| While
many think of rabbits as children's pets, more and more adult
homes are discovering rabbits to be the perfect fit. Most active
at dusk and dawn, they are on the same schedule as many working
households. And as quiet, graceful beings, they make exceptional
neighbors in thin walled apartments and townhouses. The domestic
rabbit is a peaceful soul with a mischievous sense of fun. They
bound and leap and hop about exploring everything in their environment.
Weighing anywhere from 2 - 20 pounds, rabbits can be trained
to use a litter box and respond to their name. In order to fully
enjoy their lighthearted personalities, daily freedom to explore
rabbit-proofed areas of the home and to snuggle with their human
family is strongly recommended. Taken from ASPCA web site.
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Myth 1: Rabbits are
great, low maintenance pets. Reality: Although they don't need
to be walked like dogs, rabbits are anything but low maintenance.
Their quarters need daily cleaning, and fresh food and water
must be offered daily, including a salad of well washed, dark
green leafy vegetables. Certain rabbit health problems can become
chronic and can require regular (and sometimes expensive) veterinary
treatment. To complicate the picture, veterinarians skilled
in rabbit medicine are often hard to find. Myth 2: Rabbits
only live a year or two, so no long commitment is necessary.
Reality: Well cared for indoor rabbits can live 7-10 years,
and some live into their teens. This is approximately the same
life span as some breeds of dogs, and requires the same long-term
commitment.
Myth 3: Rabbits do not need veterinary care the
way dogs and cats do. Reality: Although rabbits in the USA do
not require annual vaccinations, nevertheless, regular veterinary
checkups help to detect small problems before they become big
ones. Companion rabbits should be spayed/neutered by veterinarians
experienced in rabbit surgery. This not only reduces hormone-driven
behaviors such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing, but
also protects females from the risk of uterine cancer, the incidence
of which can exceed 50% as rabbits grow old.
Myth 4: Rabbits
are happiest outdoors in a backyard hutch. Reality: Rabbits
kept outdoors in hutches are often forgotten and neglected once
the novelty wears off. Far too frequently, they are relegated
to a life of "solitary confinement" and are subject to extremes
of weather, as well as to diseases spread by fleas, ticks, and
mosquitoes all of which can adversely affect their health and
life span. They can die of a heart attack from the very approach
of a predator - even if the rabbit is not attacked or bitten.
Rabbits are gregarious creatures that enjoy social contact with
their human caretakers. The easiest way to provide social stimulation
for a companion rabbit is to house him indoors, as a member
of the family.
Myth 5: Rabbits are rather dirty and have a strong
odor. Reality: Rabbits are immaculately clean, and once they
have matured and are spayed/neutered, they go to great lengths
not to soil their living quarters. They will readily use a litter
box and if the box is cleaned or changed daily, there is no
offensive odor.
Myth 6: Rabbits love to be picked up and cuddled
and do not scratch or bite. Reality: Although some rabbits tolerate
handling quite well, many do not like to be picked up and carried.
If rabbits are mishandled they will learn to nip to protect
themselves. If they feel insecure when carried they may scratch
to get down. Unspayed/unneutered rabbits often exhibit territorial
behavior such as "boxing" or nipping when their territory is
"invaded" by the owner.
Myth 7: Rabbits - especially dwarf breeds
- do not scratch or bite. Reality: Rabbits have powerful hind
legs designed for running and jumping. They need living space
that will permit them ample freedom of movement even when they
are confined. Dwarf rabbits tend to be more active and energetic
than some of the larger breeds, and require relatively more
space.
Myth 8: Rabbits can be left alone for a day or two when
owners travel. Reality: Rabbits need daily monitoring. Problems
that are relatively minor in some species (a day or two of anorexia)
may be life threatening in rabbits, and require immediate veterinary
attention.
Myth 9: Rabbits do fine with a bowl of rabbit food
and some daily carrots. Reality: The single most important component
of a rabbit's diet is grass hay, which should be provided, free
choice, daily. Rabbit pellets should be given only in very limited
quantities.
Mary E. Cotter, Ed.D. 2002 Courtesy of Mary E. Cotter,
Ed.D. House Rabbit Society |