The best rabbits to keep are male rabbits that tend to be placid and laid back once neutered. Neutering and spaying is highly encouraged as both sexes tend to be less aggressive and more placid once their tendency to mate has been removed. Female rabbits are also suitable and although both may appear nervous they will rarely bite unless scared. They are much more suitable for older children and can live for between 6 to 8 years.
Rabbits are naturally very nervous animals and it may take a little while for them to get used to their new surroundings. Unlike rats that normally shouldn’t be handled for a day after they move in, rabbits should be left for about 5 to 6 days. When picking them up it is important to use both hands so that they do not struggle too much and hold it close so that it feel secure. Children will need to be supervised but the more the rabbit gets used to them and you the more comfortable it will be.
It is important to provide plenty of stimulation for your rabbit when it is in its cage or hutch. Rabbits can get easily bored and it is vital to provide it with gnawing toys made out of either wood or willow. Guinea pigs are also very good companions for rabbits. Try to let your rabbit out everyday and give it plenty of time to run around. If you rabbit is a house rabbit, you can get a suitable cage for it to live indoors. Neutering will prevent your rabbit’s natural tendency to mark its territory. You can train a rabbit to use part of its cage as a toilet by pacing some soiled shavings there. It is a good idea to purchase some odour absorbing pet litter such as wooden pellets. You should clean out your rabbits home at least once every week using pet-safe disinfectant.
Hay is an essential part of a rabbits’ digestive process. This will provide fibre and will also help grind the rabbits’ teeth down and stop them getting too long causing the rabbit unnecessary pain. You will also need rabbit food such as muesli or nuggets. Nuggets are much better as the rabbit cannot be selective about the food that it eats. If it does this if you have fed it muesli it could become unwell due to a nutrient deficiency. You can also feed you rabbit fresh fruit and vegetables that has been washed if it is over 16 weeks old. If changing you rabbits diet you must do it gradually over several weeks as not to cause a stomach upset.