HOW TO KEEP RABBITS FREQUENT QUESTIONS

It is worth noting when keeping rabbits many problems can be traced back to either incorrect diet and/or sexual frustration. Most of the common rabbit health issues can be avoided simply by vaccinating your rabbit against VHD and myxomatosis, neutering / spaying your rabbit and feeding it the correct hay based diet. De-sexing also prevents many common behavioural problems, along with keeping your rabbit in the correct accommodation (in bonded pairs if possible), handling it correctly and giving it plenty of exercise.

Why does my rabbit run around my feet?

Circling is a courtship ritual commonly seen in unneutered male rabbits. The rabbit will often grunt softly as it runs and may spray urine against your legs. Your rabbit may also attempt to mount your feet or another object. This behaviour is stressful for both you and your rabbit so it is kindest to have him neutered.

Circling is also often seen in de-sexed house rabbits who are begging for food; i.e. they run around your feet to get your attention.

Why does my rabbit keep shaking its head?

A small shake of the head and flick of the ears, often accompanied by a little hop or bounce, indicates that your rabbit is happy and wants to play. However, if your rabbit is persistently shaking its head and scratching inside its ears, it is likely that it has an ear infection - check inside the ears for redness and scabs and consult a vet. Rabbits who are moulting heavily may shake their heads more to dislodge loose fur that has drifted into their ears.

Why is my rabbit not eating?

How to keep rabbits eating

Loss of appetite is often the first sign of illness in rabbits, whatever the root problem, and a vet should be consulted asap. GI stasis, where the rabbit's digestive system literally shuts down, can occur in a matter of hours and can be fatal.

The most common cause is dental disease (malocclusion). This occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not meet up correctly and are therefore not ground down at the same rate, leading to overgrown teeth or spikes which cut into the rabbit's mouth and prevent it eating. Other symptoms include dribbling, food dropping from the mouth as the rabbit eats and sticky bottom (caked droppings in the fur around the bottom).

Why does my rabbit bite me / growl at me / lunge at me?

There is a difference between an aggressive bite and a nip. House rabbits frequently nip their owners to get their attention or to ask them to move out of their way i.e. this can be seen as bossiness rather than aggression.

A normally placid rabbit can also become aggressive when ill or in pain, or when mourning the loss of a partner. True aggression in a rabbit is usually caused either by territorial behaviour, sexual frustration or fear.

Territorial behaviour is more commonly seen in female rabbits who are by nature the homemakers i.e. if you are cleaning out her hutch or litter tray she may growl at you or lunge at you. This can be reduced by spaying the rabbit. Sexual frustration can cause aggression in both males and females and can easily be eliminated or at least reduced greatly by neutering or spaying your rabbit.

As prey creatures, rabbits are not inclined to aggression but, like any animal, may defend themselves when they feel threatened. Winning over a fearful rabbit takes time and patience but is by no means impossible. Give them a space of their own which you do not intrude into, interact with them at ground level rather than picking them up, avoid loud noises and sudden movements i.e. do everything you can to make them feel secure.

Why are my rabbit's droppings soft and runny?

Rabbits produce two kinds of droppings - the hard, round ones that you see, and softer ones called caecotrophs which they take direct from their bottoms and swallow. Like cattle chewing the cud, this enables them to extract the maximum nutrients from their food and is perfectly normal.

If you see clusters of these soft droppings in the hutch or litter tray, your rabbit is producing too much of them. This is usually caused by too much vegetables and/or pellets and not enough hay. Rabbits need a high fibre diet of approximately 80% hay to keep their digestive systems running smoothly and grind their teeth down.

Why does my rabbit have runny eyes and/or a runny nose?

Eye infections are relatively common in rabbits and may be caused by allergies, dust, ingrowing eyelashes or dental disease. This needs to be treated by a vet initially and at home with eyedrops; in some cases the tear duct may need flushing out under anaesthetic.

When accompanied by a runny nose, this can be a symptom of a more serious illness called Pasteurella, commonly known as "snuffles". Your rabbit needs immediate veterinary attention.

Why does my rabbit bite the carpet / the sofa / the bars of its cage or hutch?

How to keep rabbits entertained

Destructive behaviour is common in rabbits and is usually caused by boredom. It can be alleviated by giving your rabbit a friend (neutered male and spayed female is the best partnership), by feeding your rabbit plenty of hay, by giving it toys and tunnels to play with and by allowing it plenty of exercise.

Why does my rabbit look uncomfortable / sitting hunched up in a corner / shifting its weight around?

How to keep rabbits comfortable.

A healthy rabbit, unless sleeping, will be hopping around, eating, investigating its surroundings and so on. If your rabbit shows no interest in anything and is unwilling to move, it is probably sick and you will need to consult your vet. You can listen to your rabbit's stomach; it should be gurgling and ticking so if there is no noise there is a risk of GI stasis. Check that your rabbit has been passing droppings. There is a much higher risk of GI stasis / hairballs when the rabbit is moulting so groom it frequently.

