The ornamental rabbit – is quite often the pet of choice. Ornamental rabbits are very cute and low-maintenance, so it is not surprising that this choice is not rare. However, it is always important to make sure that such a pet has the right living conditions – this will require some attention and effort on your part. So what is the most important thing to know?
Decorative rabbit accommodation
The cage for an ornamental rabbit should be at least 80×50 cm. These animals are most comfortable when kept together, so if you decide to buy two rabbits, the cage should be 1×2 m. It is best to keep two females or neutered males in one cage. Ornamental rabbits get on well with guinea pigs and can be housed in a single cage – all you need to do is to choose the right sized „house“. The rabbit hutch should be high enough to provide a place for the pet to hide. It is important to be aware that ornamental rabbits are sensitive to draughts, so think about where you will put the cage beforehand. During the summer, the cage can be taken outside or on a balcony, but you must protect your pet from direct sunlight. The best temperature for a rabbit is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
Rabbit
Most ornamental rabbits „do their business“ in one place in the hutch of their choice. A bedding with excellent moisture absorption (e.g. wood shavings) may be the best choice. Rabbits value cleanliness very highly, so it is recommended to change the bedding at least once a week. You can install the pet’s toilet in the corner of the cage – shops will certainly have special corner litter boxes that can be attached to the cage bars.
Freedom to roam
For an ornamental rabbit, the cage area alone will not be enough – it is important to let your pet out for a daily walk. A fence can be built at home to protect the pet from potential dangers – it is no secret that rabbits like to chew on wires, which can be very sad. Ornamental rabbits can also be endangered by various poisonous plants, chemicals, etc. Be vigilant and watch what your pet does!
Diet for ornamental rabbits
Ornamental rabbits’ diet is based on cereals and vegetables. It is recommended to feed these pets morning and evening – give 1-2 tablespoons of cereal mix and 20-30 g of vegetables (or 60 g of grass). To diversify the pet’s diet, you can give some fruit (it should be fresh, sufficiently ripe, uncooked and unpreserved). It is essential to give the rabbit hay every day as it is needed for digestion (give as much as the pet eats per day). The hutch should also always have fresh water (at room temperature). Change the water daily, twice a day in summer. It is always important to make sure that the food given to your pet is suitable – if you notice that your rabbit’s tummy has swollen or become too hard, it may be a sign that it is time to see a vet.
What can you feed your rabbit?
For a decorative rabbit, you can give bananas, basil, broccoli, pears (skin and pits removed), strawberries, a small piece of melon, strawberries, carrots, peaches, dandelions (both leaves and blossoms are suitable), radish leaves, dill leaves, spinach, blackcurrant leaves.
Beware: it can be poisonous!
Do not give apricots, cornflowers, acacias, begonias, cherry berries and leaves, algae, carnations, mustard, hyacinths, irises, fig trees, bay leaves, hemp, poppies, daisies, narcissi, tomato leaves, snowdrops, chrysanthemums, pansies, tulips, to decorative rabbits.
Do you need to give vitamins and minerals?
Rabbits require the following nutrients: fiber, protein, small amounts of fat, a variety of minerals (but not excessively so, especially calcium), and vitamins A, D, and E.
Rabbits do not require any of the vitamin B complex, nor do they require any additional vitamin C.