Monday, November 2, 2009

Rabbit Hutch Supplies - 3 Details You Must Have for Your Rabbit Hutch

By: Frank Froggatt


Photo: mooremama2000

It is important to look at rabbit supplies if you are wanting to keep rabbits. One of the things you definitely want to have is a rabbit hutch. If having more than one rabbit is in your sights, then you may need to have a hutch with separators or more than one hutch as oftentimes rabbits don't get along very well. I'm going to provide you with three rabbit hutch supplies you need to have to take care of your rabbits.

Shelter for Your Rabbit

A rabbit cage, or "Hutch", is the first thing that you're going to have to have as your rabbit needs a place to live.There is a huge selection of different types of rabbit cages you can buy, anywhere from small ones to condominium size. It all depends on how many rabbits you have as well as the space you have, as to what type of rabbit cage you want to buy.

Waterers

Probably one of the most important things that you need for your rabbit hutch, is a watering system. Water is the most fundamental element to creature lives to survive so you will need to give it this. You can find a lot of different types of watering systems on the market today, some are automated which makes the task of watering your rabbits a lot easier. If you have a bunch of rabbits that you're raising for food, then having an automated water supply could be a real bonus for you and make your life a lot easier. One of the most frequently used and common types of watering devices is the simple type that straps to the outside of the cage with a metal tube that comes out of the bottom. The ones with a tube coming out of the bottom are the ones I always used as a kid growing up raising rabbits.

Rabbit Feeders

Food is the last element that your rabbit needs to survive, so I believe with that said a rabbit feeder is in order. Rabbit feeders are just simple contraptions that sit on the outside of the cage, with an access hole for the rabbit to stick its head in and eat. The other option you could choose besides putting on one of these outside feeders is to place just a normal bowl on the inside of the cage, but this could turn out really messy. Rabbit feeders on the outside of the hutch are always the best option

About The Author
If you're looking for a rabbit hutch sale then follow the link and you will find many quality rabbit hutches that will fit all budgets.
http://www.rabbithutchforsale.com

Things to Think About Before Acquiring a Rabbit

By: Hagar Lagarto

Photo: Prattoon

Rabbits have been popularly kept as pets in Western nations since the 1800s. Rabbits can adjust well to indoor life, and can even be litter box trained. Like all pets, rabbits need a considerable amount of care and attention.

Often people purchase rabbits from a breeder. Many people prefer breeders under suspicion that some pet stores sell cross bred rabbits. Such a breeder who has a litter of young rabbits available for sale can be found in the newspaper classified ads listed under "Pets" or "Livestock." Some can be found through rabbit breeders' club publications or through rabbit-related magazines, which often include a breeder listing. With the advent of the Internet, many breeders advertise their stock online.

Finding a local rabbit breeder is generally preferred to shipping rabbits for long distances, as it can be stressful for the animal. Many pet shops nearly always carry smaller breeds of rabbit such as the Netherland dwarf, the Holland lop, and the Mini-Rex. These breeds, although smaller than 'normal' rabbits, still live long and healthy lives. A point to note is that often smaller breeds of rabbits are prone to tooth problems such as malocclusion.
Rabbit rescue organizations or a local humane society are increasingly common places to find adult rabbits, who may already be spayed or neutered and docile from handling. Though most rescued rabbits are healthy, some may require special care for health conditions or behavioral problems resulting from prior abuse.

Training and Play

Pet rabbits can be trained to urinate and defecate in a litter box or on a newspaper in a specific corner of a room. The litter box may also be placed inside the rabbit's cage or the rabbit can be trained to treat the cage itself as the litter box. Litter training becomes much easier once a rabbit is spayed or neutered.

Rabbits cannot learn voice commands like a dog, but can recognize different patterns of the voice. For instance, If a rabbit is disobeying, for example biting, simply make a high pitched noise, or an extremely bass noise and the message will be conveyed. Rabbits can be taught their names, although they recognize the pattern of the noises more then the words. Rabbits are intelligent, and enjoy games and toys.

It is possible to permit a rabbit to run loose in the home if rooms have been rabbit-proofed (i.e. dangerous chewable items such as electric cords are removed from the pet's reach). Rabbits have a tendency to chew on items in their space, particularly wires, although they can be trained not to chew.

It is important that if a rabbit is allowed to roam in a house that it be impossible for the rabbit to chew or get into dangerous or valuable items. They do not possess the same comprehension as a dog or a cat, and often don't understand if punished physically; rather they will become scared or confused if some kind of punishment is used, as they do not see the damage they have done. If all this is taken into consideration, rabbits make excellent house pets.