Check your rabbit's nails - nails that are too long will prevent the rabbit moving around freely and can lead to sore hocks, where the hair wears away on the bottom of the foot and the skin becomes inflamed. If cut correctly, the nails should be barely visible through the fur on the rabbit's feet.

KEEPING RABBITS - Lion Head Rabbits

The Lionhead Rabbits are the latest breed of rabbit, initialy imported into the U.S.A. in 1999. Along with the first appearance of this adorable little rabbit with its vertical ears, the precious little Lionhead Lop was developed!

A Lion head rabbit is a hybrid rabbit acquired by crossing a Lion Rabbits with a Holland Lop. Lionheads crossed with the Mini-Rex are referred to as Velvet Lionheads. There are many hybrids of the Lionhead and they're all really cute, really unique, and will make great pets!
The major feature of the Lion head rabbit and the Lion Rabbits is that they have a 'mane'. These small rabbits are so much easier to cherish than longhaired or wooly rabbits like the Angoras, because their mane only needs to be combed out every couple of days. The mane on the Lionhead Lop does tend to mat a little more than on the vertical eared Lion Rabbit.


One thing to keep in mind when getting a young Lion Rabbit is that this is a very new breed, and you will not know what your pet will look like till it grows up! There's no conclusive certainty that it will keep its mane. The mane may molt and vanish permanently or it may grow back even fuller than it was before.

Background:
The Lion Rabbits were initialy brought into the U.S.A. from Europe in 1999, largely from England and Sweden. It is usually believed that the Lion Rabbits were firstly bred in Belgium in 1996 and then imported to England in 1998 where they were crossbred with other small animals to develop what is today called the European Lion Rabbit; Lionhead Lops were also being developed.
There are a couple of thoughts on where the Lion Rabbits originated. Some think they were the result of crossbreeding a Swiss Fox and a Belgian Dwarf, while others think they're from the Dwarf Angora.


To help get more uniformity in type and size, breeders have been crossing the Lion Rabbits with a variety of other rabbits.

Description:
The Lion Rabbits are small-scale bunnies that have a 'mane'! They are unique to all other "new breeds" of rabbits. It has the first major mutation in rabbits since 'satin' fur first appeared in a litter of Havana's in the early 1900's. Unlike most fur mutations that are recessive genes, the Lion Rabbits have what seems to be a dominating mutation that makes the 'mane'. So only one parent is required to have this gene to produce more Lions and it can't be recreated utilising other breeds!

Color deviations:
The Lion head Rabbits come in many patterns and color diversities. Sixty colors are approved for showing in England.

KEEPING RABBITS - Rabbit Care

Rabbit care is relatively inexpensive to keep when compared with larger animals such as dogs or horses. They make fantastic pets and can be easily cared for by adults and older children, even younger children can learn from keeping a pet rabbit provided an adult is there supervising them.
Rabbits have a long life span, so make sure your prepared to care for your pet through the long term. There unique creatures who form tight bonds with their families. They require vet care and are not by all means low maintenance.

For good rabbit care you must learn the following things :

Feeding your pet rabbit - Even the best quality rabbit pellets are not adequate on its own as a diet, they need plenty of fresh grass, hay is very important in their diet as are fres greens and vegetables. They need a well balanced and high fibre diet.
Look for greens which are dark, tough and thick leafed - dandelion greens and flowers, raspberry leaves, cabbage red and green, mint leaves, turnip / carrot tops, parsley. Look at feeding them at least 3 different types of greens a day for variety.Include some pea pods not the peas, carrots, apples, strawberries and mango.
When first introducing fruit and vegetables to your rabbit do it in small amounts to avoid runny spoilage and diarrhea.

Annual vaccinations - Make sure you take your rabbit to the vet for vaccinations against viral haemorrhagic and myxomatosis.A common cause of death in female rabbits (does) is uterine cancer which can often spread to other organs before it is diagnosed. This can be prevented by spaying if the rabbit is not intended for breeding and is best done when the rabbit is between 6 months and 2 years of age.
If your pet is scratching alot its most likley fleas. These are small flying insects dark brown in colour and are not easy to spot in all the fur. If not treated they will lay larvae eggs.It can be treated with revolution and is applied to the back of the rabbits neck.

Cleaning a Hutch - You should clean the hutch one a week and the toilet area every other day. When you first get your pet you can train them to use a litter tray and it will be much easier and tidier to clean the hutch. When cleaning a hutch you need to pull out all the soggy newspaper and scrape it into a bin liner with the hay and wood chippings.Scrub the hutch with a soultion of hot water and vinegar and allow to dry. Lay the hutch with newspaper adding more in the toilet area, then add the wood chippings and bedding hay. Wash the water bottle and food dish out and replace with fresh food and water to finsh.

