Rabbits - Bunnies - Health Issues
Rabbits are generally healthy. However, good health should be maintained by proper care on the owner's part. Poor feeding, overcrowded or dirty hutches, early weaning, buying rabbits from sources with shady reputation, draughts and other negative factors can be ruinous for rabbits' health.
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Photo courtesy of
Angela's Rabbit Rescue
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Weepy eye, a bacterial infection of the eyelids, which is caused by dust or dirt, is common in rabbits. This condition can be successfully treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments. Colds in rabbits are very much like colds in humans. Sneezing, a nasal discharge, watery eyes and overall weakness characterize colds.
Scours or diarrhoea in rabbits are usually linked with overfeeding of green food. Veterinary help is urgent in cases of these diseases.
Mosquitoes may be the cause of myxomatosis. Swelling of the areas around eyes can indicate the disease. It is advised to cover the cages with gauze wire to protect rabbits and prevent infection.
It is vitally important to help rabbits survive in hot weather. The rabbit cage should not be in the hot summer sun. Freeze water in a plastic water bottle for the rabbit to lie nearby so that it can bear the heat and stuffy air.
Rabbits - Bunnies - Housing
Rabbit hutches can be built inside and outside. If the hutch is situated outside, a roof should be provided to give the rabbits necessary protection. It is advised to place secured hutches on posts or bricks to prevent them from overturning in bad weather. Absorbent bedding should also be supplied. A gauze mesh over the wire must serve as protection from mosquitoes. Damp and waterproof hutches will save the rabbits from getting colds. Rabbits are naturally solitary animals. Keep only one rabbit per cage.
A house rabbit can be allowed some freedom in the home and yard. However, this lifestyle can be safe only if plenty of care and control is provided on the owners' part. Predators can attack the rabbit outdoors, or it can eat some poisonous plants. It is your duty to eliminate the hazards of the rabbit's environment.
Rabbits - Bunnies - Spaying and Neutering
Spaying and neutering rabbits is wise for a number of reasons. However, rabbit anatomy is different from other animal pets. Therefore, the surgery is more difficult due to possible complications. Timid and fractious personality of rabbits makes surgery rather complex as well. Nevertheless, it is still recommended if you do not want to deal with baby bunnies and wish to see your rabbits healthy and calm.
Rabbits - Bunnies - Breeders Links
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Photo courtesy of
Angela's Rabbit Rescue
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Bunnies Breeder - Breeder in Germany with pictures.
German Bunnies - Information on breeds and breeding of rabbits in German.
Iowa State Rabbit Breeders - Iowa State Rabbit Breeders Association Official site. Dedicated to promoting all breeds of rabbits.
Kennel Vom Schickerhof - Find out about this breeder in Germany. View pictures of bunnies.
Rabbit Breeding - Breeder in Germany. Picture gallery and information.
Rabbits - In German. Provides information on rabbits and breeders search.
Rabbits - Bunnies - Clubs Links
American Rabbit Breeders Association - ARBA, an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy industry and fancy.
Baltimore & Howard Co. Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Association - Offers club news, membership lists, monthly meeting minutes and club links. Located in West Friendship, Maryland.
Doncaster Excelsior Rabbit Club - Rabbit club situated in the Yorkshire town of Doncaster in England. Presents information for British Rabbit Council shows, membership and current point standings.
Elkhart County 4H Rabbit Club - Rabbit club news, events, and contacts for the Elkhart County 4H Rabbit Club in Elkhart, Indiana.
Kaninhop in America - Rabbit Hopping Organization of America. Informing rabbit owners about the club and organize events and activities related to rabbit hopping.
New York Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Assoc. - New York State clubs, which promote the showing and responsible breeding of purebred rabbits and cavies. Site offers lists of rabbit clubs, sanctioned show dates and provides a County Fair schedule.
Ontario Rabbit Education Organization - A non-profit organization to promote the health and well being of domestic rabbits, by providing educational resources and support to rabbit caregivers.
Schweizer Feh Club - Contains the standard, results, club's events, overall information on rabbits, photo album and more. In German.
