Rabbits are a fun, unique addition to the family but have specific needs and special care for a happy, long and healthy life. Your Livonia veterinarian at Sheehy Animal Hospital wants you to know the following in order to keep your rabbit happy and healthy. Steps to ensure a healthy rabbit include:
Step 1: Indoor rabbit proof housing
Options for indoor housing include the free-reign in a safe bunny proofed room, puppy pens, large rabbit cages, and condos. Caged options are good choices but rabbits should be let out of the pen for exercise for a few hours daily. Cages need to be big enough for the rabbit to hop around. It is important the rabbit isn’t isolated and in an area the family uses.
Step 2: Rabbit-Proof Rooms
Create safe spaces to protect the new addition to the family, rabbits enjoy exploring. Bunnies need places for exercise and to run around. Plastic guards can be placed on baseboards, rabbits are chewers, so be sure to cover power cords or wires. Raise house plants and other items up off the floor out of the rabbits’ reach.
Step 3: Provide Fresh Fiber-rich Pellets, Hay, Greens, and Water.
Hay is the staple of the diet and should be provided at all times. Adults can eat oat hay, timothy hay or grass hay. Babies are fed alfalfa hay. Vegetables are a great addition to the diet. For those who like to garden, learning about bunny gardening is a fun family-friendly event. A veterinarian at a Livonia animal hospital will help guide your pet rabbits diet.
Step 4: Litter Box set up
Shallow storage bins or medium-sized litter boxes. Rabbits tend to naturally defecate and urinate in one area, place the bins near hay feeders, food, and water bowls. Wood shavings and cat litter are not rabbit friendly, use recycled newspaper pellet litter.
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Other steps include providing enrichment and toys (rabbits are known to get bored easily), grooming rabbits, and using the only veterinarian who knows about rabbits or specializes in rabbits. Sheehy Animal Hospital has experienced veterinarians including those who know about rabbits and exotic pets. A Livonia veterinarian will always be friendly, professional and strive to provide the best care possible. Call 248-206-3030 to schedule an appointment with your Livonia animal hospital!
