Striegel Animal Hospital

Over 50 Years of Quality Medicine

Contact Us!

Medical Watch

Rabbits as Companion Pets

General Facts

Rabbits can make excellent pets. Domestic rabbits are descended from wild rabbits of Western Europe and Africa. There are many different sizes, shapes, and colors in today’s breeds. Dwarf breed rabbits are popular currently. They usually weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. The largest domestic rabbits, such as the Flemish Giant, weigh up to 16 pounds. The average life span is 8 to 10 years. Rabbits are social animals, and enjoy the company of people, other rabbits, and sometimes other animals when given proper introductions.  

Diet

The most important preventive health care that you can provide your rabbit is good nutrition. In the wild, rabbits are mainly grass eaters. They need a large amount of roughage and fiber in their diets, and their intestinal tracts are designed to digest it well. Therefore, rabbits need to be fed a large amount of grass hay in captivity. Timothy, Bermuda, or Fescue hays are the best. Alfalfa hay has too much calcium for the adult rabbit, and may lead to the formation of bladder stones. It may be fed to young, growing rabbits though. Hay should always be available to a rabbit to graze on, and should comprise roughly 80% of the diet. Approximately 5% of the diet (about 1 loosely packed cup per day) should be fresh, clean vegetables and fruits. In non-obese rabbits, the remainder of the diet can be pelleted rabbit feed made with Timothy hay. The Oxbow company makes an excellent line of feed for rabbits. Clean water in a sipper bottle or heavy bowl should be available at all times. Do not allow your rabbit to eat large amounts of a food that it is unaccustomed to (including grazing on lawn grass), as this could cause severe intestinal upset. 

Environment

Rabbits love to explore, and should spend time out of their cage under supervision. The largest possible cage should be purchased. If the cage has a wire mesh floor, part of the floor should be covered with a piece of solid flooring and soft bedding to prevent hutch sores on the feet. If the cage floor is solid, the bedding should be very thick and soft, and cleaned at least weekly. Bedding can include old towels, paper towels, non-scented wood shavings, recycled paper shavings, or synthetic fleece. Cedar and pine shavings are irritating to the rabbit respiratory system and should not be used. Some rabbits can be litter box trained. Be sure the litter box has low sides for the rabbit to climb over. Pressed paper litter (like Yesterday’s News) or corncob litter may be used. An enclosed hide box will be appreciated as a safe place to sleep. When your rabbit is let out for supervised play, be sure that you have rabbit-proofed the room. Rabbits are curious, and may chew on electrical cords or other undesirable items. Place a litter box in a quiet location in the room for your rabbit to use as needed. Rabbits do not tolerate heat well, and should be kept indoors during the hot summer days if possible.

Medical Care

Rabbits are not given vaccines. Two infectious diseases that every rabbit should be screened for are Pasteurella and E. cuniculi. These require a blood test. All rabbits should be spayed or neutered. Unspayed female rabbits have an 80% chance of developing uterine cancer or mammary cancer. Both males and females may become aggressive and mark their territory with urine when unaltered. Some rabbits will develop overgrown teeth which will need to be trimmed by a veterinarian. Contrary to popular belief, this is a developmental abnormality and not related to the availability of objects to chew on. Recently there has been speculation that a lack of exposure to ultraviolet light (sunshine) may play a role in the problems some rabbits have with their teeth. Rabbits have strong back muscles compared to the strength of their spines; improper handling, or letting the rabbit kick its hind legs forcefully could result in a spinal fracture and paralysis. Use proper handling techniques to support all parts of the rabbit when you cuddle with it.

Twice yearly veterinary examinations are recommended, as rabbits age rapidly. Yearly bloodwork is recommended to screen for internal problems. Flea control may be necessary – consult with our veterinarians for current recommendations on safe products. With the proper care, your rabbit will make a great addition to your family!

For an appointment at Striegel Animal Hospital, please call (618) 457-4133.