Melton Messenger April 2020

58
Rabbits have specific needs if they’re to
live happy and healthy lives. From clean
living conditions to a nutritional diet, here
are some of their basic, non-negotiable
requirements for health and happiness.
Living quarters
A spacious, safe and secure
hutch with an attached and
enclosed outdoor run allows
your rabbit to get the exercise
they need. Rabbits love to run
around and chew or play with
toys. An outdoor hutch should
allow enough space for them
to stand on their hind legs,
stretch out whilst lying down,
and have a substantial run attached. Rabbits
kept in a confined space sometimes develop
skeletal problems, so it’s crucial to attach a
good-sized exercise area to the hutch. This
also allows you to see more of your pet, and
makes cleaning easier.
Rabbits require a safe, quiet and enclosed
place to rest and sleep away from view– this
could be a separate ‘room’ within the hutch, or
an area away from the main living quarters
Pets - Happy bunnies
divided by hay or straw. Their outdoor home
should be sheltered from direct sunlight and
strong winds, and offer protection from other
pets or predators such as foxes that roam
around at night.
Nutrition
Rabbits need lots of fresh vegetables,
particularly leafy greens,
rabbit pellets, a little fruit, and
plenty of hay to grind down their
teeth. They also like to eat
grass, but not the clippings from
your lawnmower – grass should
be growing within their reach, or
freshly picked in clumps from
the garden. A fresh supply of
clean drinking water is essential,
and in summer you’ll need to change it regularly
so they don’t pick up any bacteria.
Health checks
Their nails and teeth need to be checked regularly
to make sure they’re not too long, and
also their tails and bottom area, particularly in
the summer when fly strike is a huge danger.
Having a vet check them at least annually is
also essential for long-term health.
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