Rabbits as pets: what you need to know

Rabbits as pets seem hugely appealing, especially at Easter when shops are inundated with fluffy bunny toys and pictures of cute baby rabbits. However, bunny ownership can be challenging as they have special needs to keep them healthy and happy.

Because of this up to 90% of bunnies bought at Easter as pets end up abandoned or don’t live to see their first birthday when owners realise they require special attention. Not all vets are trained to care for bunnies so make sure as a bunny owner that you pick the right vet. Here are some of bunnies’ special needs:

Rabbits as pets need a special diet

1. Their specialised digestive system means pellets are not enough. Feeding pellets alone can lead to dental problems and gastrointestinal stasis – a slowdown of muscular contractions in the intestine which pushes food through the gut. This is a big problem in animals that are hind-gut fermenters like rabbits and horses, says Dr Ingrid de Wet of Country Animal Clinic, and can be caused by many things. In rabbits it can occur if they are in pain or otherwise ill or if they don’t eat enough fibre. The gut slows down and they can become constipated. Toxins can quickly build up and then they can go into shock and organ failure. This can lead to a very painful death. Pellets are recommended only as part of a complete diet.
2. Hay is essential for their teeth and digestion. EberVet Vetshops stock hay and bunny pellets.
3. Provide plenty of water both in a bowl and a bottle.
4. Do not feed seeds or nuts, beans, dairy or meat as rabbits are strict herbivores.
5. Salads are good: collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, chard, kale, parsley, bok choy and spinach, though avoid spinach in large quantities.
6. Avoid lettuce like iceberg and romaine as the nutritional content tends to be very low.
7. Rabbits also love fruit. Small amounts of apple or strawberries only as fruit can cause abdominal pain and gas.

Rabbits as pets are not for cuddling

Rabbits as pets are not ideal if you’re looking for something to cuddle and cosset. As prey animals evolved to escape predators, bunnies do not like being cuddled or picked up or handled in any way. Their lightweight skeleton and fragile bones mean they are also prone to fractures.

Never lift a bunny by the ears or the scruff of the neck; always cradle the hindquarters and support the underside of rabbit. If rabbits are allowed to kick with their back legs while being carried, they risk generating enough force to cause injury to the vertebrae of their spinal columns.

Making a home for your rabbit

1. Like all prey animals, even rabbits as pets need a place to hide when they feel overwhelmed or frightened; a cardboard box with two entry/exit holes so they never feel trapped, is a good idea.
2. Make sure their cage is big enough for them to hop around and tall enough for them to sit on their hindquarters.
3. Always have solid bottom cages as wire-floored cages may hurt their feet. Line the cage with newspaper.
4. Keep your rabbit entertained and his growing teeth under control by providing toys like dry pine cones and untreated wicker baskets. Other fun items you can make at home include toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay, cardboard boxes or baskets filled with hay or newspaper, rubber or straw balls, an old Yellow Pages directory or a carrot hung from the roof of the cage will provide hours of entertainment.

Why you should sterilise your rabbit

Rabbits are prolific breeders so sterilisation is essential if you don’t want a houseful of babies to find homes for. They gestate for only 30 days, and usually have litters of between 4 and 12 babies (kits), depending on the breed. Once the babies are born, the doe can mate and get pregnant again as soon as the following day.

There are health benefits to sterilisation too, says Dr Susan van Niekerk of EberVet Pet Clinic.

Sterilised bunnies are:

• less likely to contract cancer and urinary tract infections.
• more likely to live longer.
• less likely to spray, and their urine and fecal pellets are less smelly. This also makes them easier to house train.
• usually less aggressive and calmer so there is less fighting between rabbits.
• more likely to bond more easily with their owners.

Diseases that put them at risk

There are several infectious diseases common in rabbits including snuffles and syphilis. They are also prone to flea infestations. Never ever use Frontline (fipronil) that you have for your dog or cat on a rabbit. It is fatal.

The bottom line is: a bunny is for life, not just for Easter and it will require special care and attention. Make sure and your family are prepared to walk this road with a rabbit before you take one home.