Rabbit Illness - What Are The Signs You Should Look Out For When Raising Rabbits

The main reason why you need to widen your gaze regarding rabbit illness is because they can lead to complications and even death. Pay close attention to your pet if you must!
Common Signs of Rabbit Illness

- Loss of Appetite - This is the most common sign that there is something wrong with your pet. No matter how enticing and attractive you make its food look like it just won't eat. In some cases if the rabbit is really sick it won't even take a small sip of water.

- Irritability - Irritability among animals is exhibited through running away when you want to pet or cuddle them. Sometimes this includes biting and screaming.
Ads by Google - Always Sleeping - A sick animal is always resting. You'll notice that it would rather sleep than eat or run around.

- Lack of Energy - you'll also notice that the rabbit does not hop around too much. It's either asleep or resting in one corner. It looks tired even though it's always sleeping.

- Fever - Animals with fever exhibit high temperature. You don't need to take a thermometer to check this. You will notice a rise in temperature when you pick the animal up. Its body is warmer or hotter than usual.

Dangerous Signs of Rabbit Illness

- Vomiting - aside from loss of appetite. Look for signs that your rabbit vomited. Check out its hutch for anything.- No litter droppings and or Diarrhea- Seems in pain when hopping or refuses to hop around. - Swollen hind leg - This can be a serious sign of injury, which is indicative of fracture.

What you can do about it

First thing to do is give your rabbit some fluids. Rabbits are generally gentle creatures so you don't have to worry about biting and scratching. Use a dropper to so the rabbit won't be overwhelmed. Don't force your rabbit you might cause more harm to him than help. Let it rest while you observe for more signs of Rabbit Illness. Give it fluid from time to time. If this doesn't work don't wait for a few days before you take it to the vet. Take the rabbit to a pet clinic immediately especially if you noticed signs of injury. The vet will prescribe medications for your rabbit which you need to religiously give your bunny. Rabbit illness doesn't usually last long; it often takes about half a day or the whole day at most before it starts to eat again.

Gail Paterson - About the Author:
Learn step by step the right way of keeping rabbits the first time and avoid having to make painful mistakes that beginner rabbit owner's are prone too. Separate yourself from the average rabbit owner who will end up harming their rabbits without knowing it and you could learn more tips on raising rabbits from the guide here: http://www.howtoraiserabbits.com.

How To Catch Rabbit In My House - 3 Great Tricks That Worked

By: Nathalie Veilleux

Photo by Micheal

If you own a pet rabbit and he does not like to get picked up, then you know how difficult it t could be to catch him.He sure knows that you want to bring him back to his cage, just like the last time.Rabbits are highly intelligent, and if they get the taste of having the whole house to themselves, catching them is sometimes tricky.I found 3 trickson how to catch rabbit in my house.They all worked for me with of course a little patience.

Attract the Rabbit Instead of trying to chase the rabbit all over the house, try to attract it with something that you know he cannot resist, such as a fruit or a carrot.Then when he comes over to eat it, let him eat some of the treat and gently pick him up.

Make him jump in his box Some rabbits do not like to be picked up at all.By doing it we can even injured them if they put up a good struggle. So instead, presend the rabbit his litter box with a great treat he loves inside.Sit back and watch. He will eventually jump into his litter box and eat the treat. Then you can pick the box with the rabbit inside and bring him where you want.

Make an easy cage entrance If your cage only has an top opening, it will be harder to teach your rabbit to go back inside by himself. Make him a side door and attract him inside by again putting a great treat into the cage. By putting the cage in a room that you can put a gate on the entrance, your rabbit wont be able to run arond the entire house.

Sometimes people think that putting the rabbit back in his cage as a punishment worked. But that will only teach him to hate his cage, when it should be his house. If you do that he will never want to go back to his cage by himself, so keep that in mind if you find how to catch rabbit in my house difficult, try to practice these tricks at times when he does not have to be in his cage. When you have to leave for work in the morning may not be the best moment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I hope that you found this information helpful about how to catch rabbit in my house .There is so much more tricks and tips about pet rabbits to learn! Feel free to visit my blog at http://www.petrabbitcare.blogspot.com for a lot of free information and enjoy learning about your pet rabbit!

