Ausley Penny - Raising happy rabbits: housing, feeding, and care instructions for your rabbits first year

Disclaimer:

This book was written using knowledge that we have gleaned from our years raising rabbits. We are not veterinarians. The ideas found here are things that we currently use on our rabbits, but they may not work for you. All content is offered in good faith. Please use your own judgment when dealing with your rabbits, as we cannot foresee all possible situations. Please make sure you take any rabbit showing signs of illness to a veterinarian immediately. Small animals can hide signs of illness until they are very sick. When you are in doubt about treatment for your pet rabbit, consult a licensed veterinarian.

Copyright 2019 by Brittany May and Penny Ausley

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Mona Lin

Cover images by Brittany May

Print ISBN: 978-1-51073-717-4

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-51073-718-1

Printed in China

Contents

Raising Happy Rabbits:
An Introduction

Welcome! You are either considering getting a rabbit, already have a rabbit, or are just curious about rabbits. Our goal for this book is to help you make the decision of whether to get a rabbit, if you havent made it already, and to help you give your rabbit the healthiest and happiest life possible! We have four rabbits, all of which were rescues. This path has been one of adventure, education, and joy! We hope you will find the same path, as you partake on this journey of raising happy rabbits! As long as I can remember, I had wanted a rabbit, but it wasnt until I became an adult that I was able to make the decision to get one for myself. Whether as an adult you are considering one for yourself, or perhaps you are contemplating one for your child, we are sure you have many questions about what caring for a rabbit may entail. There are many things to learn and consider whenever you take on the responsibility of a new pet. We will take it one step at a time, so dont let it overwhelm or discourage you. It is our hope that you find this book helpful, and that before you know it, you will be comfortable and find taking care of your rabbit fun and rewarding. We know that we have.

Whether you choose to keep your new pet rabbit indoors or outdoors, there are certain things that they all need. When deciding to purchase your first rabbit, all these things should be considered prior to bringing home bunny. A rabbit is not a starter or an easy pet to have. If you choose to raise them correctly, and you care about their well-being, you will discover they can be just as demanding, time-consuming, and expensive as any dog or cat.

However, if you approach getting a pet rabbit with a little research and preparation, you will soon discover that they can become your best pet ever. With time, attention, and patience, a deep bond can develop, and you will be friends furever.

After choosing your new friend, you will be faced with many questions ranging from housing, litter training, proper feeding, exercise, freedom, and grooming to potential illnesses, playtime activities, learning what is normal and abnormal behavior, and much more.

Keeping rabbits happy is a delicate balance of allowing them to act like a wild rabbit, which is what they desire and what is instinctual for them, while realizing that they are domesticated rabbits, who actually have some very different needs, and could never survive on their own in the wild. While you may read about colonies of feral rabbits that have been abandoned in parks or areas around the world, their lives are usually short, disease-ridden, and miserable. This is why I am saying that they dont usually survive in the wild on their own. Allowing your rabbit as much freedom as possible, giving them physical and mental enrichment opportunities, and keeping a small garden of herbs and lettuces are just three ways that you can help them feel at home.

Again, we hope to help you make your first year with your bunny not only a success but also a fun and fulfilling experience that will bond you and your new rabbit for life.

What This Book Is and Is Not About

When doing research about getting a new rabbit, your goal should be to offer your new pet the best possible life they can have. This is accomplished by educating yourself about what to expect, what to watch for, and how to mix the most natural lifestyle possible with proper veterinary care, and to give them the best chance at a long, healthy life.

This book is not about breeding rabbits or raising meat rabbits. We will not be focusing on the common issues that breeding or meat rabbits encounter. Also, this book is not focusing on raising rabbits for profit. If your rabbits are breeding stock or meat stock, you still should aim for them to live a happy, healthy life. However, meat rabbits are usually only kept till they are three to six months old. They will not encounter many of the issues we will discuss here. Breeding stocks will have fertility issues, different dietary requirements, and many other pregnancy issues that we will not discuss. But please feel free to incorporate any part of this book that you feel may be beneficial if you are raising rabbits for either of these purposes.

Is a Rabbit Right for You?

When you think about having a pet rabbit, what do you envision? Rabbits can be a companion animal just as much as a dog or cat when they are raised and loved. If your only thought is a small hutch out in the garden, you are missing so much, and sentencing a very intelligent animal to a lifetime in jail. If you are planning a soft, cuddly stuffed-animal kind of pet, then you will be in for a surprise. Neither of these expectations will make for a happy rabbit. Although with built trust and patience, your rabbit may indeed be up for a snuggle in your lap.

It is my belief that most rabbits are happier and healthier when allowed to live indoors. This is not to say that you cant have a great outdoor setup available for a rabbit, it is just my personal opinion. Indoor rabbits are generally not exposed to the same health concerns that an outdoor rabbit will have to deal with. However, being able to add supervised, safe outdoor time can add so many benefits to your rabbits quality of life.