Dwarf rabbits, also known as mini-rabbits, are very cute, but they can be a lot of work. As with any pet, the effort devoted to care is rewarding for both the owner and the bunny. To take proper care of your pet, you need to ensure a comfortable house and adequate food for it. Also, train him to use the bathroom, handle him with care, take care of his hygiene often and keep him entertained. Finally, be sure to neuter the rabbit and take it to the vet.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Providing a Home and Feeding the Dwarf Rabbit
Step 1. Buy a cage to put indoors
Some people like to leave their bunnies indoors, but not everyone has this option. Anyway, the animal needs a cage, that is, a place where it can be safe and not be disturbed. The cage must be at least 1.20 m long and 60 cm high and wide. Your bottom should be plastic or wood, but not metal grids, which can trap the paw and injure the rabbit. Place a 5 cm layer of bedding.
- Inside the cage, there should be a toilet tray, a den, a feed bowl, a hay rack, and a drinking bowl for each rabbit. With one item for each animal, there is less chance of conflict over territory. Offer an unlimited amount of hay and ensure free access to clean water.
- Feed and vegetables should be offered once a day according to the rabbit's size, age and weight.
Step 2. Make a pen for the rodent to exercise
You can put the fence in the yard if the lawn is not fertilized and if there are no other animals. If this is not possible, choose a closed place indoors to let the dwarf rabbit play. However, when building the enclosure in a room, look for ways to protect it from the animal's attacks and keep it safe at the same time.
- If you decide to let it play in the yard, be supervising the animal at all times. There are many predators that can easily catch you.
- Exposure to the sun can be good for the pet, as this way the body can produce vitamin D, essential for strong bones. However, do not leave the rabbit exposed to the heat for a long time as it may overheat.
Step 3. Place a sanitary tray in the cage
Rabbits usually urinate and defecate in the same place (not everywhere). Place the tray where you notice most of the pee and stool pellets. That way, his house is cleaner in general and you can do the cleaning faster.
- Choose an organic material option, such as alfalfa, oats, citrus fruits or paper, to place inside the tray.
- Do not use soft wood shavings as they can damage the animal's liver.
- Clean the tray with vinegar.
- The dwarf rabbit will use the toilet tray more willingly if it is neutered and if it is kept in a sheltered and semi-hidden place.
Step 4. Offer an unlimited amount of hay
Hay is the main element of the rabbit's diet. Your pet should always have an unlimited amount of fresh hay available. Don't feed alfalfa hay, which can harm it. Prefer a grass hay.
Step 5. Feed each day
Choose a good quality rabbit feed that does not contain seeds or sugar. Avoid assorted feeds, as the rodent may end up choosing only its preferred options, which leads to nutritional deficiency over time. The indicated amount is 15 grams for every 2.5 kg of the animal's weight. Grass hay can be offered from seven weeks of age onwards.
Change the rabbit's food twice a day so it is always fresh
Step 6. Offer fresh fruits and vegetables
Give the rabbit 75 grams of vegetables. A small piece of carrot, apple (seedless), banana or strawberry can be a great snack. First of all, research which fruits and vegetables are safe for your pet, as some can be toxic.
Method 2 of 7: Teaching You How to Use the Bathroom
Step 1. Buy a hygienic tray made for rabbits
In general, this type of tray can be lined with organic materials such as paper or hay. In addition to absorbing the smell of urine and feces, the material should not harm the rabbit, as it can give a little nibble from time to time.
You can find the tray at any pet store or online
Tip:
it is normal for the rodent to play in the toilet box, spreading the material everywhere. Of course, this sucks, but think that your bunny is having fun.
Step 2. Place the tray in a place he already uses for peeing
The rabbit naturally chooses a spot in the cage to urinate on, so place the box there. In general, the spot is usually one of the corners away from the food. By placing the tray in a place that he already uses to do his needs, adaptation is easier.
- It's nice to have a sanitary tray in the cage and one in the pen. So he gets used to using the bathroom in the right way.
- Your rabbit is not using the box? Find out where he's been cleaning up and move the object to the location.
