“What’s Up Doc?”
Sounds familiar? Well, if Bugs Bunny comes to mind, you’re on the right track. Inside today’s feature with the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), the focus lies on this furry and adorable creature, the rabbit.
To give all Bugs Bunny and prospective Peter Rabbit owners the 101, on how to properly care for them, is the JSPCA’s Dr Victoria Hurge.
These small, fluffy mammals have become quite popular and are known for hopping around with their iconic ears, whiskers, cotton tails and soft coats.
What do I need to know before getting a rabbit?
Hurge shared with Our Today that one’s decision to have a rabbit as a pet requires proper knowledge and adequate preparation.
Rabbits are able to live for 10 to 12 years and require daily and weekly care over the course of their lives.
Hurge explained that, if the owner’s intention is keep the rabbit restrained in a cage most of the time, then it’s not the best pet to get, as they are animals that require exercise and room to roam.
“If you don’t have space for a dedicated rabbit room or a very large cage then rabbit proofing your home is another consideration,” the vet shared.
She continued: “Feeding and cleaning messes isn’t enough and as such can be a big commitment if a rabbit is given to a child as a pet which is generally not recommended for young children.”
In making your home rabbit proof, it is important to protect your furniture and remove plastic tubing around cables as rabbits chew on almost everything and their teeth never stop growing.
Hurge stated that rabbits’ nocturnal (crepuscular) nature is important to consider, when getting a rabbit.
“Another important fact to know is that rabbits are crepuscular which basically means they typically sleep during the day and night and tend to be active during dusk and dawn.”
A rabbit’s diet is extremely important to consider. Although all Bugs Bunny eats is carrots, rabbits actually need more than just that to make up their diet.
What should my rabbit’s environment look like?
Given the active nature of rabbits, their living area ought to be filled with ample space for them to hop around, stretch and stand up fully without their ears coming in contact with the roof of their environment. They require daily exercise to keep fit. These creatures are also quite inquisitive and easily become bored.
They also need a safe and secure shelter in order to feel protected against predators.
“They are prey animals and especially when alone will be alert at all times and having a safe secure environment will make your rabbit feel more at ease. As such hiding places are essential so your rabbit can hide when they are feeling afraid,” Hurge noted.
Adequate ventilation, which is draught free and dry, is also vital for rabbits. A poorly ventilated, damp, hot and dirty environment can lead to illnesses.
Rabbits should also have sufficient bedding made out of materials safe to eat such as hay or straw. The bedding area should also be dust free.
They also need regular access to a toilet area, so it is also important to include that in their environment.
“Providing a litter tray can be done and newspaper, hay/straw, shredded paper and/or paper-based non-clumping, non-expanding cat litter can be used. The sleeping area should be separate from the toilet area,” the vet explained.
What should a rabbit eat and drink?
The bulk of your rabbit’s diet should consist of water and hay or grass.
“Hay or grass is vital for a properly functioning digestive tract so a healthy supply is extremely important. Leafy greens can be supplements along with small amounts of pellets,” Hurge explained.
Hurge made a quite shocking revelation, sharing that rabbits do not naturally eat root vegetables such as carrots or fruit, thus, they should only be fed those in small proportions. Growing, pregnant, nursing and underweight rabbits may need larger portions of food than the average healthy rabbit.
“Also, not eating the right diet can result in serious dental disease. Sudden changes in diet should be avoided as well and even lawnmower clippings as these can both upset rabbits’ digestive systems causing illness,” Hurge noted.
If a rabbit’s diet is not correct, it will experience serious dental disease. As rabbits have teeth that continuously grow, it is important to constantly wear them down in order to keep them at the correct length or shape. This can be done by eating grass, hay and leafy green plants.
Another shocking revelation is that rabbits eat their own droppings. They produce both hard dry pellets and soft moist pellets. They are dietary essentials which they tend to eat directly frim their rear. This process is known as coprophagy and functions the same as cows chewing their cud.
Hurge stressed that processed foods and dairy products should under no circumstances be given to rabbits. Seeds, nuts, grains and select vegetables from the onion and nightshade families should also be avoided.
She reiterated the avoidance of carrots, saying: “Carrots are should also be avoided as it is more of a treat than actual nutrition and large amounts can cause more harm than any good.”
What are some common illnesses among rabbits?
Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis as well as dental diseases are quite prevalent among these furry creatures.
Gastrointestinal Stasis – This is a decrease in movement in the gastrointestinal tract, caused by a combination of decreased food intake, dehydration, and changes in the population of GI bacteria that normally ferment the food in a healthy rabbit’s GI tract. This may result in food and dehydrated mats of hair to form an impaction, typically in the stomach.
Dental Diseases – Their teeth will often overgrow once they have excess intake of soft, crumbly pellets which do not grind their teeth down, as opposed to chewing on enough coarse hay which does.
Once overgrown, molars may become abscessed at the roots or form sharp spurs/points on their surfaces from abnormal wear. The sharp edges can cut into the tongue, gums, and cheeks. When the upper and lower teeth do not meet during chewing, the rabbit may suffer from dental malocclusion.
“Front teeth may overgrow to the point that they protrude out of the mouth, grow at an angle to each other, curl back into the mouth, curl sideways, or take on other problematic positions,” she explained.
How often should I bring my rabbit to the Vet for a checkup?
“Rabbit exams are recommended to be done at least annually and rabbits over five years of age such get checked out twice annually,” Hurge said.
Are there common misconceptions about rabbits?
Easy and low maintenance pets – According to Hurge, they are anything but low maintenance.
Only live for a year or two – they can live up to 12 years through well care, long-term commitment and care.
Do not need to see the vet – These delicate animals require care and attention if anything is off. “A simple scenario with a rabbit not eating can be more serious than a dog not eating for a day,” Hurge said.
Happiest outdoors in a backyard hutch – extreme weather can be dangerous and being outdoors may result in them contracting diseases spread by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.
Love to be picked up and cuddled and don’t scratch or bite – some rabbits enjoy being handled while others don’t. If mishandled, the rabbit may respond by scratching or biting.
Left unsupervised and unmonitored for day or two – rabbits require daily monitoring and care.
They only need to eat rabbit food and carrots – hay is the single most important component of a rabbit’s diet. Carrots should be treated as treat instead of a main part of its diet.
JSPCA
Working in Jamaica for over 100 years, the JSPCA’s main mission is to promote the compassionate treatment of animals through education, advocacy, veterinary care and the placing of unwanted animals in loving homes. Services offered at the JSPCA include pet adoption, animal shelter, surgeries and animal rescue.
- Dr. Victoria Hurge is a vet at the JSPCA. Graduating from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, she enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and currently works mostly in small animal medicine.
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