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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 and they cannot breed and produce live
offspring.
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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.
"Jackrabbits" are hares.
