Comments on: House Rabbits http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk Care for house rabbits and pet rabbits Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:05:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: stephanie http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-2895 stephanie Tue, 24 May 2011 10:16:50 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-2895 I got a buck from pets at home and he is the most violent rabbit ive ever had. We had him neutered but he's still the devil in a rabbit form. Im sure. ive heard from friends that they have had trouble with rabbits from pets at home too!! They also mis sexed the gerbils which i adopted from them but thats a whollllle different story!! I got a buck from pets at home and he is the most violent rabbit ive ever had. We had him neutered but he’s still the devil in a rabbit form. Im sure. ive heard from friends that they have had trouble with rabbits from pets at home too!! They also mis sexed the gerbils which i adopted from them but thats a whollllle different story!!

]]> By: Richard Lord http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-1369 Richard Lord Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:31:14 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-1369 Hi Morelle Yes, house rabbits can live outdoors, but remember that your rabbit will be used to seeing you lots while inside the house. You will need to make sure that you can maintain the same level of contact with your rabbit outdoors or indoors. Make sure that you get an outdoor rabbit hutch that has plenty of protection from rain and wind to keep your rabbit warm and dry. Richard Hi Morelle
Yes, house rabbits can live outdoors, but remember that your rabbit will be used to seeing you lots while inside the house. You will need to make sure that you can maintain the same level of contact with your rabbit outdoors or indoors.
Make sure that you get an outdoor rabbit hutch that has plenty of protection from rain and wind to keep your rabbit warm and dry.
Richard

]]> By: morelle http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-1318 morelle Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:51:35 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-1318 Can my new house rabbit live outdoors in the summer?????xxx Can my new house rabbit live outdoors in the summer?????xxx

]]> By: Richard Lord http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-1221 Richard Lord Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:53:00 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-1221 Hi Holly There is no reason that a rabbit can't change from being an outdoor rabbit to a house rabbit. He will love the extra attention that he will probably get being indoors, and will prefer the dry and draft free environment! Richard Hi Holly
There is no reason that a rabbit can’t change from being an outdoor rabbit to a house rabbit. He will love the extra attention that he will probably get being indoors, and will prefer the dry and draft free environment!
Richard

]]> By: Holly http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-1203 Holly Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:12:44 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-1203 I was just wondering, can a rabbit who has lived outdoors become a house rabbit or will this upset him ? Thanks, Holly I was just wondering, can a rabbit who has lived outdoors become a house rabbit or will this upset him ?
Thanks,
Holly

]]> By: Richard Lord http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-975 Richard Lord Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:33:13 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-975 Hi Anna I think that what you are doing with your rabbit will help him to become more comfortable with you, and become less nervous. Many rabbits dislike being picked up, including mine. Pick him up as little as possible, but when you do, be firm but gentle, so he can't struggle too much and injure himself. If his nails are well past the fur on his feet, they are probably too long. I have a set of these <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000WFDWFS?ie=UTF8&tag=barneyrabbits-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B000WFDWFS" rel="nofollow">rabbit nail clippers</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=barneyrabbits-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B000WFDWFS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />, but I often get the vet to do it when I take them for their vaccinations. If you do it yourself, you will need someone to help you as it is almost impossible to hold a rabbit still and trim its nails by yourself! Wrapping the rabbit in a towel can help to restrain it, but make sure it is not restrained so tightly that it gets hurt. The nails should be trimmed so that they are just a little longer than the quick (the pinky vein inside the nail), which can sometimes be quite hard to see. Putting a light behind the nail can sometimes help to see the quick. Normally, cutting the nail a little longer than where it starts to bend away from the rabbit's foot it about the right place. If you cut through the quick, the nail will bleed, which can be stopped by putting some flour on the bleeding area. I would suggest visiting your vet the first time to get an idea of where and how to trim his nails. You will be able to see your rabbit's front teeth by gently pulling his lips back - put a finger on each cheek and gently draw them back. If you are stroking the rabbit's head with your other hand, he will probably stay still and let you do this. It is more difficult to check the back teeth, because it can be quite hard to get the rabbit to open its mouth for you to have a look. Forcing the rabbit's mouth open could cause an injury. Vets have an instrument that they can put into the rabbit's mouth to look through to inspect the back teeth. I usually get the vet to do this at the same time as the vaccinations too (every 6 months or so). Good luck with your new bunny, if you have any more questions please feel free to ask! Richard Hi Anna
I think that what you are doing with your rabbit will help him to become more comfortable with you, and become less nervous. Many rabbits dislike being picked up, including mine. Pick him up as little as possible, but when you do, be firm but gentle, so he can’t struggle too much and injure himself.
If his nails are well past the fur on his feet, they are probably too long. I have a set of these rabbit nail clippers, but I often get the vet to do it when I take them for their vaccinations.
If you do it yourself, you will need someone to help you as it is almost impossible to hold a rabbit still and trim its nails by yourself! Wrapping the rabbit in a towel can help to restrain it, but make sure it is not restrained so tightly that it gets hurt. The nails should be trimmed so that they are just a little longer than the quick (the pinky vein inside the nail), which can sometimes be quite hard to see. Putting a light behind the nail can sometimes help to see the quick. Normally, cutting the nail a little longer than where it starts to bend away from the rabbit’s foot it about the right place. If you cut through the quick, the nail will bleed, which can be stopped by putting some flour on the bleeding area. I would suggest visiting your vet the first time to get an idea of where and how to trim his nails.
You will be able to see your rabbit’s front teeth by gently pulling his lips back – put a finger on each cheek and gently draw them back. If you are stroking the rabbit’s head with your other hand, he will probably stay still and let you do this. It is more difficult to check the back teeth, because it can be quite hard to get the rabbit to open its mouth for you to have a look. Forcing the rabbit’s mouth open could cause an injury. Vets have an instrument that they can put into the rabbit’s mouth to look through to inspect the back teeth. I usually get the vet to do this at the same time as the vaccinations too (every 6 months or so).
Good luck with your new bunny, if you have any more questions please feel free to ask!
Richard

