Rabbit Handbook

Playtime

Rabbits are by nature curious, fun-loving creatures and need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. A rabbit with no outlet for these natural tendencies can become bored, lonely, overweight, destructive, or depressed. Toys should be provided in your rabbit's cage and in his exercise area.

The good news is that some of your rabbit's favourite toys are common household items. Stuff an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll with hay and your bunny has a safe chew toy and will consume the hay as well. A cardboard box with an entrance and exit cut into it will provide your rabbit with a playhouse he can hide in, run through, and jump on. Some rabbits will devote a lot of time to shredding newspaper or an old copy of the yellow pages. Other toys from around the house are paper grocery sacks, round oatmeal boxes, canning jar rings, non-plastic coated paper cups, a can with a pebble inside, a straw whisk broom, clean hard plastic bottle tops, or a towel (if your rabbit does not eat the towel).

Most rabbits enjoy digging and chewing. Give your rabbits toys that he can dig in or chew and he will be less likely to amuse himself by digging or chewing in places that you'd rather he didn't. Fill a box with shredded paper for digging. Good chew toys include sea-grass or maize mats, untreated wood (no redwood or cedar), rabbit safe branches or twigs, cardboard, untreated willow or wicker baskets, and dried pinecones. Rabbits are usually pretty disinterested in the chew sticks found in pet stores.

More toy ideas

Your rabbit's exercise time will be enhanced if you provide him with some fun things to run through, hide in, and jump on. Besides the cardboard box mentioned above, here are some ideas for play structures that you can make or buy: a wooden box, a Cottontail Cottage, a Little Tykes playground, or a cat tree. Cardboard concrete forms are tubes found in home improvement stores. They are great for tunnels and can be cut to size with a saw. If your rabbit is a burrower, you can stuff one end of his tunnel with newspaper. You can build a play condo out of boxes with cardboard or wood ramps. If your rabbit spends a lot of time in his cage, consider giving him a cage with multiple levels and ramps. Hang a towel or sheet on a kitchen chair and you have an instant bunny cave.

Rabbits enjoy safe, lightweight toys that can be picked up and tossed. Small inexpensive child or animal toys that appeal to a playful bunny include Batta Balls (a ball with a bell inside), hard plastic baby teething keys, baby rattles, and hanging bird or baby toys. Your rabbit might like a large hard rubber ball, but balloons are dangerous and must be avoided.
Variety is the spice of life

Change the toys in your rabbit's cage from time to time as he loses interest in them and reintroduce them at a later time. Keep your rabbit safe by giving toys that don't have small pieces that he can ingest. And by all means, get on the ground and play with your rabbit! Let him climb on you or gently toss toys to him so he can toss them back. As you get to know your rabbit better, you'll discover which toys or games he prefers.

ABC’s of Rabbit Safe

Vegetables & Fruits
Apple (not seeds) Grapes
Artichoke (jers) Green pepper
Arugula Honey dew melon
Asparagus Kale
Banana Lemon balm
Basil Lettuce (romaine, red & grn leaf)
Beet tops Lilac
Blackberry(leaves, stems, fruit) Marigold
Blueberry Marjoram
Broccoli Mint
Brussel sprouts Mustard greens
Cantaloupe Papaya (no seeds)
Caraway Parsley
Carrot (tops and root) Peach
Celery Pear
Chard Pineapple
Chives (in moderation) Radish tops
Cilantro Raspberry(leaves, stems, fruit)
Clover Sage
Collard greens Savory
Cucumber Spinach
Dandelion (leaves, stem, flower) Strawberry
Dill Tomato (fruit only; greens are toxic)
Endive Watercress
Escarole Watermelon
Fennel Zucchini
• Fruit should always be given in moderation as the high sugar content may cause diarrhoea.
• Introduce fruits and vegetables slowly over several weeks.
• Remember no pesticides!!!!!

Natural Rabbit Behaviour

While rabbits may look adorable, they're anything but meek. In the wild they are both curious and resourceful -- and as adept at getting out of trouble as they are at getting into it. Your rabbit is no different when brought into the home as a pet.

