Before getting a new pet, it’s important to educate yourself on diet and exercise tips as well as understanding their habits, life span, and the care they will need. Choosing which pet you are going to get can be a difficult decision to make. There are a number of questions you should ask, such as: Do you have the time for them? Do you have the right space? Are you committed to the financial costs? Rabbits, in particular, require a lot of cleaning, but also need a lot of trips to the pet shop to keep their hutches suitable for them to live in. It’s estimated that the initial cost of owning a rabbit, in terms of purchasing what they need is around £570, with ongoing costs adding up due to their food, flea and worm treatment, add to that health checks and booster vaccines it’s pricey. The average monthly cost of owning two rabbits is £70. A bunny is for life, and not just for Easter. Understanding their dietary requirements is an important factor to consider when thinking about owning a pet rabbit. Make sure you know how regularly they need to be fed and what types of food to feed them. At For Petz NI, we only stock the best products for your rabbit. Have a look at our website to see the food your bunny will be hopping mad for. Here are 6 facts you might not know about rabbits, to help you to decide whether it’s the right pet for you: 1. Associated Costs When deciding to get a rabbit, there are a few things you should be aware of before making the commitment. To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, there are must-haves for the hutch which include: a waterproof home, an exercise run, a food bowl, a water bottle, toys, grooming equipment, and a pet carrier. Rabbits also require an initial course of vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, pet insurance (recommended), and flystrike prevention. 2. Their Teeth Constantly Grow Over the space of a year, rabbit teeth will grow up to 12cm. Regular examinations of your rabbit’s teeth need to be carried out by professionals, as they can be prone to dental diseases, and their teeth can overgrow which will cause their mouths to be painful as well as limit their ability to chew. Their natural high-fibre diet of grass/hay/green vegetables helps to wear down their teeth over time, but further solutions such as reshaping of their teeth may need to be implemented. 3. They Are Social Animals In the wild rabbits live in family groups. Their loving and gentle nature calls for them to have companionship with humans and/or other rabbits (depending on their individual personalities, and if the other rabbits are from the same litter or not). If you are to introduce your rabbit to another, this needs to be a gradual process with plenty of supervision. Having distractions such as food and toys also helps to keep both rabbits calm and collected. 4. They Can Respond To Commands Rabbits are intelligent animals and don’t get enough credit for this. Just like dogs, they are able to learn tricks and commands if they are rewarded with treats. Try teaching your rabbit the usual commands such as “sit”, “bedtime” and “dinner”, making sure to keep a high-pitched tone in your voice to keep them excited. To keep their busy minds active, rabbits need to have new experiences and your attention. They are known to show their feelings through body language, and can even show jealousy if they aren’t getting as much attention as someone else. 5. Allergies To Household Products Rabbits can be allergic to common household products and particles. Dust, cigarette smoke, carpet cleaners fabric, and air fresheners are among the most common allergies that can be found in rabbits. Allergy symptoms to look out for on your rabbit are – red eyes, clear discharge from its nose, excessively touching its face with its paws, and rubbing its face on the ground regularly. By filtering fresh air and avoiding the use of certain household chemicals, your rabbit’s ailments may be eased. Make sure to take them for a check-up to leave in a blood sample if they show signs of allergies. 6. Terminology Now is the time to learn the lingo with some cute rabbit terms that you can use once your welcome your new pet. A baby rabbit is called a kit, a female rabbit is called a doe and a male is called a buck. A group of bunnies is known as either a fluffle or a colony. Rabbits perform an athletic trick called a ‘binky’ and love doing mid-air twists and kicks. Binkying looks like a large jump in the air, with the rabbit twisting its head and body at the same time. Rabbits are known to perform this trick when they are happy and/or excited. Stock up on your pet essentials by checking out our shop
