During Rabbit Awareness Week we thought we would look at some rabbit welfare issues.
Generally, rabbits dislike being
picked up off the ground, as they are prey animals and need to feel able to get
away when necessary. They are, however, social creatures and there will be
ideal situations for you to spend time happily interacting with you as their
companion, and other rabbits they live with.
Your hutch
These should be raised off the
floor to allow air to circulate and prevent surface water being absorbed into
the floor. They should have a waterproof roof, but please be aware that hutches
become hot during the summer months and should be sited in a shady position.
The hutch must be secure against any
predators, but you must also ensure it is secure so your racbbits cannot escape. For this
reason, bolt fastenings are better than turn buttons etc as they cannot be
opened accidentally.
Wire floors should not be used as flooring since sore feet can quickly develop; overlaying a wooden
floor with wire makes cleaning difficult.
If you obtain a second-hand hutch,
please make sure you scrub it out thoroughly with a recommended animal cage cleaner. This
must be done some days before you expect to house new rabbits, as the timber
must be allowed to dry properly before you prepare the hutch for its new
occupants.
No hutch can be too large, in fact
the bigger the better! Rabbits need to be able to
stretch out lengthways, hop around, and stand up on their hind legs, otherwise
they can experience skeletal aches and pains from being too cramped.You should have at least two rooms in
your hutch. The main hutch area should have a wire front and be spacious enough
for your rabbits to hop around. Your pet's food should be kept to this area and, if
they toilet there, a litter tray could be placed in an appropriate corner, if you have the space. A sleeping area with access onto the main hutch should have
solid walls and a door where your rabbits can retreat and relax allowing them some
privacy.
Your rabbit's outside
run
Ideally their run should be attached to
the hutch so that your pets can choose whether to be in or outdoors. The run
should be as spacious as possible to allow the rabbit's to hop, jump, and have
total freedom of movement. Ideally the minimum size for two rabbits should be at least 200cm x 200cm. It must be secure, remember the underside, as a rabbit’s natural behaviour is to dig. Just as important is keeping it secure from predators.
Fresh water must always be available wherever your rabbits are - whether inside the hutch or outside in the run.
Your run
should be attached to the hutch, however, if this is not possible a large
free-standing run can be obtained which gives shelter, shade, and a place
within to hide from would-be predators. Just a thought - the sun moves around during the day, so remember a run that
starts in shade may be in full sunlight a few hours later.
Hygeine
Your rabbits’ health depends a great
deal on their environment, and a daily cleaning regime is really important.
It will not be long before you know where your rabbits like to toilet. This area can be
under-laid with newspaper to provide not only good absorbency, but ease of
cleaning. Some rabbits like litter trays. These should be large enough for the
rabbit to climb completely into. There are many litters available. Daily
removal of any faeces and dirty bedding and newspaper is important.
Spilled food or uneaten fruit or vegetables should
be removed daily. Uneaten food in bowls can be mixed in
with fresh food unless it is contaminated with bedding, faeces or is inedible.
Rabbits kept in dirty hutches can develop snuffles, sore feet, urine scalding and dirty bottoms – which can easily result in fly strike. The
eggs of the fly are laid in the surrounding area and, within approximately 12
hours, can hatch into maggots which will invade the rabbit’s body. Especially during warmer weather check your rabbit's bottom twice daily. Once fly-strike happens the
condition is often fatal. Please ask our advice about the best sort of preventative treatments. Please never assume
that your rabbit is healthy if you have not actually checked them that day.
Companionship
Rabbits are naturally sociable, so
they need companionship of their own kind. Rabbits are much happier living in
pairs or compatible groups. They will become very lonely living on their own. It is easiest if rabbits are kept
together from birth, but rabbits less than 12 weeks old will usually live
together happily. Neutered companions are the ideal friends. Two litter brothers, or two litter sisters, will also get on well, but ideally they should be neutered to prevent fights.
The Blue Cross Charity have some great leaflets including advise on introducing new rabbits to each other. Go to: http://www.bluecross.org.uk
On a final note...
If rabbits are not given daily opportunity
to exercise, they may begin to suffer from skeletal pain and become bad-tempered. Lots of people take on rabbits as children's pets. It is essential that an adult is the person
who takes responsibility of companion and animal carer. Rabbits are great pets but be aware they do need lots of attention and can often live for 8 to 12 years.
