Caring for Your Pet Rabbit

By Karen Patry
Published on December 5, 2014
1 / 5

Pet rabbits need attention and will be most open to your affection in the late afternoon and evening, when you're likely to be coming home from work or finishing homework.
Pet rabbits need attention and will be most open to your affection in the late afternoon and evening, when you're likely to be coming home from work or finishing homework.
2 / 5

When choosing a pet rabbit, remember that wooled breeds require more grooming than Rex and normal breeds.
When choosing a pet rabbit, remember that wooled breeds require more grooming than Rex and normal breeds.
3 / 5

Use a nail trimmer and cut the tip of each nail of your pet rabbit as shown, but avoid nicking the quick, the area closest to the toe itself.
Use a nail trimmer and cut the tip of each nail of your pet rabbit as shown, but avoid nicking the quick, the area closest to the toe itself.
4 / 5

You can wipe away debris from the anal glands of your pet rabbit with a cotton swab dipped in mineral oil.
You can wipe away debris from the anal glands of your pet rabbit with a cotton swab dipped in mineral oil.
5 / 5

“The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver,” by Karen Patry, gives the first-time pet rabbit owner and the experienced livestock farmer alike helpful information on raising the domestic rabbit.
“The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver,” by Karen Patry, gives the first-time pet rabbit owner and the experienced livestock farmer alike helpful information on raising the domestic rabbit.

The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver (Storey Publishing, 2014), by Karen Patry, addresses questions and concerns about housing, feeding and breeding rabbits at every stage in their lives. From choosing productive meat and fiber breeds to preparing a proper nest box and coaxing a fussy bunny to eat, you’ll find proven answers and humane solutions to your rabbit-raising quandaries. In the following excerpt from Chapter 2, “The Rabbit as a Pet,” Patry conveys useful information for beginning pet rabbit owners.

You can purchase this book from the GRIT store: The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver.

Rabbit Care 101

Q. What is involved in caring for a pet rabbit?

A. A rabbit’s physical needs include shelter, food, water, chew toys that entertain and help keep their teeth chiseled, and protection from fear and predators. A sturdy wire cage or hutch will do the trick, whether you house your pet rabbit indoors or outdoors. Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and allowed to roam indoors, but they can be destructive and must be supervised. House rabbits will find a hiding spot in which they feel secure. That spot may be in their cage or may instead be among the dust bunnies deep under your bed!

If your pet rabbit has the run of part or all of the house and/or spends time romping in the yard or garden, you’ll need to be attentive to the intentions of family dogs or cats until you are certain that they think “Friend!” and not “Dinner!” at the sight of a pet rabbit. Sometimes members of different species get along great and can be trusted to play together nicely. With others, you can never be confident — make sure you know which situation you have.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-803-7096