]]> By: Anna http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-968 Anna Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:34:36 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-968 Hi Richard, I just got a new male rabbit, and really enjoying reading your blog because it has answered a lot of my questions! He is 13-14 weeks old. He is a little skittish around me so I have tried lying near his open cage in the living room with cm pieces of carrot, and in the last 2days he seems far more relaxed and will give me a small nip when he wants more carrot! Still is very nervous and dislikes being picked up when I need to put him back in his cage at night. However, I was just wandering if you clip your rabbits nails yourself? Also, how do you check their teeth? He feels like he has sharp claws, like a cat, when he jumps on my legs, is this normal?. And although he is giving me small nudges and lets me touch him a wee bit, I doubt he will let me check his teeth without me scaring him badly! Would you advise a trip to the vet for all round check-up? He seems fine, stool appears normal from what I have read and he is eating and drinking well. His coat his dark and fluffy, and his eyes clear. I have had cats and dogs and a hamster, but this is my first time with a rabbit! Thanks, Anna Hi Richard,

I just got a new male rabbit, and really enjoying reading your blog because it has answered a lot of my questions!

He is 13-14 weeks old. He is a little skittish around me so I have tried lying near his open cage in the living room with cm pieces of carrot, and in the last 2days he seems far more relaxed and will give me a small nip when he wants more carrot! Still is very nervous and dislikes being picked up when I need to put him back in his cage at night.

However, I was just wandering if you clip your rabbits nails yourself? Also, how do you check their teeth? He feels like he has sharp claws, like a cat, when he jumps on my legs, is this normal?. And although he is giving me small nudges and lets me touch him a wee bit, I doubt he will let me check his teeth without me scaring him badly! Would you advise a trip to the vet for all round check-up? He seems fine, stool appears normal from what I have read and he is eating and drinking well. His coat his dark and fluffy, and his eyes clear. I have had cats and dogs and a hamster, but this is my first time with a rabbit!

Thanks,
Anna

]]> By: Richard Lord http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-960 Richard Lord Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:02:10 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-960 Hi Jenny A cage or pen would be equally suitable for a rabbit, although pens often do not have a roof, so you would need to make sure that it was tall enough so your rabbit could not jump out. Pens are often sold in pet shops as puppy pens, although many of these would be equally suitable for rabbits. Make sure that the mesh is small enough so the rabbit can't squeeze through and the sides are high enough to prevent the rabbit jumping out (rabbits can jump high!). Often pens do not have a floor, so you would need to make sure the floor on which you are going to place the pen is safe for the rabbit, and can't be dug up or damaged. It may also make it more difficult to clean than a rabbit cage, which would usually have a plastic tray as the base. Here are some links to a couple of pet pens so you can have a look and make your decision: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000QB2QSC?ie=UTF8&tag=barneyrabbits-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B000QB2QSC" rel="nofollow">Pet Pen</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=barneyrabbits-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B000QB2QSC" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002WOF3BI?ie=UTF8&tag=barneyrabbits-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B002WOF3BI" rel="nofollow">Pet Pen</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=barneyrabbits-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B002WOF3BI" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></li> </ul> Hope this helps Richard Hi Jenny
A cage or pen would be equally suitable for a rabbit, although pens often do not have a roof, so you would need to make sure that it was tall enough so your rabbit could not jump out. Pens are often sold in pet shops as puppy pens, although many of these would be equally suitable for rabbits. Make sure that the mesh is small enough so the rabbit can’t squeeze through and the sides are high enough to prevent the rabbit jumping out (rabbits can jump high!).
Often pens do not have a floor, so you would need to make sure the floor on which you are going to place the pen is safe for the rabbit, and can’t be dug up or damaged. It may also make it more difficult to clean than a rabbit cage, which would usually have a plastic tray as the base.
Here are some links to a couple of pet pens so you can have a look and make your decision:

