become problems.  “Salads” consisting of lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, carrot tops, beet greens and apples should be offered in small amounts – 2-3 times per week.  These “salads” should never exceed 20% of your rabbit’s overall diet due to their lack of nutrient density and many rabbits will develop a preference for these items over pellets.  If your rabbit stops eating or becomes lethargic, we recommend seeing a veterinarian immediately.  It is wise to establish a relationship with a veterinarian that is well-versed in the care of rabbits early on, thus confirming the wellness of your rabbit and ensuring you have someone to go to in the event your rabbit becomes ill.

The average life expectancy for a rabbit is 5-10 years, with some living as long as 15 years!  Providing proper housing, offering a well-rounded diet and developing a relationship with a trusted veterinarian will provide you many happy and healthy years with your new pet.  If you need help finding a veterinarian that will treat your rabbit, feel free to give us a call!  We have a veterinarian on staff that will gladly see your floppy-eared friend!