Rabbits as pets can be perfect, cute, calm, and cheap too. In order to avoid disappointment and posture problems, sufficient previous knowledge is necessary. You can find out here what you should pay attention to!
Species-appropriate accommodation
Before getting a rabbit, it is important to realize that these animals are social, sociable, active, and curious. Human contact is not a substitute for a conspecific. Therefore, species-appropriate husbandry begins with the acquisition of at least two of these animals. If the animal is to serve as a cuddle partner, the rabbit is usually rather unsuitable. The observation animals are initially reluctant to be touched.
In most cases, the rabbit builds up a “relaxed” relationship with its owner. However, these characteristic features vary from personality to personality. There are also rabbits that are very people-oriented and can be trained to perform tricks or are cuddly and tame. But you shouldn’t rely on that. Rabbits as pets usually get nervous instantly when they are picked up off the ground. Unless it’s really necessary, don’t carry the rabbit around.
Tip: Don’t buy the animal in the zoo section of the hardware store. Ask animal shelters or regional breeders. These can often tell you the characteristics of the rabbit in advance. In addition, these animals are often in better health.
Rabbits as pets in the apartment
The next consideration is where to put the rabbit. If you live in an apartment, make sure that your long-eared friend has an occasional exercise in a garden or park. The animal should also be able to walk inside the apartment. Damage to furniture and carpets is not uncommon. Chewed cables or shoes can only be prevented if you put up a small indoor fence. You can then equip this area with toys. Urine and feces are often used as territory markers.
In addition, rabbits are particularly active at dusk. They cause gnawing, scratching, and knocking noises. Especially in captivity. Furthermore, the space requirement of the cage is often underestimated. The models from pet shops are too small for the animals that love to move. If the cages are too small, rabbits can develop behavioral problems such as gnawing on the bars or aggression.
What else to consider:
heat and cold
Don’t bathe your rabbit! The animals are spotless and a bath is therefore unnecessary. Water could get into the ears and cause an infection. In summer you can of course put a flat bowl of water in the enclosure to cool down. It is better in hot temperatures to put a bottle with frozen contents in the rabbit hutch. Rabbits generally do well in the cold. In cold temperatures, it is advisable to provide a dry box filled with straw. Here they can bury themselves and snuggle up if necessary.
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communication among rabbits
To understand your rabbit, you can analyze its behavior. They communicate with each other through phonetic and body language. When they slap the ground loudly with their hind legs, they emit a warning signal to the group. If you lie down stretched out, maybe even on your back or side, you feel comfortable and safe. If they sit upright with their ears flattened, they are ready to attack. They jump forward with sharp claws, bite and growl. Sitting on their hind legs with their ears stretched out shows their curiosity.
A rabbit that lies flat on the ground and flattens its ears shows that it is submitting. This can be in a fight, but also occur in contact with people. The animal is usually scared. If the rabbit is startled, it usually stays motionless with its eyes wide open. In nature, animals behave like this when escape seems hopeless. Since many hunted animals only react to movement, the rabbit is sometimes overlooked.
Tolerance among rabbits
Rabbits are generally very social. However, if you want to keep 2 rabbits in one hutch, it is worth spaying and neutering them. Otherwise, it can happen that they injure themselves or mate. Like other creatures, some animals just don’t get along. Watch the animals and make sure they get along together.
compatibility with dogs
If dogs grow up with rabbits, the relationship between the two species is usually problem-free. However, this assumes that you set limits for the dog when it shows behavior that frightens the rabbit. However, special care should be taken with hunting dogs. It takes a lot of time, patience, and consequences to get them used to each other. However, it is often not possible to put the rabbit under this stress.
compatibility with cats
Cats have a mind of their own. In general, they are more difficult to train than dogs. So they tend to be steered in a certain direction. Young rabbits and rabbit babies should first be kept away from cats. These belong in the cat’s prey scheme. Adult rabbits, on the other hand, can defend themselves in the event of a fight. Cats tend to find them more interesting. The probability of an attack is dwindling small. The animals often play with each other.
In general, you should be aware that a rabbit can live for about 10 years. If you make this commitment, you are bound for the long term.
Rabbit FAQs
How old do rabbits get?
Rabbits can live up to 8 to 10 years in their own home.
What do rabbits eat?
A species-appropriate diet consists of around 80% hay and 20% fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
What can rabbits eat?
Rabbits should primarily eat hay. A species-appropriate diet consists of around 80% hay and 20% fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
How long do rabbits live?
Rabbits can live up to 8 to 10 years in their own home.
How long do rabbits carry?
The gestation period in rabbits is one month. Shortly before giving birth, the female begins building the nest.
When are rabbits sexually mature?
Rabbits are sexually mature after just a few months. Dwarf rabbits are, for example, from the third month of life.
What can rabbits not eat?
Various types of fruit and vegetables are intolerable for rabbits. These include onions, legumes, avocados, and exotic fruits.
How much space does a rabbit need?
A pair of rabbits should have 4 square meters of space available throughout the day. A rabbit hutch must be 0.6 square meters per rabbit.
Rabbit socialization: when is it successful?
Rabbits socialize best when both are younger than 4 months.
Rabbit builds nest – how long is it until birth?
A female rabbit builds the nest very shortly before giving birth. Once she starts doing this, it won’t be long before the offspring are born.
How Long Are Rabbits Pregnant?
The gestation period in rabbits is one month. Shortly before giving birth, the female begins building the nest.
When are rabbits mature?
Rabbits are usually fully grown after the first year of life.
When can rabbits be neutered?
In the optimal case, bucks are castrated before they reach sexual maturity.
How high can rabbits jump?
Most rabbits quickly jump 60 cm high. No spout should therefore have a height of less than 75 cm. For rabbits that like to jump, an enclosure should be 80 to 100 cm high.
How often do rabbits clip their claws?
Depending on the attitude and growth rate, the claws should be trimmed every 3 to 12 weeks.
How much does a rabbit cost?
Depending on the breed, rabbits cost between 25 and 50 euros.
How do rabbits see?
The cones are responsible for color vision. Rabbits don’t have cones for the color red, so they only see blues and greens.