Holding your rabbit correctly - Many owners have difficulty when it comes to picking up their rabbit and being picked up is not a natural experience for them. They do not have wings and are not designed to fly through the air at great (to a bunny) heights.Therefore you should make it as comfortable as possible, use two hands, one supporting the chest and one supporting the bottom.There are several ways to hold your rabbit, you should use the one that your bunny feels most comfortable in and you feel most secure holding it.
Hold your rabbit facing you with all four feet against your chest. Place one hand supporting the bottom, holding it against your body to stop it kicking out and the other hand across the rabbits shoulders. If you put your thumb in front of the bunnies front leg it helps prevent attempted escapes over your your shoulder.
The other position is like a hug using your arms to hold the bunny firmly against your chest. Hold your bunny sideways with its feet resting at your hip facing your right shoulder. Wrap you left arm across its body and support the chest with your hand, thumb over the shoulders, fingers underneath. Use your other hand to support the bottom, firmly to press her feet against you so he/she can't lift them to kick out.

So now you know about rabbit care you can get down to doing and enjoying it.

HOW TO KEEP RABBITS - Bunny Rabbit Facts

Want to know more about your bunny and understand him/her better? This short article contains fascinating bunny rabbit facts that every owner should know.

Fact #1: Rabbits are crepuscular (most active at dawn and twilight).

Fact #2: Neither wild nor domestic bunnies hibernate.

Fact #3: A rabbit may tear apart her cage out of mating frustration? If your bunny isn't spayed or neutered, you should get her/him altered as soon as possible.

Fact #4: Bunnies can't throw up. They can gag, but they can't vomit.

Fact #5: Rabbit can snore!

Fact #6: Bunnies can jump 36 inches and higher. Bunnies are excellent at jumping.

Fact #7: Wild bunnies can be found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. (While rabbits are not indigenous to Australia, there IS now a large population of feral rabbits brought to the continent by European ancestors.)

Fact #8: Wild rabbits sleep in burrows.

Fact #9: A group of bunnies is called a herd.

Fact #10: Less than 10 percent of all abandoned wild baby bunnies survive.

We also recommend you to read about "Rabbit Care Secrets", the book with literally hundreds of bunny rabbit facts.

How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!

HOW TO KEEP RABBITS - Popular Rabbit Names

We get a lot of email asking for help in choosing a name for newly adopted rabbit pets. Well, as part of our research we looked into the most popular bunny names, so we thought we'd share them with you.

Here are rabbit names from our collection in random order:

* Bailey

* Bugs

* Thumper

* Puddles

* Midnight

* Riley

* Stormie

* Pippin

* Noel

* Piper

* Holbrook

* Willow

* Cocoa

* Maybelline

* Oreo

* Dezzi

* Pepper

* Cherub

* Romeo

* Hershey

* Hayley

* Velvet

* Tinkerbell

* Juniper

* Dutch

* Tuxedo

* Patches

* Sadie

* Tyler

* Duchess

* Harvey

* Pumpkin

* Angel

* Binky

* Hopkins

* Snowball

* Peanut

* Dakota

* Dash

* Hopper

* Nutmeg

* Smokey

Not Enough? :-) Ok, more names for your rabbit pet:

* Chance

* Satine

* Shadow

* Snuggles

* Thumbelina

* Flopsy

* Marshmallow

* Gatsby

* Jade

* Frodo

* Arial

* Rex

* Mittens

* Zuzu

* Halo

* Onyx

* Sabrina

* Belle

* Noir

* Q-Tip

* Nibbles

* Daisy

* Merry

* Tricycle

* Oscar

* Zoey

* Pepper

* Sundance

* Hopson

* Ripley

* Trance

* Sweetpea

* Charmin

* Noah

* Bunster

* Silver

* Bumper

* Rascal

Do you know other popular rabbit names? Let us know and we will add them to this list!

Names From Our Readers

* Jazmin (name for girl bunny-rabbit)

* Princess

* Rox

* Ebbie (stands for the initials E.B., short cut for Easter Bunny)

* Emma

* Sophie

* Einstein (name for smart male rabbit

* Muffin

* Mopsy

* Honey

* Dopey (cute name for small cute pet)

* Charlie

* Smores

* Ollie

* Willow Jett

* Fern

* Snickerz

* Gadget (probably the name for rabbit who love to play with toys)

* Dandelion (great name!)

* Thumper

* Zypp

* White Chocolate (in case the rabbit is brown and white)

* Tinker

* Sunny

* Buttons (when you'll see baby bunny's eyes you'll understand this)

* Hocus Pocus

* Houdini

* Treacle

* Bunny-Bunny (fun name when said in a very high pitch)

* Milly

* Amber

* Max

* Jessee (for a girl or a boy rabbit)

* Lola

You also can send us feedback note about our rabbit names collection. We will be happy to hear your opinion about it.

How to keep rabbits Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!

Rabbit Cages and Hutches

Before we look at the different housing options, you should understand that the more room your bunny has when she's confined, the better. You might think because a particular bunny is a dwarf, she doesn't need as much room as a larger bunny. Not true. Dwarfs have a lot of energy, and therefore, need plenty of room to move, roam and run. The cages you see at pet stores claiming to be for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbitsll for any rabbit, no matter what size.

