Rabbit Hare
Rabbit Husbandry, Nutrition, and General Care
Rabbit Husbandry, Nutrition, and General Care
Dr.Kedar Karki
- Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Average Life Span: 9-12 years
- Gestation: 28-34 days
- Average Litter Size: 6-10 kits
- Weaning Age: 5-6 weeks
- Heart rate: 200-300 beats per minute
- Respiratory Rate: 30-60 breaths per minute
- Rectal Temperature: 101-103 oF
History
Rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents, and are closely related to hares and picas. A distinguishing difference between lagomorphs and rodents is the number of incisors each has. Rodents have four incisors and lagomorphs have six.
Domestic rabbits are the descendants of the European rabbit from Western Europe and Northwestern Africa and have been kept as pets since the 16th century.
Behavior
- Females tend to be more territorial than males, making female/female bonds the most challenging.
Nutrition
Rabbits are herbivorous which means they require diets that consist of hay, greens, and pellets.
Hay: Hay should make up the majority of your pet rabbit’s diet. Hay is very important in gastrointestinal health, prevention of hairballs, and the prevention of dental disease. Any rabbit under one year of age should be offered unlimited hay including about 50% alfalfa and 50% grass hays (western timothy, orchard, brome, oat, etc). Rabbits one year of age or older should be offered unlimited hay including all grass hays (western timothy, orchard, brome, oat, etc). Rabbits one year of age and older should not be fed alfalfa hay as it is too high in calories and calcium for the adult rabbit.
Pellets: The common misconception about pellets is that they were made for the pet rabbit. While there are a few brands that are now specially formulated with the pet rabbit in mind, many brands were originally produced for commercial rabbits to promote quick growth and weight gain. Pellets are part of today’s pet house rabbit diet, but should be limited in most cases. A good rabbit pellet consists only of the green extruded pellets that look like mashed up hay. Rabbit “mixes” that contain cute shaped pieces, dried fruits/veggies, seeds, or grains should be avoided as these extras are not nutritionally sound for pet rabbits. In fact, rabbits cannot digest sugars, seeds, or grains very well and a diet containing these can cause medical problems such as loose stool and GI stasis. These mixes are also too high in calories and fat which can lead to obesity. Rabbits under one year of age should be given an unlimited amount of pellets that are alfalfa based (first ingredient is alfalfa) while rabbits one year of age and older should be offered limited timothy based pellets (first ingredient is timothy hay). The amount of pellets an adult rabbit can have a day is based on weight and you should refer to the package instructions.
Greens: Dark green leafy veggies are another important part of the house rabbit’s diet. In general, the darker the green, the higher its nutritional value is. Rabbits can have a salad the size of its head up to twice a day. If you rabbit is not used to greens in its diet, you will want to start of will a salad half the size of its head once a day and slowly work up. Dark green leafy veggies that are great to feed your rabbit include:
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Arugula
- Basil
- Beet tops
- Bok Choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Chard
- Chicory
- Cilantro
- Clover sprouts
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens and flowers
- Endive
- Escarole
- Kale*
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Parsley
- Peppermint leaves
- Radicchio
- Radish tops
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach*
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
* Use sparingly. Contain high levels of oxalates.
Treats: Anything that is not hay, pellets, or dark green leafy veggies is considered a treat and should be offered sparingly. So what exactly do we mean when we say sparingly? A bunny that is 2 lb or less in body weight should get no more than 1 Tbs of treat food a day. A bunny that is 5 lb or larger should get no more than 2 Tbs of treat food a day. In general, commercial rabbit treats containing sugars, grains, seeds, etc should be avoided. Healthy treats include:
- Fresh Fruit:
- Apple
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Mango
- Melon
- Orange
- Papaya (no seeds)
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Fresh veggies
- Artichoke, Jerusalem
- Asparagus
- Beet
- Carrot
- Chives
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Green pepper
- Pea pods
- Sweet potato
- Turnip
- Zucchini
Water: Water is a very important part of the diet that tends to get overlooked on a day to day basis. Rabbits can be given water with a water bottle or a crock. The water bottle or crock should be rinsed and refilled with cool fresh water daily. If you live in an area where the water is heavily treated with chemicals or tastes bad, you will want to consider offering bottled water.
Husbandry
- Environment
- Predators
- Environmental extremes
- Environmental intoxicants
Behavior
Rabbits are quiet, relatively odor free, and have a propensity for chewing and gnawing.
