f 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.
(ArticlesBase SC #641424)
Showing posts with label rabbit health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rabbit health. Show all posts
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Is your rabbit on a good diet?
The typical diet for a pet rabbit consists of water, hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and its own caecal pellets. Fruit and other treats are given only in very limited quantities, as they can cause obesity in a rabbit. Rabbits require a constant water supply as they dehydrate quickly.
Most sources recommend 80% of the diet should be Timothy hay or another grass hay. Too many vegetables in a rabbit's diet typically leads to diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Pellets
Rabbits are generally fed a pelleted feed available from pet stores, supermarkets, and farm suppliers. Pellets were originally designed for rabbit breeders for the purpose of providing as much food energy and vitamins as inexpensively as possible. This is optimal when the rabbits are being bred for food or for experimentation.
Most sources recommend a minimum of 18% fiber, low protein (14?15%), and less than 1% calcium. Depending on the amount of vegetables available, an adult rabbit should be given between 20 ml to 40 ml per kilogram (? and ? cup of pellets per 6 pounds) body weight daily. Pre-adolescent and adolescent rabbits (7 months and younger) can be given as much pelleted diet as they can consume, although additional vegetables are preferable to additional pellets. An older rabbit (over six years) can be given more pellets if they are having difficulty maintaining a steady body weight. Timothy hay-based pellets are great for rabbits that have stopped growing and do not need to gain weight. Alfalfa-based pellets are best only for young, growing rabbits or older rabbits who are under-weight.
Hay
Hay is essential for the health of all rabbits. A steady supply of hay will help prevent gastrointestinal stasis and other digestive tract problems in rabbits. Additionally, it provides a number of necessary vitamins and minerals at a low food energy cost. Rabbits enjoy chewing on hay, and always having hay available for the rabbit may reduce its tendency to chew on other items. Timothy hay and other grass hays are considered the healthiest to provide the rabbit. As a persistently high blood calcium level can prove harmful to the rabbit, hays such as alfalfa and clover hay should be avoided. Alfalfa is also relatively high in food energy, and a constant diet of it can cause obesity in rabbits.
Treats
Treats are unhealthy in large quantities for rabbits, just as they are for humans. Most treats sold in pet stores are filled with sugar and high food energy carbohydrates. If an owner is determined to feed the rabbit treats, the best treat to provide it with is fruit.
Acceptable fruits (seeds and pits MUST be removed): Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Peach, Apple, Kiwi, Berries, Orange and other citrus fruits.
Pineapple, mango, and papaya all contain a natural enzyme which is thought to reduce hairballs.
Fruits or other treats must be given in moderation, as rabbits easily become overweight and suffer health problems. Their diet should consist of no more than half a tablespoon of fruits or treats per day.
However, fresh fruits should not be given to rabbits under the age of 4 months because their digestive systems are not always developed enough to handle the fruit. It can cause enteritis that causes death within 48 hours.
While a common myth that rabbits should be given lettuce, this is not a good idea because it contains little to no nutritional value for the rabbit and again can cause enteritis which leads to a quick death.
Caecal pellets
Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit eat some of his feces. These are called cecal pellets, and are a vital part of his diet. Caecal pellets are soft, smelly, clumpy feces, and are a rabbit's only supply of Vitamin B12. Due to the design of the rabbit's digestive system, they cannot extract some vitamins and minerals directly from their food. At the end of their digestive system is an area called the caecum where cellulose and other plant fibers are broken down and ferment. After they have been broken down and passed, a rabbit's digestive system can finally extract the vitamins from them.
(ArticlesBase SC #24587)
Most sources recommend 80% of the diet should be Timothy hay or another grass hay. Too many vegetables in a rabbit's diet typically leads to diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Pellets
Rabbits are generally fed a pelleted feed available from pet stores, supermarkets, and farm suppliers. Pellets were originally designed for rabbit breeders for the purpose of providing as much food energy and vitamins as inexpensively as possible. This is optimal when the rabbits are being bred for food or for experimentation.
