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The Importance of Rabbit Hutch Security
Door fastenings are a concern when purchasing or constructing a rabbit hutch. Indeed, with all domestic animals, safety begins with successful containment. Rabbits go missing regularly from gardens. More often than not, the culprit is an urban fox, but cats, dogs and birds of prey are also guilty. The rabbit may well discover itself that it has a loose, rusted or otherwise easily undo-able clasp on its hutch and thus get out all by himself. Overhaul hutch security the moment it becomes necessary to do so. Better still, add a hasp and padlock. Sadly, there are pet thieves about, and while they are unlikely to make off with an entire hutch, it is a matter of a few seconds’ work to swipe the unprotected occupant.
Any run or exercise pen that you construct needs to be roofed. Rabbits can jump high, and predators can leap or scramble in. Then again, it is delightful to watch as Bunny wanders freely around your garden, but even supervised, a rabbit whose keeper takes their eye off the pet for a moment will escape through the tiniest of gaps. Making a garden fully escape-proof is hard to do and takes diligence. Wire mesh used in external fencing has to be lodged under the soil surface. Make sure, too, that your rabbit cannot access poisonous plants. There is a long list, and it includes many garden favourites. Here are just a few: poinsettias, cyclamen, garlic, foxglove, mistletoe, peony, rhododendron, periwinkle, boxwood, the china berry tree and even buttercups.
Quite apart from the risk of being poisoned, outdoor rabbits should be given a regular health-check. You can learn how precisely to carry this out yourself if you order the “Bunny MOT” leaflet from the Rabbit Welfare Association. Most owners know about the two most distressing diseases to affect rabbits – myxomatosis and VHD. These are both fatal, so there is no solution other than to maintain a regular vaccination programme. There is further unpleasant information that is nevertheless worth knowing about. Fly strike, a parasite attack which usually occurs in summer, takes place when a fly lays its eggs on your pet and the maggots, when they hatch, burrow into Bunny’s flesh. Also known as ‘myiasis’, it has been known to ‘strike’ even rabbits kept permanently indoors. Dirt, rotting food, faeces, decaying teeth and open wounds are can attract a fly which then chooses its spot for egg-laying. Both the blow-fly and the bot fly carry out this gruesome practice and it is therefore really worthwhile to check your rabbit regularly all over for fly eggs and for the tiny holes made by bot fly larvae. Lumps under the skin are another sign. You can remove flies’ eggs, but don’t leave it to chance. Take your rabbit to a vet, promptly. For prevention, the importance of keeping both your pet and his rabbit hutch clean cannot be overstated.
Once the three big issues for your pet of shelter, physical safety and disease prevention have been catered for, it is time for the most important aspect of rabbit ownership: building an ever-evolving relationship with your bunny – whether it lives indoors or out. Some websites that might be of interest include: www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk and www.rabbitwelfarefund.co.uk .
Keeping Miniature Bunnies at Home
Families with small children often decide that dwarf and miniature rabbits are a good choice. Everyone can pick them up and handle them and of course, they are cute! Singling out which of the smaller breeds to go for is not easy. It can of course be limited by the availability of breeders in your local area. Smaller rabbits are ideal for indoor rearing, of course. They can live in a manageable rabbit cage, rather like a guinea pig. What follows is a quick hop through the very smallest breeds.
Weighing a maximum of 2lbs 8oz, the Netherland Dwarf is the tiniest of all dwarf rabbits. While the male can be bad tempered, the doe Netherland Dwarf is known for her placid temperament, making her a good choice for young members of the family and she won’t require a particularly large rabbit cage. Not only the smallest, this is the rabbit breed with the largest number of possible colours. The Art Garfunkel song ‘Bright Eyes’ must surely have been composed in honour of this twinkly button-eyed little gem.
Also decidedly dinky is the rabbit sometimes referred to as ‘Polish’, the Britannia Petite. Very ‘classic ‘in shape, it is not unlike a miniature common rabbit. Among ‘standard’ rabbits the Britannia Petite, in keeping with its name really is the smallest. Often with a white coat and red eyes, they do come in other colours. Gentle handling of their delicate bodies is necessary, so they may not be suitable pets for the youngest family members. As they are very active and alert, they might not be content to spend too much time cooped up in a rabbit cage. Potential owners need to be aware of their reputation for giving little nips with their teeth!