Litter Box Training
Rabbits are very easy to litter box train.
Veterinary Care
The two main causes of illness in rabbits are improper nutrition and poor husbandry. Providing proper nutrition and husbandry as described above is one of the best ways to prevent problems from occurring.
In the wild, rabbits are prey animals that are constantly on the look out for predators. Domestic rabbits still have many of the instincts of their wild cousins. This is very important to keep in mind when owning a pet rabbit. In the wild predators with pick out the rabbits that look injured or sick. Pet rabbits will hide signs of illness until they are very, very sick as a natural defense against “predators”. Because of this, it is very important to call your veterinarian if you notice anything that is abnormal about your pet rabbit. Even something as minor as not wanting to eat a treat that is normally favored could be a sign of illness.
Rabbits should be examined by a veterinarian that is knowledgeable about rabbits at least once a year; more often if there are any signs of illness.
Nail Trimming: In addition to yearly exams, rabbits will require regular nail trimming. This can be done at home or by experienced veterinary staff. Trimming rabbit nails can be a little trickier than trimming the nails of other animals. If you are not experienced with trimming bunny nails, it is best to ask qualified veterinary staff to show you how.
Spaying/Neutering: Spaying and neutering is another very important part of your rabbit’s veterinary care. The ideal time to have your rabbit altered is 3-6 months of age. However, it is never too late to have your rabbit altered. There are many benefits to altering your rabbit. Females have a high incidence of reproductive cancer which can develop as early as 3 years of age. Spaying essentially eliminates the risk of developing uterine or ovarian cancer because the ovaries and uterus are removed during the spay surgery. Aggression and urine spraying is easily controlled or decreased with altering your rabbit.
Common Medical Problems
Bordetella: Bordetella is caused by a bacterium known as Bordetella bronchiseptica. This organism is also a pathogen in other species such as cats and dogs and is generally benign and clinically silent in rabbits. It is believed to be part of the normal flora.
Dental Disease:
Pasteurella: Pasteurella is caused by a bacterium known as Pasteurella multocida. Pasteurella can be transmitted from rabbit to rabbit by direct contact, close contact aerosol, and venereal routes. Pasteurella lives in the nasal passages and symptoms can range from frequent sneezing (snuffles) and mucopurulent nasal discharge to…
Rabbits purchased from pet stores, adopted, or otherwise obtain should be assumed be infected with pasteurella
Trauma:
Uterine/ovarian Cancer:
Breed Overview
There are approximately 45 breeds of rabbits currently in the United States that are recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). These breeds range in size from 1 kg (2.2 lb) to 5-8 kg (11-18 lb). Rabbit breeds are distinguished from each other by a combination of body size and shape, ear carriage and length, and fur color and length.
Terms and Definitions
Here are some common rabbit terms and their definitions that are good for rabbit owners to know.
- Buck – A male rabbit
- Doe – A female rabbit
- Kit – A Baby rabbit
About the Author
Senior Vet.Officer,Central Veterinary Laboratory Kathmandu Nepal M.V.St. Preventive Veterinary Mrdicine
Disney’s (1934) The Tortoise and The Hare
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Small BUNNY RABBIT Easter Animals 11oz Ceramic Coffee Mug $13.25 This Ceramic Coffee Cup Mug includes beautiful images printed on both sides. The mug has a large, easy-grab handle and is microwave & dishwasher safe. The detailed images are printed using Dye-Sublimation technology, so the graphic won’t crack or fade. ~ This artwork can also be featured on some or all of the following products offered by Creative Clam ~ License Plates | Patches | Ornaments | Earr… |
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Asian Oriental Chinese Zodiac Coffee & Tea Mug Year of the Rabbit: Birth Years 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 $7.95 Year of the Rabbit Personal Characteristics Silk Screened on the Back as follows: RABBIT: 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023 Wise and insightful, Rabbits have a deep understanding of others. Not a risktaker, they are cautious when making decisions. A protector of diplomacy, they seek compromise to conflicts. Their creativity and style surround them with beauty. Compatible with the O… |