Most sources recommend a minimum of 18% fiber, low protein (14?15%), and less than 1% calcium. Depending on the amount of vegetables available, an adult rabbit should be given between 20 ml to 40 ml per kilogram (? and ? cup of pellets per 6 pounds) body weight daily. Pre-adolescent and adolescent rabbits (7 months and younger) can be given as much pelleted diet as they can consume, although additional vegetables are preferable to additional pellets. An older rabbit (over six years) can be given more pellets if they are having difficulty maintaining a steady body weight. Timothy hay-based pellets are great for rabbits that have stopped growing and do not need to gain weight. Alfalfa-based pellets are best only for young, growing rabbits or older rabbits who are under-weight.
Hay
Hay is essential for the health of all rabbits. A steady supply of hay will help prevent gastrointestinal stasis and other digestive tract problems in rabbits. Additionally, it provides a number of necessary vitamins and minerals at a low food energy cost. Rabbits enjoy chewing on hay, and always having hay available for the rabbit may reduce its tendency to chew on other items. Timothy hay and other grass hays are considered the healthiest to provide the rabbit. As a persistently high blood calcium level can prove harmful to the rabbit, hays such as alfalfa and clover hay should be avoided. Alfalfa is also relatively high in food energy, and a constant diet of it can cause obesity in rabbits.
Treats
Treats are unhealthy in large quantities for rabbits, just as they are for humans. Most treats sold in pet stores are filled with sugar and high food energy carbohydrates. If an owner is determined to feed the rabbit treats, the best treat to provide it with is fruit.
Acceptable fruits (seeds and pits MUST be removed): Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Peach, Apple, Kiwi, Berries, Orange and other citrus fruits.
Pineapple, mango, and papaya all contain a natural enzyme which is thought to reduce hairballs.
Fruits or other treats must be given in moderation, as rabbits easily become overweight and suffer health problems. Their diet should consist of no more than half a tablespoon of fruits or treats per day.
However, fresh fruits should not be given to rabbits under the age of 4 months because their digestive systems are not always developed enough to handle the fruit. It can cause enteritis that causes death within 48 hours.
While a common myth that rabbits should be given lettuce, this is not a good idea because it contains little to no nutritional value for the rabbit and again can cause enteritis which leads to a quick death.
Caecal pellets
Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit eat some of his feces. These are called cecal pellets, and are a vital part of his diet. Caecal pellets are soft, smelly, clumpy feces, and are a rabbit's only supply of Vitamin B12. Due to the design of the rabbit's digestive system, they cannot extract some vitamins and minerals directly from their food. At the end of their digestive system is an area called the caecum where cellulose and other plant fibers are broken down and ferment. After they have been broken down and passed, a rabbit's digestive system can finally extract the vitamins from them.
(ArticlesBase SC #24587)
Is your rabbit healthy?
Springtime will be hopping along soon and many children will be receiving Easter bunnies. We want to share tips on how to spot health problems to keep your rabbits healthy. If your rabbits strain to urinate, experience a loss of appetite, or have a temperature these are warning signs of potential health problems.
Pine and cedar shavings are a definite no-no for your rabbit bed. Softwoods produce hydrocarbons that cause liver damage and respiratory health problems for small animals such as rabbits. Organic litter and newspaper is a safer alternative. Red urine is not always a reason for concern. A Rabbit's urine may be clear to yellow colored or brown to a bright red color. The veterinarian can test the urine for blood if the condition continues.
The antibiotic, Amoxicillin, should never be given to rabbits. Penicillin-based drugs are very dangerous for a rabbit. There are rabbit-safe antibiotics that can be prescribed by the vet. A rabbit's teeth can be uneven just like Bugs Bunny. This is because rabbits continually grow teeth. The teeth will need to be clipped if the alignment keeps the rabbit from eating. Usually this condition is only a problem with the front teeth not wearing down properly.
