Choosing to adopt dwarf
rabbits is more and more frequent among pet lovers. This is because these mini
bunnies have this reputation of being particularly adapted to kids, thanks to
their calmness and tender character. The little bunnies are also easy to tame
and can live in relatively small spaces. If you are considering getting a cute
and loving pet that is able to adapt well to your apartment, a dwarf rabbit may
be an excellent choice.
Here are some useful
tips to help you take care of these little balls of fluff.
Which breed to
choose?
There is a multitude
of breeds. As they basically have the same needs and character traits, your
choice will mainly depend on your preference in terms of appearance (fur color,
shape,…etc.).
As far as I’m concerned, I find the following rabbit breeds to be most attractive. Of course the list is
very long and choices are almost infinite.
The polish rabbit
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(Photo credit: Svadilfari via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-ND) |
As he originated at
the end of the 19th century, he is believed to be the oldest dwarf
rabbit. The polish bunny has a white fur and bulging pink or light blue eyes.
The Lionhead
As his name suggests,
this bunny looks just like a lion due to the long hair around his head.
Although introduced in the US back in 1999, this breed is still little-known
among rabbit lovers.
The dwarf Angora
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An adorable ball of fluff, the dwarf Angora has a beautiful fringe on
the forehead, sideburns on the cheeks and hair tufts in the tips of his ears.
The dwarf Rex
The dwarf Rex is very well known for his fine and upright coat. The coat
has an amazingly plush feel. For families looking for first-time pets for their
children, the mini Rex is an excellent option thanks to his extremely kind
character.
Male or female?
There’s a tendency to think that a female would be gentler than a male.
This is not the case. The calmness of the bunnies depends on his/her sexual impulses.
The less impulse he/she has, the more obedient he/she will be. Anyways, rabbits
available in pet shops are mostly males as breeders prefer to keep females for
reproduction purposes.
For many reasons, it is preferable to have your bunny sterilized. This
will make him calmer and cleaner. The operation is done at the veterinarian and
is totally riskless. The bunny recovers from it fast: after only one day, he
gets his full energy back.
Hygiene
Like with a cat, it is quite easy to get your rabbit do his business in
a specific place. If he lives in a cage,
he will choose himself a corner where he would always defecate. Otherwise, you
will have to be firm on the matter at first. For this, do not hesitate to scold
him if you surprise him doing it in a wrong place and show him the right
location. However, do not use any form of physical punishment. This will make
him fear you, and you do not want that.
The cleanliness of your bunny also depends on his living space. If he
lives in a cage, he needs a large enough space that contains a corner where he
sleeps, another where he eats, and of course a separated “bathroom”.
By nature, a rabbit likes to be always clean. That is why he grooms
himself many times a day. For this reason, it is necessary to frequently clean
the cage (every 2 or 3 days). If not, he won’t do his business inside it and
would rather do it in a cleaner place (Couch, house corners…Etc).
Free or in a cage?
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(Photo credit: JaseMan via Visualhunt / CC BY) |
You can choose to keep your bunny as a free-range pet, meaning without
using a cage. In this case, he would have access to the whole house. If you do
so, don’t forget that likes to gnaw. If you don’t wish for him to end up as a
roasted rabbit, it is then necessary to hide all electric wires. Rabbits are
also keen on paper, carton and even wood sometimes. So do not let books at his
disposition, or he will cut them to pieces.
If you prefer to use a cage, keep in mind that you need to let him free
for one hour a day at least as he needs to stretch his legs, to run and jump
around freely. The best option is to put the cage in your room; your bunny will
enjoy your company and would be happier.
Food
Two types of food are absolutely necessary for your little rabbit: Hay
and fiber rich vegetables. You can also use mixes of seeds and vegetable
patties available in all hypermarkets. While hay should be always at his
disposition, give patties only in the morning. As dwarf bunnies tend to rapidly
go over-weight, try to permanently keep control over food rations.
You can provide fresh fruits and vegetables as well. As you may know,
rabbits are fond of carrots, apples and other radishes and salads. Here again,
provide only small proportions to keep control over your bunny’s weight and
intestinal transit which may cause rabbit anorexia.
Veterinary care
The main care is vaccination. There are two mandatory yearly
vaccinations, one against Myxomatosis and the other against VHD (Viral
Hemorrhagic Disease). Be cautious to symptoms of these two diseases as they can
be fatal.
Another important care is related to teeth. The rabbit’s teeth are like nails, they
permanently grow. Normally, lower and upper teeth mutually wear out while
chewing rough food. However, they sometimes grow out of place. In this case, it
is necessary to trim his teeth regularly (once or twice a month). Although it
is preferable to get your veterinarian do it, you still can perform this
operation yourself using an adequate small clamp. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt
him.
Understand your bunny’s language
A rabbit is generally quiet unless he is somewhat frustrated (he would
then emit a sound like loud snoring) or feeling a pain (he would loudly
scream). Otherwise, he would use his
body language to express himself.
Here are some examples:
If he repeatedly pokes you with his head, he’s is asking for caresses.
If he repeatedly hits the grounds with his leg, he’s either asking for
attention or he’s frightened by something (Often an unusual noise).
If he rubs his teeth against each other, he’s is feeling good.
The position of your bunny’s eyelids is also an indicator. Half closed
eyes are a sign of comfort while wide open eyes are a clear indicator of fear.
Final thoughts
A dwarf rabbit is not a toy. He is rather a fragile pet that needs daily
attention. I find it inconceivable to let him by himself even for 48 hours. When
you go on vacation, take him with you or leave him with a trustworthy person
who will be able to provide the minimum care during your absence.
Lastly, a rabbit is appreciates good care and is generally very grateful
for it. But he can also be overly resentful and would do everything to upset
you.
Thank you to our guest post writer: Marvin Delany!
Be sure to check out my post on Growing Fodder for your Farm Animals!
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Nice article! I really like your blog. Rabbits, like any other pet, require proper care if they are to remain healthy and live longer. Their cages should have many best rabbit toys to play with and places to climb. Thanks for sharing.
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