Help Your Bunny Survive The Cold

By: Rob Usakowski

Winter is now approaching and so the issue of cold weather is on many peoples minds. Bunnies handle the severe cold much better than they handle the severe heat. There are two basic issues you must be concerned about during the winter months.

First, make sure your bunny has water available. During the winter months we go with crocks instead of water bottles for all of our outside rabbits. The tube of the water bottle freezes much too quickly. We then check the water three times a day to make sure the water is not frozen. If your bunny does not have enough water, it will not eat enough food to keep it warm.

The second thing to consider is shelter from the wind, rain and snow. A wet rabbit cannot maintain the correct body temperature, and this is further compounded by the wind. Yes, wind chill factors make the rabbit feel even colder than the actual temperature. It is important not to completely block ventilation in barns and sheds. Ventilation in your rabbitry is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. Insulating a barn for the winter will help keep the barn a little warmer. A balance between shelter and ventilation is important.

There are several other things you can do for your rabbits to keep them safe during the winter. We always give extra straw or timothy hay to our bunnies in the winter. This allows them to snuggle into the hay should the temperatures get really cold. Additionally, you can place nest boxes in all of your cages, as an extra place for the rabbits to snuggle into. This would be similar to a wild rabbit going into its den during extreme cold.

By: Rob Usakowski

Breeding through the winter can present a problem. Baby bunnies are born without fur. The mother compensates for this by pulling her fur and covering the babies. There are a couple of options available to winter breeders. Using a heat lamp, will give the additional warmth a baby may need to survive. Also, the nestbox could also be brought inside the house for the first two weeks. Of course the nestbox would need to go out to the doe once or twice a day so that she can feed her kits. After a couple of weeks they have enough fur to survive the cold temperatures, and will often huddle together or nestle up to the doe to stay warm.

Heaters can be used to keep buildings warm. Keep in mind the extra cost of doing so. Often these are more for our comfort than for the rabbits. The nice thing about a heater is that water crocks won’t freeze as quickly, and the barn is a little warmer when you go out to care for the rabbits.

Rabbits can survive the cold. Your diligence in making sure they have fresh water, greatly increase their comfort level and chances of survival.

About The Author

Rob Usakowski is the owner of Three Little Ladies Rabbitry, which is run by his wife Cathie and their three daughters. Visit their website atwww.threelittleladiesrabbitry.com for additional articles on raising rabbits.

What Kind Of Care Do Rabbits Need?

By: Alison Wood


There are a number of different things that need to be done in order to make sure that your pet rabbit is as happy as possible. Many of us that own rabbits as pets really enjoy the personality that many of these unusual animals have. If we take care of them properly, they will be healthy and will provide us with years of companionship. Here are several different ways that you can take care of your rabbit to make sure that they are as well-adjusted as possible.

One of the most important things for you to consider is the type of housing that you're going to give your pet rabbit. There is a bare minimum of 2' x 2' x 4' that is necessary in order to house your rabbit properly. Most people tend to go a little bit larger than that, even though the rabbit will not necessarily know the difference. The type of material that is used for the rabbit hutch is also something to consider, and you would want to make sure to provide a solid surface in order for them to have a comfortable place to rest. Even though the majority of it can be made out of wire, don't force them to stay on the wire permanently.

Feeding your rabbit properly is also very important, and there are a number of different things for you to consider in this regard. Most of the rabbit chow that is available commercially is able to provide much of what your rabbit is going to need, but you are going to have to supplement their diet with fresh, raw vegetables. It is especially important to provide your rabbit with green, leafy vegetables on a daily basis. Many people also feed their rabbits sprouts and other vegetables as a treat and also because of the energy that it will provide for them. Humans can learn a lot from the way that rabbits eat.

