How to Take Care of Dwarf Rabbits

House rabbits are extremely popular, earning the title of the third most popular pet, after dogs and cats, in the United States and the United Kingdom. Rabbits, including dwarf rabbits, can be an ideal pet but they are also high maintenance, requiring a lot of care, love, and attention, so carefully consider if a house rabbit is the right pet for you before adopting one.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large exercise pen or cage (no wire bottom) High quality timothy hay or orchard grass High quality timothy hay-based pellets Fresh greens (parsley, Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens) Treats (baby carrot, small piece of banana or apple) Boxes Chewing materials (phone books, toilet paper or paper towel rolls) Large litter box Non-clumping cat litter/wood stove pellets Toys (baby keys)

1. Set up your dwarf rabbit's new home. Many people allow their rabbits free run of the house. If this is not an option for you, purchase a large exercise pen or a large cage (the bigger the better) for your new dwarf bunny. Be sure to provide a litter box, with wood stove pellets or non-clumping cat litter acting as litter, as house rabbits can be easily litter trained.

2. Purchase a high quality timothy hay or orchard grass and high quality timothy hay-based pellets for your house rabbit. He should have access to plenty of fresh hay at all times. Dwarf rabbits under six months can have unlimited pellets while those over six months should be given one quarter cup of pellets each day.

3. All house rabbits need fresh, dark, leafy greens, such as parsley and romaine lettuce, in their diet. Dwarf rabbits should be given a minimum of two cups of vegetables per day. A small baby carrot or a small piece of banana or apple may also be given daily as a treat.

4. Provide your house rabbit with plenty of toys, such as old phone books and toilet paper rolls (ideal for chewing) and plastic baby keys.

5. Give your rabbit a box that she can hide in, climb on, and chew. Boxes are an ideal place to hide when a rabbit is scared and they are a great source of entertainment.

6. If your rabbit is confined to a cage or a pen, ensure he has at least four hours of exercise time out of his cage or pen each day. Make sure phone wires, computer wires, and other wires are out of reach before you let your bunny out. Dwarf rabbits, like all rabbits, love to chew.

7. Make an appointment with a rabbit-savvy vet to have your rabbit spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted babies. Even if you only have one rabbit, altering is essential to his or her health.

8. Dwarf rabbits, like all house rabbits, are sociable animals who crave attention, so make sure you spend plenty of time with your rabbit and give him lots of attention.

Tips & Warnings

• House rabbits are high maintenance pets that require specialized care. You must pay close attention to your dwarf rabbit to ensure you catch any signs that he may be sick. Because rabbits are prey animals, they will hide their illnesses, often until it is too late, so you must be in tune with your rabbit's personality. Rabbits require the care of exotic vets. Many vets who see dogs and cats do not specialize in rabbits. Vet care can be quite costly.