Care of Rabbits
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
CARE OF RABBITS in protein, calories, and calcium, which may be Introduction undesirable in some patients. It is more difficult to return overweight animals to their proper The domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus weight and to control some cases of chronic soft cuniculus, is a descendant of wild rabbits living stools if patients are fed large amounts of alfalfa in western Europe and northern Africa. In their hay. In addition, it is not helpful to mix grass natural environment, rabbits are gregarious and and alfalfa hay, as the more palatable alfalfa hay reproductively successful. They are completely will be eaten exclusively and the grass hay left herbivorous (eat only plants) and most actively behind. Pet rabbits have been placed on an all forage in the twilight or nighttime hours. hay diet for up to 4 months to treat digestive tract Rabbits use their claws to dig and burrow into disorders without ill effect. the ground for shelter and protection. They The three main drawbacks to hay are: rarely stand their ground when threatened but instead use their considerable speed and Some rabbit owners are allergic to hay dust maneuverability to escape harm. Domestic and cannot be exposed to it. rabbits or wild rabbits kept in captivity, however, Hay can contain the eggs of Baylisascaris can display an amazing degree of aggression procyonis (the raccoon roundworm) if it was when upset or threatened. taken from the top of the pile in an open Rabbits make excellent pets. They are hayloft or left outside on the ground relatively easy to care for and can be litterbox- uncovered. trained. Their fastidious nature, unaggressive It may be difficult to obtain quality grass hay behavior and quiet manner make them year round. increasingly popular house pets. Rabbits live an average of 5-10 years A less desirable but usable alternative to (potential life span, 15 years). Males reach loose hay is pressed hay cubes, which can be breeding age at 6-10 months of age, and females purchased in many pet and feed stores. at 5-9 months of age. Pregnancy lasts 29-35 The second most important part of the days (average of 31-32 days) and litters average diet of the pet rabbit is clean, fresh leafy greens, 4-10 bunnies. (See Important Physiologic including kale, collards, beet tops, carrot tops, Values on the last page). parsley, dandelion greens, chicory, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, raspberry leaves, basil, Diet mint, endive, raddichio, wheat grass, and Swiss chard to name a few. A minimum of three The diet recommended for the different greens should be fed daily, but the more noncommercial, non-breeding pet rabbit is free variety the better. If the rabbit has never had choice grass hay and large amounts of fresh leafy greens, establish it on hay first; then introduce a greens with added vegetables and fruits. Hay is variety of greens over a few weeks at a minimum the most important part of the diet as it provides amount of 1 cup of tightly packed greens per 1 a naturally high indigestible fiber source and kg body weight per day. Once rabbits are well encourages proper tooth wear. Good quality established on this diet, the total volume of grass hay is also rich in other needed nutrients greens is unrestricted. Rarely, an owner will such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and observe a soft stool in relation to a particular carbohydrates. Grass hays available in the green food (parsley is a common culprit); that United States include timothy, oat, barley, and food may be removed from the diet. Rabbits that bromegrass or mixed grasses. Alfalfa hay can be ingest large amounts of greens will greatly used if grass hay is not available, but it is higher decrease the amount of water they drink. Other 1 Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action university. If you have trouble accessing this document because of a disability, please contact PVM Web Communications at [email protected]/20 fresh foods fed in smaller amounts include desired, where fresh hay cannot be fed, or where carrots, pea pods, green pepper, broccoli, owner compliance feeding the “natural” diet is brussels sprouts, melons, berries, apples, pears, poor. Unless a weight gain is desired, the peaches, papaya, pineapple, and mango. Avoid amount of any pellets used in the pet rabbit diet feeding legumes or grains (including bread, should be restricted. cookies, oats, and corn), which are high in Fresh water is offered free choice and starch, and grapes and bananas, which often are should not be contaminated with supplements, “addictive.” Fresh food provides not only which may reduce water consumption. As important fiber, fluid, and other nutrients, but mentioned, rabbits on a diet high in fresh foods also likely provides stimulation in terms of drink considerable