Your bunny's housing will need plenty of room for a full-size litter box (consider having two if you have two bunnies,) her hay box, her food bowl and either a water bowl or a water bottle. In addition, you'll want to make sure your bunny has plenty of entertainment, so she doesn't get bored when she's confined. (For an idea of the kind of toys bunnies love, read the section Exercise and Entertainment.nt her to have plenty of roomnot just enough room to turn around. Make sure her cage is at least four times her size.

There are many fun cage options your bunny will love: NIC condos and exercise pens are the most popular housing for bunnies who don't have free reign. Other options include large dog carriers, cages designed specifically for rabbits and hutches.

Since we don't have enough room to talk about them all in an email, let me confine myself to the best in my opinion - Neat Idea Cubes! (They're roomy, fun to put together, and reasonably inexpensive).

NIC Condos: NIC stands for Neat Idea Cubes. Neat Idea Cubes are wire flats you can put together to make cubes and bunny condos. It's a wonderful alternative to a cage, and it's much cheaper.

NIC condos are very easy to put together, but it is a very time consuming process. (If you make one, let your bunny watch you. She'll love to sniff and investigate what you're doing.) If you want to make a condo for your bunny, you first want to determine how big you want it to be. How many floors? Let's say you decide to make a four-floor condo for your bunny. Here's what you'll need to get started:

* You'll need packages of Neat Idea Cubes (assuming they come eight in a package) because you'll need at least 47 pieces to build the condo. You can get the Neat Idea Cubes from places like Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, and you can check with Home Improvement and Lowe's.

* One package (you may find you need more) of cable ties.

* A pair of scissors

Then, just do a search on the internet (we like Google) for "Neat Idea Cubes Articles" and you'll find about a half dozen sites with step by step instructions.

Rabbit Care Secrets You can get the book here: http://www.rabbitsecrets.com/R.htm is the book with literally hundreds of "word of mouth" tips and tricks - secrets which are next to impossible to find in books and pet stores. This is the gold which only comes from years and years of hands on experience... including all the hard to find Rabbit information people just can't locate with internet searches or trips to the library!

Taking Care of a Pet Rabbit

Most of us are probably familiar with the quintessential image of the rabbit-a fluffy, cuddly white bunny delivered into the arms of delighted children on Easter morning, surrounded by sweets and colored eggs. Unfortunately, this picture-perfect holiday symbol that has placed many a pet rabbit into a less-than-ideal situation. Taking care of a pet rabbit is not a holiday novelty; it's agreeing to assume full responsibility for the needs of a living creature. If it sounds like welcoming a rabbit into your home is serious business requiring lots of thought and planning, that's because it is! But it also offers an exciting, unique pet ownership experience-for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to learn the ins and outs of pet rabbit care.

Rabbits require a certain kind of home environment in order to thrive. Contrary to the popular image, they are not suitable pets for young children, even if the intention is to teach responsibility by allowing the child to care for a pet rabbit. Rabbits frighten easily and are extremely fragile when it comes to being handled. A sudden noise or movement can actually frighten them to death, while one instance of mishandling could break bones or damage internal organs. Therefore, a home full of running, yelling children is not a happy home for a rabbit. Rabbits need to feel secure at all times, so a large part of taking care of a pet rabbit is offering it a fairly constant atmosphere of peace and quiet, and a major component of offering that secure atmosphere is providing your rabbit with proper housing.

There are two basic options when it comes to rabbit-keeping: to cage or not to cage. Traditionally, rabbits have been kept in outdoor cages (called a "hutches") with a wire bottom and sides, a solid top, and a solid wooden nesting box. An outdoor hutch is still a viable option, provided serious effort is applied to making the hutch completely weatherproof. For those who truly wish to keep their rabbits inside, a large cage similar to a hutch can be integrated into the household, and for those who truly wish to live with their rabbits, a rabbit can be kept much as you'd keep a cat-running free in the house. Rabbits love to be near "their people," and if given the chance, will follow you around as you do your daily chores. They are easily litter box trained and are relatively tidy overall. For safety's sake, it's a very good idea to confine your rabbit to a single, rabbit-proofed room, unless he or she is under close supervision. Many people keep their rabbits in an empty bedroom or in the kitchen by blocking off the door with a baby gate. Rabbit-proofing involves ridding the area of chew-ables such as books, papers, toys, or anything else you don't want gnawed-especially electrical cords. You should also ensure that there are no small spaces for your rabbit to squeeze into.

Whether you decide to keep your rabbit in a cage, let him roam freely about your kitchen, or a combination of both, the other major consideration in taking care of a pet rabbit is ensuring that fresh water and proper food are available at all times. Water can either be made available in a heavy dish or in a cage-hanging water bottle. A rabbit's diet should consist mainly of formulated rabbit pellets, a little fresh hay, and treats such as carrots, apples, and leafy greens (not iceberg lettuce!). Rabbits will eat just about anything, but that doesn't mean you should feed them whatever they desire. They have delicate digestive systems that are easily thrown off balance by the sudden introduction of foreign foods, so try to keep your rabbit's diet as simple and junk-free as possible.