As far as exercise is concerned, this is something that every rabbit is going to need on a daily basis. If you currently are keeping your rabbit outdoors, it is important for you to provide a large area that is enclosed completely in order to avoid escape. Several hours a day is a sufficient amount of exercise, and they will surely enjoy even more if you are able to provide it for them. Indoor rabbits may enjoy the run of the home, but you might end up having to pick up after them quite a bit in the process.

One final thing that you need to think about is the grooming that your rabbit may need. A daily brushing with a flea brush, is essential in order to make sure that your rabbit's coat is as smooth and critter free as possible. It is also a good idea for you to regularly schedule visits with your veterinarian and perhaps even take them for a professional grooming from time to time. All of these things combined can help to keep your rabbit as healthy as possible.

About The Author

Alison Wood shares her tips for living with all different types of pets over at her aptly named pet blog, Pet Hooligans. To find out more about all your favorite little hooligans and how to increase their health and happiness, take a look at the website today ==>http://www.pethooligans.com/

How To Litter Box Train Your Bunny Rabbit

By: Deborah M

Are you serious? What do you mean litter box train your bunny rabbit? What would ever make a bunny rabbit search out a litter box and do his deed there? Habit...that's what!

I have raised several “house bunnies” for pets and I've trained them all to use a litter box. The process is very simple but you have to be consistent. We keep our rabbits in the laundry room in a wire cage that is 5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 1 foot tall. The cage is two story with a ramp so each area has the previous mentioned dimensions.. The rabbit enjoys staying in the cage but likes to come out and explore, especially if someone comes in the room. He doesn't much like tile floor and seems to be much more agile and comfortable with an area rug to hop on.

First of all, when I first bring the rabbit home I hold it incessantly. It will be necessary to take him out of his cage because he won't come out on his own at this point. Later on you won't want to invade his space but for now, if you don't assert yourself, he will never come to you.

Anyway, I pick him up, pet him, cuddle him, set him in my lap, pick him back up, give him kisses and then put him back down. I repeat this process several times and talk to him all the while. It is imperative that the rabbit gets used to human contact so he doesn't become frightened when you come around. Once the rabbit is used to being around you, he will feel more free to come out of his cage on his own and explore the area.

Eventually, the rabbit will come out for longer periods of time. When he does, he may do number one or number two on the floor or carpet. I use a tissue or paper towel to wipe this up. (Don't put chemicals in the litter box. Dab up the mess, put it in the box and then go back and clean with chemicals). I immediately place the tissue or paper towl in the litter box I have set up for the rabbit. (I just use a small litter box that has a top with a front entrance hole. Kitty litter is okay for the rabbit. The litter box should be placed next to the rabbit's cage and always remain in the same place). Next, I pick the rabbit up and place him in the litter box through the front hole entrance. He will usually dig around in here and stay for a few minutes. I have no idea what he's doing in there but when he hops out, I take the lid off and look inside. Rabbit Raisins! What do you know. He actually dropped some in there. Woo-hoo! Leave the raisins inside the litter box. This will be a clue for him the next time he goes in there.

Let the rabbit go back into his cage for while. After a short rest, you must repeat this same process. Take him out (if he doesn't come out...and he probably still won't this soon) and let him play around and wait until he has an accident. Clean it up and place it in the little box. Again, put the rabbit back into the litter box. He will do his business and hop on out. I don't leave the soiled paper towel or tissue for more than one or two days because you are constantly adding more.
Being consistent with the process will have your rabbit eventually seeking out the litter box on his own. It is a lot easier cleaning out the litter box than the tray from the bottom of the cage. At night, I always shut the door to the rabbit cage because they are nocturnal little creatures and I don't want them chewing cords or furniture and getting into mischief while I sleep. Anyway, the first thing in the morning I open the door to the cage and he immediately comes out and hops into the litter box. Just like clockwork. Amazing!

