Whether you intend to raise rabbits outside in a hutch or train them to live in the house as part of the family, these fluffy creatures always make excellent pets. But then again, a majority of people think that getting a rabbit is just like getting a goldfish; low maintenance, simple and doesn’t require too much care or research.
Truth be told, taking care of pet rabbits may be a bit more complex than it may look. Considering they are delicate animals, they need a special diet, suitable living condition, and vaccinations. So if you are considering getting rabbits as pets, don’t just hurry into making a decision. Take plenty of time to do your assignment and research.
Today we are going to discuss about eight most common myths associated with rabbits as pets and the truth behind them. Click for the 8 most common rabbit myths.
1. Rabbits are Easy to keep and Low Maintenance
Unlike dogs, rabbits don’t need daily walks in the park. They do not even need all of your attention. Even so, they certainly shouldn’t be viewed as low maintenance pets. Similarly to all other animals, they need to be given a constant supply good quality, appropriate food including greens, rabbit mix and hay. They also need to have their housing or hutch cleaned out on a daily basis.
Additionally, rabbits are delicate pets and sometimes require special care for health conditions, and attention paid to their enclosure temperature in both cold and hot weather.
2. They Have Short Lives
When properly cared for, rabbits have a long life span. In fact, some well cared, healthy rabbits can live up to10 to 12 years. Unfortunately, rabbits in most parts of the world do not live to their full potential as they are taken for granted. Bear this in mind when you plan to raise rabbits, make sure you are able to provide their needs to allow them to live longer.
3. Rabbits Don’t Need Regular Veterinary Care
Sometimes back, when only a few rabbits were domesticated, people use to think they don’t require veterinary attention. But over time, our understanding of what they need and appropriate care of rabbits have changed. In fact, rabbits do need as much, if not more, vet attention compared to cats and dogs.
Rabbits must be neutered as soon as you welcome them into your family, and also they require regular vaccinations some of which must be administered after every 6 months rather than on annual basis. Aside from that, rabbits will sometimes require dental attention to keep them from getting sick.
4. Rabbits are Happiest Outdoors
Rabbits are gregarious Creatures who enjoy social interaction and contact with their family. Rabbits kept as outdoor pets are often easily forgotten once the excitement of a new pet wears off. Extreme weather is not good for rabbits, as there are diseases that can spread by ticks, flies, fleas and mosquitos.
The easiest and most enjoyable way to ensure the happiness and health of your rabbits is to keep them indoors as members of your family.
5. Rabbits Enjoy Being Pick Up and Snuggled
Just like any other animal, some rabbits too enjoy being picked up and snuggled while others don’t. If they are mishandled, they may nip to protect themselves. Rabbits are pretty animals- because of this they prefer to have their feet flat on the ground so that they can be in a position to control the situation. There are a few rabbits that accept being picked up and snuggled, but it is important to understand that a good number of them are not okay with this.
6. Rabbits Don’t Need Much Living Space
In their natural habitats, rabbits spend a lot of time hopping here and there and cover a vast area of land as part of their daily routine. This allows them to look for food and stretch their legs. That’s said, a small hutch of few feet height that rabbits use for some few hours a day is certainly not enough. Even if you are raising the smallest of all rabbit breeds, they still need a large, spacious accommodation. This is to enable them move about and have a large run area for the better part of the day.
You will never get to enjoy most of the good things we see in rabbits if you don’t give them enough space to exercise. Make sure the space you have allowed your rabbits is free from electrical wires and house plants.
7. Rabbits are Smelly and Messy Pets
This is simply not true. Rabbits go an extra mile to stay clean this is especially when they have matured. In fact, if you give your rabbits some litter box training, there will be no odour at all. However, if you leave your pets festering in a dirty hutch that has not being cleaned for months, then expect the smell to be offensive to the nose! Moreover, it will also pose a threat to their health as rabbits won’t thrive if left in a dirty environment.
To prevent any strong smell, schedule time every day to clean your rabbits out and remove any spilled food and dropping. Thoroughly clean out their hutch and change the bedding. If you keep your rabbits clean, you won’t detect any smell at all; it’s just a myth.
8. Rabbits Can Be Left With Just a Bowl of Rabbit Pellets and Be Okay
Just like humans, rabbits too need to have a healthy and varied diet. Simply feeding them with rabbit pellets isn’t going to cut it; In fact, they should only be given rabbit pellets in very limited quantities. Instead, give it to your rabbits as an occasionally treat. Its main diet should mainly consist of grass hay. Give them on a daily basis.
It’s a myth that you can just through a bowl of pellets to your rabbits and travel for a day or two. Unlike cats or any other pets, rabbits require daily attention. Problems that are relatively minor in some rabbit species may be life threatening and require medical attention. For example not eating for a day or two may bring about a serious problem.