Now that you've learned how to care for a pet rabbit, it's time to find your new best friend. While pet stores and breeders are always an option, consider checking to see if there's a rabbit rescue near your home, or call your local animal shelters to ask if they have any abandoned rabbits available for adoption. Whatever your decision, make sure it's one that promises your new friend he'll have a forever home with you, and he'll pay you back tenfold with unending affection and companionship.

About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at:http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion's care. For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline

Why Mini Lop Baby Rabbits Make Good House Rabbits

Whether you've never owned any type of animal before or have never even considered having a bunny as a house pet, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that mini lop baby rabbits make excellent house pets for a number of different reasons.

Why Are Mini Lop Rabbits Such Great House Pets?

Rabbits are notorious for being highly intelligent animals that are easy to train using positive reinforcement and plenty of praise, which are the two essentials for training any type of animal. They are also very social creatures by nature who need plenty of attention and affection, making them the perfect addition to anyone's family.

One of the very best parts of having a mini lop baby as a pet is that rabbits can learn rather quickly, and if given the chance to live and interact with their human family as early as possible, they can also become rather attached to their owners and become loyal, affectionate pets.

Rabbits also have great temperaments and can live together in harmony along with children and other pets like dogs and cats, as long as they are also trained and well mannered and able to be around other animals. Mini lops, much like people, have their own distinct, unique personalities.

What You'll Need for a Happy, Healthy Mini Lop House Rabbit

To keep your baby mini lop happy, healthy, and thriving in their new environment you'll need to have a few basic supplies on hand in addition to all of the love and care you already have to give them.

First, you'll definitely want to consider having your pet spayed or neutered, especially if you have more than one and want to avoid having litter after litter of bunnies. Besides this, spaying and neutering are rather beneficial for your rabbit's overall health and behavior as well. Having your bunny examined and then altered by a veterinarian experienced with rabbits will help to decrease unwanted behaviors such as aggression, chewing, and marking their territory similar to the way felines do.

Because rabbits are social animals, it's always recommended to keep your mini lop inside the home instead of outdoors. The more your pet is allowed to interact and become more comfortable living with humans, the more receptive they'll be to your training efforts and the less likely they'll be to get into mischief. Although your rabbit should have free rein of the home, provided you've went through the house and bunny-proofed each room first, most rabbits will fare best with their very own cage.

In addition to a cage, your mini lop will also need a litter box, litter, toys for chewing on and playing with, places to run and play, a food and water bowl or feeder, and rabbit food including treats like vegetables and fresh hay or straw. You may also want to have a pet carrier for trips back and forth to the veterinarian as well as a brush and clippers for their nails.

Mini lop rabbits can be the absolute perfect house pet and can provide their owners with many years of love, fun, and companionship.

For all of the latest information on caring for Mini Lop Rabbits and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits [http://www.minilop-rabbits.co.uk/page_1217456358257.html]

FLY STRIKE IN RABBITS

How to Care For Pregnant Rabbits

Many owners are not ready to handle their pet rabbit's pregnancy. Considering the high mortality rate of newborn bunnies, it is no surprise that many are confused as to what they should do. There are plenty of useful tips that owners can adopt and this starts by gathering the right information from reliable sources.

It is not encouraged to allow your bunny to get pregnant. There is already an overgrown of rabbit population in the world, and if you wanted another one, then you should consider getting them from an animal shelter. Bunnies may be cute but they grow up very fast and in many cases, they are abandoned when they are no longer cute.

However, if your rabbit is pregnant, there are good tips you can follow to care for them and raise the survival chances of its babies. A doe hide her pregnancy quite well. Even experienced vet sometimes made mistakes in their assessment when checking if there is pregnancy.

As a matter of fact, you can hardly notice any change of behaviour in the doe. The easiest way to tell if your female pet rabbit is pregnant is to see if she rejects the advancement of the buck. About two weeks after conceiving, you may be able to feel the foetus inside her womb. It feels marble-like.

The gestation period is between 28 to 31 days. During this time, just provide her with adequate food and water. She may begin her nesting process about one week before delivery. Some pet rabbits only started building her nest as little as three days or one day before delivery.

The doe build its nest by gathering hay and shredding newspaper. She will also pull fur from her own chest. Each rabbit's pregnancy may result in 7 to 13 kits (baby rabbits are called kits). It is not surprising to see the doe immediately leaving its kits after birthing. This may be inherited from their wild cousins to prevent attracting the attention of predator animals.

This may be the right time to check on the bunnies. Unlike other smaller animals, rabbits do not mind human touching their offspring. Check if the babies are warm. If they are not, then you can wrap warm water bottle with towel and place in the nest to help them stay warm.

As the mother rabbit nurse their young ones only twice a day and each nursing takes less than 5 minutes, you may need to play the role of surrogate parents. Suitable formulated milk powder and feeding bottle may be bought from pet store or from a vet.

It is important to gather as much information as possible on pregnant rabbits care . Taking care of pregnant rabbit and raising baby rabbits may be a big responsibility but it is a very rewarding experience.

