Guide to Rabbits - Burgess Pet Care

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CompanionshipExercise and playRabbits are social animals, andit’s better to have more than one.Ideally, they should be of similarsizes, to stop bullying.Rabbits from the same litter get on well, but should alwaysbe neutered. Unrelated females generally tolerate eachother given enough space, but may still fight. Unrelatedmales will almost certainly fight and can inflict nasty injuries.In both cases, neutering is recommended by vets to improvethe situation.Never keep rabbits with guinea pigs or chinchillas.They have different food and housing needs and may fight.Rabbits like to play, so make surethey have plenty of toys. Play isvery good for them because ithelps to keep them physicallyactive and healthy and helps toprevent behavioural problems likefur plucking that can arise if theyget bored.You can provide a variety of toys from pet shops or usehousehold objects. Small boxes to stand on, large pieces ofplastic pipe (ensuring your pets can’t get stuck) as activitytunnels (these can be also be bought from pet shops), toiletroll tubes stuffed with Excel Herbage and willow balls withtreats stuck in them are all good.In the garden a large, secure, covered run makes an idealplay and exercise area, and it’s simple to make an indoorversion if required.Foraging is natural behaviour for rabbits, so let them gosearching for food hidden in plenty of hay – Excel NatureSnacks are perfect for them to find.04 05
HandlingGroomingRabbits need time to get used totheir surroundings, so don’t try topick yours up for the first few days.Instead, talk to your pets softlyand try gently stroking them soyou get to know each other.After a while, your rabbits should feel confident andcomfortable enough in your company to let themselvesbe handled.It takes two hands to pick your rabbits up properly, onetaking the majority of the weight under the bottom.Rabbits are happy to be held, but can get jumpy if they don’tfeel secure, so keep them close to your body and, especiallyfor the first few times, not too far off the floor, in case theytry to jump. It’s good to have a non-slip surface to handlethem on, a towel or carpet for example.Never pick a rabbit up by the ears or the scruff of the neck– it is extremely stressful.Some breeds of rabbit,particularly the long-hairedvarieties, need you to groomthem daily to remove loose andmatted hair. It keeps your rabbitsin good condition, and helps toimprove the relationshipbetween you.There are many different combs and brushes available –always ask which ones are suitable for your rabbits.06 07
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Guide to Rabbits - Burgess Pet Care

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