If you are interested in knowing how to care for dwarf rabbits, you have come to the perfect place. Several years ago rabbits used to be raised outside of houses. They were thought to be wild and untamed animals and for this reason they were raised outdoors. However, today we have dwarf rabbits as pets as if they were dogs or cats. Dwarf rabbits are perfect animals to have as pets since they take up very little space being so small. Dwarf rabbits are the smallest breed of rabbits and their average weight is less than two kilos. Taking care of dwarf rabbits is a fairly simple operation since they do not require very specific care. .Unlike other types of pets such as dogs and cats, they do not need to be bathed or brushed, which makes them a perfect pet for busy people. It is also a very suitable pet for families with children since rabbits are very nice and funny animals that can become the perfect companions in children’s games.
If you are interested in knowing how to care for dwarf rabbits, continue reading the entire article that we present to you. Below we offer you in detail each and every one of the steps you must follow to have a happy and content pet.
What do you need to take care of dwarf rabbits?
- Cage
- Rabbit food
- Toilet
Instructions for caring for dwarf rabbits
- Buy a standard size cage for dwarf rabbits before you get your pet. You must do it this way so that when you get home with the animal you have a place to leave it. Make sure the cage is easy to clean. Over time you will realize that the most important thing is not so much its design as that it is functional and practical. The best thing is that you decide to buy one made of plastic and wire since they are much easier to clean and more hygienic. In addition, if you drop it during the cleaning work, it will not break so easily.
- Set up the cage. Place absorbent paper on the base and newspaper on it. In this way you will be creating a very absorbent base that will keep your pet completely isolated from moisture at all times.
- Place a litter box, like the one for cats, in the cage for the rabbit to relieve itself in it. Rabbits are very intelligent and very clean animals and will quickly learn the behavior.
- Put hay in the cage. The hay will serve for the rabbits to use as bedding as it will insulate them from the cold at night. They can also feed on it. You must pay close attention that your rabbit always has hay available in good condition.
- Once you have taken these precautions and your cage is ready, you can acquire your new pet. To do this, go to your favorite pet store and find out about the specific care of the breed.
- You should feed your rabbit several times a day. At least three. While it is a puppy, you should keep in mind that the amount of food it can take is limited, so you should not force it even though it seems to you that it is eating little. If you are worried about a possible lack of appetite, take him to the vet.
- Feed your rabbit a specific feed and include fresh vegetables such as lettuce and carrots.
- Do not give fruit more than twice a week. They love fruit and you can give it to them as a gift, prize or reward, but you should never abuse it as the sugars it contains are too good for their health.
- You can also feed them grass but make sure it is fresh and clean. Most of the grass you can find in cities is contaminated so you have to be very careful.
- Change the water every day so that fresh water is always available.
- Change the litter in the cage about three times a week and clean the cage thoroughly at least once a week. Rabbits are very clean animals and they need the place where they live to be clean too.
- You don’t need to clean them as rabbits wash themselves. If as a result of any activity it is very dirty, you can clean it with the help of a cloth moistened in warm water.
- You don’t need to brush his hair as he has a short coat. You should only do it during the mounting season. Carrying out this operation during the coat change season is quite important since by brushing it you will prevent your pet from swallowing a lot of hair that can create uncomfortable and painful balls of hair in its stomach.
- Make sure that you never leave them exposed to the sun as they do not withstand very high temperatures very well. Rabbits withstand the cold very well thanks to their fur and the hay that you put in the cage, but the same does not happen with heat. If in summer it is very hot in the place where you have your rabbits, make sure they have a shade to shelter. You can put an empty cardboard box in the cage for them to use for this purpose.
- Be aware of drafts. These can be very harmful to your rabbits so you should not put them near an open window, fan or air conditioner. This is a matter of great importance since your pets could die due to drafts.
- Take him to the vet about twice a year to get all the necessary check-ups and make sure he has all the vaccinations he needs.
Tips for caring for dwarf rabbits
- Enter small pieces of wood into its cage. They are ideal for him to gnaw on and will prevent him from chewing on the furniture in the house when you let him loose.
- When you leave the rabbit you usually have to supervise what it does. You don’t want him to do any damage to your house or get hurt.
- Give him toys and leave them in his cage to entertain himself.
- Having a pet is always a very important responsibility. Dwarf rabbits are an ideal pet for children of all ages and it’s a good idea to give them one to start taking on some responsibilities. However, you must supervise the care and cleaning operations carried out by children at all times to ensure that they are done correctly and that the rabbit is receiving optimal care.