less water than a rabbit on a different tastes and textures of foods. Rabbits pelleted or all hay diet. Rabbits should be fed a diet comprised primarily of grass hay and encouraged to exercise daily; ideally, they should fresh foods are less likely to chew their own or not be kept in cages but rather in large pens. other rabbits‟ fur and are less likely to spend Daily exercise has multiple health benefits time chewing on cage bars, dry wall, furniture, including improvement of digestive tract and newspaper. motility. Owners like to feed “treat” foods, and The solution to many rabbit health they can be encouraged to find special fresh problems is feeding an appropriate diet for this foods, particularly fruits, that can be used in this species. The biggest obstacle to a healthy diet manner. In addition, fresh nontoxic tree has been owner resistance to abandoning what branches, blocks of untreated soft wood, and has historically been touted as the “proper” unfinished grass or wicker baskets can all serve rabbit diet (i.e., pellets). In addition, some rabbit as excellent “dietary toys” as well as exercise for owners like to feed their rabbits an assortment of the teeth. treat foods that are usually high in fat or starch, The least important part of the diet of the which only complicates matters further. Once a noncommercial, non-reproductive pet rabbit is lethargic, overweight rabbit that produced soft commercial pellets. The free choice feeding of a stools has been on a healthy diet for a few weeks, variety of commercial pellets has contributed to we often hear comments like, “I didn‟t know he innumerable cases of dental disease, obesity, had that much energy! He isn‟t a „couch rabbit‟ enteritis (inflamed stomach), ileus, and gastric anymore.” stasis. After removing or severely restricting commercial pellets in the diet of the pet rabbit Eating of Night Feces and supplementing it with hay and greens, the frequency with which these conditions are seen Rabbits engage in relatively uncommon has been reduced dramatically. Commercial but normal behavior when they deliberately eat pellets are based on alfalfa meal, grains, and small, soft, moist (often mucus-covered), light other supplements and are designed for the rapid green fecal pellets directly from the anus. These growth of the commercial or laboratory rabbit special “night stools” are especially rich in that is usually not intended to live out its full life protein, vitamins and minerals. Rabbits must span. To the credit of some feed companies obtain these nutrients in this fashion. This there are commercial pellets now being produced behavior is most often carried out in the early that are more suitable for the pet rabbit. They morning hours and is rarely observed by rabbit have a high fiber content (18% minimum), a owners. Sometimes, however, they choose not moderate to low protein level (14%-16%), and to eat the night pellets, and you may notice these low calcium and fat. These “pet rabbit” pellets slightly different droppings in the morning. can be used in situations where a weight gain is 2 Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action university. If you have trouble accessing this document because of a disability, please contact PVM Web Communications at [email protected]/20 Handling and Restraint recommended. The Plexiglass or towels provide relief from constant and continual contact with Improper handling may cause serious, the wire floor, helping to prevent hutch sores on life-threatening injuries. Fractures and the feet (see section on Hutch Sores – Sore dislocations of the back, most often resulting in Hocks). A water bottle or ceramic crock, food paralysis of both rear legs, are the most common dish and a litterbox should be provided for the injuries. These injuries also occur when rabbits rabbit inside the enclosure. are suddenly frightened and attempt to escape Under no circumstances should rabbits be from a small enclosure. allowed total freedom within the home. Rabbits A rabbit‟s spine is relatively lightweight love to chew and can be very destructive to and fragile. When a rabbit becomes frightened, household furnishings. Further, they can be it violently struggles by powerfully kicking its seriously injured by biting into telephone and back legs. The lightning-fast movements of the electrical cords. rear legs cause over-extension of the lumbosacral Like cats, rabbits can be easily trained to (lower back) region of the spine, which use a litterbox in the home. If the rabbit has frequently results in fractures or dislocations. already selected an area for elimination, the One should never try to overpower a struggling litterbox should be placed in this location. It rabbit. If a rabbit violently resists physical helps to place some of the rabbit‟s fecal pellets in restraint, it should be immediately released and the litterbox to encourage its use.