Dwarf rabbit is an increasingly popular animal in French homes.However, beyond the cute aspect of this animal, it is not so simple that it seems to raise it in good conditions and to keep it healthy.
Indeed, the dwarf rabbit is a very fragile animal that requires a lot of attention as well as time to take care of it.If despite everything, adopting this little animal does not put you off, here is the complete guide to correctly raise a dwarf rabbit at home.
What is a dwarf rabbit?
Contrary to what many people think, dwarf rabbit is not an animal that exists in nature.Indeed, it is a "miniature version" of the common rabbit or rabbit from Garenne (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
This rabbit species has been the subject of selections in farms, in particular thanks to the Hermine race, smaller than the other races of European rabbits, to give the dwarf rabbits that we all know today, namely rabbits do notWeighing only 1.5kg to the maximum.
Although the small size of the dwarf rabbit gives it a practical side allowing it to be lived in an apartment, this animal has an important disadvantage: it has a very fragile health.He will therefore need a rigorous interview and the presence to allow him to live in good conditions.
Dwarf rabbit is a lagomorphic (and not a rodent as the vast majority of people can think), Herbivore (it only feeds on plants) and daytime (which is born).He has a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years maximum, and the color of his dress can be very varied, ranging from white to brown, via red and two -color.So there are dwarf rabbits for all tastes.
How to take care of a dwarf rabbit at home?
Despite its small size, the dwarf rabbit requires a certain space to live properly.For a single individual, it will take a cage measuring at least one meter in width;The greater the cage, the better.So do not hesitate to take two -story cages.
To garnish the cage bottom, different offers exist that are all suitable for dwarf rabbit but the most frequent are:
The cage itself should not be placed anywhere.In addition to having a very fragile health, rabbit is an animal sensitive to stress.It will therefore be necessary to place the cage in a quiet room, in which it is not likely to be disturbed by other too curious animals (cats, dogs, etc.).The part should not receive air currents (bad for the health of the dwarf rabbit), not be in full sun to avoid insolation, and have an ambient temperature between 20 and 25 ° C.
The main diet of the dwarf rabbit will be hay.He will need it at will, which will require a certain budget for his master.You will have to choose the hay for it to have good nutritional quality: the greater the hay, the better it is.Be careful however, some brands use green filters on their packages, to deceive the buyer on the quality of the hay.So be vigilant.
However, hay is not the only diet that the rabbit needs.It will also need either a mixture of seeds, or extruded kibbles, sold in a specialized store, at a good handful morning and evening.
If you wish, you can also feed your rabbit with fresh products.Contrary to popular belief, rabbits do not only eat carrots!You can give your rabbit artichokes, chard, beets (in small quantities), broccoli (in small quantities), carrots (including the tops), celery-rave, celery-branche, green cabbage,Zucchini, endives, spinach, fennel, green beans (in very small quantity), turnips, parsnips, peas, pepper (in very small quantity), pink radish and salad (all varietiesApart from lettuce).
In addition to all this, mineral blocks are recommended, to allow the rabbit to make his teeth, but also to bring him beneficial minerals for his organism, and of course, fresh water at will.
The dwarf rabbit is a sociable animal, so he will appreciate living with a congener.However, prefer to adopt two females or two males, because taking a couple will give you a lot of little ones that will have to be managed.In addition, the male may exhaust the female to want to reproduce too much.
The dwarf rabbit is also tolerant, since it will not be reluctant to live with other species, like the guinea pig to name a few, with whom it will coexist without problems.
However, avoid making it cohabit with dogs or cats, at least as long as he is not adult and comfortable in his environment.Indeed, the latter would risk not being very delicate with him, because even without wanting him to harm him, they will stress the dwarf rabbit.
As a human, it will obviously be necessary to accustom the dwarf rabbit to your presence and your contact, but it will be necessary to go smoothly.At first after his arrival, he will have to leave him alone so that he gets used to his new environment, your presence limiting himself to taking care of his litter, his water and his food.
As soon as you notice that he got used to your presence, you can gradually start getting into contact with him: the first days with quick touch, without forcing him, then little by little it will evolve untilto wear it.
Once the rabbit is comfortable with its masters and its environment, do not hesitate to let it out of its cage so that it can stretch their legs.Be careful however, like all rodents (even if it is not one), it will appreciate nibble on the electric cables, it will therefore be necessary to get it out under surveillance.
Dwarf rabbit health
The dwarf rabbit therefore has a very fragile health, it is also very sensitive to stress which can cause it diseases, especially diarrhea, which are fatal in these animals, since they completely dehydrate them.
When acquiring a dwarf rabbit, it is strongly recommended to take an anti-diarrheal product at the same time, normally on sale in all pet stores.
At home, limit all sources of stress concerning him (noise or too strong music, children who are too present around him, dogs or cats that are too curious about his cage), but also the tunes and too big temperature shocksalso bad for his health.