Step 3. In the beginning, put some dirty padding in the toilet tray
Take some pee and poop soiled substrate and place it in the tray. In this way, the rabbit better understands that the urine should be taken inside the box. He smells it and knows he can take care of it there.
It is not necessary to pick up a lot of dirty substrate for the rabbit to have this perception. A small amount is enough
Method 3 of 7: Catching the Dwarf Rabbit
Step 1. Approach the bunny slowly and lower the body
In the wild, rabbits are the game, so they are easily frightened. Don't surprise the pet or get above it. It's better to lower yourself to the ground and approach slowly. In the meantime, speak to him using a calm tone of voice so that he senses your presence.
Say: “Hi, bunny. It's all right!"
Step 2. Don't catch the rodent too often
Rabbits don't like it much when their owners pick them up, lift them, or hug them, so do as little as possible. It's likely that he'll try to escape and jump, but over time, confidence grows and he may even lie still in your lap. When holding it, support its hind legs with one hand and press it lightly against your chest with the other hand.
Never pick a rabbit by the ears
Step 3. Place your hands under the rabbit's belly and hind legs as you lift it
You need to hold its paws from behind so the animal doesn't try to kick. It's natural for him to kick when someone tries to catch him, but this movement can seriously injure the rabbit's spine.
Always keep one hand under his hind legs while holding him in your lap
Step 4. Hold the bunny close to your body so he feels safe
The pet is very small and naturally fearful. He is likely to be startled when he is pulled off the ground. Press it lightly against your chest so it feels safe and doesn't try to run away from you.
Tip:
don't try to catch the rodent until you realize it trusts you. If he's scared, he can do anything to flee on instinct, even if he ends up getting hurt.
Step 5. Squat down close to the floor to get it back in place
Do not place him on the ground with his arms alone, as the rabbit may be terrified on the way down. Keep it close to your body when crouching. Then slowly extend your arms and place him on the floor safely.
Avoid letting the rabbit jump out of your arms, even if the height is low, as it could injure itself
Method 4 of 7: Taking Care of Hygiene
Step 1. Check the bunny's butt every day to see if it's clean
Look for urine and pieces of feces trapped in the hairs in the area, which can attract flies. Flies lay eggs that turn into small worms, especially in summer. If you notice anything, use a damp cloth to wipe the animal's butt. Then see if you need to change the material in the hygienic tray.
Did the bunny evacuate loose stools or does it have diarrhea? Take him to the vet
Step 2. Comb the dwarf rabbit two to three times a week with a soft bristle brush
Each species of miniature rabbit has a different type of coat, so brushing can be optional or essential depending on the case. If your bunny has long fur, you must always keep them clean and without knots, thus preventing him from getting diseases. If the rodent has short fur, brushing still has a function: to create a bond and bring well-being to the animal.
- Brushing removes loose hair, preventing the rabbit from swallowing it.
- Use a comb to remove the toughest knots.
Step 3. Clean the bunny's ears
Check the animal's ears for debris such as hay or bedding substrate. Take them out carefully using your fingers or a fine-tooth comb. Then use a clean, damp towel to gently wipe the inside and outside. Finally, dry the ears with a clean, soft cloth.
When you notice little dirt between cleanings, remove them immediately
Step 4. Trim the animal's nails
Use sharp cutters specific for rabbits. Wrap the rodent in a towel during the procedure to hold it firmly if it starts to squirm. Not sure how to cut your nails or how much to take out of length? Better take him to the vet in that case.
- The bunny can get hurt if you cut his nails the wrong way. Ask your veterinarian for instructions before trying to do anything on your own.
- Never try to cut the animal's teeth if they get too long. You can hurt your rabbit a lot if you overdo it. Take him to the vet, who can safely sand his teeth using a special instrument.
Method 5 of 7: Entertaining the Bunny
Step 1. Buy non-toxic rabbit, bird or baby toys
Bunnies are very smart animals that get bored quickly. Help him fight boredom by offering a variety of fun toys such as rattles, plastic keys and marbles. Look for toys that he can toss back and forth in the cage, as well as items that can be hung from the top and side rails.
