We adore our bunnies and we try to take the best care of them, but sometimes we make mistakes because we don’t have the correct information. In this article, we will talk about the 14 most common mistakes that rabbit owners make
Feeding them too many carrots and fruits
In the wild, rabbits don’t naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed to bunnies as occasional treats and in small quantities. As a guideline, an approximate amount of fruit to give your rabbit is one teaspoon per two pounds of their body weight per day. And believe it or not, some light-colored lettuce like iceberg contains lactucarium, which could be harmful to your rabbit if given in large amounts. Darker, fibrous, and more leafy varieties of lettuce like romaine should be provided as they are higher in actual nutrients and fiber. Also, muesli should never be fed to rabbits as it can cause health problems in bunnies.
Wrong diet
A rabbit’s digestive system is very sensitive. You can’t just simply feed your bunny a bowl of pellets like you might for a dog or cat and assume your rabbit will thrive. Rabbits should have a constant and unlimited supply of high-quality grass hays such as timothy, orchard, or brome to graze on throughout the day. A rabbit’s daily diet should consist primarily of hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Feeding excessive pellets can make your rabbit overweight and may cause issues with their digestion. Your rabbit will likely beg for more treats, but stay strong and don’t give in.
A very small litter box
Rabbits can easily be litter box trained because they prefer to do their business in the same place. A rabbit’s litter box should be large enough that they can sit in the litter and turn around without a problem. Most rabbit litter boxes available in pet stores are too small and oddly shaped, which discourages use. Appropriate litter boxes can be located in the cat section, but remember most cat litter contains clay and chemicals that are harmful to rabbits. Clay-based litters are very dusty and can cause respiratory problems for bunnies. Instead, it is better to use a paper-based litter or simply hay. It’s also essential to clean the litter box almost daily; this will stop your bunny from finding cleaner places to do their business.
High temperatures
Rabbits enjoy temperatures of about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures above 85 degrees are hazardous to domesticated bunnies as they can easily come down with heat stroke. In fact, rabbits have no sweat glands; they exhaust heat only through their long ears. On sweltering summer days, damping your bunny’s ears and giving your pet plenty of fresh cold water can help. If you live in an area where the temperature is often over 75 degrees, then it is recommended to keep your rabbit indoors in an air-conditioned room. It is important to keep your bunny’s home out of direct sunlight.
Bathing your rabbit
Rabbits are very clean animals by nature and they never need a bath. If your rabbit doesn’t clean themselves properly, it could be an indication that they need a trip to the vet, not a bath, as neglecting grooming can be a sign of an underlying problem. Bathing your rabbit can be dangerous because rabbits may panic and fracture their spine or a limb if they thrash around. Bathing is very stressful for most rabbits and can cause respiratory infections and even heart attacks. Some rabbits may even pass away from this kind of trauma. And believe it or not, a rabbit’s coat takes a long time to dry off; in this time, your rabbit may come down with hypothermia because their fur doesn’t perform its job of keeping their head warm. It’s like walking around in damp clothes all day. And remember, a rabbit’s skin is very sensitive and delicate; bathing them removes the natural oils on their body and irritates the sensitive skin. If your rabbit requires cleaning, you must only spot clean them or give them a dry bath.
Not bunny-proofing their house
Some rabbits can be little troublemakers. They may chew on the objects around the house or dig into carpeted floors. Bunny-proofing your home is essential for protecting both your pet and your belongings. Make sure to protect your exposed wires with plastic sleeves or flex tubing, seal off spaces behind and beneath furniture and cabinets, and wrap your wooden table or chair legs with flex tubing. Baseboards are also commonly chewed by rabbits; you can protect your baseboards by covering them with a plastic net. You can also use baby gates and animal pens to section off areas or keep your bunny in a safe area of your home. It is important to keep any houseplants out of reach of your bunny; many plants are toxic to rabbits and their instincts don’t always guide them about what plants are safe to eat.