A Dwarf Rabbit

Here is everything you need to now about a dwarf rabbit . My bunny is a Polish Dwarf rabbit. He is tiny and about 3 pounds. The Polish Dwarf rabbit I believe has developed in England in the 1800s. Some experts believe that the name does not refer to the country of Poland, but rather to its shiny coat. The Polish Dwarf is a companion to the Netherland Dwarf. He is also very petite and lively in his behavior. The Polish rabbit breeds in as many colors as the Netherland Dwarf. There are advantages to mini rabbits as pets because their feed and housing are less than the larger ones, and they are more easily handled.

That is why we chose a dwarf rabbit. We love him and he is so easy to handle. There is a saying that medium-size or larger rabbits tend to be calmer and more manageable than mini dwarf rabbits. Our first bunny was a Holland Lop and my daughter couldn't handle him as god as our Polish rabbit because he was heavier.
We adopted him as an adult so we new his size.

Any rabbit does not like to be lifted and held unless they are gradually taught to tolerate it. He was held very much in his life, so he accepted being held by us right away. He already was house-trained and used his litter box. We trained our first bunny.

Rabbits, just like dogs and cats prefer not to foul the area where they eat and sleep and will instead venture out of their "dens" to relive themselves. Important to remember when litter-box train a rabbit is consistency and praise. So be alert in the early days and follow your rabbit everywhere. When an accident happens pick him up and put him in his litter-box with a few droppings inside. Also clean the spot with some vinegar.

Rabbits don't like the smell and avoid the area for another try. Spayed and neutered rabbits are easier to litter-train. It is also important for the health and overall happiness of any dwarf rabbit.

An adolescent rabbit often sprays urine and performs the sexual act on people's legs, slippers and other pets. There also tend to be more restless and more aggressive. Neutering reduces or eliminates all these problems without changing the personality of the bunny. When rabbits start circling and love bite legs that is a sing that it is the right time to go ahead with the procedure.

 Our dwarf rabbit  was neutered and we didn't need to take care of it.

INFORMATION ABOUT RABBITS

General Information



The history of domesticated rabbits began about 3000 years ago in Spain – in fact the word Spain is derived from the Latin word “Hispania” which is the Latin translation for the word “i-shephan-im” or literally “the land of the rabbits.” Rabbits were brought to this area in Europe by the Phoenicians and were later further domesticated by French Catholic Monks.
Throughout the known history of rabbits they have been associated with bringing good luck, fertility, and folklore (the Easter Bunny). The term “bunny”, referring to young or small rabbits, is believed to have its origins from the Gaelic word for “root” or “stump”. The “ny” is a diminutive suffix that means small and cute. The use of the word “bunny” first appeared in the English language around the year 1700.
Modern day pet rabbits or “European Rabbits” are descendants of these first domesticated rabbits from Spain. Rabbits and humans have a diverse history as rabbits have been used to control pests, for furs and other clothing accessories, for food, or as household pets. Rabbit waste, both feces and urine have proven useful as nitrogen-fixing fertilizers for gardening.


Information About Rabbit 

Behaviour

Rabbits are increasing in popularity as household pets because of their quiet and unassuming behavior. They are generally easy to care for, can be litter box trained, and are healthy and disease free for most of their lives. Because of their easy going temperament rabbits fit well in multi-pet homes as they tend to get along well with both cats and dogs. The average life expectancy of a pet rabbit is about 10 years.
Rabbits that are kept indoors, rather than in outdoor cages, will become more social and will be better protected from predators and disease. Rabbits are naturally curious and love to chew on anything that looks appealing – it is important that if you let your rabbit roam your home that you keep a close eye on them to prevent them from nibbling on electrical chords or toxic household plants.
Rabbits are typically not aggressive animals and at times will run and hide rather than engage in a fight. If your rabbit feels threatened, expect a fast and agile escape to a safe place out of the way of the danger. It should be noted that rabbits can become aggressive if they become upset.

Rabbit Hutches - What to Buy to Get the Best For Your Rabbit

When you think of a companion for people the first pet that comes to mind is a dog. However, the rabbit is now the third most popular pet in the UK as these can make loveable and wonderful companions for people who take the time to learn about what a rabbit needs. If you treat a rabbit properly, which isn't difficult, these cute creatures can have a life span of 10 years or more.

Some rabbits do not even have rabbit hutches these days and they are as much part of the family as the family dog or cat that roams around the house as it pleases. This is more unusual and most people do tend to keep their rabbit in a rabbit hutch either outside or in the warmth of a shed or conservatory.

Good rabbit hutches are the essential key to keeping your rabbit fit and healthy and if your rabbit hutch is small and dirty and kept at the bottom of the garden in a damp corner it will inevitably lead to an unhealthy rabbit with a short life span.

When you go and look at rabbit hutches it is important to know the rough size of your rabbit as a rabbit will need to be able to sit on its hind legs and stretch itself out. You really just want to buy the biggest hutch that you can afford and that will fit in the area you designate.

