Stuffed Animals

1. Find a good rabbit hutch.

Like humans, rabbits need to have shelter in order to feel safe. When choosing a rabbit hutch, you should consider the size of your rabbit. The hutch needs to be approximately five times the adult size of your pet. Make sure that the height of the hutch is enough for the rabbit to sit up without its ears touching the top of the cage. This gives the rabbit enough room to run and play.

The floor of the hutch should be solid because cages with wire bottoms can irritate and injure the rabbit’s feet. If you cannot find a hutch with a solid base, cover the bottom with mats or newspapers.

2. Provide nutritious food.

Rabbits should not only subsist on pellets. They should also eat a variety of foods.

Hay is the most important component of a rabbit’s diet. In fact, rabbits should be fed hay in unlimited quantities because the fiber keeps the muscles in the intestines in good condition and it prevents impactions brought on by ingested hair or other objects.

Pellets are great for providing trace minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. Nevertheless, a rabbit’s diet does not require pellets in big quantities. Veterinarians recommend a maximum daily serving of 1/8 cup of good quality pellets for every 5 lbs. of rabbit.

Fresh vegetables keep the intestinal contents hydrated. This makes it easier for the bunny to pass food. Lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, endive, and other vegetables are great for feeding your pets.

Rabbits can also be fed fresh fruits as occasional treats. Otherwise, it might cause intestinal problems.

3. Provide unlimited supply of clean water.

It is important for rabbits to have access to clean water to avoid dehydration and other health-related problems. Supply your pet with water from a clean and heavy earthenware jar. Make sure to change the water daily and to wash the jar with hot water and dishwashing detergent to avoid the growth of bacteria.

4. Get a rabbit run.

Rabbits need to exercise to keep themselves healthy. They need an area where they can run around and play with their toys or with other rabbits. Rabbit hutches are usually not big enough for this sort of activity so you need to get a rabbit run. Rabbit runs will allow your pets freedom to roam while providing protection from predators.

     Netherland Dwarf Rabbits: Often touted as the gems of the rabbit world, the Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of all domestic rabbit breeds. What it lacks in size, it makes up in popularity and lets just say a big (bad tempered) personality. With a short neck, short erect ears, round bold eyes and a small round body, this is a breed which carries the dwarf gene. They are available in a wide range of colors including fawn, himalayan, chinchilla, sealpoint, steel, orange and tortoiseshell. Since the Netherland Dwarf rabbits are noted for their bad temper and a high strung nature, especially among the bucks, they are not suitable pets for young children. Instead they are suited more in an adult, mature home. Read more on rabbits as pets for kids.

     Dwarf Hotot: The Dwarf Hotot is small and compact breed weighing as little as 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. The physical appearance of this stocky, docile little rabbit is similar to the Netherland Dwarf. The head itself is round, with a broad skull and a very short neck. There should be no visible neck. The eyes are round, bold and bright with those characteristic eye bands. Ears which are short, well furred, and usually of good substance, balance with the head and body. While most of these breeds are white in color with black around the eyes, black and chocolate varieties are recognized as well. This friendly rabbit makes an ideal pet as it is affectionate and loves spending time with people. They are also easy to train and love being carried around.

     Dwarf Rabbits Life Span Read the rest of this entry »