Spaying or neutering your rabbit
Spaying or neutering is a personal decision that is up to a pet owner; however, vets suggest doing so because your rabbit will live a longer, healthier life. The process can stop unwanted pregnancies and the undesirable hormone-induced behaviors such as urine spraying or aggression. Spaying or neutering your bunny also reduces the risk of reproductive cancer and urinary tract infections. Especially female rabbits are at risk if they have not been spayed; they have an 80% chance of experiencing uterine cancer by the time they are six years old. Sadly, most rabbits are unable to recover from this type of cancer. And remember, a rabbit who is spayed or neutered becomes calmer and easier to manage, their destructive habits reduce, and they are easier to litter train.
Lack of socialization
Many rabbit owners think that bunnies are cage animals that can be left alone for the majority of the time. However, rabbits are very social creatures and they need daily interaction and socialization. In the wild, rabbits move in pairs and large groups to search for food and protect each other from predators. In the best case, rabbits should be kept in pairs, but if you have a single rabbit then make sure the company comes from you. A lonely bunny can suffer from depression, stress, and boredom.
Trusting the pet store
Many pet stores don’t have aisles specific to rabbits. In fact, rabbit supplies are often located in the same sections as hamsters, guinea pigs, or rats. However, rabbits are actually very different from these animals. Many rabbit owners just purchase any product that has a photo of a rabbit on it. However, many of the products that are marketed for rabbits are actually not good for them. It is therefore best to shop from local independent businesses that cater specifically for bunnies.
Using a water bottle
It is not easy for rabbits to drink water from a water bottle, and lack of water can cause dehydration or kidney disease in bunnies. Instead, it is preferred to provide your rabbit with a bowl of water as it is a more natural way for them to drink. If your pet flips over their water bowl, you can use a heavy ceramic bowl instead. Likewise, it is essential to refill your rabbit’s bowl with fresh clean water every day.
Eye-catching pellet mixes
These colorful, eye-catching pellet mixes may make you think they are an excellent choice for your bunny, but the fact is they do more harm than good. Many eye-catching pellet mixes marketed towards rabbits include sugary pieces, seeds, peas, and other ingredients that often lead to an unhealthy rabbit digestive system and potentially obesity. Instead, feed your rabbit just plain, boring-looking pellets and your rabbit will be better off for it.
Keeping rabbits outside
The outdoors is full of dangers for pet rabbits. It doesn’t matter where you live; there are predators like stray cats or dogs who want to eat your bunny. Even if they can’t get inside your rabbit’s hutch, a bunny can have a heart attack just from seeing, smelling, or hearing them. As well, the terrifying scents and sounds of predators can cause chronic anxiety and stress. And remember, outdoor rabbits may also experience extreme weather conditions. In the wild, rabbits would have their cool underground burrows to hide in on hot days. When your rabbit is trapped inside a hutch outside, they may be at risk of heat stroke.
Small enclosures
Rabbits are social, intelligent, and highly curious animals who need to be able to explore their surroundings. In the wild, they’re incredibly energetic and love to run, jump, and play. Your rabbit should either live in a bunny-proof space or a large exercise pen. They need to be able to run back and forth and have different spaces to sleep, eat, and use the litter box. Keeping your rabbit in a tiny cage is unkind and can cause a range of health problems such as obesity and depression.
Lack of attention
Incredibly enough, rabbits are prey animals and evolved to hide their weaknesses or illnesses. This can prevent them from seeming to be an easy target to hunting predators. Unfortunately though, this also means that it is very challenging for rabbit owners to know if their pet is sick. Make sure to pay attention to even the tiniest changes. Any change in their posture, eating, grooming, urination habits, or even increased aggression or a lack of energy can be a sign of illness. Even if your rabbit despises going to the vet, don’t skip the vet visits. The only way to be sure your pet is as healthy as they can be is by bringing them to the vet regularly for a checkup. An occasional checkup makes it easy to catch potential problems before they cause too much harm.
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