Rabbit

Contact between pet rabbits and wild rabbits is discouraged, as wild rabbits can potentially carry and transmit diseases.

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Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in their spines, so they need proper support when being picked up to avoid injury.

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Rabbits will chew on almost anything, including electrical cords and poisonous plants, so their environment needs to be carefully rabbit-proofed.

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Chewing on materials like carpet or fabric can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages, so access to such items should be prevented.

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Rabbits are susceptible to viral diseases such as myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease, and West Nile virus.

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The dewlap (skin fold under the chin/neck) is prone to wet dermatitis and fungal skin conditions, so owners should check this area regularly.

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Failure to spay female rabbits is associated with adverse health effects, so owners should discuss this with a vet.

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Alfalfa hay may be too high in protein and calcium for adult rabbits, so diet should be adjusted as rabbits age.

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Rabbits will chew almost anything, including electrical cords and plants, which can cause electrocution or life-threatening intestinal blockages.

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The dewlap (skin fold under the chin/neck) is prone to wet dermatitis and fungal skin conditions - keep this area clean and dry.

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Failure to spay female rabbits is linked to adverse health effects, so owners should discuss spaying with a vet.

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Improper housing can lead to sore hocks and stress - ensure living conditions are appropriate and sanitary.

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Alfalfa hay may be too high in protein and calcium for adult rabbits - hay type should be appropriate to the rabbit's age.

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Contact with wild rabbits should be avoided, as wild rabbits can potentially carry diseases transmissible to pet rabbits.

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Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in their spines - always support their bottom when picking them up to avoid injury.

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Domestic rabbits bred for generations to be docile, but they still have an innate need to chew - keep cables and valuables out of reach.

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Rabbits require regular exercise, so ensure they have space to move around safely during any care visit.

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They can be trained to use a litter box and to come when called, so familiar routines and cues may help during handling.

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Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in the spine - always support the bottom when picking one up.

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They can damage a home if it has not been rabbit-proofed, so check the environment is safe before allowing free roaming.

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Accidental contact with wild rabbits should be avoided, as wild and domestic rabbits have different temperaments and disease risks.

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Domestic rabbits enjoy warmth - historically noted resting near fires, so a warm, comfortable environment is appreciated.

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Domestic rabbits bred for generations to be docile, but they have an innate need to chew and will gnaw on almost anything.

Source: Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0

Rabbits have fragile bones, especially in their spines - always support their bottom when picking them up.

Source: Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0

Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and to come when called, so they can adapt well to a home routine.

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They require regular exercise, and an unprepared space can lead to damage or self-injury from their chewing behaviour.

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Rabbits can be kept indoors as house companions, similar to a house cat, and may enjoy warmth such as lying near a fire.

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Keep pet rabbits away from wild rabbits - their different temperaments and disease risk make accidental interaction a concern.

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Rabbits can carry E. cuniculi, a microscopic parasite - wash hands after handling rabbits or cleaning their enclosure to stay protected.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Rabbit droppings may contain Cryptosporidium - always wash hands thoroughly after cleaning litter trays, especially before eating.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Ringworm, a fungal skin infection, can spread from rabbits to people - wash hands after petting and see a doctor if you notice a ring-shaped rash.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Rabbits can carry Salmonella - wash hands well after handling your rabbit or any of its bedding, food bowls, or waste.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Pasteurella bacteria, common in rabbits, can rarely infect people through bites or scratches - clean any wound promptly with soap and water.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Good everyday hygiene - handwashing after contact and keeping rabbit areas clean - means rabbits are very safe, enjoyable pets for most households.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Rabbits can carry Salmonella bacteria - wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your rabbit or cleaning its enclosure.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

E. cuniculi is a fungal-like parasite found in some rabbits - good hygiene and handwashing reduce any risk of transmission to people.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Rabbit fur and dander can carry ringworm (a fungal skin infection) - wash hands after handling and see a doctor if you notice a ring-shaped rash.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Rabbit droppings may contain Cryptosporidium - always wash hands after cleaning the litter box, especially before eating or preparing food.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Pasteurella bacteria, common in rabbits, can be transmitted through bites or scratches - clean any wound promptly with soap and water.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

Pregnant women and immunocompromised people should take extra care with rabbit hygiene - simple handwashing makes rabbits safe, enjoyable pets for most households.

Source: CDC (Healthy Pets, Healthy People) · Public Domain

The dewlap is driven by female hormones - male rabbits injected with hormones from pregnant women's urine actually grew dewlaps of their own!

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One pet rabbit in Tanzania reportedly lived to nearly 19 years - far beyond the typical maximum of around 9 years for European rabbits.

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Skeletal differences between wild and domestic rabbits only appeared in the 1800s, even though rabbits had been kept in captivity for over 2,000 years before that.

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A female rabbit's dewlap - the flap of skin under her chin - becomes extra loose about 5 days before birth so she can pluck it easily to line her nest.

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The Belgian Hare was once so popular that thousands were imported to America between 1898 and 1901, yet by 2015 only 132 were recorded in the entire country.

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In 2017, pet rabbits were the third most abandoned animal in the United States, with shelters seeing a spike in unwanted rabbits especially after Easter.

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Because their wild relatives became invasive, pet rabbits are completely banned in Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia.

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Domestic rabbits only started being kept as indoor house companions - similar to cats - after a handbook promoting the idea was published in 1985.

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