The Rabbit Habit - A non-profit local organization in the Philadelphia region that tries to support and educate network members, veterinarians, humane societies, pet stores, breeders, and the public with information on house rabbit lifestyles, care, and health.
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Photo courtesy of
Basically Bunnies
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Rabbits - Bunnies - General Information Links
Bella Online - Rabbits as Pets - Guide to purchasing and caring for pet rabbits includes instruction on nutrition, litter training, and choosing toys. Visit the discussion forum.
Bunniwerks - A resource for information on rescuing and caring for domestic rabbits as well as rabbit history and lore.
Coat Colour Biochemistry and Genetics - Pigments and how they are produced and transported into the coat of the rabbit. Information on how different genes affect this process and the overall coat color produced.
Hopperhome - Lots of information on rabbits including care, adoption and contests.
Show Rabbits - Information on care and showing rabbits in the UK. Photos available of many breeds of rabbits.
UK Rabbit WWW Page - The UK rabbit page allows rabbit owners to communicate with others with similar interests. Subjects covered are keeping rabbits as a hobby, hints and tips on all aspects of rabbit keeping from house pets to showing.
Rabbits - Bunnies - Other Rabbits sites
Cottontail Rabbits - Cottontail rabbits live in high numbers in areas, which are rich in vegetation. All rabbits are exclusively herbivorous and Cottontail rabbits are no exception. Plants that grow on fertilized soil attract them. Cottontails can be found in wild places with thick vegetation. They feed on grass, clover, chickweed and goldenrod. Garden plants, herbs, legumes, and fruits are also perfect food for rabbits. In winter, for lack of greenery, they chew on dry twigs and tree bark.
There are three types of Cottontail rabbits. These are Mountain Cottontail, Eastern Cottontail and Desert Cottontail. Mountain Cottontails are smaller in size. They live high in the uplands. Desert Cottontails are the most widespread; they can be found in every suitable region. East Cottontails are bigger than the other two. It is interesting that Cottontails can be found, not only in the suburbs, but in towns and cities as well.
Rabbits - There are vast numbers of breeds of rabbits on the planet. They are kept for meat and fur, commercial purposes, research and for fun. In the UK, rabbit shows take place on most weekends, which allows visitors to come and watch and possibly to decide which breed to choose for further keeping.
Rabbits vary in coat color. It is impossible to confine rabbits' coat color to one particular combination. They may be gray, white, brown or spotty. Generally rabbits are referred to as domestic animals. There are, however, species that are considered to be a part of wildlife, such as Cottontail Rabbits, which are found in Maryland and which are sometimes sheer trouble for local farmers. But even wild species of rabbits can be domesticated easily.
Dwarf Rabbits - Dwarf rabbits are the most adorned species by pet lovers. Their funny behavior and miniature size excite interest of children. They are often brought home as Christmas presents. As they grow they develop remarkable intellectual abilities, like trying to find a passage to favorite their shelter when the usual one is somehow blocked. Dwarfs are easily trained to use a toilet. They can open doors and wait in due time for the owner to return home.
There are several breeds of Dwarf rabbits. These are: The Netherland Dwarf, the Holland and English Lops, the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly and the Polish Dwarf. All Dwarf rabbits are submissive, kind and easy to care for them. However, there is a reasonably good deal regarding care tips for potential owners to learn beforehand.
Rabbits Breeders - Domestic Rabbits are very popular nowadays in the USA and many other countries. Breeders create new breeds and improve the conformation and health or existing breeds, so everybody can choose the pet according to his/her liking. Breeds differ by size, body structure, fur texture, ear shape, and coat length and color. According to the fur type Rabbits are subdivided into 4 groups: angora (with long and floating coat), satin (with shining coat), rex (with short velvety coat), and multi-colored (with several coat colors).
Rabbits Pictures - Oryclolagus cuniculus is the scientific name for rabbits. Oryct stands for 'digger', lag means 'hare' (Greek). Cunniculus is Latin for burrowing. The etimology underscores rabbits' kinship with hares.
Initially rabbits were mostly found as wild animals in Spain and Portugal, as well as in North West Africa. It was not until the 11th century that they were brought to England. Since then rabbits were kept for meat and fur. In the 19th century, they obtained the status of domestic animals.
