Pet Rabbit Facts – Life Expectancy, Illnesses, Care and Grooming

Pet rabbits can be quite exciting for some rabbit owners while few others may find it extremely demanding. Read on for the most common pet rabbit facts involved in having a pet rabbit.

Pet Rabbit Facts
The life expectancy of rabbits can be up to ten years, similar to that of dogs. Some may appreciate this as a positive factor while those who consider baby rabbits as a play toy for their kids may find it a burden after its fully grown and as a long term commitment later. Moreover they are not suitable to be carried or held which makes the emotional contact minimum.

Pet Rabbit Illnesses and Health
Rabbits are susceptible to certain health problems and hard to treat intestinal or infectious illnesses. Their digestive system is quite sensible that a hairball or synthetic intake causes the intestine to be seriously disturbed and they cannot vomit either. This demands the pet owner to consciously monitor the diet of the pet rabbits. Rabbits are prone to certain mite and flea infestation that requires immediate attention to avoid transmission to other rabbits. Another serious viral disease called rabbit hemorrhagic disease is likely to be dangerous enough to cause death and highly transmittable to other rabbits as well.

Rabbit Care and Grooming
In terms of grooming a rabbit, they are required to bring down the amount of hair in the house. They do not require as much grooming as a dog does but more than a cat. They do require regular trimming of nail along with frequent brushing. Trimming the nails minimizes the destruction they cause by scratching when allowed to roam around in the house. They do not require to be bathed since rabbits get easily overheated.

When a pet rabbit is allowed to roam around in the house, they exhibit their natural instincts of gnawing and digging around. If given a choice they prefer to be outside the house to being inside. When left outside the damage is limited only to risking the garden from getting dug. But for those who can’t provide the rabbits with outdoor roaming will find them chewing furniture and other reachable materials which in addition to the damage caused, may end up being hazardous to the rabbit as well.

Rabbit’s teeth keep growing constantly like rodents and to control their growth, they keep gnawing on things. This damage can be eliminated through rabbit proofing which requires considerable expense and effort. Rabbit proofing is the process of laminating or covering the furniture to prevent damages to them from rabbit gnawing.

Medical attention is a must for pet rabbits as with any other pets. But it may be challenging to find a vet experienced in rabbit care and closer to your location. Unavailability of the same results in illness leading to death among lot of rabbits. It is quite common to find the rabbits ignored in terms of vet care compared to other pets.

With all these drawbacks yet for some, rabbits are most preferred as pets. They find these bunnies so cute and amusing. Rabbits are a bundle of joy and extremely entertaining to watch them playing with each other. Rabbits in their own way are affectionate to humans when they are not in stressful situations.

Well trained and pampered rabbits run around and respond very well to people. For those choosing the right pet, rabbits may appear cuddly and full of life. However after weighing the pros and cons, a wise decision should be taken.

         

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