Deborah M - About the Author:
Now that you know I am into animals, I want to share a place with you that will meet all your animal supplies needs. PetCareRX has products for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and rodents (even my bunny rabbit). They have great prices on all their products including Hartguard and Frontline. They give Pet Points (to accumulate and use), PetBlogs, Live Pet Help and Pet Stories that you can submit. Check out this site. You won't be disappointed.http://www.debsmarket.info

How To Litter Train Your Pet Rabbit

By: DChick

If you own a rabbit and aren't quite sure what to do with him or her why not train him. I will show you step by step how to litter train your pet rabbit. Within a few weeks, your rabbit will be trained to use a litter box both in and out of his cage. Don't worry, its not that hard to do, I did it with my six year old daughter.

Here are three things you should do before you start to actually train your rabbit.

1) Make sure you have a proper cage for your rabbit: His cage should be big enough for him to have a "living" area and a "potty" area.
2)Let your rabbit exercise everyday. You should have your rabbit out to exercise 1-2 times a day for 30-60 minutes.
3) Feed your rabbit You should feed your rabbit a combination of fruits, vegetables and dry food three times a day.You will find that your rabbit has one or two favorite treats which you will use when you begin to train him. Ok now that you have spent a some time getting to know your rabbit and have become friends its time to start training.

Litter Training Your Rabbit This should be the first thing you teach your rabbit to do. It is a fairly easy task to do plus it will eliminate having to clean up after him while you are training himother commands. You will need a litterpan about 4 inches high and either hay or nonclumping rabbit litter to put in the litter box. DO NOT use regular cat litter. The dust can cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. Place the litter box in the room where you have been letting him exercise. Remove some "rabbit pebbles" from the bottom of your rabbits cage and place them in the litter box. Put your rabbit in the litter box and use a command like "rabbits name, go pebbles" or "rabbits name, go potty ". Don't worry if your rabbit hops out of the box, let him hop around for 10 minutes then place him back in the box and repeat the command. When you see your rabbit go potty in the box, praise him by scratching his nose or stroking his head and say "good rabbits name" or good boy/girl". DO NOT give your rabbit a treat for going potty. Do this everyday for a week. By the end of the week your rabbit should hop in the pan and go potty whenever you have him out of his cage.

Caring for a Rabbit

Handling A Rabbit

ArticleCity.com Videos

This video shows rabbit care and how to handle your rabbit. Reviewed in this short video are the proper ways to pick up a rabbit and support them to best avoid injury.

Caring For Your First Rabbit

By: Katelyn Thomas

Rabbits make wonderful indoor pets for first time pet owners. In fact, many domestic rabbits are meant to be kept indoors. Domestic rabbits are not like their wild cousins; they do not fair well in extreme temperatures. They also do not react well to predators. Domestic rabbits are very attentive and affectionate. They care about their owners and are very social. Domestic rabbits are meant to be played with and loved by the entire family.

The choice of whether you keep your rabbit in a cage or allow him to roam freely is up to you. If you do opt to keep your rabbit in a cage, you should make sure that he is allowed to get out of his cage every day so he can exercise. When purchasing a cage for your rabbit, you should take into account how big he will be when he is mature and purchase a cage that is five times that size. Your rabbit's cage should be big enough for him to sit up on his hind legs. You should also put cardboard or a piece of untreated pine wood in the bottom of wire cages to protect his paws from the wire.

If you decide to allow your pet to roam, make sure that your home is safe. Rabbits like to chew and they don't know the difference between an electrical cord and a stick. Most rabbit owners that do allow their pets to roam limit their wandering to specific areas.

Rabbits are herbivores, which means that they only eat fruits, vegetables and grasses in the wild. You should keep a bowl of commercial rabbit food in your pets eating area. However, you should feed your rabbit hay every day, as well. Many rabbit owners also feed their pets a few fruits and vegetables, such as a carrot or a bit of apple. Always provide something hard and crunchy for your rabbit to gnaw on. This will keep his teeth from becoming overgrown. You should also make sure your rabbit has access to water and that it is changed every day.

