Adopting A Pet Rabbit
A pet rabbit behaves in a similar way
to a
wild rabbit.
With the right care, dedication and the right environment, rabbits can make great pets.
With the right care, dedication and the right environment, rabbits can make great pets.
Rabbits are the third most popular pet in UK. It is estimated that one million rabbits are kept as pets in this island alone. On average, a rabbit pet can live for 10 years.
Bunnies are cute and adorable but
require extra care and space to roam around.
Pet shops often sell rabbit cages that are to small for purpose.
Rabbits should have freedom even when kept in their hut. They love to chew and dig, this is part of their natural behaviour so endevour to provide the right environment for them.
Before deciding to adopt a rabbit for a pet, ascertain who is going to have the responsibility to look after him/her.
Children will quickly volunteer and even keep up for the first few months but ultimately and legally it will be your responsibility.
Also children younger than 7 years old should be supervised and shown how to handle this fragile creature with great care. Rabbits do not always like to be picked up, a fall can easily break a bone.
Bunnies do not like loud noises or to much excitement. They do develop stress related diseases if environment conditions are not right.
Despite being shy creatures, rabbits like to socialize with their own. A rabbit on its own can get very lonely but take care to separate them with wire mesh screen to stop them from breeding.
You need to ensure that the pet rabbit hut has sufficient heat and protection during winter months if left in a pen outside. Extra welfare checks during the day and at night are highly recommended. Their pens need regular cleaning and fresh hay every day.
You can help discourage breeding farms by adopting your rabbit from a rescue center instead. There are a variety of charities that have unwanted pets and they need love too.
By adopting a rescued rabbit you are also saving him/her from a less fortunate fate due to vast number of unwanted pets and lack of space to accommodate them all.
Check out these Rabbit Welfare guidelines for more care tips.
Pet shops often sell rabbit cages that are to small for purpose.
Rabbits should have freedom even when kept in their hut. They love to chew and dig, this is part of their natural behaviour so endevour to provide the right environment for them.
Before deciding to adopt a rabbit for a pet, ascertain who is going to have the responsibility to look after him/her.
Children will quickly volunteer and even keep up for the first few months but ultimately and legally it will be your responsibility.
Also children younger than 7 years old should be supervised and shown how to handle this fragile creature with great care. Rabbits do not always like to be picked up, a fall can easily break a bone.
Bunnies do not like loud noises or to much excitement. They do develop stress related diseases if environment conditions are not right.
Despite being shy creatures, rabbits like to socialize with their own. A rabbit on its own can get very lonely but take care to separate them with wire mesh screen to stop them from breeding.
You need to ensure that the pet rabbit hut has sufficient heat and protection during winter months if left in a pen outside. Extra welfare checks during the day and at night are highly recommended. Their pens need regular cleaning and fresh hay every day.
You can help discourage breeding farms by adopting your rabbit from a rescue center instead. There are a variety of charities that have unwanted pets and they need love too.
By adopting a rescued rabbit you are also saving him/her from a less fortunate fate due to vast number of unwanted pets and lack of space to accommodate them all.
Check out these Rabbit Welfare guidelines for more care tips.
Every
pet owner has a duty of care to ensure that all rabbit welfare needs
are met which most owners already do so:
- Somewhere appropriate to live
- A suitable diet, including fresh water
- The ability to express normal behaviour and suitable space
- For any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
- Protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.
For more information check out the Animal Welfare Act.
Did you know that 23th-29th May is rabbit week?
If you live in Kettering, you can take your pet rabbit to Easipetcare for a Free full check up.
Local vet clinic Easipetcare are turning May 2011 as Rabbit Month!
Offering a free full check up for your rabbit and a free bunny goody bag. Just pop in, no appointment necessary. More
Key Rabbit Findings
Below are the key findings from our Animal Wellbeing Report for rabbits in the UK.
View the full report to find out more
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