One of the most popular and widely bred domestic animals.
About 50 recognized breeds and varieties exist today.
Very sociable and gregarious - needs physical contact, warmth
and affection.
Relies on the safety and protection of burrows and other
hiding places.
Territorial animals in the wild with a strict rank order
- every colony has a dominant male and female.
Extremely adaptable - colonies settle right into civilization;
in parks, sports fields and empty lots.
Among the cleanest animals. Rabbits lick themselves even
more than cats do.
Can be trained to use a litter box.
Female rabbits are sexually receptive almost the entire year.
Litters are born about a month after conception.
Babies are helpless at birth - naked, blind and deaf.
Tame rabbits first bred in French monasteries in the 16th
century.
Range from 2 lbs. in Dwarf breeds to 15 lbs. in Giants.
Very sensitive to noise. Pinpoints the faintest sound from
anywhere with highly developed sense of hearing.
Has whiskers as long as its body is wide to measure the width
of passages and to find its way in the dark.
Its nose has 100 million scent cells for a highly acute sense
of smell. Recognizes other rabbits by scent secretion. Sensitive
to strong perfumes and chemicals.
Has large field of vision, limited close-up vision and poor
depth perception. Can't see well in bight sunlight.
What Your Rabbit Needs
Large cage. At least 40" x 20" x 18"
for two Dwarf or small breed rabbits. Plus a 6" deep plastic
floor pan and a flip open wire cage top.
Good quality gravity flow water bottle. Heavy duty
plastic bottle provides your rabbit with clean, fresh water when
he wants it. Stainless steel drinking tube with stainless steel
balls keeps cage clean and dry. Get a metal bottle guard to keep
your pet from chewing on the bottle.
A nest box. Gives indoor rabbits warmth and a sense
of safety. Should measure 14" x 14" x 12" with
a 6" diameter entry hole. You can buy one or build one yourself.
It the top of the box flips up, it's easier to clean inside.
Hay rack. Keeps hay and greens off floor where it
can become soiled.
Food dish. Keeps food from becoming contaminated.
Glazed clay or porcelain is best plastic tips over.
Small animal litter. Made of pine. Very absorbent
and non-toxic. Place 2" to 3" on bottom of cage and
change at least once a week. Straw also makes good bedding.
Other Rabbit Tips
Keep your rabbits's cage in a quiet, comfortable place away
from loud radios, television sets and noise. Sounds we can't
even hear are painful to rabbits.
Do not place your rabbit cage in direct sunlight, near a
heat vent or radiator.
Room temperature (68 to 72F) is ideal for rabbits.
Keep the cage off the floor, away from any drafts.
Always keep a watchful eye on your rabbit when he's outside
his cage.
If you have other pets or small children, have them get acquainted
with your rabbit gradually to prevent mishaps.
Never your rabbit alone with another pet, like a dog or cat,
regardless of how good their friendship may seem.
Never shout at your rabbit or hit it, no matter how lightly.
You'll scare him - this type of discipline doesn't work on rabbits.
Keep you rabbit away from poisonous plants, including fool's
parsley, hemlock, belladonna, common nightshade, laburmum and
yew.
Keep your rabbit's cage clean. Clean out your rabbit's "toilet
area" daily and change the bedding twice a week. Wash out
the plastic floor tray with warm water and mild household cleaner.
Rinse food containers out every week, and scrub the water bottle
with a bottle brush to prevent algae.
Call (715 234 1011) or e-mail Pets for You with your questions.
Caring for Your Rabbit 