When selecting a rabbit hutch it's important to consider the safety of your rabbit; the newer double hutches can have a split level so that during the day a trap door is opened and the rabbit comes down the ramp and into the run under the hutch or outside to a larger run and then at night the trap door is closed leaving the rabbit safely enclosed in the upper hutch and away from any predators. As the hutch is enclosed at the top this will also mean that the rabbit is warmer, you can buy a cover to generate more warmth for your rabbit as well; especially during the winter months. Most hutches nowadays also have sturdy locks and bolts and strong wire mesh which adds further protection.

Position the hutch in an area that won't get too damp or too hot and ideally have the hutch off of the ground to avoid any attack by vermin who are attracted to the warmth in rabbit hutches and also to the food inside.

To maintain the safety and comfort of rabbit hutches it's essential that the hutch is cleaned thoroughly at least once a week and that on a daily basis old food is removed and wet straw bedding is replaced. On an annual basis if your hutch is based outside it is advisable that the hutch is re-stained to protect it from the elements and hinges and locks are lubricated and tightened to prevent rust and damage occurring.

If all of these tips are adhered to then you are well on your way to the start of some happy years with your new pet rabbit. For more information on rabbit hutches you can visit

Article written by Richard Hookings Giving your rabbit a safer and more comfortable home for a happier and healthier life.

How To Groom Your Rabbit

How To Groom Your Rabbit.

Rabbits As Pets - Essential Know How

Rabbits may soon be even more popular than cats or dogs as pets. Before you decided to take a rabbit as pet, there are many things that you should know. This article is a beginner's guide to those who are thinking of getting bunnies as pets.


The average life span of a rabbit is 9 years old. This should be taken into consideration if you are thinking of keeping rabbits as pet.

A bunny may be kept in a hutch or a cage. The best cage are those with wire floor and a pull out tray. Choose a cage that is at least four times the size of the bunny. The cage should be cleaned daily.

Many owners who have rabbits as pets are not even aware about this, but your pet may be litter-box trained. Rabbit's droppings should be inspected daily for any irregularity in shape and size as this can be the first sign that they are sick.

A pet bunny's diet can be made of commercially produced pellets, hay, greens and fruits. Younger bunnies less than 7 months old should be fed with pellets and alfalfa hay. Adequate fresh water is a must.

Rabbits will constantly groom themselves. Keeping them indoor will also means that you need to do vacuuming more often. Family with members who are allergic to fur may not be suitable to keep rabbits as pet.

Rabbits reproduce few times a year and therefore should be neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying also helps prevent development of cancer in female rabbits and eliminate aggressive behaviour in male rabbits. It is easier to house train neutered and spayed rabbits.

When your pet rabbits get sick, they should be immediately brought to a savvy vet to be treated. Rabbits sometimes can't resist on chewing on furniture and electrical cables. Therefore, bunny proofing the house is important for their safety and to prevent damages. Adult rabbits tend to be more disciplined.

Pet rabbits love toys even though they may get bored easily with the toys Your rabbits will sleep through most of the daytime. This may suits working adults most as your rabbits will be active when you are at home.

The fact that more and more people keep rabbits as pet show that they are adorable pet to keep. Do not leave children to care for the rabbits by themselves as they may not know how to handle rabbits as pet

Do Rabbits Make Good Pets? 5 Top Reasons Why We Think They Do!

Are you looking at adding a bunny to your household? Keeping rabbits for pets (as compared to breeding, meat or fur) has become hugely popular in the last decade. In fact rabbits are now the third most popular family pet after dogs and cats. It seems the world is finally cottoning on to how intelligent, fun and loving bunnies are.


So, what makes a rabbit such a good pet? Well here are our top 5 reasons:

1. Bunnies are very social

In the wild bunnies live in warrens, or groups. There can be up to 40+ in a warren so your bun is used to having company (but probably not their own bedroom!) Rabbits crave interaction (compare that to cats who are essentially solitary creatures) and if they are handled frequently and gently when they are little will always be happy to interact with you.

Many a rabbit owners tells stories of how their rabbit is very inquisitive and always needs to know what they are up to.

Older rabbits tend to become even more affectionate and companionable as they age and are often content to spend the evening snuggling beside you with a good DVD, especially if it's 'Watership Down' or 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.

2. They love to play

Bunnies absolutely LOVE to play, possibly more so than any other animal. It doesn't get much better in life than watching a rabbit play. They hide, run, jump and throw their toys in sheer joy.

Bunnies even have a legendary 'jump for joy' called a binkie (or binky) which is where your bunny will jump in the air and twist at the same time. It is amazing to watch and a great sign that your bun is on top of the world.

Laughter is great medicine for all of us and it's a rare person who can watch a bunny at play and not laugh out loud!

3. They are easily litter trained

If you've heard they are hard to litter train then you've been mislead! Rabbits are naturally clean animals and provided you work with their natural instincts to keep clean you will have a toilet trained bun in no time.

4. Rabbits form close bonds with their owners

Years ago rabbits were almost thought of as 'disposable' pets. That they lived outside and weren't really part of the family. Nowadays, particularly as more and more rabbits are becoming inside, house rabbits this isn't the case thankfully.