Another very popular choice is the Mini Rex with its special coat. So fine are the hairs of its pelt, it feels just like velvet. Its ears are endearingly upright, as well as being quite short and chunky. Its bigger relative is the rex, and they share the same colour variations.
The charmingly named American Fuzzy Lop weighs up to 4lbs, when fully grown. The curiously flattened-looking face is sometimes likened to that of a bulldog, the other striking feature being of course those lop ears. They are fancied, too, for their long fur. Being what is known as a wool breed, they have to be groomed frequently. With rather a ‘hunched’ look, the American Fuzzy Lop may not be to everyone’s taste.
Not quite so well-known in the UK is the extremely friendly Himalayan, a rabbit distinguished not just by being miniature, but also because of its interesting colouring. The Himalayan, not surprisingly, given its name, has a white coat with black, blue, lilac, or chocolate markings. If you buy a youngster, you will see that there is a light grey tinge to its coat. This will grow out until it turns a snowy white. This is possibly the best choice of all for a cage rabbit.
Another little rabbit, the Holland Lop, isn’t always friendly, so with this one you pays your money … Interesting to look at, the distinguishing feature is a flattened head, making the eyes very far apart, combined with a large-looking body. The crown (the part of the head between its ears) is raised on the Holland Lop. Its lopped ears, deep-set eyes and soft coat make it popular.
Rarely weighing more than 3lbs 8oz, the Jersey Wooly is exceptionally fluffy. There is a bewildering array of possible colour combinations with this one. Interestingly, its face and ear fur is short, while the rest of its hair is thick, long and very soft. Not for the faint-hearted, these bunnies have specific dietary requirements and their coats need extra daily attention.
Once you have picked your small rabbit, you will be concerned to make the right investment in a suitable rabbit cage. A respectable decent-sized cage is likely to cost you from £45 to £109, with some exclusive styles, and two-storey versions with an internal ramp, costing more.
Once you have your rabbit cage, you will no doubt be tempted by the plethora of possible accessories. The bunny tent is just like a tiny one-man igloo tent and works as a great hideaway when the rabbit is in its run. Little squashy armchairs, rabbit beds of every conceivable shape, tubes to run through, the ultimate, balls to roll around which let dry food escape in small quantities, the latest in drinking bottles and non-tip feeding bowls, toys that rattle, and other fun items are waiting to fill up that rabbit cage, so no matter how miniature the rabbit you have acquired, where the cage is concerned, don’t get a small one!
Rabbit Open Day Bonanza, 1st May Liverpool
If you live anywhere near liverpool Drop in and see the Rabbit Welfare Team at Vest4 Pets.
RABBIT OPEN DAY BONANZA !!!!
1st May 1 – 3 PM
Come to Our Rabbit Open Day, and see behind the scene’s of our new veterinary
practice … Vets4Pets in Old Swan.
We’re hoping to raise money for RWAF… (www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk)… working to
improve the lives of domestic rabbits across the UK.
Childrens raffle to win a cuddly toy rabbit!
Competition, to win a bottle of wine for you, and a
free vaccination for your rabbit!
Rabbit Face Painting!
Come and meet James, our Giant Bunny, who’ll be
handing out leaflets and free rabbit Goody Bags!
Ask questions about rabbit welfare and husbandry and get answers from your local
experts !
All week, from 26-30 April we will be offering free rabbit health checks with our
qualified nurse Rachel, and £5 off the normal price of each Rabbit Vaccination
local
experts !
All week, from 26-30 April we will be offering free rabbit health checks with our
qualified nurse Rachel, and £5 off the normal price of each Rabbit Vaccination.
Vets4Pets OS Liverpool supports www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk
Vets4Pets OS Liverpool Ltd, Old Swan Centre, Broad Green Road, Liverpool L13 5SQ.