Companionship

Other rabbits
Unneutered rabbits frequently fight when paired with another rabbit of the same gender. Generally fighting is a result of sexual mounting, which is engaged in by rabbits of both sexes upon other rabbits of either sex; this behavior stresses the rabbit being mounted and can make it aggressive toward its cagemate. Unneutered rabbits of opposite sexes will breed rapidly, so a pet owner should not leave them together, even if they do not fight.

Because of these problems, it used to be preferred to keep rabbits caged individually. However, it is becoming common to spay and neuter pet rabbits allowing male and female rabbits to live together. Fighting can result even from pairing altered rabbits. Keeping rabbits in pairs can limit behavioral problems (such as general aggression, biting or withdrawal) which may arise if rabbits are kept single.

Pairs of bonded and desexed rabbits, usually one of each gender to a pair, can often be adopted from animal shelters. These have usually already had all their major expenses taken care of (desexing) and they will rarely fight or harass each other, taking the trouble out of bonding two separate rabbits.

Guinea pigs
Some books recommend keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together to meet their social needs. While some people have seen success with this technique, the current consensus is that rabbits should never be kept in the same cage with guinea pigs. A rabbit can easily harass or injure a guinea pig; this can lead to severe distress or even death for the guinea pig. It may be unintentional or due to being startled, since the rabbit is larger and stronger so can seriously injure a guinea pig. They also have differing nutritional requirements, so it is therefore preferable that rabbits and guinea pigs are fed separately. Guinea pigs require additional Vitamin C in their diets that rabbits don't. Lack of Vitamin C may lead to scurvy.
Additionally, guinea pigs typically show very little interest in social activities necessary for the rabbit's well-being, such as grooming; this limits the intended benefit of housing the guinea pig and rabbit together in the first place.

Dogs and cats
It is generally recommended that dogs should never be left alone with rabbits as their predatory instincts (or overenthusiastic play) can lead to the dog attacking the rabbit spontaneously. Cats, on the other hand, can become close and safe potential companions if properly introduced to the rabbit and they are of at least roughly equivalent size. In fact, when the cat is introduced in a home with a resident rabbit, the rabbit sometimes will act aggressively to establish his territory and the cat, which does not have such concerns, will typically cede the point to the resident.

About the author
Hagar lagarto is a long time Pet lover with many articles and websites on the subject.You can get much more info at http://pet.freehostia.com

Rabbit Hutches

Kate Riding





Rabbit hutches can be purchased premade, or, if you are particularly adventurous, you can choose to construct your own. Rabbit hutches should be elevated off the ground and have waterproof tops to protect pets from inclement weather. At The Rabbit Hutch Shop you will find a wide range of rabbit hutches and runs that have been specially designed for your Bunny rabbit. A rabbit hutch is the best choice for a rabbit kept outside. The traditional rabbit hutch is a plywood box, one foot by one foot by four feet in size. Although rabbit hutches are typically used outside, they can be used indoors if space allows.

Choosing a Hutch

Whether you choose a rabbit cage or a hutch, be sure to keep your pet's safety and comfort in mind, avoiding selections that are very small, contain wire bottoms, or have sharp edges. The traditional rabbit hutch is a plywood box, one foot by one foot by four feet in size. Bedding straw should be replaced on a daily basis and the hutch should be cleaned thoroughly each week. A rabbit should be able to stand on its hind legs and stretch out full length in the bed section of the hutch as a bare minimum requirement.

Pet

Pet rabbits should be protected from contact with wild rabbits to prevent infection and this includes the situation where wild rabbits might have contaminated the grass area where you might place a portable run for your pet rabbit. So before you bring one of us rabbits or any pet home really, just make sure you are doing it out of genuine love for the animal and not because of some holiday, or because its trendy. Rabbit hutches and runs sold in pet shops are often woefully inadequate for adult rabbits. This is especially true when people buy pet shop hutches along with a baby rabbit when they have no idea of it's adult size. Also, keep in mind that if you're buying a hutch for a baby rabbit, you should estimate how large your pet can grow up to be and do the math according to his full-grown size. Many people continue to keep their pet in a small hutch, perhaps sited at the bottom of the garden. Your veterinary surgeon can advise you on the vaccinations and annual boosters that are required to keep your pet protected.

Rabbit hutches can be purchased pre-constructed, or, if you are particularly bold, you can choose to construct your own. Although rabbit hutches are typically used outside, they can be used indoors if space allows. Wood rabbit hutches are the most common, with screened-in or wire-mesh sides. Looking at design in addition to size, you need to consider rabbit hutch design when determining your purchase. The roof should also be detachable to aid in the cleaning of the rabbit hutch. A typical rabbit hutch is relatively easy to build, offering your rabbit sturdy and reliable shelter, good ventilation and nest boxes where bunnies can be born. See more


About the author: Kate Riding care for Rabbit Vibrators at her home.