Have a different toy kit to go with each week. That way, the rabbit always has something new and different to play with, without you having to buy things
Step 2. Offer him wooden toys to bite
A rabbit's teeth grow nonstop, so it's natural for it to want to bite and gnaw on objects to wear them down. Non-toxic wooden toys are the solution to the problem - the animal can have fun and take care of its teeth at the same time.
Look for wooden toys in pet stores and on the internet. Buy items made for rodents, which ensures the wood is non-toxic
Step 3. Give him toilet paper rolls and cardboard boxes for him to tear up
Bunnies love to shred cardboard. You can guarantee hours and hours of entertainment for your pet and already take the opportunity to recycle toilet paper rolls, paper towels and cardboard boxes. Fill the roll with hay or simply place it in the cage and let the rodent enjoy. You can also create a burrow by cutting the bottom of a cardboard box and making small doors and windows.
Remove old pieces of cardboard from the cage when they start to get dirty
Step 4. Make an egg filled with rice
Fill a plastic egg with raw rice and close it with hot glue. Offer the egg to the rabbit to enjoy the noise. However, it's best to take the toy out of the cage at night if you want to sleep peacefully!
Method 6 of 7: Neutering the Rabbit
Step 1. Understand the benefits of castration
Even if you only have one rabbit, neutering can improve the animal's health and personality. If you have a couple, it is essential that both are neutered. The benefits are as follows:
- It reduces the risk of some types of cancer, especially in the reproductive system.
- Decreases aggressiveness.
- Makes the rabbit a better companion.
- Facilitates the use of the hygienic tray.
- It does away with the marking of territory in males.
- Allows rabbits to live in pairs safely.
- It eliminates the risk of unwanted litters.
Tips:
unless you want the rabbits to breed, it's best to neuter them. Castration causes them to gain a calmer temperament, in addition to decreasing their susceptibility to disease. The biggest reason to neuter females is to prevent uterine cancer, which is very common.
Step 2. Neuter a male dwarf rabbit when he is eight to 12 weeks old
The bunnies' testicles begin to descend when he is about two to three months old. At this point, you can take him to the vet to be neutered. Early neutering helps prevent the animal from becoming aggressive and developing territorial behaviors such as biting, growling and urinating.
Separate males from females when the testicles begin to descend. Don't bring them together until everyone has recovered from castration
Step 3. Neuter the female at four to eight months of age
The bunny reaches sexual maturity at four months. However, the veterinarian may prefer to wait until she is six months old for the surgery to go faster. Discuss the benefits of waiting with the professional to make the most appropriate decision for your pet.
Method 7 of 7: Taking you to the vet
Step 1. Find a small animal specialist veterinarian
The bunny has different needs than a cat or dog, so it needs a rodent-specialist veterinarian. Look for a trusted professional who is well trained and has experience with rabbits. If possible, ask for a recommendation.
Don't be shy about asking questions. The veterinarian also loves animals, so he will understand that you are looking for the best professional for your beloved pet
Step 2. Vaccinate the rabbit if you live in an epidemic region
There are two mandatory vaccines for rabbits: against myxomatosis and against viral hemorrhagic disease, both fatal. To ensure your pet's health, get it vaccinated when it is four weeks old and annually thereafter. As there are no epidemics of such diseases in Brazil, vaccination is not necessary, but if you live in Europe, it is.
Step 3. Eliminate the parasites
The only parasites that commonly affect rabbits are fleas, ticks and lice. Think your bunny has fleas? Buy flea medications at pet stores to solve the problem. If he's scratching his ears, it could be lice. Talk to your veterinarian to find the best treatment.
- Before giving any medicine to the animal, talk to the veterinarian. It can indicate the correct dosage. If you overdo it, it can harm your pet.
- The mini-rabbit is much more likely to catch fleas if there are other pets in your home, such as cats and dogs, that get infected first.
Notices
- Never leave a child under the age of nine alone with the rabbit.
- Keep an eye out for dangers in your home, such as electrical wires and small spaces where it can get pinched.
- Do not make loud noises near the rabbit. He has sensitive ears.
- Do not let the rodent get into small holes or under furniture, as it can get stuck or get lost.