Pet Rabbit Care: Feeding Methods and Daily Care Essentials
Although they are all commonly called rabbits, what general @#@211@#@ sell are domestic rabbits improved from wild European rabbits through selective breeding. There are many breeds; the one most familiar to the public is the all-white Japanese White. In recent years, rabbits of other coat colors have gradually increased in the market and are also very popular. There is also a breed called the mini rabbit, but it is not actually a true mini rabbit; rather, it is a cross between small rabbits such as the Dutch and Belgian breeds and the white Japanese rabbit. What you see in shops are young rabbits, and their size will certainly increase as they grow up. Only a purebred Belgian, with a total length of about 30cm, can truly be called a mini rabbit.
Food: rabbits are almost completely herbivorous animals. They very much like eating vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and radish leaves, as well as dandelion and plantain. The Japanese market has recently introduced pelleted artificial feed for rabbits, which has the advantages of balanced nutrition and hardness that is good for the teeth. In the future, artificial feed can be used as the staple food, with a small amount of vegetables or wild grass provided as well.
Even today, some people still believe the superstition that "giving a rabbit water to drink will kill it immediately," and even pet shops tell owners that it is best not to give drinking water. But rabbits, like other animals, will certainly die if they do not drink water. However, because in the past they were fed vegetables and wild grass containing a large amount of water, the water contained in these foods was enough for their needs; if too much water was given, it would affect the health of the digestive tract, cause diarrhea, and a wet cage would easily make the rabbit sick. This is the reason people say rabbits cannot drink water. If dry artificial feed is used as the staple food, then of course they need to drink water.
Rabbit droppings are usually hard, round black pellets, and occasionally soft feces also appear. If you are not careful, the rabbit may immediately eat these soft feces in the cage. These soft feces contain plant fiber that cannot be digested from food; after being eaten again, the nutrients the body needs are absorbed, and then they are excreted as round pellets. If they do not eat these feces, some rabbits may die from nutritional deficiency. A rabbit eating its own feces is not like cats and dogs, where it is due to a mental disorder, so there is no need for particular worry.
On average, a cage with each side about 50-60 cm long can house 1-2 rabbits. Squirrel cages, large bird cages, and cat cages sold on the market can all be used. When making a cage yourself, make sure the wood is hard enough to avoid its being bitten through. Use wooden slats at the bottom of the cage to help waste pass out and avoid excessive dampness inside the cage. It is best to use wire mesh for the front and sides so that ventilation inside the cage is good.
If raised outdoors, using the ground directly as the floor of the hutch may allow the rabbit to dig a hole and escape, so special attention should be paid. In addition, because rabbits cannot tolerate stuffiness, heat, or dampness, if they are kept outdoors, during the rainy season and hot summer, when going out, be careful not to place the cage in a closed room or on a balcony that gets direct sunlight.
When a rabbit is about 8 months old, its sexual development matures. When a female rabbit appears restless and agitated, it is a sign of being in heat. After mating, the male rabbit will let out a high-pitched cry and collapse. After the female rabbit becomes pregnant, she should be separated from the male rabbit. Spread straw or other hay inside the cage, and surround the cage with cloth. Try not to touch her, and let the female rabbit stay quiet and stable. The female rabbit will use the hair from her abdomen to make a nest. From pregnancy to kindling, the female rabbit will become very nervous. If handled too much, the mother rabbit may bite the owner or bite to death the young rabbits she has given birth to. One litter can produce 5-6 young rabbits. If food or drinking water is insufficient, the mother rabbit may eat the young rabbits, so the amount provided should be slightly more than usual. After about 30 days, the young rabbits can leave the nest. At this time, the young rabbits can be separated from the mother rabbit and fed bread soaked in milk and soft vegetables; they can then be tamed very easily. If care is difficult, you can wait until the young rabbits can eat adult rabbit food before separating them from the mother rabbit.