A rabbit is a very vulnerable animal, especially to disease. So how do you keep your rabbit from getting sick?
- Greens-feed a handful of fresh greens daily, especially dandelions, which are extremely nutritious. Watch you don't feed too much, though. Too much can cause deadly diarrhea.
- Hay-(The kind fed to cattle. Limit quantities of Timothy Hay or other "pet store" hays, as these are really not very healthy and may actually hurt your rabbit.) Hay helps a rabbit's digestion and keeps the pounds off, high fiber.
- Exercise-A rabbit needs plenty of exercise to keep healthy, just like you or me. It's simpler to exercise a rabbit, though, than it is a person. Many rabbits love toys, or if they don't, place as treat up high (I recommend vegetable treats, such as carrots, rather than the sugar-laden treats you find at the pet store!) so they will stand on their back paws to get it, thereby exercising their abs. Also, when possible, allow to play in the grass, but be sure to have boundaries, such as a fence, to keep the rabbit from wandering off and to keep preditors away from the rabbit.
- Claws -trim to ensure they won't get caught in their cage wire, or if indoors, on carpeting and other hazards. A caught claw can mean a broken back, missing claw or other injury, sometime permanent.
- Teeth- Make sure to give your rabbit plenty to gnaw to prevent overgrowth. We give apple branches to ours.
Whether your rabbit is a pet or breeding stock, these steps should keep it healthy, happy and injury free for years to come!
Not intended as medical advice. See your vet to find out what more you should be doing to protect your rabbit.
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