Rabbits can be allowed free access to the house and can be readily littertrained. If a litterbox is to be supplied, use only pelleted paper or non toxic organic litter in the box. Standard clay or gravel can be harmful if ingested by your rabbit. With rabbits that are allowed to roam freely, realize that they can be quite destructive with their teeth and nails. Rabbit proof your home as you would for any new puppy or kitten. If your rabbit is to be kept in a cage, be sure it provides plenty of room in which to move around. Metal cages can be purchased commercially or can be constructed out of wire mesh. This wire mesh should be 1x2 inches on the sides and no more than 1/2x1 inch on the floor.
Because wire mesh is hard on the feet of rabbits, supply a plastic or metal resting board to place over a portion of the cage floor. This will provide your rabbit with both a space for resting and a space for activity. Cover this portion of flooring with straw or aspen shavings. Just remember to remove all feces and urine that may accumulate on a daily basis. To ensure utmost sanitation, a tray filled with cat litter or other absorbent material can be placed beneath the open flooring to capture urine and fecal material that passes through the wire mesh. Many cage setups have sunken flooring beneath the wire mesh that slides out and makes cleanup much easier .
Cages should be placed in well-ventilated areas to prevent buildups of ammonia fumes emitted from urine. If kept outdoors, they should also provide protection against the wind and other elements. Rabbits enjoy environmental temperatures that range between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures exceeding 85 degrees are not well tolerated. Sipper bottles suspended from the sides of the cage should be used in place of water bowls, since sippers prevent fecal contamination of the water supply and also reduce the chances of sore hock and other moisture related diseases. Cages, food bowls, and water dispensers should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice weekly. Chlorhexidine or a quaternary ammonium compound diluted in a 1:10 solution (1 part ammonium to 10 parts water) can be used as the disinfectant. Be sure to rinse well after application. For cages located outdoors, waste material should be removed at least every other day to keep it from attracting flies and other insects.
Because wire mesh is hard on the feet of rabbits, supply a plastic or metal resting board to place over a portion of the cage floor. This will provide your rabbit with both a space for resting and a space for activity. Cover this portion of flooring with straw or aspen shavings. Just remember to remove all feces and urine that may accumulate on a daily basis. To ensure utmost sanitation, a tray filled with cat litter or other absorbent material can be placed beneath the open flooring to capture urine and fecal material that passes through the wire mesh. Many cage setups have sunken flooring beneath the wire mesh that slides out and makes cleanup much easier .
Cages should be placed in well-ventilated areas to prevent buildups of ammonia fumes emitted from urine. If kept outdoors, they should also provide protection against the wind and other elements. Rabbits enjoy environmental temperatures that range between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures exceeding 85 degrees are not well tolerated. Sipper bottles suspended from the sides of the cage should be used in place of water bowls, since sippers prevent fecal contamination of the water supply and also reduce the chances of sore hock and other moisture related diseases. Cages, food bowls, and water dispensers should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice weekly. Chlorhexidine or a quaternary ammonium compound diluted in a 1:10 solution (1 part ammonium to 10 parts water) can be used as the disinfectant. Be sure to rinse well after application. For cages located outdoors, waste material should be removed at least every other day to keep it from attracting flies and other insects.
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