Rabbits get hairballs the same as cats and shedding is how to spot health problems in rabbits. Rabbits shed heavily every three months. A light shedding follows, then back to a heavy shedding, and so on. Shedding is often a cause in what kills rabbits. It is important to brush rabbits when they begin to shed. Rabbits groom themselves, but are unable to cough up hairballs like cats. A constant supply of fresh hay helps the rabbit digest the hair.
Many people do not realize that you can have your rabbits spayed or neutered just like other pets. The risk of fatal reproductive cancer in a female rabbit is nearly 85 percent making spaying necessary in keeping your rabbits healthy. Neutering male rabbits eliminates spraying and aggression. To neuter or spay rabbits is a safe and effective solution to hold down the rabbit population.
Bacterial infections caught early are much easier to cure. For symptoms of a bacterial infection in rabbits, how to spot health problems are runny eyes or nose, high fever, or a rattling sound in the chest. You need to take the rabbit in right away to see the veterinarian if any of these first signs of infection appear.
If your rabbit shows signs of digestive problems, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Diarrhea can kill rabbits. Runny diarrhea is the health problem that requires immediate care. A rabbit's droppings should not be clumpy or soft. Also, watch out for loud stomach growling or no droppings at all.
Rabbits make wonderful pets and it is very important to learn how to spot health problems to keep your family pet healthy for years to come. For centuries, a rabbit's foot has been a symbol of good luck. It is not the feet that are lucky it is the whole rabbit! It would have been too awkward to carry an entire rabbit in your pocket. A pen of furry friends means many blessings for you.
For all of the latest information and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Isbitt
Pine and cedar shavings are a definite no-no for your rabbit bed. Softwoods produce hydrocarbons that cause liver damage and respiratory health problems for small animals such as rabbits. Organic litter and newspaper is a safer alternative. Red urine is not always a reason for concern. A Rabbit's urine may be clear to yellow colored or brown to a bright red color. The veterinarian can test the urine for blood if the condition continues.
The antibiotic, Amoxicillin, should never be given to rabbits. Penicillin-based drugs are very dangerous for a rabbit. There are rabbit-safe antibiotics that can be prescribed by the vet. A rabbit's teeth can be uneven just like Bugs Bunny. This is because rabbits continually grow teeth. The teeth will need to be clipped if the alignment keeps the rabbit from eating. Usually this condition is only a problem with the front teeth not wearing down properly.
Rabbits get hairballs the same as cats and shedding is how to spot health problems in rabbits. Rabbits shed heavily every three months. A light shedding follows, then back to a heavy shedding, and so on. Shedding is often a cause in what kills rabbits. It is important to brush rabbits when they begin to shed. Rabbits groom themselves, but are unable to cough up hairballs like cats. A constant supply of fresh hay helps the rabbit digest the hair.
Many people do not realize that you can have your rabbits spayed or neutered just like other pets. The risk of fatal reproductive cancer in a female rabbit is nearly 85 percent making spaying necessary in keeping your rabbits healthy. Neutering male rabbits eliminates spraying and aggression. To neuter or spay rabbits is a safe and effective solution to hold down the rabbit population.
Bacterial infections caught early are much easier to cure. For symptoms of a bacterial infection in rabbits, how to spot health problems are runny eyes or nose, high fever, or a rattling sound in the chest. You need to take the rabbit in right away to see the veterinarian if any of these first signs of infection appear.
If your rabbit shows signs of digestive problems, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Diarrhea can kill rabbits. Runny diarrhea is the health problem that requires immediate care. A rabbit's droppings should not be clumpy or soft. Also, watch out for loud stomach growling or no droppings at all.
Rabbits make wonderful pets and it is very important to learn how to spot health problems to keep your family pet healthy for years to come. For centuries, a rabbit's foot has been a symbol of good luck. It is not the feet that are lucky it is the whole rabbit! It would have been too awkward to carry an entire rabbit in your pocket. A pen of furry friends means many blessings for you.
For all of the latest information and to see pictures of our mini lop rabbits please visit Mini Lop Rabbits.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Isbitt
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