by Ann Dennis

Created on: May 25, 2008

Things you need to know about having a rabbit as a pet.

First you need to acknowledge that a rabbit, like any animal, is a living thing. Its basic needs are also the same as other living things. Food, water and companionship are essential. You must learn and understand the specific needs of a rabbit pet.

Rabbits are quiet (unless they're being attacked by a wild animal) and relatively clean. They pick a spot in their cage to use as a toilet which makes it easier to clean up after them. Of course males have a nasty habit of spraying to identify territory. This can be solved by the vet if you want to keep him inside. Many inside rabbits have been litter trained. Try it you might like it.

Food can be as easy or complicated at you want. Talking to a vet will help you decide what your rabbit needs but in general if you get a good pellet you're covering just about everything. But adding green stuff will add to your rabbit's pleasure. If you get a young rabbit,check with your vet before feeding any green food. Always feed in moderation. Some foods are better than others just like for us. Carrots will be at the top of the list along with apples. I learned only recently that rabbits like sunflower seeds the black ones are best. And to add to their fun give them a fruit tree branch to strip. It has a little nutritional value and entertainment with the added benefit of wearing the rabbits teeth down as they gnaw on the branch.

There are other considerations if you keep your pet inside. One safety hint is to never leave your bunny alone in a room; they can eat through an electrical cord in fractions of a second. Of course if your bunny has a bathroom accident while you are out of the room and you don't see it you might discover it at a more embarrassing time, so no loose rabbits unattended.

If you decide to keep your pet outside he/she must be protected from weather, predators and extreme temperature changes. Rabbits can stand a lot of cold. They survive heat, given some extra care. But the one thing they cannot stand is moving from one temperature to another. So don't bring bunny in from the cold to play then take him/her back to the cold. Make sure in the winter that your rabbit has plenty of liquid water. If you provide snow, its OK, but they will need extra grain to make up for the energy used to melt the snow to water and they will need a lot. But if you are going to be gone all day snow is better than going without. During the summer you can provide your rabbit with a

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