T: 0151 252 0000 F: 0151 228 6726 W: www.vets4pets.com
How to choose a Rabbit Cage
We all cherish our homes, thinking of them as a refuge, a snug hideaway, a place to relax and to sleep off the stresses and tiredness which day brings. Human health, physical and mental, depends on having a secure, warm habitat. Pets are not so different from ourselves, if perhaps less consciously aware of the reasons they need for a designated ‘me’ space. In fact, if anything, our four -legged friends are even more territorial than we are, and can be quite compulsive in their behaviour towards their own spot.
In the case of rabbits, this is in fact one of the reasons for having one’s pet neutered. Female bunnies, in particular, can develop a rather aggressive habit of lunging at their handler when the door of the rabbit cage is opened. (Of course, if you have rabbits of both sexes you need to have them neutered. Additionally, non-neutered females invariably contract uterine cancer.) That aside, the importance of establishing a comfortable home for your pet cannot be overstated.
Options when it comes to purchasing a rabbit cage are surprisingly wide. In shape, size and construction materials, there is considerable variety. You can house your rabbit out of doors, but don’t forget that these are creatures which in their natural habitat would get to huddle together for warmth within the warren. Therefore, in bad weather it is best to cover the open mesh front. Equally, take precautions against excess heat and avoid a spot that is in direct sunlight.
All hutches need a nesting area with a solid front. This is for cosiness, privacy and darkness. The living area needs a chink-free mesh front with no ragged wire which could damage the occupant. Over time it is necessary to check for stray ends of wire or possible corrosion.
Not every owner chooses to go down the hutch route, but instead some keep their rabbits as house pets. This works fine once Bunny has been trained to use a litter tray. Of vital importance, though, is to have a secure cage for use when no owner is present. Equally, an indoor rabbit must have a sleeping area, the safest option being within the cage.
Inside the rabbit cage, the bedding material options are hay, straw and wood shavings (avoiding aromatic evergreens). Be aware that hay will need to be replenished, as Bunny munches his way through it. Among the really quite engaging accessories is the ‘Super Sleeper Critter Cuddl-E-Cup’. This is a diminutive pet bed lined with imitation lambs wool that has the benefit of being machine washable.
Life can be boring for our long-eared friends. However, they do spend a surprising amount of time eating. This is the way nature keeps their teeth from getting too long. To facilitate this natural eating pattern, hay is essential. Ways to prolong feeding time and reduce boredom including packing a helping of hay into a used water bottle or other narrow-necked container, or stringing up vegetables such as carrots so that they dangle from the cage roof.
Where possible, fresh grass (plucked no more than thirty minutes previously) should be provided. Best of all, give your rabbit access to grazing in the warmer weather. It is, besides, the best food for rabbits, and a great fibre provider. Keep dry food mixes to a minimum.
The domestic bunny when out of its rabbit cage and running around the house will tend to transfer its love of chewing to household objects, given half a chance. If you can’t instantly spot him, this may well be what he is up to. Some suggested solutions include smearing eucalyptus oil or lemon juice on items such as furniture that you know your rabbit tends to target. Whether in or out of the rabbit cage, a well-cared for bunny will give, and hopefully receive, many hundreds of hours of enjoyment in its (relatively) long life.
Darius Crowned World Largest Rabbit.
Darius the Coninental Giant bunny Has been crowned The Biggest Bunny in the World. At over 4′ long and weighing more than 3 1/2 stone he really is a heavy weight and he is still growing.
Initially Ms Edwards thought that Alice would be the pick of the litter but Darius really has proven to be “Big Brother”. A spokesman from Guinness World Records said: “This is the biggest bunny in the world. Darius is bigger than all the previous record holding rabbits. It’s unbelievable that a rabbit could grow to over four-foot long.”
Ms Edwards from Worcester has bred a lot of very large bunnies, here offspting have held the title for quite some time. Darius’s mother Amy also held the title and having had over 30 offspring daruis really is pick of the bunch. These contintal giants are so large they have to live in dog kennels as even the largest rabbit hutch is just not big enough!!
Read the full story in the telegraph.