The myth of the quiet, shy bunny as an ideal child's companion and low-maintenance pet is just as false. Rabbits are not just pretty, mellow critters with a fluffy tail but creatures with specific needs and individual personalities. Like other animals, they bond to owners and develop habits and characteristics based on the environment in which they find themselves. But they will never get away from their natural characteristics. First and foremost, they are social animals living in warrens and large communities. They are also prey animals that have survived by burrowing, hopping away from danger and delivering powerful kicks with their hind legs. Their teeth are strong to allow them to eat -- and to get out of trouble.

Pet Rabbit Behaviour

Curious, Intelligent and Sociable

Your rabbit is curious and intelligent, which makes him both fun and interesting to watch, and his highly social nature allows him to bond with humans and other animals. Though generally silent, your rabbit is able to make several distinct noises and can clearly express himself and his desires when needed. He can also make fascinating and amusing movements. Your rabbit prefers to keep his feet on terra firma and, although he likes to roam, he still needs to know you're there in case of trouble.

Personality Types

Like all animals, each rabbit has his own personality -- and you can see this clearly by looking carefully at your rabbit's face. A mellow rabbit has a relaxed face and is happy to stay in your arms. A worrier looks nervous and rarely wants to be held by you. An irritable rabbit looks like the harried clerk at the DMV who acts as though he'd rather be doing anything than serving you.

Mood Changes

Even the best-behaved rabbits have mood changes and there are times when your normally gentle rabbit wants nothing to do with you -- or acts aggressively. It is possible, sometimes, to discover a reason behind that kind of temperament change by looking at the environment and doing some detective work. Is there something different in your rabbit's cage or in the house? Are there people visiting, or other animals nearby? Your rabbit, being a prey animal in the wild, is more prone to fear and stress than a predatory animal like your dog or cat. Stress can make him behave in unpredictable, uncharacteristic ways. Often, by eliminating the source of the stress, you can solve the problem-- and get back your well-behaved rabbit.

High Maintenance Animals

Rather than being a low-maintenance animal, your rabbit needs a lot of care, attention and training -- at least one to two hours daily. Often, this could simply mean watching your rabbit play or keeping him out of mischief. Having a rabbit is much like having a puppy, with all its attendant ups and downs -- including the fact that the "bunny" will never quite grow up.

Rabbit Behaviour

Your rabbit is curious, tenacious and mischievous -- and can sometimes seem incorrigible. He will tear up carpets and chew up furniture; he enjoys racing around open spaces and will use your furniture as a platform for jumping off; he throws objects and climbs on things to see the view from the top. At the same time, your rabbit enjoys company very much -- and he's an excellent communicator.

Sounds and Body Language

Your rabbit makes a number of sounds, but you must pay very close attention to hear them. He also uses body language as well as more blatant signals such as the characteristic "thumping" that signals danger, to express himself.

Maintaining Social Order

Your rabbit prefers the company of other animals, including other kinds of pets or rabbits of the opposite sex. Beware of placing two rabbits of the same sex in the same cage. Rabbits establish social order by a process that often includes a violent struggle. Two rabbits of the same sex are likely to fight if they are put into the same cage. If you don't want to have two rabbits, you might want to consider getting your rabbit a guinea pig companion to keep him occupied and out of trouble.

Age-Related Behaviours

A playful, impish young rabbit needs to be kept occupied to keep him out of harm's way, and this is particularly true during adolescence. As with any teen, your pet seeks constant excitement, which can lead to destructive and dangerous behaviour, including unbelievably tenacious (and often successful) attempts

to chew his way out of his enclosure. He will also try to tear up and chew whatever strikes his fancy. Unfortunately, your rabbit doesn’t know what is safe to chew on and what can harm him. It’s up to you to remove potentially dangerous items from your rabbit’s reach.

Rabbits that are accepted and understood are happy rabbits. Paying attention so you get to know your rabbit and spending time playing with him leads to a healthy relationship. Your rabbit may follow you around the house more faithfully than your dog; he may sit sociably beside you watching television; he may even purr like a contented cat. And yes, he will play -- with you or with almost anything that he can find.

