How to Care for Lop Ear Rabbits
As its name implies, the lop ear rabbit sports a pair of big floppy years that give it a distinct appearance. A gentle animal with a loving disposition, the lop ear rabbit makes an acceptable pet for children with adult supervision. The rabbit's floppy ears do make it more prone to ear infections and it will require additional care to maintain its health. Eight types of lop ear rabbits exist that vary in size from dwarf to standard.
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Things You'll Need
- Cage
- Litter box
- Sawdust or shredded paper
- Water dispenser
- Food bowl
- Commercial rabbit pellets
- Fresh greens
- Soft bristled brush
- Wire brush
- Rabbit ear wax remover
Instructions
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Provide a cage for the lop ear rabbit that measures at least two feet by two feet by four feet. Place a litter box filled with shavings or shredded paper in one corner of the cage. The lop ear will usually use the litter box. Some people allow the rabbit the freedom to roam the house once the rabbit becomes accustomed to using a litter box.
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Feed a quarter of a cup of commercial rabbit pellets for every five pounds that the rabbit weighs. Feed the lop ear rabbit once per day.
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Supplement the lop ear rabbits diet with fresh greens. Choose parsley, watercress, cabbage, dandelions or broccoli.
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Place a water bottle in the lop eared rabbits cage. Maintain, clean water daily.
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Clean the rabbits litter box daily. Clean its entire cage every other day.
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Brush the lop ear rabbit using a soft bristle brush daily. During the rabbit's molt, brush once every other day using a wire brush to remove excessive fur. The lop ear rabbit grooms itself fastidiously. Daily brushing will help prevent it from getting an intestinal hair ball that can lead to a gastrointestinal obstruction.
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Exam the lop ear rabbit's ear canal daily for any buildup of wax. Lift the ear up and look into the canal. Clean the rabbit's ears using a veterinarian approved ear wax remover if the ear shows any waxy residue. Follow the directions on the ear wax remover for application instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Provide shelter for the rabbit if housed outdoors.
The lop eared rabbit lives five to six years.
Spaying or neutering the lop eared rabbit will increase its life span to approximately 10 years.
Lop eared rabbits can suffer from respiratory infections. Watch the bunny closely for any signs of breathing distress, nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing. Take the bunny to the veterinarian if it appears sick.
Take the lop eared rabbit to a veterinarian if its ear smells foul or if there is a buildup of any dark, waxy substance in the ear canal.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Dean Golja/Digital Vision/Getty Images
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Comments
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Thank you for this site, it was most helpful :)