Owners are quickly realising that they can become very attached to their bunny in the same way they do for a dog or cat and find themselves just as devastated at the loss of a precious pet rabbit.

5. Bunnies are off the scale when it comes to cuteness

OK, so this one is really logical but who can forgive us for adding it in here. Rabbits are very high on the cute scale. Who can resist the snugly, calm and inquisitive Holland Lop or the cuter than a bug and softer than velvet Mini Rex?

So, if you're looking for a new addition to your family maybe it's time to pass on a Fido or Snowball this time and consider making a bunny your new best friend?

Always keep in mind that while keeping rabbits for pets is an amazing experience, bunnies are not low maintenance animals. Please be a responsible owner and do your reasearch first.

Abbey Mitchell is a long-time animal lover and rabbit enthusiast.

Get your FREE copy of her new Pet Rabbit Care Secrets mini course from http://www.RabbitsForPets.com and learn bunny care secrets that you won't find anywhere else on the web.

5 Not So Boring Facts About Rabbits

Who wants to know boring facts about rabbits? Not us!

Here are some fun, little-known facts that are a bit more interesting than your usual 'largest rabbit', 'longest ears' sort of stuff!

Rabbits hate baths (and don't need them)

Ok, so a few of you may know of a pet rabbit that doesn't mind the odd bath or shower (even with you!) but in general bunnies don't like baths and should never be given one. Their fur takes a long time to dry so they could catch a chill while drying plus moist fur can attract parasites. Rabbits like to spend a large part of their day grooming themselves and this, along with a little human help in the form of brushing, is usually all they need to stay clean and tidy.

Rabbits' claws don't retract.

Unlike cats' claws which extended to catch prey, hook a toy and scratch your favourite sofa, rabbits' claws are permanently extended. They need them for traction when they are walking so never get your rabbit declawed. It it a very painful procedure plus it makes it harder for them to walk on smooth surfaces.

Bunnies like chocolate

Bunnies have a sweet tooth and will happily munch away on chocolate, sweets and biscuits. That's not to say that you should be feeding these to your bun. They have no nutritional value and have no place in their diet! Buns also love vegetables and fruits that are high in natural sugars like carrots and apples but at least these are good for them in moderation.

Bunnies can sleep with their eyes open

If you've ever wondered why your bun sits in his cage and seems to stare at you with eyes wide open, it may be because he's asleep. The tell tale sign is his nose. If it's twitching he is still awake but if it's still then he's catching a few Z's.

Bunnies love to taste new things

Rabbits have over 17,000 taste buds in their mouths. Compare that to humans who have around 10,000. Your bun loves to try out new things and in the wild this comes in handy as they gather their daily nutrient requirements from taking a nibble here and there from many plants. You can cater to your bunny's refined palate by offering a wide range of vegetables, plants and fruit to eat along with his hay.

Rabbits really do breed like well, rabbits!

Female bunnies (does) can have a litter every month. Let's say just one mama rabbit starts out and has a litter every month and three of those are female babies. She and her babies will go on to have the same (3 baby girls, 12 times a year) as will their offspring. At the end of three years there will be over 50,000 rabbits and at the end of four years, just one year later, there will be 1.8 million... scary stuff!

Of course this example was just a bit of fun because conditions would not always be perfect (babies would die etc) but it does show what could potentially happen.

We hope you enjoyed these and they help you to understand a little bit more about your precious, intriguing and fabulous bunny.

More facts about rabbits.

How To Clean A Rabbit Hutch

Rabbits, Hamsters & More:
How To Clean A Rabbit Hutch

Daily Routine For Keeping A Rabbit In The Winter

This was my daily routine for keeping a rabbit that I used to do everyday when I kept 2 rabbits over the winter period when it was at its worst.

In the morning I'd go out and check they had water and food, check if they were still breathing. Feed them then go to work.

When I got back from work I'd check there water and food, Feed them of course, clean the front of the hutch out and top it up with hay in there sleeping area. Cleaning the front of the hutch I'd clear all the droppings and paper and chippings with a dust pan and brush. Place newspaper down then chippings on top and put a handful of meadow hay over the top. Check the sleeping area and top it up with hay.
This all should only take about 5 minutes of your time. During the winter period I would cover the hutch over with an old sleeping bag just for extra comfort.
Of course I did bring them inside for a cuddle now and again just for a bit of a treat and to get them used to you handling them and used to you. Its much easier to do this as they get used to you being around them and aren't so frightened when you go to pick them up

At the end of the week I would let them play in the garden if it wasn't wet or in the house if it was and clean the hutch out totally. The front of the hutch and the sleeping area and spray it with rabbit cleaner, then lay some newspaper and wood chippings in both areas then bang in the hay in the sleeping area and let them bed it in. While they were out I would give them a bit of a groom with a brush just to keep their fur knot free.

You can actually train a rabbit to use a small litter tray in the hutch. A friend of mine actually does this and doesn't have to do as much cleaning in the hutch, so less hassle.

I hope this gives you an insight of what it takes to look after a rabbit and how to go about doing it.

RABBITS AS HOUSE PETS

A Documentary on rabbits as house pets.