Hope this helps
Richard

]]> By: Richard Lord http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-958 Richard Lord Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:45:50 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-958 Hi Michael Rabbit urine can be a variety of colours, from pale yellow to a fairly dark brown-orange colour. It can be quite thick, and occasionally with a white sludge. A variety of rabbit urine colours is shown in a picture on the <a href="http://www.greendale.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=34" rel="nofollow">Greendale Vetinary Diagnostics</a> website. Rabbit diarrhea is usually brown, smelly and can be quite watery, often causing a mess on the rabbits hindquarters. This is not to be mistaken for caecotrophs (which usually look like a mini bunch of brown, shiny grapes!), which the rabbit will usually re-ingest. Diarrhea can be very dangerous for rabbits, so if you suspect that your rabbit has diarrhea I would suggest taking your rabbit to the vets. Adult rabbits should have an unlimited supply of timothy hay, grass hay or oat hay as well as fresh water, along with small amounts of dried pellets, and fresh greens. Younger rabbits should have unlimited alfafa and pellets, gradually changing to the adult diet between the ages of 7 months to 1 year. Hay should smell fresh and sweet. If it smells bad, you should change it. I use wood shavings as a bed for my rabbits, however you could also use hay, straw or paper bedding such as <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002DIKS4?ie=UTF8&tag=barneyrabbits-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0002DIKS4" rel="nofollow">Yesterday's News</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=barneyrabbits-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B0002DIKS4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. I prefer not to use blankets because many rabbits will shred blankets, and then try to eat the shredded blanket, which could cause health problems. The behaviour you have described in your last paragraph indicates a happy rabbit - jumping and twisting like this is called a binky. Nipping is a sign of impatience when you are not stroking her at the right time! Aggressive behaviour can be reduced by having your rabbit neutered, and I would recommend that pet rabbits are neutered for this reason. The nipping you have described is not particularly aggressive, but it may be reduced and certainly should help to prevent more aggressive behaviour developing by having your rabbit neutered. Richard Hi Michael
Rabbit urine can be a variety of colours, from pale yellow to a fairly dark brown-orange colour. It can be quite thick, and occasionally with a white sludge. A variety of rabbit urine colours is shown in a picture on the Greendale Vetinary Diagnostics website.
Rabbit diarrhea is usually brown, smelly and can be quite watery, often causing a mess on the rabbits hindquarters. This is not to be mistaken for caecotrophs (which usually look like a mini bunch of brown, shiny grapes!), which the rabbit will usually re-ingest.
Diarrhea can be very dangerous for rabbits, so if you suspect that your rabbit has diarrhea I would suggest taking your rabbit to the vets.

Adult rabbits should have an unlimited supply of timothy hay, grass hay or oat hay as well as fresh water, along with small amounts of dried pellets, and fresh greens. Younger rabbits should have unlimited alfafa and pellets, gradually changing to the adult diet between the ages of 7 months to 1 year. Hay should smell fresh and sweet. If it smells bad, you should change it.
I use wood shavings as a bed for my rabbits, however you could also use hay, straw or paper bedding such as Yesterday’s News. I prefer not to use blankets because many rabbits will shred blankets, and then try to eat the shredded blanket, which could cause health problems.

The behaviour you have described in your last paragraph indicates a happy rabbit – jumping and twisting like this is called a binky. Nipping is a sign of impatience when you are not stroking her at the right time! Aggressive behaviour can be reduced by having your rabbit neutered, and I would recommend that pet rabbits are neutered for this reason. The nipping you have described is not particularly aggressive, but it may be reduced and certainly should help to prevent more aggressive behaviour developing by having your rabbit neutered.

Richard

]]> By: Jenny Gray http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/care/house.html#comment-903 Jenny Gray Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:51:03 +0000 http://www.barneyandjemima.co.uk/.html#comment-903 Hi, Thanks for all the helpful advice on here...I'm getting my first house rabbit in a couple of days and while I've pretty much stocked up on food, toys etc, I'm really unsure what to do about housing my rabbit...do I go for a cage or a pen? I live in a flat and work in the day so obviously he will have to stay in it while I'm not there, I'm more tempted with the pen but don't really know where to get one? It's a rescue rabbit though is friendly in nature. Any advice would be great, Thanks! Jenny Hi,
Thanks for all the helpful advice on here…I’m getting my first house rabbit in a couple of days and while I’ve pretty much stocked up on food, toys etc, I’m really unsure what to do about housing my rabbit…do I go for a cage or a pen? I live in a flat and work in the day so obviously he will have to stay in it while I’m not there, I’m more tempted with the pen but don’t really know where to get one? It’s a rescue rabbit though is friendly in nature.
Any advice would be great,
Thanks!
Jenny

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