Many domesticated rabbits become accustomed to be handled and even enjoy being held. However, you should always use both hands when picking up your rabbit. Place one hand under his chest and the other around his rump. You should never lift your rabbit by his ears.

Rabbits keep themselves clean. However, you should brush rabbits that have long hair regularly to keep their fur from matting. You should trim your rabbit's nails every six weeks. Also, check your bunny's teeth when you trim his nails to be sure they are wearing evenly. If a rabbit's teeth don't meet evenly, they may grow too long and curl, preventing him from eating. If his teeth are growing too long, you will need to ask your vet to trim them on a regular basis. Rabbits do not need to go to the vet for vaccinations, but will benefit from a yearly checkup, just like any other pet. You should also take your rabbit to the vet if he has hair loss, loss of appetite, a runny nose, has difficulty breathing or has any swelling or lumps on his body.

For more information about caring for pets, from bunnies to ponies, visit http://www.animal-chat.com. Animal Chat is a place for animal lovers to hang out, with a pet chat room, a pet chat forum, pet care faqs and pet care articles

How To Litter Train Your Pet Rabbit

By: DChick

If you own a rabbit and aren't quite sure what to do with him or her why not train him. I will show you step by step how to litter train your pet rabbit. Within a few weeks, your rabbit will be trained to use a litter box both in and out of his cage. Don't worry, its not that hard to do, I did it with my six year old daughter.

Here are three things you should do before you start to actually train your rabbit.

1) Make sure you have a proper cage for your rabbit: His cage should be big enough for him to have a "living" area and a "potty" area.

2)Let your rabbit exercise everyday. You should have your rabbit out to exercise 1-2 times a day for 30-60 minutes.

3) Feed your rabbit You should feed your rabbit a combination of fruits, vegetables and dry food three times a day.You will find that your rabbit has one or two favorite treats which you will use when you begin to train him. Ok now that you have spent a some time getting to know your rabbit and have become friends its time to start training.

Litter Training Your Rabbit This should be the first thing you teach your rabbit to do. It is a fairly easy task to do plus it will eliminate having to clean up after him while you are training himother commands. You will need a litterpan about 4 inches high and either hay or nonclumping rabbit litter to put in the litter box. DO NOT use regular cat litter. The dust can cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. Place the litter box in the room where you have been letting him exercise. Remove some "rabbit pebbles" from the bottom of your rabbits cage and place them in the litter box. Put your rabbit in the litter box and use a command like "rabbits name, go pebbles" or "rabbits name, go potty ". Don't worry if your rabbit hops out of the box, let him hop around for 10 minutes then place him back in the box and repeat the command. When you see your rabbit go potty in the box, praise him by scratching his nose or stroking his head and say "good rabbits name" or good boy/girl". DO NOT give your rabbit a treat for going potty. Do this everyday for a week. By the end of the week your rabbit should hop in the pan and go potty whenever you have him out of his cage.

Get more great rabbit training tips and information Learn how to train and care for your rabbbit.

Do You Want A Rabbit?

Are you think about getting a rabbit as an animal companion? Rabbits are timid creatured, and frighten easily. Fast movements and lound noises around them may frighten them, they may struggle or try to get away and hide. And sometimes, I may scratch or nip at you, however it is being done out of fright and not aggressive. This should be considered if you are planning to have your rabbit to your family. You should think about your goal with your animal, and try to decide on a breed that will be the proper size you desire. Naturally the smaller breeds require less pen space, and less feed. You should choose the breeds, sizes, colors, speaking with breeders, ect. may be the best way to determine which breed will be best for you.

Let Your Rabbit Exercise Everyday

I like my new house because my owner keeps me indoor and never put me in a cage. I like to jump onto the sofa and sleep under the table. My house has a big yard. I run outdoor everyday. It makes me healthier. You should have your rabbit out to exercise 1-2 times a day for 30-60 minutes.