How to keep domestic rabbits

Rabbits are very cute and cuddly animals that are easy to take care of. They do not take up much space, they eat very little, but how much pleasure they bring to their owners is hard to imagine. In this article, we'll show you how to properly take care of your pet so that it grows healthy and strong.

Popular breeds of domestic rabbits

Today there are more than two hundred breeds of artificially bred rabbits. Let's talk about the more popular ones:

1. Rex. Short-haired rabbits bred in France. In weight, they reach no more than 4 kilograms, the body is elongated, the head is somewhat voluminous, the ears are shortened, and the front legs are short. Rex's fur feels like plush. The color of the fur is: white, chinchilla, black, beaver.
   
2. The squirrel was bred in Germany. It turned out thanks to a mixture of two breeds: the Viennese blue rabbit and the havana. She is of a sturdy build, with an elongated body and blue-gray fur. Ears are erect, not long. In weight, she is gaining no more than three kilograms.
   
3. The pygmy hare is a very cute rabbit. It owes its unusual appearance to its short protruding ears. His color is also very interesting, mainly white fur, red eyes and black, blue or brownish ears with a tail.
   
4. The ram is a species named so because of the unusual shape of the ears. They are not protruding upward, like other rabbits, but hang down on either side of the head, like a toy bunny. These rabbits gain a maximum of 5 kilograms. They have thick coats of white, gray and brown colors.
   
5. The Butterfly breed came to us from England. By weight, they are no more than four kilograms. Their fur is thick, shiny and very pleasant to the touch.
   
6. The Dutch rabbit looks like a plush toy. The size of the individual is small, and the weight is about 3.5 kilograms, the ears are not more than 12 centimeters long, and the body is short. On the head, the coat color takes on the silhouette of a butterfly, which is sure to stand out brightly.
   
7. Dwarf rabbits Fox. This species belongs to rabbits with long hair. An adult weighs 0.8-1.5 kg. The fur of this species is guard. Their color is different, but the most popular are: havana, chinchilla and white. They have small ears sticking up.
   
8. The Ermine or Polish rabbit is the first breed of dwarf rabbit to be recognized. From the very beginning, breeders bred them to replace the ermine fur. They have short ears, no more than five centimeters, soft fur, white color, eyes are either blue or red. In mass, they do not exceed 1.2 kg.
   
9. Black-fiery breed. Rabbits are medium in size, black and tan. They have short and smooth fur, ears up to ten centimeters in length. Weight reaches no more than three kilograms.
   
10. Dwarf laughter is an incredibly cute species of rabbits. They are small, with a maximum weight of 1.3 kg. They have a small body, short ears, protruding fur. The color is different, but most often white with a stripe near the eyes predominates.

Keeping domestic rabbits

Remember, the rabbit loves cleanliness, which means you need to clean the tray every day. The litter should be changed every three days, and the cage should be cleaned once a week. If you remember to do everything on time, then your home will not have any unpleasant odors from the animal.

Despite the fact that the rabbit definitely needs a cage, it must be released every day for a walk around the house. If you do not do this, he will become weak and sick. Two hours of walking will be enough. Do not forget that the rabbit is an animal that loves to chew, do not leave him unattended. Buy toys for your pet that he can chew with impunity.

When choosing a place for a rabbit, keep in mind that they do not tolerate heat well. Therefore, open balconies, window seats disappear. Comfortable temperature is +20 ° FROM   with air humidity 50%. If you notice that your pet is hot, dampen a towel with cold water and wipe his ears. Since heat exchange occurs through them, this will help it cool. You can also dampen a towel with cold water and cover the cage with it, or place a bottle with a couple of ice cubes in the cage.

Rabbits are shy and fragile, they should not come into contact with other animals, as they can start running after him throughout the house, which will scare the pet. If the family has a small child, communication with the rabbit must be controlled. Children may not calculate the strength with which they grab things or animals, the rabbit may be hurt.

Cages for domestic rabbits

The cage should be four times the size of the rabbit. It should fit: a tray, a drinking bowl, a feeder and a place to rest. The rabbit needs a plastic pallet. When choosing, give preference to cells with a rough bottom. You should not put sawdust or other filler on the bottom, they are only needed for the toilet. A heavy ceramic bowl is required for the feed, the drinker is mounted on the wall.

When choosing a cage, make sure that there are no potholes, sharp edges, sticking out rods in it. The animal can get hurt. The cage should be made of metal, without painting. The rabbit will definitely try it on the tooth, processed metal can harm him.

Take extra care when installing the cage. Indeed, its well-being directly depends on the conditions of the environment in which the rabbit will live. Ideally, the cage should be located away from the noise floor, windows. Make sure that it is not in a draft.

How to feed a domestic rabbit

Rabbits are herbivores, and if not properly shaped diet, they will get sick or die altogether.

Domestic rabbits are very fragile and weak, they cannot be fed like street rabbits. If a rabbit in a grandmother's shed can gnaw on any vegetable and grass, then such a ration will not work for a home because of a weak stomach. Decorative rabbits need special food to help grind their teeth. Rabbits are fed no more than twice a day. The diet may contain:

• dried bread, but not rusks;
• hay;
• oat flakes;
• wheat flakes.
• you can give carrots, but only peeled and in small quantities.

In summer, rabbits can pick up weed:

• clover;
• dandelion;
• leaves of corn;
• cereals.

The pet rabbit's diet should include:

1. specialized feed;
2. solid food;
3. mineral supplements.

How long do domestic rabbits live?

Experts say that the maximum lifespan of a rabbit is 15 years. However, the length of life depends on the care and living conditions. According to statistics, the average lifespan of a domestic rabbit is 7-8 years. It has been noticed that breeds with saggy ears live several years longer.

The lifespan of a rabbit is affected by:

• genes - the stronger and more enduring the ancestors were, the more chances a young rabbit has to live to see gray hair;
• diseases - if the pet has at least once comprehended an ailment, this will certainly affect its subsequent condition;
• improper nutrition greatly reduces the life of the rabbit;
• stress;
• neutering the animal will help increase its lifespan.