You’re Rabbit at Play

Rabbits are naturally curious and playful. Chewing is not only something they do, but also something they enjoy, and chew toys are always a favourite treat. Your rabbit will also enjoy toys that he can push or toss around. Toilet paper or paper towel rolls are easy, inexpensive toys, as are all-natural wood blocks. (Remember that these will be chewed, so steer clear of pressure-treated wood, particle board and plywood).

Favourite Pastimes

Your rabbit's behaviour will tell you what the best toys are for him. Watch what he does and what his favourite pastimes are. Purchase toys based on your knowledge of your rabbit's personality as well as his age and gender. Rabbits don't care how much you spend on toys or even that you made them. They just need the mental stimulation that playing with toys provides. But you will need to be innovative to keep your rabbit happily occupied. Rabbits can get bored with their old toys, and a bored rabbit can become destructive or even vicious.

Opportunity for Exercise

Toys also provide an opportunity for your rabbit to get exercise. Rabbits need things to crawl under and over, climb on and hop off of, dig into and chew on. Anything made of wood will eventually be consumed. Unless you keep your rabbit in a Plexiglas enclosure, be prepared to provide him with plenty of amusement, companionship and exercise -- or you might be putting up "Lost Rabbit" posters.

Even if he doesn't escape, without sufficient opportunity for play, socialization or exercise, your rabbit will become depressed and overweight. Allowed out of his cage in your home without appropriate activities, he will create his own by using  your furniture and carpeting as his personal chewing, jumping, crawling and digging playground.

Encouraging Good Behaviour

The key to a having well-behaved rabbit lies in distraction and diversion. By remembering and understanding your rabbit's natural tendencies, you can easily provide for his needs.

Here are some easy ways to encourage your rabbit to behave:

* Satisfy his desire to dig by providing a box lined with carpet where he can dig to his heart's content. Distract him and redirect him to that box as soon as he begins to dig elsewhere, and he will quickly learn what is his and what is yours.

* Satisfy his desire to chew by providing non-toxic or untreated wood chews, or specially designed rabbit "furniture".

* Satisfy his curiosity and sense of play by giving him toys with bells and interesting textures.

* Satisfy his need for exercise by letting him out of the cage for several hours a day.

* Satisfy his need for socialization by giving him your company and attention and by providing a "buddy" -- whether that is another rabbit or a guinea pig.

* Satisfy his "prey" instincts by giving him a box or cat home to run to when he feels stressed or frightened.

By satisfying these needs and natural instincts, you will give your rabbit the opportunity to become a truly healthy and happy pet. And by understanding the whole rabbit, you will be able to appreciate your pet for himself, instead of holding him to mythical standards of behaviour.

So how do you stop your pet from scratching, nipping or biting?

Conventional rabbit training advises that when she nips, you must respond with a loud shriek. This is supposed to send her a message that biting is unacceptable. But your shrieking may also make her more nervous and frightened. You'll need to weigh your rabbit's temperament before trying this method.

If yours is a nervous rabbit, you may need to turn on the charm at first. When you approach her, protect yourself with long sleeves, long pants and gloves. Keep your hands away from her face. If she bites, gently push her away and murmur some endearment, such as "Why hello, pumpkin." Try to pet her at the same time. Eventually, she'll associate your touch with affection.

Before opening your rabbit's cage to allow her out for play, greet her cheerfully. Then, throughout playtime, be particularly gentle, allowing your rabbit to take the lead and decide when she no longer wants to play. As social as rabbits are, sometimes they just want to be alone.

Always greet your rabbit's aggression with understanding and respect; it's simply her way of telling you she's upset. Try to figure out what agitates her, and when you do figure it out, try to avoid it. Handling your rabbit's defensive tactics lovingly and calmly will comfort and encourage her

Shopping List For Your New Pet Rabbit

RABBIT PROOFING: Your home should be rabbit proofed before you bring the rabbit into her new environment. Cover cords with hard plastic covers, split flex tubing, PVC pipe, or computer cord covers.

