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Rabbits
are “lagomorphs” (not rodents) and they are related to hares and pikas.
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A
house rabbit pet can live up to 10 to 12 years and is a long-term
commitment.
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There
are over 45 recognized breeds in the United States and all domesticated
rabbit breeds are descendants of European rabbits. Cottontails
are their cousins from the Americas.
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Rabbits
can be litter box trained and it is much easier to train them after they
have been neutered or spayed.
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A
rabbit’s digestive system is similar to a horse and they require daily hay
to prevent digestive problems.
Rabbits cannot vomit and hairballs can be fatal.
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Rabbit
teeth grow constantly and bunnies will naturally gnaw wires, furniture legs,
etc. so rooms in a house must be bunny-proofed where they are allowed to
run.
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Rabbits
can mate as early as 3 months of age and gestation is 31 days with a litter
size of 4 to 12 kits.
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When
bunnies become adult rabbits they can exhibit aggressive and territorial
behavior. They
will spray urine, mark territory with their feces, bite and grunt.
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Young
bunnies should not be separated from their mother until they are 8 weeks
old.
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Domesticated
rabbits are very social and do best as when adopted in pairs.
They can also bond with cats, dogs and guinea pigs with proper
supervision and patience.
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Spaying
and neutering prevents health problems for rabbits.
Females are prone to uterine cancer after 5 years of age if they are
not altered.
Altering makes rabbits less aggressive and prevents overpopulation.
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Rabbits
can become very affectionate pets that can enjoy cuddling, being petted and
quiet interaction with humans especially after altering.
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Rabbits can learn their names and simple words such as “No.”
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Most
rabbits do not enjoy being picked up since they are ground dwellers by
nature. Many
will scratch and kick violently to avoid being picked up.
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The
skeleton of a rabbit
and especially the backbone is very fragile and it can break easily
when the rabbit is handled improperly or dropped.
Legs can break, too, if contact is made with a hard surface when a
rabbit is struggling violently.
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Rabbits
require a solid floor in their cage instead of a wire grate since their feet
are not padded like a dog or cat.
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Domesticated
rabbits need exercise to stay healthy and time outside a cage to run.
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Rabbits
have their own version of a purr.
They will grind their teeth softly when petted.
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Rabbits also communicate through a variety of ways such as stomping a
hind leg, grunting, honking/oinking softly, grooming each other, etc.
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Rabbits
are nearsighted and have a blind spot right in front of them.
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Domesticated
rabbits do not survive in the “wild” if they are abandoned.
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Rabbits
are most active in the early morning and in the late evening making them
good pets for working adults..
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Rabbits
are not Hares, but they are closely related. Hares have fur when they
are born and their eyes are open whereas rabbits are born blind and furless.
