Myths about pet rabbits.

Sigma Force

For anyone that has or intends to have rabbits as pets please read.

MYTHS ABOUT RABBITS.

Rabbits should be housed with guinea pigs:
No, rabbits should never be housed with guinea pigs whether they get on well or not.
Aside from the bullying, risk of injury from even an accidental kick and totally different diets you are putting the guinea pigs life in danger as rabbits carry Pasteurella which can be passed on to guinea pigs but may not show any signs in the rabbit.

Rabbits should be housed in hutches:
No, hutches should only be used as a shelter or somewhere to lock the animal away safe at night, the animal must be able to stretch out fully outwards and upwards and be able to move about comfortably in it. They require a secure run attached as large as possible or preferably to live in the house as a house rabbit.
Some people consider a large run to be about 3 feet long this is totally inadequate for even one rabbit.

Rabbits should be fed lettuce:
No, lettuce has no nutritional value it can easily lead to diarrhea because of it’s high water content this can be fatal to rabbits.
Romaine lettuce is safe but in small amounts, again it has no nutritional value.
Too many greens can give the animal bloat or diarrhea.
That said they should have fresh fruit or vegetables daily e.g. carrot, apple, parsnip, cauliflower.

Rabbits should be house alone:
No, rabbits are a sociable animal they should be kept in pairs at least (neutered/spayed).

Only Male rabbits should be neutered:
No, female rabbits have an 80% change on contracting uterine cancer and should be spayed by the age of 6 months by a competent small animal veterinary surgeon.
Males should be neutered.
Rabbits who have been spayed/neutered need to be kept clean, warm and indoors until they have had their stitches removed, always use a buster collar.

Starve a rabbit before an anesthetic:
No, never ever starve a rabbit even before an anesthetic.
Rabbits cannot throw up.
A rabbits needs to have food in it’s stomach at all times, as soon as an operation is over they must be encouraged to eat and drink. If a rabbit stops eating veterinary attention needs to be sought immediately.

Only outdoor rabbits need to be vaccinated:
No, indoors or outdoors all rabbits must be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and VHD.

Rabbits make a good pet for young children and are low maintenance:
No, if a rabbit is chosen to be a pet for a child of any age the parents must take full responsibility and over see the day to day care and handling of the rabbit. Young children must always be supervised.
Rabbits require a lot of space and exercise, gone are the days they can be locked away in a hutch at the bottom of the garden.
They require daily cleaning and feeding twice a day, nails need to be cut regularly and require up to 3 visits per year to the vets for check ups and vaccinations, more if they become ill.

Rabbits only live a few years:
No, rabbits can live up to 10 years sometimes more if cared for properly.

A pair of bonded rabbits can make enjoyable, amusing and interesting pets if cared for correctly, when choosing any small animal take into consideration their needs and weigh up the cost and care they require. Choose a healthy animal where you know as much of their background history as possible.

For more information on rabbits or rabbits looking for loving homes contact below.

E-Mail: guineapigrescue123@eircom.net
Website: www.guinea-pig-rescue.com
Phone: 087 95 69 277

Kevin_rc_ie

thank you for that interesting information.