A rabbit makes a great pet for children of all ages. Rabbits are cute, cuddly, they are easy to care for and they eat easily available natural foods. Rabbits may seem like simple creatures, but in fact they do have distinct personalities, habits and preferences.

For example, did you know rabbits can:

• be taught to use a litter box?

• be trained to walk on a leash?

• jump up to approximately 3 feet high?

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Bunnies also love to chew; in fact, they need to because its good for their teeth, so make sure that a chew treat is provided to them at all times. Rabbits are also known to have ‘temper tantrums’ – they do this when they can’t get something right. Rabbits are also very affectionate creatures and need lots of attention and love every day.

As with other household pets, there are some important do’s and don’ts when it comes to rabbit care. Here are some of the major points:

Do:

Feed your bunny hay, veggies and dark green leaves.

Make sure his cage is big enough for him to move about and not cluttered with bowls and toys.

Get your rabbit pet insurance – pet care is expensive and rabbits also need visits to the vet on occasion.

Provide a water bottle, a food bowl, a litter pan and some chew toys.

Don’t:

Pick a rabbit up by its ears.

Feed him chocolate or ‘human’ food.

Leave a rabbit unsupervised outside – a cat, dog or even a hawk could think of him as prey.

Leave the cage in direct sun or outside in the cold at night.

Rabbits sometimes struggle and kick when picked up, but this is because they do not feel safe. A bunny will feel safe and not react with violence if it is picked up properly, which is done by supporting his legs and holding the body firmly, but not tightly.

When adopting a baby rabbit, also known as a ‘kit’, make sure that the kit has been properly weaned from his mother and is at least eight weeks old. Happy, healthy rabbits have bright eyes and soft and shiny fur.

The amount of feed you give your rabbit will determine his size, and rabbit pellets should be provided sparingly. Fresh cut grass is also a rabbit’s favourite snack, as long as there are no pesticides or fertilisers on it. Do not over feed your pet though, as an overweight rabbit may end up with health problems.

Direct Line offers great pet insurance cover at great premiums, so get your pet insured today.

Please note that Direct Line does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above.

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