HOUSING: A cage or pen can be used for the rabbit's living quarters. The cage should be large enough for your rabbit to move around freely at her adult body size. There should also be room enough to contain a litter box and food bowls. A stand-up pen is easily rearranged to fit your rabbit's needs and it allows your rabbit more mobility than a cage.

LITTER BOX: Be prepared to start with several litter boxes until the rabbit is house broken. One can start with cookie sheets so the rabbit does not have to make much of an effort. When your rabbit uses the litter box successfully, change to a larger pan.

LITTER: The litter should be dust free and safe for the rabbit if ingested. The best litters are organic and are plant fiber, recycled paper, hardwood, or citrus based. Some brands to look for are Carefresh, Natural Harmony, Good Mews, Crown, Citrafresh, Critter Country, Aspen Fresh, and Feline Pine. Alternatively, you can use wood stove pellets or simply line the litter box with newspaper and top with hay or straw.

BOWLS: You will want three heavy bowls; one each for pellets, fresh vegetables and water. Heavy, flat-bottomed bowls work best so the rabbit cannot tip them. Do not get bowls that are too large as the rabbit may choose to sit in them and contaminate their contents.
HAY RACK: A hayrack can be placed on the side of the cage. This keeps the hay from becoming contaminated.

WATER CONTAINER: A water bottle is the best way to keep the water fresh and clean. Use a water bottle with the double ball system. This kind does not seem to stick or drip as often. Remember to check the bottle regularly to ensure it is not sticking. Supplying a water bowl is also recommended. This will increase your rabbit's water consumption and allow her to use what she prefers. If one is knocked over or sticks the other is available.

RESTING BOARD: This is a necessity if the rabbit is to spend time in a cage with a wire bottom. The board should be at least twice the size of the rabbit. Other ideas include: straw doormats (sea grass), floor tile (also used to give rabbit a cool place to lie in summer months) and carpet (if the bunny does not chew on fibers). Cardboard works well until the rabbit is litter box trained.

TOYS: Toys are important not only for stimulation but also to keep the rabbit out of trouble. Ideas include: wood bird toys, hard plastic baby toys (rattles, key rings), wire cat balls, a towel to push and bunch, empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes made into forts and tunnels... Use your imagination.

PELLETED FEED: Pellets should be high quality and contain at least 16% fiber. Store in an airtight container and the pellets will last approximately six months. Pellets can be stored in the freezer and thawed when needed. Do not feed "gourmet" brand food as the rabbit will soon learn to pull out the goodies and leave the pellets.

VEGETABLES

Vegetables are essential to the health of rabbits. At least two cups of three different vegetables per 6 lb (170 ml/kg) of body weight should be fed to the rabbit daily, ideally half in the morning around sunrise, and half in the evening around sunset, as this is when wild rabbits most frequently graze. Remove vegetables that have not been consumed within a half-hour, as they can develop unhealthy amounts of bacteria. A wide variety of vegetables will result in the healthiest rabbit; preferably a combination of dark green vegetables and root vegetables. Stay away from beans or rhubarb, as they can cause the rabbit to become sick. Additionally, it is wise to select vegetables that are high in Vitamin A.

TOYS

Untreated straw baskets
Natural wood blocks (no pressure-treated wood, plywood, particle board or pressed board)
Canning jar rings
Rolled oats boxes, with the ends cut off
Soft drink cans with a few pebbles inside for noise
Rubber balls (unless your rabbit chews on them)
Wire balls with bells inside
Baby toys, such as rattles and giant key rings
Hanging bird toys with bells
Rice or maize mats (available at most home decorating stores)
Cardboard boxes, with openings cut in the sides
Things to jump up on (rabbits like high places with good views)
Baskets filled with shredded paper

Use your rabbit's personality and age as a guide to selecting toys for her. Just know that you'll need to be innovative to keep your rabbit happily occupied; rabbits can grow quickly bored with their toys.