To enusre that your rabbits are healthy, here is some of the basic knowledge that one should take note before having any rabbit. Hope it will help all beginner owner of rabbit:)
Food: Rabbit only need basic food, which is pellet, timothy hay and fresh water! Pellet below protein level of 16% is encourage as high level of protein can cause wet poo. Alfafa based pellet is normaly used for kids, pregnant female. However, it can also be given to adult rabbit with a controlled sum (we here feed max 50-70gram per day. Once they are finished, it will only be top up the next day). For timothy based pellet, it will be best suit to adult rabbit whereby some may have wet poo everytime they taken alfafa based pellet. Timothy hay is important. We feed unlimited timothy hay per day (top up once finish) as it give the rabbit a chewing food. Timothy hay can provide the rich fiber that all rabbit needs. The digest system of a rabbit is the top priority of the health of a rabbit. High fiber provided by Timothy hay serve a very good souce to rabbit. Fresh water is a must to rabbit. Change the water at least once every two day (it would be best if it can be change once a day)!
Treats (to be given sparingly)
Carrots, apple, banana, pear, grapes, raisins, craisins, dried fruits. Be careful with sugary treats that make rabbits fat and are bad for their teeth. Cereals, breads, crackers, grains, seeds or nuts should be fed only occasionally as a special treat. One need to be careful when giving treats. It can sometime cause some complication to the stomach if the rabbit are in low immunity situation and thus lead to diearhea. Treat are only for adult rabbit. Never ever take the risk to feed them to kids. The safest treat that we use is seeds, shredded wheat and rolled oat. We somehow never feed them other treat as we do not want to risk it!
Litter: In the litter pan you can use many products. Pelleted paper litter are very absorbent Watch your rabbit to make sure he does not eat the litter. For safety, you may want to create a space between the wire of the rabbit cage and the tray so that your rabbit unable to steal and chew on the pelleted paper. Hay can be sprinkled over the top of any litter to encourage use.
NEVER use clumping cat litter. It is deadly if inhaled or swallowed. Clay cat litters are too dusty and might cause respiratory problems in rabbits. Do not use cedar or pine shavings that contain toxic oils.
Cage: The bigger the better! Rabbit will always feel stress when they stay in a small place. The ideal cage should enable the rabbit to do small running around and provide sufficient place for them to lie straight after the space of putting food, water, litter pan, toy, etc. The height of the cage should also enable the rabbit to stand straight on the two back leg. As rabbit loves to view high and stand on both back feet, they must be able to do this. Remember to also monitor the size fo the hole for the place the rabbit stand. If the rabbit size is small, the hole should be small as well to void the legs to step on their own litter! A rubber map can also be provided to avoid shorehock problem and as a rest place to them. Cleaning the cage is essential. Regular clean of the poo tray is encourage (especially daily). Do not use chemical when you clean the rabbit cage. And if you do, it should be diluted with lots of water and rinse throughly before the rabbit is back to the cage. Rabbit do have very sensitive nose and strong smell of chemical will affect the rabbit.
Toys: Rabbit do not need expensive toys!! The best toys is a box without printing. Cut into a small hole/ tunnel to them providing a place for them to hide, dig, and chew! Empty toilet paper roll stuck with hay will also serve a good toys to them!. These are all goods toys suggestion that are definately safe for your dear rabbit!
Hope everyone can enjoy their great holiday and 2012 years with your pets! Happy 2012!
The above is only meant for information sharing and shall carry no liability. Judgement is required from your own before any application.
With love, we breed Netherland Dwarf Holland lops Lion Head Jersey Wooley Mini Rex