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Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Vol. 6 $24.36 Fifteen cartoons dating from World War II give Volume 6 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection more focus than previous sets. Many of the 1940′s cartoons remain very funny. Bugs Bunny dresses up as Brunnhilda and rides in to the strains of “Tannhauser” in “Herr Meets Hare” (1945), a gag Chuck Jones re-used to greater effect in “What’s Opera, Doc” a dozen years later. In “Russian Rhapsody” (1940… |
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Looney Tunes: Spotlight Collection, Volume One (The Premiere Edition) $9.53 They’re the clown princes of animation. They’re the international ambassadors of cartoon comedy. They’re the fabulously funny friends you grew up with! And now 28 of the very best animated shorts starring the very wackiest Warner Bros. cartoon characters have been rounded up on DVD for the first time ever in The Looney Tunes Premiere Collection! Just barely contained in two special edition discs e… |
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Rabbit – 72W x 48H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $107.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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BOYD’S MILLIE HOPKINS white chenille HARE (rabbit) ARCHIVE COLLECTION – retired! $5.99 |
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Boyds Folk Art Hare DAISEY Rabbit MWT FREE SHIPPING $18.85 |
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Boyds CARLIN WABBIT RABBIT Smooth Eyebrow Hare FREE SH $14.85 |
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PLUSH RABBIT HARE ANNE BOYDS BEARS OLD FACE 1993 7.5″ $13.99 |
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PLUSH RABBIT JESSICA HARE BOYDS BEARS 2000 DRESSED 8″ $13.99 |
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MINT! 1993 Boyd’s Bears & Friends DAPHNE THE READER HARE Bunny Rabbit Reading $7.00 |
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Boyds Bears 12″ Rabbit Anastasia Hare In Romper 1997 $24.95 |
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Spence Bay Arctic Hare / Rabbit Packing Doll w Baby w Tags $16.28 |
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MARIE OSMOND ” VELVETEEN RABBIT HULA HARE “BUNNY NIB CUTE RARE $29.99 |
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Boyds Bears Bunny Rabbit Hare – 1994 $4.99 |
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1/12 Dollhouse Miniature Toy White Soft Hare Rabbit $6.20 |
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Boyds Plush Hare Lot Lila Hopkins & Millie Hopkins Bunny Rabbits $6.99 |
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Boyds Plush Hare Lot Juliana Hopkins & Hopkins Bunny Rabbits $6.99 |
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1994 Mary Meyer Carol Carini GREEN MOUNTAIN COLLECTION Windham Hare Bunny Rabbit $5.00 |
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TBC Boyds Bears JB Bean Amelia R Hare Bunny Rabbit VTG $34.95 |
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Boyds Plush Hare Tangerine Thumpster Bunny Rabbit $4.50 |
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Boyds Plush Hare Tatters T. Hareloom Bunny Rabbit $6.25 |
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BOYD’S BEAR Rabbit – Tatter’s T. Hare – With Tags $11.99 |
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World of Miniature Bears 5″ Mohair RABBIT Bunny Hare Easter $18.90 |
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Two (2) Steiff Mummel Hare Bunny Rabbit of Woven Fur EAN 078415 EAN 077548 $50.00 |
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BOYDS Small Bunny Rabbit Hare HIGGY Retired Plush $14.00 |
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BOYDS Gray Bunny Rabbit Hare HIGGINS Retired Plush $15.00 |
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Boyds Hare Bunny LikeNEW Jessica Pink Velvet Rabbit w Original Tags $5.00 |
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Jupiter Goodspeed Angel Bunny Rabbit Hare Ornament 8″ Boyds Bears Blue $5.00 |
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1995-1998 Retired Boyds 17″ Plush Hare Rabbit Zelda Fitzhare – Mother’s Day $19.99 |
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Boyds Higgins D Nibbleby 8″ NIB rabbit hare bunny plush #58330 Un-opened bag $9.49 |
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12″ BOYDS BEAR HARE RABBIT BUNNY “STANLEY R. HARE” ASH WITH WHITE FUR NO TAG $11.99 |
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J. B. Bean and Associates Boyds Stuffed Hare/Rabbit $1.99 |
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BOYDS BEARS PLUSH RABBIT HARE ORNAMENT IMMANUELLA MWT $7.95 |
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TROLL OUTFIT COSTUME BUNNY RABBIT CROCHET 5″ OOAK HARE USA MADE IN AMERICA $6.99 |
Tags: animals, art, fun, hare, rabbit, rabbit hare, rabbit hare comparison, rabbit hare difference, rabbit hare hybrid, rabbit hare story
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