Caging
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Although rabbits don't need a large enclosure, something bigger would surely be appreciated. Most rabbits are actually kept in pens stationed in the corners of a house. It is best for them to be placed in a quiet room of the house if possible, so your rabbit won't be frightened by loud noises. These pens are usually dog kennels, with the sizes adjustable to suit you and your rabbits needs. A hutch attached to the cage is a great place for your rabbit to retreat to when they feel necessary.
ToysRabbits are very prone to boredom, and this can have negative effects on their health. If a rabbit gets too bored, it may resort to pulling out its own fur. In order to suppress your rabbit's boredom, you will need to provide it with a multitude of toys. You may have to experiment with different toys to find ones that your rabbit is interested in, but it's important to give them a lot. You must also make sure that the toys you give your rabbit are made out of materials that are safe for them to ingest. Natural toys like sticks and pinecones are great options, and toys that are made of wood also help to trim down the rabbits' teeth, which never stop growing. Cardboard boxes are also a safe and fun toy for them to play with.
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Exercise
Rabbits need daily exercise in order for them to stay fit and healthy. It is recommended that a New Zealand Rabbit gets at least 4 hours of exercise per day, but this can be shortened by simply giving them a bigger enclosure to move around in. A great way to exercise your rabbit is to simply put them in a space for them to hop around in. This can be an enclosed space or you can let them hop around your house. It is important not to leave your rabbit unattended in your household as they could begin to chew things like furniture or even electrical cords. Letting them hop around on their own isn't the only way to exercise your rabbit though. Another great way is to teach them tricks. Rabbits are very intelligent creatures and can learn to do tricks such as give high fives or come to their name. This is not only a great way to enrich your rabbits life, but its also a great way for your rabbit to bond with you.
Getting Your Rabbit Fixed
While having your rabbit spayed or neutered is not a necessity, it can be a good idea for various reasons. Aside from the obvious lack of future babies, getting your rabbit fixed can have positive effects on their health. A fixed rabbit is less susceptible to ailments such as uterine cancer and urinary tract infections. Not only will fixing your rabbit increase its potential lifespan but it also helps to keep them calmer and more manageable while they age, as male rabbits tend to spray their urine to mark their territory and can become aggressive.
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Litter Training
That's right, you can litter train your rabbit! A litter box in the corner of your rabbits cage or pen similar to that of cats is all your rabbit will need. For litter you can either use paper based litter pellets or hay. Hay is a great option because it provides a source of food for them to munch on while they use the bathroom, this actually something that rabbits find comforting. Rabbits will often choose a corner to use the bathroom in, and this may not be the corner where you've placed the litter box. If this is the case, simply move the litter box to that corner. A hay trough reachable from the litter box can help encourage the rabbits to use it. It is often easier to train a rabbit to pee in it's litter box rather than poop in it. This is because rabbits sometimes cant even feel it when they poop, so they don't even realize that its happening. Good thing that healthy rabbit will always have solid, non-messy poop, and neither the poop or the pee has a strong odor, so it wont stink up your house. |