14 Common Mistakes Rabbit Owners Make

In this video, we will talk about the 14 most common mistakes that rabbit owners make. Bathing your rabbit Rabbits are very clean animals and they never need a bath. If your rabbit doesn’t clean itself properly, it could be a sign that they need a visit to the vet. Bathing your rabbit can be harmful because rabbits may panic and fracture their spine or a limb if they thrash around. Bathing is very stressful for most rabbits and can cause respiratory infections and even heart attacks. And your rabbit may develop hypothermia And remember, a rabbit’s skin is very sensitive and delicate. Bathing them strips away the natural oils on their body and irritates their skin. If your rabbit needs to be cleaned, you must only spot-clean them, or give them a dry bath. Feeding them too many carrots and fruits In the wild, rabbits don t naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be given to bunnies as occasional treats in small amounts. As a rule of thumb, an approximate amount of fruit to feed your rabbit is one teaspoon per 2 pounds of body weight per day. And believe it or not, some light-colored lettuce, like iceberg, contains lactucarium and can be harmful to your rabbit Darker, fibrous and more leafy varieties of lettuce, like romaine lettuce should be fed, as they are higher in actual nutrients and fiber. Likewise, muesli should never be fed to rabbits as it can cause health problems in bunnies. Keeping rabbits outside The outdoors is full of dangers for pet rabbits. Not bunny proofing your house Some rabbits can be trouble makers. They may chew on the objects around your home, or dig into carpeted floors. Rabbit-proofing your home is a must for protecting both your pet and your belongings. Make sure to cover your exposed wires with plastic sleeves or flex tubing. Seal off spaces behind and beneath furniture and cabinets, and wrap your wooden table or chair legs with flex tubing. And it is important to keep any houseplants out of the reach of your bunny. Many plants are toxic to rabbits, and rabbits’ instincts don’t always guide them about what plant is safe for them. Not Spaying or Neutering Your Rabbit Spaying or neutering your bunny also lowers the risk of reproductive cancer and urinary tract infections. In particular, female rabbits are in danger. If they have not been spayed, they have 80% chance of facing uterine cancer by the time they are 6 years old. High Temperatures Rabbits prefer temperatures of about 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit. And temperatures above 85 degrees are hazardous to domesticated bunnies as they can easily develop a heatstroke. Wrong diet Rabbits should have a constant, unlimited supply of high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, to graze on throughout the day. Feeding too many pellets can make your rabbit overweight and may cause problems with their digestion. Your rabbit will likely beg for more treats, but don’t give in! A very small litter box A rabbit’s litter box should be big enough so they can sit within the litter and turn around without a problem. Proper litter boxes can be found in the cat section. But remember, most cat litters contain clays and chemicals that are harmful to rabbits. Clay-based litters are very dusty and can cause respiratory problems in bunnies. Instead, it’s best to use a paper-based litter, or simple plain hay. Small Enclosures Your rabbit should either live in a bunny-proofed space, or in a large exercise pen. They should be able to run back and forth, and have separate spaces to sleep, eat, and use the bathroom. Lack of attention Interestingly enough, rabbits are prey animals and evolved to hide their weaknesses or illnesses. This can prevent them from appearing as an easy target to stalking predators.Any change in their posture, eating, grooming, urination habits, or even increased aggression or a lack of energy, can be a sign of illness. Lack of socialization Rabbits are very social animals and they need daily interaction and socialization. Ideally bunnies should be kept in pairs – but if you have a single rabbit, then make sure the company comes from you. A lonely bunny can suffer from depression, stress and boredom. Trusting the pet store Most pet stores don’t have aisles dedicated to rabbits. In fact, rabbits’ supplies are often put in the same sections as hamsters, guinea pigs, or rats. However, rabbits are actually quite different from all these animals. Using a water bottle It’s not easy for rabbits to drink water from a water bottle, and lack of water can cause dehydration or kidney disease in bunnies. Eye catchy pellet mixes Many eye-catchy pellet mixes marketed toward rabbits contain sugary pieces, seeds, peas, and other ingredients that often lead to an unhealthy rabbit digestive system and obesity. Instead, give your rabbit just those plain, boring-looking pellets, and your rabbit will love you for it.