Little Star Rabbitry

Many people have their own theories on what is best for a rabbit.  There are some definate NO's and YES's to keeping a rabbit as a pet or deciding to raise rabbits. 

You definately do NOT want to give your rabbit Ice-berg lettuce.  It has no nutrients and is all water and unfortunately will end your rabbits life quickly.

Do Not pick up a rabbit by the ears.  It is not much harder to pick up a rabbit on the scruff of their neck behind their ears and then support their bottom.

Do Not let very young children hold rabbits without supervision.  I have seen a few rabbits returned to a friends rabbitry that have had broken backs from children squeezing them or holding them the wrong way.

Go ahead and try approved rabbit veggies and fruits but one at a time because each rabbit may react differently to foods...just like any mammal or animal.  Introduce a new food only every 3 days.  So you can tell which one is upsetting their stomach.  Rabbits waste droppings should be round little balls...Not loose/runny stool.  Allthough rabbits do eliminate cecotropes which are smaller droppings clumped together...about once a day and they usually eat these before they are seen and it is part of their digestive system. 

The more space the better for a pet rabbit but this is not always possible.  One of the many things that makes a rabbit a great pet...is that you can purchase a cage that is at minimum 4 times the size of your rabbit....and keep it in an inconspicuos place or what not.  Then you can just let your rabbit run around for a few hours a day outside of it's cage.  Although the cages/enclosures come in many shapes and sizes and are made from many differnet materials.

If you keep your rabbit on a wire bottom cage...Make sure to clip their nails regulary so they don't get caught and possibly break a toe.  Also give them a resting spot so they can keep their feet off the wire when they desire.  Just make sure to keep that area clean.

If you give your rabbit a cage filled with pine shavings or hay (and NEVER cedar, the oils in it harm animals) just make sure to clean it often enough so the soiled/moist areas do not begin to harbor molds or flys and other unwanted buggys!

The best way to provide water to a rabbit is by water bottle (with a ball stop valve) bowls can be contaminated by body waste or young rabbits can suck up water through there nose.

Food can be suspended from the side of the cage in a container or in a ceramic bowl on the bottom of the cage that can not be easily tipped over.