Rabbits

The rabbit is not a rodent in the zoological sense of the term; it is a lagomorph. Indeed, it has 4 upper incisors, whereas rodents have only 2.

Telling a dwarf rabbit from an ordinary rabbit:

The dwarf rabbit is distinguished by its weight (0.8 to 1.5 kg), a size under 21 cm, and the length of its ears (6 cm or less). The ordinary rabbit breeds are much larger and weigh from 2 to 7 kg.

Upkeep:

It can live alone, in a group or, if necessary, cohabit with other animals (for example: the guinea pig).

Beware of two males in the same cage (risk of fighting).

Females can turn out to be quite aggressive, especially during periods of heat.

Marks its territory by rubbing the bridge of its nose or its chin on the furniture.

Sensitive to any change in its environment.

If it lives free, beware of electrical cables. When confined to a cage suited to the animal's size: Information under: blv.admin.ch

The cage must be placed in a quiet spot.

The optimal ambient temperature: 18-20 degrees

The bedding (hay, straw, wood shavings or commercial bedding, hemp bedding highly recommended) must stay dry and be renewed 1 to 2 times a week

Provide it with pieces of wood or branches from fruit trees to wear down its teeth. This also allows you to check the health of its teeth, especially during its first year of life (symptoms of dental malformation: malnutrition, change in behaviour, diarrhoea, drooling, etc.)

Daily brushing, especially for angora breeds.

Diet:

Herbivores: 2 possible diets.

• Traditional, based on roots or tubers (carrots), crushed grains (wheat, oats, barley or maize), hay (lucerne or legumes) and fresh, unwashed greens.
• Commercial, made up of suitable, balanced pellets, plus hay and a little fresh, non-moist greenery.
• Food to avoid: buttercup, autumn crocus, poppies and houseplants.
• Food available at will: Fruit
• Food in moderation: hazelnuts, almonds, treats, biscuits.

Care:

• The bedding must often be changed to remove the rather strong smell of the urine.
• Daily brushing is essential for an angora specimen.
• Observing the skin is very important in your rabbit, so that you can detect a problem before it gets worse.

Common diseases

In the rabbit, the most common reasons for consultation concern the teeth (malocclusion), the problems (mange, ringworm, fleas) and thedigestive tract.

The skin and coat. The rabbit can pick up skin parasites. Fleas (“pulicosis”) cause itching: small black specks can be spotted in the fur, which are their droppings. Mange is caused by tiny mites (parasites invisible to the naked eye): in the rabbit, it often affects the ear, where it forms thick scabs and makes it shake its head. Ringworm (“dermatophytosis”) is a fungal infection of the skin: it leaves round, hairless patches — and it is transmissible to humans, so wash your hands after handling a rabbit whose skin is flaking.

The teeth — the most important point. The rabbit's teeth grow continuously, throughout its life, rather like our nails. They wear down normally when it gnaws on hay and wood. If they wear down poorly — often because they are misaligned — they overgrow and end up injuring the mouth: this is “malocclusion”, the most common dental disorder in the rabbit. A tooth can also break (fracture) or become infected at the root and form a pocket of pus (“abscess”).

The abdomen and reproduction. In the rabbit, gut transit must never stop. In the unspayed female, tumours of the uterus are common with age — this is one of the reasons why spaying is often advised.